Jaclyn Jose and John Arcilla. Images: From the artists’ respective Instagram accounts
Beyond her acting prowess, the late Jaclyn Jose was a friend who could be a supportive companion to anyone whether in a professional or behind-the-scenes setting, as recalled by her friend John Arcilla.
Jose died of a heart attack on March 2 at the age of 60, as confirmed by her daughter Andi Eigenmann two days later. Her wake, which runs until Saturday, March 9, has been attended by her loved ones, close friends and entertainment colleagues.
On the sidelines of her wake, a teary-eyed Arcilla admitted that he’s still coming to terms with Jose’s death as she was still young.
“Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa nagsi-sink in sa’kin. Ang bata pa ni Jane (Until now, her death still hasn’t sunk in. Jane was still young),” he told reporters, referring to the actress using her real name, Jane.
A ‘sincere’ friend
Arcilla forged a strong bond with Jose after working together in the 1996 film “Mulanay: Sa Pusod ng Paraiso,” a theatrical production of Joan of Arc’s life story in the 1990s, episodes of the anthology series “Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK),” “Magpakailanman” and several TV specials in the past.
Apart from her signature underacting, Arcilla would describe the late actress as someone who had no “pretenses,” yet could interact with anyone she met. He also underscored that her friendship was sincere and could feel like a companion.
“Napakasimple ni Jane. Kung papaano siya umacting, gan’un din ang pakikipagkaibigan niya. Gan’un ka-sincere. Walang pretension,” he recalled. “Alam niya kung kanino siya mas closer and kung saan ang kanyang hangganan sa relationship sa isang tao—ang professional friend, other friends, and family—napaka-distinct.”
(Jane is very simple. How she acts on screen is how she interacts with her friends. That’s how sincere she was. She had no pretensions. She knows whom she’s closest to and how her relationship with someone goes, yet she’s good at being a professional friend, other friends, and family to people. She’s very distinct.)
Jose also knew how to separate her professional life from her personal life, and put her work ethic first once the cameras were on. “Kung gaano siya kahusay magtimpla ng kanyang acting sa harap ng camera, gan’un din siya kahusay magtimpla ng pakikisama niya sa mga tao.”
“Hindi ko malilimutan ang professionalism niya, kahit sino ang tanungin mo, talagang wala kang makikitang sobra or kulang. Hindi mo siya hahanapan ng anything na sana ganito, sana ganyan, kapag trabaho, trabaho,” he continued.
(I cannot forget her professionalism; no matter whom you ask, you won’t see anything too much or too little. You couldn’t ask for more or less. If it’s work, it’s work.)
Jaclyn Jose at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016. Image: AFP/Loïc Venance via Instagram/@festivaldecannes
The “Heneral Luna” star also looked back at Jose’s Tanghalang Pilipino days, saying she had a “kilometer worth” of lines in the theatrical production of Joan of Arc’s life, yet she pulled off her role without a hitch.
“Jane is known for ‘underacting’ sa pelikula—iisipin mo kasi sa theater, kailangang malaki ang actions. ‘Yung pagka-under acting niya [n’un sa theater], napalaki niya nang hindi kailangang malaki ang kilos and projection. Saludo ako sa husay kay Jane bilang artista,” he said.
(Jane is known for “underacting” in films. You would think that in theater, you need to go overboard with your actions. She brought her underacting prowess into the theater without going too much with her movements and projections. I have nothing but praise for her as an actress.)
‘Nag-iisa lang si Jane’
Arcilla then described Jose as an actress who was unlike any other, as she went beyond her dreams of being a star. She was also propelled into being an “actress for the world.”
“Nakarating siya sa pinakamataas na karangalan, ang international recognition. Hindi lang siya naging artista, naging Best Actress siya ng mundo,” he said. “Nakakahanga, nakakasaludo ang naging takbo at tagumpay niya sa kanyang career bilang isang mahusay na artista sa pelikulang Pilipino. Nag-iisa lang si Jane. Wala siyang katulad.”
Jaclyn Jose
(She reached the highest peak of glory which is international recognition. She wasn’t just an actress, she became the Best Actress in the world. It’s worth admiring. Her career and success as an actress in local film is worth noting. Jane is unlike any other. There’s no one like her.)
Jose’s career in the entertainment industry lasted for four decades. She’s best known for her performances in “Ma’Rosa,” which earned her the Best Actress award at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, and “The Flor Contemplacion Story,” just to name a few.
