NAGULO ang gabi ng televiewers sa nakakagulat na eksena sa FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano nitong nakaraang Lunes. “Rest in Peace Benny” ang isa sa mga nabasa naming reaksiyon sa pagkamatay ng best friend at sidekick ni Cardo Dalisay (Coco Martin) na buong husay na ginampanan ni Pepe Herrera.

Nalaman tuloy sa napakaraming post at thread sa Facebook na marami pala ang natutuwa kay Benny at isa na nga si Bossing DMB na talagang nagulat sa pagkamatay nito.

Masyadong madrama ang eksena bago namatay si Benny, yumakap muna ng mahigpit sa kanya si Onyok bago naman niya niyakap ng mahigpit din si Cardo at humingi ng sorry kasi nga nasundan siya ng mga kalaban at saka umalis.

Pero nakita ni Benny na napapalibutan na si Cardo ng mga kalaban at kahit puwede naman siyang makatakas ay hindi rin siya bubuhayin kaya mas ginusto niyang bumalik sa kaibigan at iniharang ang sariling katawan para hindi ito tamaan ng mga bumabaril.

Nakakadala ang iyak ni Cardo sa pagkamatay ni Benny, tiyak na mano-nominate o baka hirangin uling Best Actor si Coco ngayong 2017.

Samantala, si Arjo Atayde na gumaganap bilang kontrabida nina Cardo at Benny na si Joaquin Tuazon ay best friend ni Benny at itinuring na kapatid sa ibang magulang sa tunay na buhay. Saksi kami kung gaano sila ka-close dahil nadadatnan namin sila sa bahay ng mga Atayde kapag walang trabaho.

Madamdamin ang post ng pasasalamat ni Arjo kay Pepe sa Instagram at Facebook sa magandang samahan nila at may video na kumakanta si Benny habang tumutugtog ng ukulele sa isang resort.

“It’s been a journey of love, laughter, drama, comedy, and friendship. Benny has personally been one of my favorite characters on Probinsyano and will remain to be till the end.

“The first time I had a scene with Benny was hard for me because of the way he delivered his lines, it was just so real. His character was a good contrast of mine, full of happiness while mine was angsty. And well, beyond the cameras, I got very close to Pepe that ending his journey on the show, our last scene together, was the hardest for me to do because it was hard to act angry at someone who has easily become not only one of my best friends but my brother.

“Benny was a happy-go-lucky type of person, one who knew the meaning of camaraderie, and the value of family. I’ll have you know that Mr. Pepe Herrera, my brother and best friend, is just the same in real life. I’ll never forget the time we talked once and we were talking about how FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano helped both our careers and that thanking them or showing them gratitude will never be enough.

“Pe, you’ve grown so much as an actor and as a person, it is an honor to have witnessed that and well, I hope you know how proud I am of you. Movies here and there, shows getting you, singing gigs every time I hear something good about you, I feel like I’m the one receiving the blessing cause as I told you walang iwanan, bro kapit tayo.

“Thank you for not being just a friend in work, but a friend I can call, one I can spend holidays with and one that shows up despite his busy schedule. Thanks for listening to my nonsense, to my kuwentos, to my problems, thanks for being an inspiration to others and to me to be better to do good and never forget about work. Even my family holds a special place in their hearts for you.

“Pe you’re one of a kind, bro all of us are lucky to have someone like you at work and outside. Our friendship doesn’t end here. I pray for more years of adventures and lousy decisions HAHAHAHAHAHA! And always remember, bro, friendship marks a life even more deeply than love. No friendship is an accident, everything happens for a reason. I will miss Benny but above all, I’ll miss working with you, bro!

“Cheers to the best portrayal of Benny that only you can do, and cheers to the friend everyone always dreamt of having. I love you, bro big time! Till our next show, Pe! BENNY, Ladies and Gentlemen!” (REGGEE BONOAN)