Tata Esteban

Career

In perhaps the boldest move of his life, former nightclub king and bomba film producer-director Steve Regala, bared all for the movie cameras. This time, the producer-director of the notorious "pito-pito" quickie sex flicks shot in seven days and the critically acclaimed bold films "Alapaap" and "Hubo" revealed the lowest, darkest episodes of his past life as a hardcore womanizer, flesh trader and shabu addict. And how a stroke and a heart-rending candid remark by his two-year-old boy woke him up from his drug and X-rated nightmare and ushered him into an amazingly new, free and fulfilled life in Jesus Christ. "Yung pagka-addict ko ng 30 years, hindi basta maaalis iyon. No amount of treatment, no doctor or rehab center can cure you just like that. But as the [Bible puts it], nothing is impossible with God, and it is by His grace that we are saved", a now-healthy, cleaner-shaven, and relaxed-looking Steve shares.

In a brave and candid testimony, interrupted by both tears of joy at his deliverance and restoration, and regret at his depravity, Steve shared how he had been promiscuous since he was 13, and constantly wallowing in money as he traded and bedded women, and showed off their wares in his hit nightclubs and movies. Steve was famed for his once hot nitespots: Arizona Disco and Jail House Rock Disco in Pampanga, and Country Tavern in Baguio. He also helped launch famous former screen sirens Jaclyn Jose, Maria Isabel Lopez and Tanya Gomez, and was associated with softdrink beauties, Pepsi Paloma and Sarsi Emmanuel. He cranked out such box-office hits as "Materyales Fuertes", "Diwata" and "Double Cross". He was lionized and on top of the world, but when shabu devoured his health and fortune, he was almost alone. Those who were there for him included friend Ben Yalung, Imelda, his present wife for 18 years, his mother and Pastor Cyrus Contreras who led him to invite Christ to dwell in his heart as personal Savior and Lord. That began his Prodigal Son journey out of the pigsty of drugs and wild living into the waiting arms of his Father God.

Personal life

His wife, Imelda, said that it was an ordinary day, when Tata muttered he felt tired. He took a long and sudden intake of breath (parang hinugot ang hininga niya), and then, he was gone. Imelda's only clue that her husband of 18 years was soon to see his Savior was his extraordinary display of affection the past days.

"Araw-araw, napakalambing, carinoso", as she describes. But then, she shares, he had always been caring and affectionate since he had surrendered his life to Christ and given up womanizing and a devastating shabu addiction. "Lahat na ng pagmamahal, ibinigay niya sa akin. She admits asking God, why take him now, kung kailan ang bait-bait na niya?"

Educational life

Tata was also due to graduate as Doctor of Strategic Missions, Honoris Causa, from the International Communicators Open University, an affiliate of the University of the Philippines (they gave him his diploma posthumously). He had also finished theology and pastoral course at the Baguio Benguet Christian College seminary and was eager to share all he had learned.

He has a double major for his undergraduate degree in Business and Hotel and Restaurant Management obtained at the University of Baguio

Health

Tata had many pending projects and dreams. At his wake, former DILG Secretary, former Laguna Governor, former Senator and former NAPOLCOM Chief Joey Lina shared that he and Tata were due to discuss the production of an anti-drug abuse campaign using the Bible as the most potent weapon against addiction.

Drugs

But God eventually heard the cry of Tata's heart. His mother, Julie, who had become born again, prayed and shared the good news of forgiveness, salvation and new life, paid for at the Cross, with Tata, in 1993.

But Tata kept falling until several heart attacks, from which he was eventually healed, served to humble and sober him. He turned completely from drugs in 2000, after his then two-year-old son asked if he could sample daddy's shabu.

On The 700 Club Asia program last February, Tata tearfully apologized to all the women he had wronged and shared his unwavering conviction: Forte ko iyan (bold films), and I can easily make a quick buck. But fame can turn into shame, power is not forever, but God's love is endless and His fidelity is eternal. Hinding-Hindi ko Siya ipagpapalit sa kahit ano, o kanino.

Death

Former bold film director and drug addict turned born again Christian Steve Regala a.k.a. Tata Esteban had been inviting people to come celebrate his 49th birthday on Sept. 28, 2003. But two and a half weeks early, on Sept. 10, 2003, at 10:30 a.m., he died suddenly from a heart attack. It was his fifth attack.

Legacy

But his greatest legacy is his prodigal journey from a wild life in the pigsty of bold filmmaking, sex addiction and drugs, to a new, grace-full life in his Father's forgiving and loving arms.