Mark Gil passes away

MANILA -  Veteran actor Mark Gil passed away at 8 a.m. on Monday due to liver cancer, his family confirmed in a statement. He was 52.

Born Raphael Joseph de Mesa Eigenmann, Gil was diagnosed with cancer in 2012 and found out in June this year that it was terminal.

Upon Gil's request, his family had decided to keep secret the condition and refuted reports that the actor was battling the illness.

"It was Ralph's request that this should not be revealed, and we did not question his decision," a statement read. "To those who have asked us about his condition, especially his colleagues, the press and fans, we apologize for not being forthright, but we also ask for understanding."

Gil was among the clan of Eigenmann celebrities in local showbiz. The second child of singer Eddie Mesa and actress Rosemarie Gil, he was a sibling to Michael de Mesa and Cherie Gil, both movie stars.

He is survived by his wife, Maricar, and their daughter Stephanie Cheri, and five other children from three previous relationships. Among his children are TV stars Sid Lucero and Andi Eigenmann.

According to the joint statement of his family, Gil died peacefully in the company of his family members and had been in high spirits during his last days.

Meantime, the Eigenmanns requested that they be given time to mourn Gil's passing privately. They announced that an event celebrating the life and work of Gil will be held on Wednesday, starting at 10 a.m., at the La Salle Greenhills chapel.

Gil rose to fame for his role in the movie “Batch '81.” His other movies include “Underage,” “Indio,” “Miss X” and “Palabra de Honor,” among others.

His TV shows, meanwhile, include “Guns and Roses,” “100 Days to Heaven,” “Walang Hanggan,” “Imortal,” and “Magkaribal.” Gil’s last project with the ABS-CBN was the primetime series “The Legal Wife.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Andi denies reconciliation with ex Jake Ejercito

Mark Gil, Jaclyn Jose continue to back daughter

MANILA -- Andi Eigenmann has denied that she and former boyfriend Jake Ejercito have reconciled.

The Kapamilya actress took to micro-blogging site Twitter on Friday to explain her recent trip to London, where she reportedly spent time with Ejercito.

In a series of tweets, the "Agua Bendita" star said, "Jake and I haven't been together since last year and though it broke my heart, I was strong enough to accept that it just cannot be. I just dont understand why after I lost him, i still have to keep suffering from peoples judgments and accusations."

In November last year, a tearful Eigenmann confirmed on national television that she and Ejercito had broken up. The separation came after the actress' mother, actress Jaclyn Jose, said in an interview that Ejercito's parents are supposedly against his relationship with Eigenmann.

Ejercito is the son of former President Joseph Estrada and former actress Laarni Enriquez.

Following the breakup, Ejercito went on record to say that his relationship with Eigenmann "overlapped" with  the actress' ties with actor Albie Casino, with whom she has a baby girl named Ellie.

Of the recent "intrigues" his daughter has had to face, Eigenmann's father, actor Mark Gil, said it is par for the course for public figures like the Kapamilya actress.

"Nagkakaroon lang ng spice kasi mundo ng showbiz 'to eh, but that's life and that's how it is. Hindi naman siguro mawawala ang intriga, pero I'm sure by now, alam na nila how to handle things," he told ABS-CBN News.

Jose, meanwhile, has chosen to keep from commenting publicly on her daughter's personal life. This, after her publicized remark about Ejercito's parents admittedly caused a rift between her and the young actress.

"Okay kami ni Andi eh. I'd rather keep my friendship with my daughter, than to say anything regarding the matter. I love her so much, I don't want to fight with her anymore," she said.

However, the veteran actress said she hopes Eigenmann will have her priorities straightened.

Asked for her message to Eigenmann's loyal supporters, Jose said, "Nagpapasalamat ako kasi sinu-support parin nila si Andi no matter what."

"Si Andi naman is doing her best to do her job well, and to be nice with everybody. Except for 'yung kanyang personal life talaga, medyo magulo. Sabi ko sa kanya, concentrate na muna sa career and kay Ellie," she said.

source: abs-cbnnews.com