By: Izza Belle Basubas
Rest in Peace Direk Gbert. Photo courtesy of his personal Facebook Account.
Letran alumni director Gilberto Rufila Tongo Jr. passed away on Saturday, September 3, as announced on Facebook by his family.
Director Gilberto Tongo, also known as "Mr. GBert" started his journey at Colegio de San Juan de Letran Manila as a Teatrista in 2005 and became the organization’s president from 2007 to 2009.
As an alumnus of Letran, Director GBert managed successful events inside the institution, inviting well-known celebrities and directors in the Philippines, such as Director Paul Soriano, Antoinette Jadaone, and Cathy Garcia-Molina, to talk for Film Making Values in 2019.
In 2010, he signed a contract to work as a production assistant for a Star Cinema project titled Cinco, a creative horror movie made up of five unique short films linked by a similar theme. In the same year, Mr. Gilbert became a freelance script continuity supervisor and continued working with Star Cinema.
The director left a mark in the Filipino film industry as he is one of the people behind several impressive shows, including Shake, Rattle, and Roll Fourteen: The Invasion (2012), Ang Pambansang Third Wheel (2018), and LUV IS: Caught in His Arms, a drama series on GMA Network (2022).
Mr. GBert's family in the Teatro de Letran shows their immense grief over his loss. The organization recognizes his contribution to the school and to the film industry.
"Your talent will always be an inspiration for everyone in the organization," stated Teatro de Letran in their social media post.
The funeral service will be held at Rizal Funeral Homes Memorial Chapel, Room Bernay, in Libertad, Pasay City, from September 4 to September 8, 2023, followed by cremation.