Iza Calzado starts new life without dad Lito
Today is the start of a new phase in Iza Calzado's life, moving on without her father, Lito Calzado, who was brought to his final resting place at Himlayang Pilipino, Tandang Sora, Quezon City on Monday morning, November 14. Lito was supposed to be cremated but his siblings disagreed.
People close to Iza said her father’s loss could soon sink in and this may affect her decisions on what to do in the coming days. And the day her father was buried, they said, could be the hardest for Iza.
Strength and composure
But they all could be wrong because ever since the start of the wake, Iza has shown nothing but strength and composure. There may be occasional tears especially Sunday night during the necrological services, but Iza was smiling most of the time.
Those who know her personally, and even her fans have observed that Iza is basically a happy person, a trait she inherited from her father.
"I always wake up happy because I'm always happy to see people," Iza said.
She added that ever since, she only wanted to talk about the good or positive things in her life. This is the reason why, she said, people are surprised to see her smiling instead of weeping or grieving during her father’s wake.
She even cracked a joke about her dad during the necrological service at Mt.Carmel Church, New Manila, Quezon City .
“My father was a charming man, kaya siguro marami siyang girls, which I resented at first. Why does he always have a woman? In fact, he married three! And they all went ahead of him. They’ll be having a reunion in heaven. Saka, siguro kaya tinawag na ang Dad ko kasi may malaking production number na gagawin siya doon sa itaas.”.
Among the showbiz personalities who attended Lito’s last wake included Nora Aunor, German Moreno, who shared his experiences working with the late director-choreographer; John Nite, Sen. Bong Revilla, Jr. and wife, Rep. Lani Mercado, Jackie Forster, director Maryo J delos Reyes (he also shared fond memories about Lito), Ricky Davao, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Tuviera, Malou Choa-Fagar, Aljur Abrenica, Diva Monetelaba and Shirley Fuentes.
Also there were The Company, Dingdong Avanzado and Mark Bautista who rendered songs that to their mind would best convey their homage to the man they respected for his artistry. Martin Nievera was also there to say some nice things about Lito. But Martin was not prepared to sing.
Aside from thanking friends and colleagues last night, Iza expressed her gratitude to everyone who posted on her Facebook and who tweeted their condolences to her and her family.
Like father, like daughter
She added that she always wanted to follow her father’s footsteps because he was well-loved. Iza said she knows he made a lot of people happy in his lifetime.
“I cannot dance with him anymore, but I know someday we would be dancing again – in heaven!”
