Award-winning character actress Cherie Gil has passed away, according to a post by actress-talent manager Annabelle Rama on social media on Friday, Aug. 5. She was 59.
On Facebook, Rama wrote: “CHERIE GIL JUST PASSED AWAY AT 5PM TODAY PLEASE PRAY FOR HER.”
Later, the sad news was confirmed by actor Sid Lucero, nephew of Gil, on social media.
“I love you;) big hug :)” wrote Lucero as he uploaded a photo of Gil.
So far, the cause of Gil’s death has not been reported.
In February, Gil left Philippine showbiz and migrated to the US.
While in New York, she was spotted with a shaved head.
“I got rid of all the clothes I had that symbolized a past life. I’m completely finding myself and coming to terms with who I really am,” Gil told fashion magazine Mega. “It’s just great to have this opportunity and to be alive to start over. It’s like a rebirth of sorts.”
On June 19, Gil shared her last photos on Facebook with Renee Perrine who she describes as a “soul sister.” Her caption read: “MY ANGEL FROM PARADISE HAS arrived!!!! Renee Perrine. Nurturer, healer, Love
SOUL SISTER!!! Kindred. Stoked and super grateful “
“Cherie was beauty personified. She had a reverence for her craft and transformed each role into art. Her friendship was pure, childlike, and giving. We shared a love for ballet. I will always treasure our conversations that just picked up where we left off. Shalom, Evangeline Rose. You are absolutely beautiful,” said Chelo Borromeo Gemina, St. Paul Pasig Grade School 1977 and St. Paul College Manila Batch 1981.
Known in Philippine cinema as “La Primera Contravida,” Gil is the daughter of actors Rosemarie Gil and Eddie Mesa. Her brothers are Michael De Mesa and Mark Gil.
Gil started her movie career at the age of 9. While she appeared in many significant movies, she is best known for her role in the blockbuster film “Bituing Walang Ningning” where she uttered the iconic line “You’re nothing but a second-rate, trying hard copycat!” to megastar Sharon Cuneta.
In 1979, she also ventured into music and released her only OPM classic song entitled “Boy (I Love You).”
Gil has three children – Jay Eigenmann, Bianca Rogoff; and Raphael Rogoff. Jay is her firstborn from a previous relationship with actor Leo Martinez. Bianca and Raphael were her children from former husband, Rony Rogoff, an Israeli violinist. Her children are based abroad and they are close with one another.
Showbiz colleagues paid tribute to Cherie.
“Rest now, dear EVANGELINE ROSE. You will always be our TRINING OJEDA immortalized in ORO, PLATA, MATA.Have a safe journey home to the arms of our Father. You were launched in the very first movie I ever wrote. You starred in the movie that I will always be remembered. You are irreplaceable in the minds and hearts of so many of us,” wrote director-professor Jose Javier Reyes.
Kapuso star Gabbi Garcia: “Ms. Cherie Gil. So heartbreaking. I’m so honored to have been able to work with a legend. Rest in Power.”
Actor-singer Mark Bautista: “Hwat Happened? Learned so much from her when we did Lastikman. Such a great loss to the entertainment industry. Praying for her family.”
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George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism