Rest in peace to a beloved on-screen villain.
The Filipino movie and TV world is in mourning as it lost one of the most prolific names in the industry. Veteran actress Cherie Gil died on August 5, as confirmed by Anabelle Rama and her nephew Sid Lucero.
Gil was 59 at the time of her passing. Sources put her time of death at 5:30 PM New York time. They also said she died of cancer.
Celebrating Cherie Gil’s remarkable career
Cherie Gil began her acting career when she was 9 years old. She started at an early age being the daughter of singer-actors Eddie Mesa and Rosemarie Gil. She is also the sister of fellow actors Michael de Mesa and Mark Gil.
Her earliest roles were as a daughter or part of the close circle of the lead actor. Gil got her first leading role in Bubot na Bayabas in 1978. Gil continued to make a name for herself in several Regal Films productions. These included Salawahan and Ito Ba Ang Ating Mga Anak.
Her most memorable role was as Lavinia Arguelles in Bituing Walang Ningning in 1985. It was in that film where she dropped the iconic line “You’re nothing but a second-rate, trying hard copycat!” to Sharon Cuneta’s character, Dorina. Because of that role, Gil got cast as the sultry villainess throughout her career.
In her 50-year career, Cherie established herself as La Primera Contravida. Despite playing the villain, Gil is one of the most beloved actresses by peers and fans alike.
There will never be another Cherie Gil
Cherie Gil is an acclaimed actress in the Philippines and abroad.
In 2015, she won the Best Actress trophy at the ASEAN International Film Awards for her role in ‘Sonata’. She also won Best Lead Actress in a Foreign Language Film at the Madrid International Film Festival that same year for her part in ‘MANA’. In 2019, Gil won her first Gawad Urian Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Citizen Jake.
Her other accolades include being a FAMAS Award winner, an Ani ng Dangal award recipient, and a Metro Manila Film Festival Hall of Famer.
Cherie is survived by her three children, Jay, Bianca, and Raphael.
