Remembering Didith Reyes

MANILA, Philippines - Many people sorely miss the sultry singer Didith Reyes.

To observe the sixth death anniversary of Didith, Arvie Reyes, the only son of the late chanteuse and Shirley de Leon, Didith’s former landlady and cosmetology teacher at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) are preparing a memorial Mass and other ceremonies for her on Dec. 10.

Shirley, who has been supporting the Reyeses since the early 2000, is bent on mounting a modest get-together for Didith’s friends and supporters in their house in Pacita where the singer stayed most of her days after a tumultuous break-up with her non-showbiz lover.

In the past years, supporters of jukebox queens Imelda Papin and Claire de la Fuente would gather at Shirley’s residence to observe the death anniversaries of the Didith, who shot to fame in the ’70s.

Recently, the superstitious Shirley saw a little white butterfly in her front garden and said it must be the soul of Didith paying her a visit.

“I miss her a lot. When she was here, she would always sing in our videoke before going to bed,” said Shirley.

Among the performers in the concert are Armie Zuñiga, Miguel Castro (second from right) and The Filipino Tenors

Arvie, on the other hand, by way of mobilizing her mom’s kith and kin, has thrown his full support behind the invitational memorial concert titled Remembering Didith Reyes on Dec. 11, 7 p.m. at the Mowelfund Plaza grounds. The songs will be performed by Armie Zuñiga, Miguel Castro and The Filipino Tenors, Dell Ramirez and Detour, The Big Three Sullivans and Anthony Castelo. The show is under the musical direction of Pablo Vergara.

The equally superstitious son of Didith said he also saw a colorful butterfly fluttering in his rented house in Fairview a few days ago. “I know that it was mom and she has a message for me that I should again be part of the event in her honor,” said Arvie.

An old lady owner of a turo-turo in Pacita recounted how Didith would always stop by her store and eat her meals. “She was always in cane. I pitied her. But Didith was so sweet she would give me fruits she bought along the highway,” shared the woman.

Sariling Atin Resto-Bar along Old National Highway near Olivarez in Biñan served as Didith’s musical stage. Known for her velvety voice, Didith, who made popular playful and mushy ditties such as Bakit ako Mahihiya?, Nananabik, Araw Araw, Gabi Gabi, Hindi kami Damong Ligaw, Huwag kang Mamangka sa Dalawag Ilog and so on, was last seen some six years ago in the resto-bar singing pop songs with gusto.

“She was just jamming with the customers,” Arvie said.

Arvie and his mom lived in Biñan after all the properties Didith had invested in and saved for years were gone.

Shortly after, Didith went back to Manila to work as a receptionist at Les Reyes’ Haircutters.

But she went back to Laguna and there, she met  her tragic end. Didith was found dead by residents of Biñan with a bruised body, allegedly sideswiped by a vehicle on Dec. 10, 2008.