Joel Alano remembered

As Valentine approaches, remembered with fondness and sadness by his friends, fans and admirers is Joel Alano, one of the finest and most promising actors of the ‘80s. The Valentine issue of People Magazine (Feb. 19, 1982 issue) edited by Jullie Yap Daza featured Joel on the cover in a naughty pose. But for pillows, the physique of the teenage idol was exposed.

The accompanying piece by Manny Fernandez noted that his trip to stardom via Regal’s Schoolgirls was derailed when the film was banned by the censors. But its director, Maryo J. delos Reyes, felt it was a temporary setback and stardom would not be denied Joel.

True enough, Joel was cast in Regal and Viva films, including Lino Brocka’s Caught in the Act and Mother Dear and Ishmael Bernal’s Ito Ba Ang Ating mga Anak?. He also played the third wheel in Sharon Cuneta-Tonton Gutierrez starrers. Joel appeared in plays for the University of the Philippines.

All the while, Joel maintained a cordial relationship with the public and the press, although he was on the shy side.

Somewhere along the way, Joel encountered personal, career and health issues. He tried working in the US but came home after a while. After which he died of heart ailment.

‘Gone too soon’ — people said of Joel, many shedding tears and uttering a prayer. — RKC