Deo Endrinal was a star-maker for so many reasons. His contributions to the lives and careers of those whom he helped transcend time, and will touch their hearts through and through. 

As a tribute to Dreamscape Entertainment’s main man, several actors shared what makes Deo Endrinal a true mentor, a father in the industry, and a friend.

Anne Curtis, for one, revealed how she overcame rock-bottom through Deo’s blessing. “I’ll never forget that [during] one of my lowest points in my career—when I didn’t have any faith in myself anymore—he was one of the few that said, ‘We believe in you; we have faith in you,’” Anne told ABS-CBN News at Deo’s wake. 

She, too, mentioned that back then, a major role was given to her by Deo—a good remembrance that she will treasure for life. When asked what legacy Deo left as a showbiz luminary, Anne replied: “I think his brilliance when it comes to our industry—all the beautiful storytelling he was able to impart to Filipinos.”

Apart from Anne, another actor who feels indebted to Deo is Joshua Garcia. In fact, in a lengthy post on Instagram, the Darna and Unbreak My Heart leading man shared what his major learnings are from the late producer. “Sir Deo was not just one of my bosses, but he was also someone that I considered as a mentor and a good friend. And for that, I want to say my thank-yous,” he penned.

“Thank you for standing by me, taking a chance on my craft, and believing in me despite the constant detestations that I received towards my acting career,” Joshua continued. “Thank you for being the most understanding and selfless boss not just to me but to many in and out of the industry.”

Joshua also thanked Deo for believing in his talents, acknowledging his guiding genius—the one that helped him transcend and outlast pressure and expectations from the public. “Thank you for never giving up on my capabilities. You have helped me reach greater limits as an actor which guided me towards stepping out of my comfort zone. Thank you because it helped me stand my ground when I felt pressure from the thought of not doing enough as an actor.”

“Binago n’yo po [ang] buhay ko bilang actor dahil sa ‘Unbreak My Heart’ at isa ’yun sa mga pinakamalaking blessings na nakuha ko sa buhay ko. No goodbyes but rather, a ‘see you again’ one day,” Joshua concluded his heartfelt message. “Rest easy, boss. Marami [ang] nagmamahal sa inyo.”

To honor Deo, meanwhile, Mallari actor Piolo Pascual talked about the lessons that he learned from the Dreamscape Entertainment head. “One thing na talagang na-instill sa’kin ni Tito Deo is ‘you got to work hard.’ Walang nakukuha nang overnight. Whatever success, whatever fame, you got to work hard for it,” he shared with ABS-CBN News at Deo’s memorial service.

“That’s the one thing na sinasabi niya. For you to remain grounded, you always have to be patient, you have to be dedicated, and you have to be humble kasi ito ’yung mga traits na magpapa-last sa’yo sa industriya,” Piolo figured. “With him around, alam mong kahit ano’ng mangyari, he’s your ally.”

He noted, too, that it is not everyday that he encounters someone as helpful and supportive as Deo, especially that entertainment is a dog-eat-dog world. In his own words: “Ipagtatanggol ka niya and he will protect you also; hindi ka niya ipapahamak. Kaya ’yun ’yung mga talagang [bihira]. Bihira ’yung ganu’n.”

A heartbroken Kim Chiu shared a sentimental message on social media. “I don’t know where to start sa dami ng gusto kong sabihin at ipaalam sa lahat on how you played a huge role in my life,” she started. “I once dreamt of being seen on TV and helping my family. That was my only wish when I started showbiz, but a 16-year-old dreamer would never have what I am experiencing right now if no one believed in me.”

“Right after ‘PBB,’ at the victory party in 2006, he approached me and asked, ‘Ano [ang] kayang mong gawin?’ Sabi ko, ‘Wala po, nahihiya po ako.’ Then he told me, ‘Mag-workshop ka lang. May project akong bagay sa’yo,” Kim narrated, detailing why she never gave up on her goals.

“For my every win and every loss, Sir Deo has always been there for me. He didn’t leave my side. He is always there, and he is always the first person to believe in me when no one does. He always fights for me,” the woman went on. “I almost gave up showbiz, packed my bags, and was about to leave the country for good. Yet, he has always been there to help me stand up again. Tumapang ako because of him. Thank you, Sir Deo. I am not where I am now if not because of you.”

Gerald Anderson, who also entered entertainment anew as a teenager back then, thanked Deo for trusting him. “[I] still can’t believe it. I will always be grateful to you, Sir Deo, for giving a young 17-year-old boy from GenSan a chance in our industry,” he captioned his post on IG. Catapulting his rookie status to stardom was a role played by Deo, propelling Gerald’s career further. “You gave me remarkable opportunities in ‘Sana Maulit Muli,’ ‘Tayong Dalawa,’ ‘My Girl,’ and ‘Budoy,’” Gerald continued. “You were not just our boss; you treated everyone like family. We will miss your brilliance, but we will forever miss your love.”

Likewise, Jake Cuenca looked back on his journey as a beginning actor in ABS-CBN. According to Jake, Deo believed in him and was the one behind his big breaks. “I was a struggling actor back then with almost nothing to my name. When I moved to ABS-CBN, my life dramatically changed; the trajectory of my career changed, and it’s because of you, Sir Deo. You gave me my big break,” Jake said in a post he shared on Instagram. “You believed in me, gambled on me when no else would. I will never forget everything you've done for me. Thank you, Sir Deo, for giving me and countless others the opportunity to make their dreams come true.”

Award-winning actress Jodi Sta. Maria is one of the actresses who looks up to Deo and admires his leadership. “The world feels a little less bright without you but heaven has gained another angel. Your life was a blessing to many including mine. Your legacy of kindness, love, and leadership will live on forever,” Jodi captioned her Instagram post. “Rest in peace my boss, mentor, and dear friend. I love you, Mammitah. Hug Jesus for me, please.”

Comedian-actor Vice Ganda also mourned the passing of his “mother.” To him, Deo Endrinal played an immense part in his life, leading him to the place where he is at present. “My manager. My mother. My supporter. My basher. My friend. And now my angel,” his recent Instagram share read. “I will always love you. I will always be grateful to you. I will always miss you. I promise to continue to make you proud.”

Lovi Poe, on the other hand, only had good words for her “genie.” According to the Batang Quiapo actress, Deo is a giver of wishes and granted her so many successful projects. “I’ve always been such a huge fan of Sir Deo and his body of work. It was always a dream of mine to be part of his storytelling and I have been blessed enough to be given that opportunity,” she put it. “He made so many beautiful projects happen for me and like a genie, he granted so many of my wishes. I’ll always be grateful.”

Seasoned actress Dimples Romana shared her piece of Deo Endrinal, too. On Instagram, she penned, “I’ve gotten so good at keeping my pain and sufferings to myself that only the very few who truly know and understand my heart and how it feels deeply would know whenever I am going through a storm in my life. Isa ka po du’n, Sir Deo.”

According to Dimples, apart from always being by her side in the thick of her sufferings, Deo opened many opportunities for her. “You held the knobs of the doors I was always too afraid to open.

To me, you will forever remain not just a mentor, a teacher, a cheerleader, a protector, a confidant, [and] a friend, but most of all, a father. To the one who taught me to always take the higher road, and remain kind in a cruel world, who supported my crazy, random, spontaneous ideas, I love you, Sir Deo.”

Kris Aquino, meanwhile, composed a message for Deo and spared time to pay him a tribute, in spite of their “drift” throughout some time. “I won’t deny that after working so closely together for almost 20 years, ‘Lola Deo’ and I drifted apart when I was no longer with ABS-CBN,” she said in her Instagram statement.

“For 16 years, not a day passed that we didn’t communicate. I’m now so sorry for my failure to be the one to reach out because it hurt me when I failed to hear from him personally during my time of grief and the time my health started deteriorating. My wrong choice prevented us from being each other’s support system when we should’ve been there for each other.”

According to Kris, since her pride took over and she failed to try reaching out, she is suddenly swamped with regrets. “Please know, La: I never ‘unloved’ you. And i am proud to declare—I’d never have become Kris without the magical guidance of the creative genius that was Deo Endrinal.”

Three-year-old Kapamilya talent Janine Gutierrez, star of Dirty Linen, also shared how Deo Endrinal’s acceptance of her transformed her life tenfold. “Wala hong sawang pasasalamat sa tiwala at pagmamahal ninyo sa akin, Sir Deo.”

“Kumpara sa iba, tatlong taon pa lang naman akong Kapamilya, under your wing, and part of the Dreamscape family. Pero sa loob ng maikling oras na ’yun, grabe ang naging halaga ninyo sa buhay ko,” she shared on social media.

“It dawned on me that your life was one big testament to the power of love—love through attention and care and joy and celebrating wins and sharing your talent and genius and believing so much in the people around you that they end up believing in themselves.”

Born Roldeo Theodore Endrinal, the Dreamscape Entertainment head breathed life into many iconic and memorable projects, paved the road for record-breaking teleseryes and content, and became instrumental in the success of many artists.  

He was a true creative and visionary. The beloved leader wasn’t only lauded for his body of work but also for becoming one of ABS-CBN’s pillars who shaped the future of storytelling on screen. 

Lead photos from @jodistamaria and @chinitaprincess