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A Shocking Announcement
On August 5, 2022, the Philippine entertainment industry was rocked by the news of the death of Cherie Gil, one of the most celebrated and versatile actresses in the country. Her talent manager Annabelle Rama announced on Facebook that Gil had passed away at 5 pm that day and asked for prayers for her soul. The news was confirmed by Gil’s nephew Sid Lucero, who also paid tribute to her on Instagram.
A Rare Form of Cancer
The cause of death of Cherie Gil was revealed by her son Raphael Rogoff in an official statement on August 7. He said that his mother had died peacefully in her sleep at 4:48 am EST on August 5 at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan, New York City. He also disclosed that Gil had been diagnosed with a rare form of endometrial cancer in October 2020, but had requested that this information be kept private.
Endometrial cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the lining of the uterus. It is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States, but it is not very common in the Philippines. According to the Philippine Cancer Society, endometrial cancer accounts for only 3.4% of all female cancers in the country. The exact cause of endometrial cancer is unknown, but some risk factors include obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, hormone therapy, and family history.
A Brave and Graceful Fight
Rogoff said that his mother had fought bravely against her illness, with grace and strength. He said that despite her struggles, she always managed to exude courage and never lost her trademark sass, wit, and infectious humor, or her larger-than-life personality. He also thanked the doctors and nurses who cared for her at the cancer center, where she was hospitalized last month.
Gil had moved to New York during the COVID-19 pandemic to focus on her mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. She had sold everything in Manila and started a new life in the Big Apple. She had also shaved her head and embraced her baldness as a sign of liberation and empowerment. She had posed for a magazine cover with her bald look and said that she was not scared of facing her new role in life.
A Legendary Career
Cherie Gil was born Evangeline Rose Gil Eigenmann on May 12, 1963. She came from a prominent showbiz clan that included her parents Eddie Mesa and Rosemarie Gil, and her siblings Mark Gil and Michael de Mesa. She began her acting career at the age of nine and appeared in over 100 films and TV shows in a span of five decades.
She was known as La Primera Contravida for her exceptional portrayal of villainous characters in Philippine cinema and television. She was also a versatile actress who could play different genres and roles, from comedy to drama, from romance to action. She won several awards and recognition for her performances, including from the ASEAN International Film Awards, Madrid International Film Festival, and Gawad Urian Awards.
Some of her most memorable films include Manila by Night, Oro Plata Mata, Sonata, Bituing Walang Ningning, Hihintayin Kita sa Langit, Ikaw Pa Lang ang Minahal, Mulanay, Tanging Yaman, Crying Ladies, Ang Nawawala, Sonata, Sonata Maria Leonora Teresa, Citizen Jake, Rainbow’s Sunset, and Culion. Some of her most notable TV shows include Germspesyal, Champoy, May Bukas Pa, Bituin Walang Ningning (remake), Tayong Dalawa, Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin, Ikaw Lamang (Book 2), Dolce Amore (Book 2), The Blood Sisters (Book 2), The General’s Daughter (Book 2), The Killer Bride (Book 2), Love Thy Woman (Book 2), Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin (Book 2), FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (Book 2), La Vida Lena (Book 2), Init sa Magdamag (Book 2), Marry Me Marry You (Book 2), and Viral (Book 2).
She was also a singer who recorded two songs that became classic OPM hits: Boy (I Love You) and Sing Me Your Song Again Daddy. She was also a theater actress who starred in several stage plays such as Master Class, Full Gallop, Vagina Monologues, Love Letters, Arbol de Fuego, Agnes of God, The Sound of Music (Asian tour), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Asian tour), Himala: Isang Musikal (re-staging), Ang Huling El Bimbo (re-staging), M Butterfly (re-staging), and The Band’s Visit (Asian premiere).
A Loving Mother and Friend
Cherie Gil was also a devoted mother to her three children: Bianca, Raphael, and Renée. She was previously married to Israeli violinist Roni Rogoff, but they separated in 2008. She was also a loyal friend to many of her colleagues and peers in the industry, who expressed their grief and condolences on social media.
Some of the celebrities who paid tribute to Gil include Sharon Cuneta, Agot Isidro, Lea Salonga, Iza Calzado, Angel Locsin, Bea Alonzo, Jodi Sta. Maria, Judy Ann Santos, Piolo Pascual, Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Richard Gomez, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Martin Nievera, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Karylle, Gary Valenciano, Angeline Quinto, Erik Santos, Jed Madela, Christian Bautista, Aiza Seguerra, Ice Seguerra, Liza Diño-Seguerra, Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Vhong Navarro, Billy Crawford, Coleen Garcia-Crawford, Luis Manzano, Jessy Mendiola-Manzano, Alex Gonzaga-Soriano, Toni Gonzaga-Soriano, Bianca Gonzalez-Intal, Robi Domingo, Kim Chiu, Xian Lim, Enchong Dee, Gerald Anderson, Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia, Janella Salvador-Marcos, Maris Racal-Rivera, Inigo Pascual-Morales , Loisa Andalio-Alonte , Ronnie Alonte-Andalio , Maymay Entrata-Barber , Edward Barber-Entrata , Kisses Delavin-Marcos , Donny Pangilinan-Delavin , Vivoree Esclito-Pangilinan , Charlie Dizon-Pascual , Jameson Blake-Dizon , Elisse Joson-Blake , McCoy de Leon-Joson , Barbie Imperial-de Leon , JM de Guzman-Imperial , Ria Atayde-de Guzman , Arjo Atayde-Santos , Maine Mendoza-Atayde , Alden Richards-Mendoza , Kathryn Bernardo-Padilla , Daniel Padilla-Bernardo , Liza Soberano-Gil , Enrique Gil-Soberano , Janine Gutierrez-Dantes , Paulo Avelino-Gutierrez , Julia Montes-Avelino , Coco Martin-Montes , Yassi Pressman-Martin , Bela Padilla-Pressman , JC Santos-Padilla , Arci Muñoz-Santos , Sue Ramirez-Muñoz , RK Bagatsing-Ramirez , Jane Oineza-Bagatsing , Jerome Ponce-Oineza , Loisa Andalio-Ponce , Ronnie Alonte-Andalio , Maris Racal-Alonte , Iñigo Pascual-Racal , Sofia Andres-Pascual , Daniel Miranda-Andres , Andrea Brillantes-Miranda
