Herrero dies from pneumonia

Manila: Subas Herrero, whom Filipinos best remember as the bigger and taller half of the comedy tandem “Champoy” died March 14 from complications from pneumonia.

An article published by the abs-cbnnews.com said Herrero’s friend actress Maya “Mitch” Valdez broke the news that Herrero passed away at the age of 69.

“Our dear friend Subas passed away March 14 of cardiac arrest due to 4 days of double pneumonia. Pls say a prayer for our dear friend. He will always be remembered for his talents and his great attitude on life summed up as his regular yell: I LOVE THIS GAME!,” Valdez said.

The Hispanic-looking Herrero had been a character actor who played anti-hero roles to big name screen leads such as Fernando Poe Jr among others.

During the 1980s, the portly Herrero played the comedic half of the Champoy tandem. The other was the diminutive wisecracking Noel Trinidad, who remains active in show business.

Known as the local Laurel and Hardy tandem without the slapstick, Herrero and Trinidad, together with Valdez, Tessie Tomas and Gary Lising was standard fare in the 1980s evening televiewing for most Filipinos. The team provided an escapist respite from the realities of the then prevailing Martial Law of strongman, President Ferdinand Marcos

Aside from playing roles in films and theatre, Herrero had been a restauranteur who operated the “Senor Subas” in suburban Quezon City until his failing health forced him to lay low and eventually give up the food business.

Senor Subas served Spanish fare.

Herrero suffered several strokes in recent yars and his huge body frame became a mere shadow of the hulking figure that he once was.