Rita Avila (MNS Photo)
Grief can consume us leading to depression. It is how we deal with grief that spells the big difference in our earthly life.
This somehow is the underlying philosophy that actress Rita Avila wants to impart to people in general and not only to readers of her books.
You see, she is not only a talented and awarded actress, she is also an author.
All the grief she felt when she and husband TV director Erick M. Reyes lost their son Elia Jesu (named after Erick’s favorite director Elia Kazan) to congenital heart ailment when he was only three-week old, she translated into something positive. She transformed all those sad feelings into an inspirational book entitled “8 Ways to Comfort With Grace.”
Rita doesn’t just write books – she writes them with a purpose. For instance, her first book, “Si Erik Tutpik at si Ana Taba,” which was actually based on her and Erick’s childhood experiences, is about children who experienced bullying.
When they were young, Erick was thin, while Rita was chubby. So naturally, they were subject to bullying.
After this, Rita started number one of her “The Invisible Wings.” And just this year, she came out with number two, “The Invisible Wings 2 (Little Sacrifices and Rewards),” which she dedicated to “our angel son, Elia Jesu E. Reyes” and starring once more Mimay, Popoy and Pony who wanted to become “angels on earth.”
Most Rev. Honesto F. Ongtioco, DD, Bishop of the Diocese of Cubao, said about the book. “In a world that gets more and more complicated, advanced and fast-paced, there is an ever rap undying invitation to look at the things that truly matter. More than an affirmation of the
importance of the family, Rita’s book, beautiful in its simplicity, reminds us once again of the redeeming value of sacrifice and the enduring power of love. It is an endearing story for everybody to read.”
Actress Angel Locsin, on the other hand, said “I absolutely adore the way the story is told. I could imagine how Mimay, Pony and Popoy are. What I really love most about this book are the Val’s that it imparts to readers such as compassion, selflessness, respect, care and love which the major characters chose to do and made little sacrifices for their loved ones. The story conveys that children could become little angels on earth by doing good and that every act of kindness is worth rewarding. Bravo Ms. Rita!”
The awarded actress, who was born Ana Marie Errea, holds a degree in BS Hotel and Restaurant Management. She started her showbiz via German Moreno’s legendary variety show “That’s Entertainment,” and went on to appear in movies (including “The Flor Contemplacion Story,” “Sabel,” “Soltera” and “Shake, Rattle & Roll 12; and TV shows like TV5′s “Never Say Goodbye,” her first soap opera. She is currently seen in GMA Network’s “Hanggang Makita Kang Muli.”
Rita was Best Actress winner in the Asian Television Awards in Singapore (1997).
By the way, she is also a songwriter, having written “Hanggang Dito naLang,” and “Hanggang Huli,” in memory of her son Elia Jesu.(MNS)