Rudy Fernandez's body brought to crematorium

MANILA, Philippines - The remains of the late actor Rudy Fernandez were brought to the Heritage Memorial Crematorium in Quezon City at 8 a.m., two hours after he died in his home. Radio dzRH reported that relatives and close friends of the actor, including wife Lorna Tolentino and Senators Ramon Revilla Jr. and Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, were in the area. Also there were Fernandez's close friends from show business, including actresses Amy Austria and Gina Alajar and actor Tirso Cruz III. Estrada was to make arrangements for the funeral and burial, said Fernandez's manager Lolit Solis. In an interview on dzRH, Solis said the actor died in his sleep at 6:15 a.m. The action star had been battling cancer. "Mabuti namatay siya sa pagtulog, talagang hirap na siya di niya kaya, di makatayo (It was better that he died in his sleep because his body was racked with pain)," she said. Solis said that as early as Tuesday night, Fernandez experienced extreme pain, but forbade his wife from calling an ambulance. The actor’s condition had worsened since he left the hospital. "Pagdating sa bahay iba na, di na nakakikilala, hinang hina na (When he was brought to his house he was so weak such that he could not immediately recognize people)," she said. Solis also said Fernandez could not stand people crying, adding, he even requested that son Mark Anthony Fernandez not be immediately allowed to enter his room because Mark wept when he first saw him. - GMANews.TV