So long, Cherie
The country’s one and only La Primera Contravida passed away in New York, Friday, at 59
Award-winning character actress Cherie Gil has passed away. Actress-talent manager Annabelle Rama made the announcement on social media Friday, Aug. 5.
On Facebook, Rama wrote: “CHERIE GIL JUST PASSED AWAY AT 5PM TODAY PLEASE PRAY FOR HER.”
The sad news was confirmed by Gil’s nephew, actor Sid Lucero, to GMA News.
He also uploaded a photo of the actress on social media, writing as caption, “I love you;) big hug :)”
The cause of Gil’s death has not been confirmed as of writing. But based on her social media posts, Gil had been receiving treatment at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
Gil left the country early in February.
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.”
Gil’s last social media post was on June 19, sharing photos on Facebook of her 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.”
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, who succumbed to cancer of the liver in 2014.
Gil started her showbiz career at the age of 9. At 15, she was launched via the movie “Problem Child.” She also appeared in the critically acclaimed films “Manila By Night” and “Oro, Plata, Mata.”
In 2015, Gil received three international awards for best actress for the movies “Mana” and “The Inheritance”; and “Sonata,” at the ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards.
In 2019, she won best-supporting actress at the Metro Manila Film Festival.
She also received recognition from the Star Awards and the Film Academy of the Philippines.
The same year, Gil won best supporting actress for the movie “Citizen Jake” at the Gawad Urian Awards.
While she appeared in many significant movies, Gil 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 “Boy (I Love You),” now considered an OPM classic.
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 are her children with former husband, Rony Rogoff, an Israeli violinist.
Showbiz 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.” Sharon took to Instagram to pay tribute to her friend.
She wrote: “The Industry has lost one of the very best actors it has ever produced. I have lost a part of myself no one can ever replace.” Sharon visited Cherie in New York and was with her hours prior to her passing.
Part of her lengthy post read: “I flew to New York early yesterday with a heavy heart, still forcing it to hang on to that sliver of hope of God performing a miracle & allowing you to pull through this.
“I am eternally grateful to Him for giving us the few hours we spent together…the love & words yet again exchanged in person…the knowledge that the friendship forged when we were very young was stronger&would only keep getting so.
“You told me about your tree to heaven outside of your apartment window, which I didn’t get to see. We said ‘I love you’ & I said I’d see you again today…& you raised both arms and gave me the thumbs up with both hands.
“Then barely eleven hours after I left you, I was awakened by his call saying you had passed…I leave New York now with a much heavier heart than ever before…because now I am leaving YOU with the knowledge that I will NEVER see you again."
She ended, “Be at peace in God’s loving arms, my Cheech…I’ll see you again someday. I will love you with all my heart, forever. Thank you for everything.”
‘The Industry has lost one of the very best actors it has ever produced. I have lost a part of myself no one can ever replace’ – Sharon Cuneta