Cherie Gil, one of the most celebrated and versatile actresses in Philippine cinema, passed away on August 5, 2022 at the age of 59. She was known for her iconic roles as a villain, a singer, a comedian, and a drama queen. She had a career spanning nearly 50 years and won numerous awards and accolades for her acting prowess. But what was the cause of death Cherie Gil? How did she cope with her illness and what legacy did she leave behind?
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The Diagnosis: A Rare Form of Endometrial Cancer
According to her son Raphael Rogoff, who confirmed her death in an official statement, Cherie Gil was diagnosed with a rare form of endometrial cancer in October 2021. 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 rare in the Philippines
Cherie Gil requested that her condition be kept private and fought bravely against her illness with grace and strength. She underwent treatment at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, where she passed away peacefully in her sleep
The Move: Selling Everything and Packing Up
Cherie Gil decided to move to New York during the COVID-19 pandemic to prioritize her mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. She said that she was tired of herself and unhappy in the Philippines, so she sold everything and packed up. She also shaved her head and got rid of the clothes that reminded her of her past
In an interview with Mega Magazine in 2022, she said that she was scared of facing her new role in life, but she also felt liberated and empowered. She said that she wanted to live fully and authentically, without regrets or apologies. She also expressed her gratitude for her family, friends, fans, and colleagues who supported her throughout her journey
The Legacy: A Prime Villain and a Versatile Star
Cherie Gil was born on June 21, 1963 as Evangeline Rose Gil Eigenmann to a family of actors. Her parents were Eddie Mesa and Rosemarie Gil, and her brothers were Michael de Mesa and Mark Gil, both actors. She also had a half-sister, Elaine Eigenmann. She started her career as a child actress at the age of nine and appeared in over 100 films and TV shows
She was dubbed as “La Primera Contravida” or “The Prime Villain” for her remarkable performances as an antagonist on screen. She was best known for her role as Lavinia Arguelles in Bituing Walang Ningning (1985), where she uttered the iconic line “You’re nothing but a second-rate, trying hard copycat!” to Dorina Pineda, Sharon Cuneta’s character. She also starred in other memorable films such as Oro Plata Mata (1982), Manila by Night (1980), Sonata (2013), Citizen Jake (2018), and many more
She was also a talented singer, comedian, writer, model, and television host. She recorded two songs that became classic OPM hits: “Boy (I Love You)” and “Sing Me Your Song Again Daddy”. She co-hosted Germspesyal with German Moreno from 1979 to 1981 and Champoy from 1986 to 1987. She also wrote a book titled “Kontrabida: A Life Less Ordinary” in 2019, where she shared her personal stories and insights on life and showbiz
She was a recipient of several awards and honors for her acting skills. She won the FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actress three times, making her a Hall of Famer in that category. She also received the Ani ng Dangal Award from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in 2015. She won the Best Actress Award at the ASEAN International Film Awards in 2015 and the Best Lead Actress in a Foreign Language Film Award at the Madrid International Film Festival in 2015. She also won the Best Supporting Actress Award at the Gawad Urian Awards in 2019
She was admired and respected by her peers and fans for her professionalism, passion, generosity, and charisma. She was a mentor and an inspiration to many aspiring and established actors in the industry. She was also a loving mother to her three children: Raphael Rogoff, Bianca Rogoff, and Jay Eigenmann.
Cherie Gil will always be remembered as one of the greatest stars in Philippine cinema history. Her legacy will live on through her films, songs, books, and memories. She will always be cherished by those who loved her and those who were touched by her talent. She will always be the prime villain and the versatile star that we all loved.
