SANTA CLARITA, California - It was a day of mourning in Santa Clarita, as thousands visited the site of where movie star Paul Walker and his friend Roger Rodas died from a car crash last week.
There was a "Fast & Furious" viewing, a motorcade and a car show featuring cars from the hit film series.
Filipinos were among the thousands who paid tribute to Walker, who earned a cult following for his role in the "Fast & Furious" films.
"We're movie fans. We stopped by pay tribute and homage (to Walker)," Noel del Barrio of Montclair said.
"Paul walker had a big impact... So we're just paying our respects," Leighton Villanueva of Lancaster said.
Some Filipino racers, who met Walker at the race tracks, say the actor lived the life he depicted on the big screen.
"I raced with Paul Walker a few years back. We actually shared track time. We'd see each other every so often on the track," Marlon Daraco of San Diego said.
Daraco recalled that whenever Walker was at the tracks, he would come by the pits and talk with them.
Despite being a Hollywood star, they said Walker was down-to-earth.
"I met him. He's a real cool dude, he's a nice guy. It's sad he had to go out that way," Jerwin Sanchez of San Diego said.
Walker was attending a Philippine typhoon relief event held by his non-profit organization Reach Out Worldwide, when the Porsche he was riding in, driven by friend and business partner Rodas crashed into this tree and burst into flames.
Countless candles and tributes have collected on the sidewalk since the fatal accident. Just days before his untimely death, he released a video message rallying help for typhoon Yolanda victims.
"It feels good that he raised awareness and decided to try to help us out. It kills me that he's gone but I know he's in a better place," Daraco said.
A Filipno couple said their charity organization plans on honoring Walker by naming a village in his honor.
"The Gawad Kalinga leaders responded very well and would like to build a legacy village for Paul Walker to honor him because Paul Walker died after raising funds for the victims of typhoon Yolanda," Luzvaminda Macbalo from Las Vegas said.
As police continue investigating the fatal crash, close friends and family are still planning a "special" funeral for the 40-year-old actor.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
