Family: Cherie Gil fought bravely with grace and strength
Veteran actress Cherie Gil passed away on Friday night after a brave battle with cancer. She was 59. In the official statement shared yesterday on the social media accounts of her children Jay, Raphael and Bianca, the family of the movie icon “extended our sincerest gratitude to all those who expressed concern for Cherie during this difficult time.”
They are deeply saddened by her passing but are “incredibly moved by the outpouring of love and support for her and our family.”
They said the actress died peacefully in her sleep on Aug. 5, 4:48 a.m. Eastern time (4:48 p.m. in Manila), surrounded by family and loved ones, after battling cancer. After deciding to relocate to New York City to be closer to her children, she was diagnosed with a rare form of endometrial cancer in October 2021 and then underwent treatment at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in the city, her family added.
“It was her request that her diagnosis be kept private, and as a family, we supported her in this decision. Cherie fought bravely against her illness, with grace and strength. Despite her struggles, she always managed to exude courage and never lost her trademark sass, wit and infectious humor or her largerthan-life personality,” the statement further said.
The sad news about her death first broke out on Friday night, shocking the showbiz industry.
Cherie was dubbed as La Primera Contravida for her iconic villain roles on television and in movies, including Bituing Walang Ningning (1985) opposite Sharon Cuneta.
Sharon re-shared a video clip on Instagram showing the famous scene, where Cherie’s character Lavinia uttered the iconic line to the Megastar’s character Dorina: “You’re nothing but a second-rate, trying hard copycat!”
Cherie last graced the screen via GMA’s teleserye Legal Wives in 2021.
“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,” said a grieving Sharon. “That line will never be the same again, rest in power.” Other showbiz personalities who paid tribute to Cherie included direk Joey Reyes, Liza Soberano, Sunshine Cruz, Dennis Trillo, Zsa Zsa Padilla and Pops Fernandez.
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