There is much to be said about Albert Rodríguez’s performance as an actor and director. Only at his death do some of the people know his vocation as an educator, which turned out to be his life purpose.
This was proven by fellow artists and students, who went to the Braulio Castillo Theater in Bayamón yesterday to honor him at the start of his wake.
Suzette Bacó melts into a hug with one of the actor’s sisters. > Brandon Cruz González / THE SPEAKER
“The dedication he had with those students was his life purpose and I don’t think anyone was that clear about it. Those students were his life and he was always close to young people, gave them mentorship, opportunities, he believed in them a lot, ”said Suzette Bacó, who was a neighbor of the late artist.
Ten years ago, Rodríguez founded the National Talent Academy with Deddie Romero. They focused their efforts on the education of early school leavers and established two campuses, one in Bayamón and the other in Arecibo, of which the actor was the general director.
“His motto has always been: don’t give up, keep going until we achieve our dreams. He was a fan of The Avengers and even though it was a ‘sticker’ that was best for him, his emotion was like that of a child at Christmas. He could break into feelings inside and he always gave us joy. He was the superhero of the school, ”said Nelsie Ramos, a student from Arecibo THE SPOKESMAN.
Students Nelsie Ramos and Diego Rosario testified to the quality of the artist as a person and educator. > Brandon Cruz González / THE SPEAKER
“He was a great person, he always came up with advice, a new teaching. He motivated us every day not to give up, that life was one and we had to take advantage of every second. He was a great theater teacher, that legacy will always remain, ”said student Diego Rosario.
Relatives and their inseparable companions from the artistic class arrived early: Bacó, Marian Pabón, René Monclova and Jorge Castro, as well as Romero, Raymond Gerena and Ulises Rodríguez. These last two theater managers.
Producer Raymond Gerena and actors Marisol Calero and Gil René were present. > Brandon Cruz González / THE SPEAKER
“Nobody is so suddenly prepared for something like this. But we were left with the satisfaction that he was an extremely happy person, that he was fully alive and that everyone loves him, ”said Gerena.
Rodríguez directed almost all of Gerena’s theatrical productions, to whom he taught ‘that life is one, that he enjoys it, that he lives completely’.
Wanda Sais, Linnette Torres, Los Rivera Destino, Danilo Beauchamp, Nicole Colón, Wanda Sais, Sara Jarque, Alejandro Gil, Modesto Lacén, Gilda Santini, Emmanuel “Sunshine” Logroño, Florentino Rodríguez, Víctor Alicea, Carmen Nydia Velázquez, Israel also came Lugo, Francis Rosas, Tita Guerrero, Marisol Calero and Loubriel, among others.
Danilo Beauchamp, Nicole Colón, Linnette Torres, Los Ribera Destino, Wanda Sais and Alejandro Gil, among others, on arrival at the Braulio Castillo Theater in Bayamón. > Brandon Cruz González / THE SPEAKER
At the request of the family, the vigil was closed to the press and public. It was reported that the casket was sealed and an image of the comedian was projected into the theater. The vigil continues today at the Jalvin Funeral Home in Añasco and will be buried in that city’s municipal cemetery on Saturday.
They tune in a new tribute and broadcast a special
From the teachings of the also educator, Suzette emphasized that “the greatest lives today, here and now. Albert has been my brother for 34 years, I’ve only seen him angry twice. From him I receive love, joy, zest for life, dedication ”.
There was a memorial with some of the most representative items. > Brandon Cruz González / THE SPEAKER
The actress said they want to pay a public tribute later, with videos and anecdotes from their colleagues. It would be a dynamic similar to Wednesday’s in El Remix, on Wapa TV, dedicated to him. The program will be repeated on Saturday at 9 p.m.
Rodríguez died of natural causes on March 15, at the age of 58, at his residence in Bayamón.