passed away yesterday, Aug. 5. She was 59 years old.
The actress’ friend, talent manager Annabelle Rama, revealed Gil’s passing on her
Twitter page yesterday. She opted not to disclose the cause of Gil’s death, only
asking for the public’s prayers.
“Cherie Gil just passed away at 5 p.m. today. Please pray for her,” Rama said.
Gil’s nephew Sid Lucero later confirmed the news, as seen in the episode of the
GMA program “Saksi” yesterday, Aug. 5. The actor said Gil had been ill for some
time, without elaborating.
Lucero then paid tribute to Gil, along with their fellow actors Sharon Cuneta and
Vilma Santos, as well as director Jose Javier Reyes, among others.
“I love you;) big hug:),” Lucero said while showing a throwback photo of his aunt
on his Instagram page yesterday.
Cuneta recounted her recent visit to Gil in New York, via her Instagram post today,
Aug. 6. The Megastar admitted feeling heartbroken over losing her “true screen
partner.”
“I am eternally grateful to Him for giving us the few hours we spent together. The
love [and] words yet again exchanged in person, the knowledge that the friendship
forged when we were very young was stronger [and] would only keep getting so,”
she said.
Cuneta and Gil worked together in the film “Bituing Walang Ningning,” where Gil
delivered the iconic line, “You’re nothing but a second–rate, trying hard copycat!”
For her part, Santos expressed love for Gil while showing a throwback photo of
them together on her Instagram page yesterday.
“Rest In Peace, my Friend. We Love you, Ms.Cherie,” she told the departed
actress.
Zsa Zsa Padilla, her friend, and co–actor emphasised on Cherie’s passion for acting
and remembered their little chat session .
efficiently can’t be replaced by anyone. She starred in Jose’s first movie and will
always remain irreplaceable in the hearts and minds of many people.
Cherie came from a showbiz family that included her parents Eddie Mesa and
Rosemarie Gil, as well as her brothers Mark Gil and Michael de Mesa.
She starred in such films as Ishmael Bernal’s “Manila by Night” in 1980, “Oro,
Plata, Mata” in 1982′′ and “Bituing Walang Ningning” in 1985. She was last seen
in the GMA TV series “Legal Wives.”
She has 2 children with ex–husband Rony Rodgoff Raphael Rogoff and
Bianca. Jeremiah David, one of her children was from her previous relationship
with Leo Martinez.
Cherie went on to become a mentor to experienced and aspiring actors through
her online acting class in 2020. She then revealed last February that she moved to
New York to be with her kids and “start a new chapter.” (D.Cruz /RA inq)