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

Ronaldo Valdez almost rejected 'The Mistress'

MANILA, Philippines -- Veteran actor Ronaldo Valdez almost did not accept the role of Bea Alonzo's benefactor in the blockbuster hit "The Mistress."

Valdez told told ABS-CBNnews.com that with his busy schedule, he almost passed up on the chance to play Rico, the older married man who has a mistress played by Alonzo.

"Nagdalawang isip ako kasi may ginagawa din akong soap ('Ina Kapatid Anak'). Ayaw ko ng dala-dalawa mahirap. Ayaw kong mag-segue. Alam mo naman na hindi na tayo bata," the actor said.

"Kaso noong nalaman ko na si Direk Olive Lamasan (ang direktor) at nalaman ko 'yung script eh teka mahirap yatang tanggihan ito at mabuti na lang ay tinanggap ko," Valdez said.

Produced by Star Cinema, "The Mistress" is now close to becoming the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time after it has already earned P300 million worldwide.

"Ako'y tuwang tuwa naman na ako ay part noong project na 'yon. Siyempre tuwang tuwa kami. Mabuti naman at nagustuhan ng audience. Well kasi ako personally ay parang kakaiba siya sa usual na pelikula," Valdez said.

Valdez will once again be part of a love triangle in his latest series "Ina Kapatid Anak," which is headlined by Kim Chiu, Maja Salvador, Enchong Dee and Xian Lim.

In the new ABS-CBN primetime drama, Valdez plays Zacharias, the former husband of Pilar Pilapil's character and the father of Cherry Pie Picache's character

"Doon sa 'The Mistress' asawa at girlfriend ang ka-triangle. Dito naman asawa din pero ang ka-triangle ko naman ay lalaki naman si Eddie Gutierrez," Valdez said.

The seasoned actor believes the Filipino audience will love the new series, especially with its powerhouse cast and good story.

"Dito magagaling lahat ng kasama ko at napakaganda ng istorya napakainteresante. At siyempre ang direktor namin ay magaling, magaling magtagpi-tagpi ng istorya. So kailangan talaga, dapat masubaybayan," Valdez said.

"Ina Kapatid Anak" debuts on October 8 on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida block.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Nida Blanca's daughter says goodbye to Dolphy

MANILA, Philippines -- Kay Torres, the daughter of the late actress Nida Blanca, attended the requiem Mass for Comedy King Dolphy on Sunday morning.



The veteran actor considered Blanca, who played his wife in the long-running sitcom "John en Marsha," his favorite leading lady.

"'Di magkikita na sila uli ni Mommy, di ba? Ang saya nila siguro. I love you Tito Dolphy, nag-iisa ka talaga!" Torres said.

Also attending the Sunday Mass were showbiz stalwarts Eddie Garcia and Rosa Rosal.

Garcia, 83, said, "Mabuti siyang tao, walang kaaway."

The veteran actor and director also cracked a joke -- in keeping with Dolphy's wish for people to smile at his funeral.

"Kumpleto na sila 'dun, si FPJ ...pwede na silang mag-poker dun," he said. -- Report from Mario Dumaual, ABS-CBN News

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Eric Quizon plans roast for Dolphy's birthday

MANILA, Philippines – From the time the country’s Comedy King Dolphy was rushed to the Makati Medical Center on June 9 and on to the the many tributes after the veteran actor passed away on Tuesday night, his son, Eric Quizon, had been a picture of strength and grace.

As the appointed spokesman for the popular comedian’s family, Quizon faced the cameras and the media with admirable calm.

“A source of grace and strength? I tried my best,” Quizon said. “After this 'di ko alam kung bibigay na ako, I had no time to mourn him so hindi ko alam how I will handle myself.”

And on Sunday, Quizon finally gave in to grief, as his father was brought to his final resting place at the Heritage Park in Taguig.

But Quizon’s job is far from over.

With Dolphy’s upcoming birthday on July 25 – he would have turned 84 – Quizon and the rest of his siblings are set to gather again – and hopefully the mood would be a lot lighter.

“I want it to be a roast, laughter,” Quizon said.

Quizon also said he would lead the Dolphy Aid Para sa Pinoy Foundation, which aims to provide educational assistance to less fortunate children.

“That was our vision. Matagal na naming plinano ang adbokasiyang ito. Kaya kahit wala na siya, andyan pa rin ang legacy. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat na dumamay sa amin,” he said.

Quizon is also hoping that the benefit screening of his father’s old movies at the Ayala Cinemas and other theatres around the country would be a success. – Report from Mario Dumaual, ABS-CBN News

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Celebrities mourn Dolphy's passing

Members of the showbiz industry mourned the passing of the country's "comedy king" Dolphy, who died on Tuesday night at the Makati Medical Center.

Celebrities took to the micro-blogging site Twitter to express their sadness about the veteran actor's death after a five-year battle with a pulmonary disease.

Host and actress said Dolphy's long-time partner, singer and actress Zsa Zsa Padilla sent her a text message at 8:50 p.m. to state simply, "He just passed away."

"Prayers and love for the Quizons, respect and gratitude for our King of Comedy," Aquino said on her official Twitter account.

Comedian Vice Ganda, who was among the first celebrities to offer his condolences on Twitter, tweeted, "Lord we thank you for giving us THE DOLPHY who unselfishly and passionately dedicated his whole life to make this world happy. Amen."

Actress Sharon Cuneta on Twitter: "My Tito Dolphy. The King of Comedy. A good father. Loving and devoted to Zsa Zsa. Extended help to whoever needed it and quietly. God brought him home not just to release him from his pain and suffering, but because He had lent Tito Dolphy to us for too long a time and wanted him home. I'm sure the Lord missed him. As I am sure we all will, from now on... Rest in peace, my beloved Tito Dolphy. I will continue to do my best to follow the beautiful example you set for all of us, even when you didn't know it. I love you from the bottom of my heart. I miss you sooooo very much already."

Actor Richard Gomez: "Mahal ka namin Mang Dolphy. Thank you for having the privilege of working with you in the movies. God bless you!"

Actress Lovi Poe, daughter of Dolphy's good friend Fernando Poe Jr.: "RIP Tito Dolphy. Thank you for the laughter. You truly touched our lives and made us all happy. You will be missed."

Comedienne Rufa Mae Quinto: “Bilang comedienne ako po ay nalulungkot sa nangyari sa ating Comedy King. Siya ang inspiration ko kaya ako nagpatawa ng nagpatawa.”

Young actress Julia Montes: “Comedy King, so sad my dream will not be come true.to work with the best. My prayers for the Comedy King and his family.”

Host and actor Edu Manzano: “Heaven became a happier place today. The angels will be laughing together with our one and only King of Comedy. Rest in peace, friend.”

Actress Ruffa Gutierrez: “RIP Ninong Dolphy. Thank you for making us laugh throughout the years. You will always be in our hearts. May your soul rest in peace.”

Actress Lea Salonga: “RIP, Comedy King. You are sorely missed. Condolences to the Quizon family, you are in our prayers.”

Actress Jolina Magdangal: "Gusto sumabog ng loob ko. Tatay Dolphy, I will miss you. Thank you for all the memories. Mahal ko po kayo."

Host Bianca Gonzalez: "Thank you for all the laughter and light, rest in peace Mang Dolphy."

Actress Angelica Panganiban: "Nakakaiyak!!! Walang rason para magsaya!!! Ang sakit Mang Dolphy!! Mang Dolphy, ikaw ang ama ng industriya. Ugat ng komedya. Salamat sa pagiging inspirasyon."

Actress Janice de Belen: "Thank you for all the laughter. I feel lucky and honored to have worked with you. May you rest in peace Tito Dolphy."

Host Mariel Rodriguez: "Thank you Tito Dolphy for living a selfless life! Thank you for all the laughter. You will continue to inspire us all."

Singer and songwriter Jim Paredes: "Zsa Zsa Padilla and to the Quizon clan, we offer our deep felt sorrow and condolences. Manong Dolphy, salamat sa lahat."

Singer Martin Nievera: "With a heavy heart and a bucket of tears let's all remember to 'smile' the way Dolphy would have wanted us to. I miss him already... Prayers."

Actress Giselle Tongi: "Eric Quizon confirmed in a text that his dad passed away. We will always love and respect you Tito Dolphy! Love and light!"

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Oscar-winning actor Ernest Borgnine dead at 95

LOS ANGELES – Veteran actor Ernest Borgnine, the star of dozens of films and television shows who won an Oscar for his portrayal of a shy butcher in love in “Marty,” died Sunday, his manager said. He was 95.

“It’s a very sad day. The industry has lost someone great, the caliber of which we will never see again. A true icon,” the manager, Lynda Bensky, said in an email to AFP.

“But more importantly the world has lost a sage and loving man who taught us all how to ‘grow young’. His infectious smile and chuckle made the world a happier place.”

Bensky said the actor died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, with his family at his side.

Born to Italian immigrants on January 24, 1917 in Hamden, Connecticut, Borgnine was primarily known for his roles in comedies such as the popular TV series “McHale’s Navy” and dramas like the World War II film “The Dirty Dozen.”

The US Navy veteran won an Academy Award for best actor for his role in the 1955 film “Marty,” which also took home Oscars for best picture, best director and best screenplay.

Borgnine — who began his career as a stage actor and first shot to prominence in Hollywood when he played Sergeant “Fatso” Judson in “From Here to Eternity” — was also known for his role on the television series “Airwolf.”

He also appeared on the celbrity game show “The Hollywood Squares”.

Borgnine continued to work into his 90s, voicing the character Mermaid Man on the animated children’s series “SpongeBob SquarePants”.

In 2009, he appeared in a guest starring role on long-running TV drama “ER” for which he earned an Emmy nomination.

The year before, he was nominated for a Golden Globe for his work in the made-for-TV movie “A Grandpa for Christmas”.

The Screen Actors Guild gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award last year.

The gap-toothed actor wed five times, including once to Broadway megastar Ethel Merman — a marriage that lasted only a month. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Tova. Borgnine had four children.

In an interview with AFP in 2007, Borgnine emphasized the importance of being a team player as an actor.

“When you’re part of an ensemble like I was in ‘From Here To Eternity’ and ‘The Poseidon Adventure’ you realize you stick out badly if you try to steal a scene instead of being a part of a team,” he said.

“Acting to me is very simple. You just need to use your heart and your head together.”

Borgnine said at the time that he would advise aspiring actors to “get a real job before you try to get an acting job.”

“Learn about life and then learn your craft. And don’t wear dark glasses on screen because you think you’re cool. The eyes are an actor’s best asset,” Borgnine said.

source: interaksyon.com

Dolphy mouths: 'Uwi na tayo'

MANILA, Philippines - The Comedy King's health condition has improved considerably, three weeks after he was rushed to the Makati Medical Center's intensive care unit due to complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to Dolphy's son, Eric Quizon.

In fact, Quizon said on Friday, his 83-year-old father already wants to go home. "Uwi, uwi na tayo [Let's go home]," the already lucid Dolphy mouthed to his family.

The veteran actor even asked for orange juice, Quizon said.

Dolphy continues to undergo dialysis, but the said process to cleanse the blood might no longer be continued this weekend as the actor's kidneys appear to be functioning well, according to Quizon.

The actor-director added that Dolphy would no longer need to undergo blood transfusion.

Five years ago, Dolphy was diagnosed with COPD, an illness that results in breathing difficulty and worsens over time.

Most people suffering from COPD are smokers or used to smoke. About 600 million people worldwide suffer from COPD, according to the World Health Organization. COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States, which has more than 12 million people diagnosed with the disease.

source: interaksyon.com

Dolphy resumes dialysis

Comedy king Rodolfo “Dolphy” Vera Quizon’s health appeared to improve as he underwent dialysis anew Saturday, one of his children said.

A report on “Balitanghali” quoted Ronnie Quizon as saying his father resumed the procedure, a day after the dialysis was stopped due to complications from pneumonia.

The report quoted him as saying this was welcome news of sorts as it means the Comedy King’s health had improved somewhat.

But the younger Quizon also called for a stop to the spread of messages that the popular comedian had died, saying such messages were still spreading online.

It also said Dolphy’s family continued to keep watch over him at the Makati Medical Center since Friday night.

Actress Maricel Soriano, who played Dolphy’s daughter in the sitcom “John En Marsha,” was among those who kept watch at the hospital Friday night.

Many of Dolphy’s showbiz colleagues also visited him at the hospital since Friday night but were restricted to a viewing room. — LBG, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Dolphy has developed pneumonia in both lungs, son says

MANILA, Philippines - Hours after telling media that the condition of his father had improved after dialysis, Eric Quizon on Friday evening said Comedy King Dolphy had developed pneumonia in both lungs - his 11th bout with the disease in 11 months.

Nonethless, Quizon said there was an improvement in Dolphy's hemoglabin count, which had increased. However, he said that the vetaran actor's platelet count was down.

Dolphy's family is hopeful that he will survive pneumonia as it was detected early, according to Quizon.

Dolphy, who will be turning 84 next month, is confined at the Makati Medical Center. Five years ago, he was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), an illness that results in breathing difficulty and worsens over time.

Quizon recently revealed that Dolphy's COPD had progressed to Stage IV.

"Five years ago, sinabihan na siya na stage four 'yong sakit niya na 'yon. When you say stage four in cancer terms, very critical na 'yon," Quizon said in an interview with a television program last June 20.

Most people suffering from COPD are smokers or used to smoke. About 600 million people worldwide suffer from COPD, according to the World Health Organization. COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States, which has more than 12 million people diagnosed with the disease.

According to webMD.com, people with COPD suffer from other health problems such as:

1. COPD flare-ups , also called exacerbations, which are sudden increases in coughing, shortness of breath, and/or the amount or color of mucus you cough up.

2. More frequent lung infections, such as pneumonia.

3. An increased risk of thinning bones (osteoporosis), especially if you use oral corticosteroids.

4. Depression or anxiety. COPD may limit your ability to work and may reduce your independence, sexual activity, social activities, and self-esteem. This often causes depression. Having trouble breathing can make you feel very anxious.

5. Problems with weight. If chronic bronchitis is the main part of your COPD, you may need to lose weight. If emphysema is your main problem, you may need to gain weight and muscle mass.

6. Heart failure affecting the right side of the heart (cor pulmonale).

7. A collapsed lung (pneumothorax). COPD can damage the lung's structure and allow air to leak into the chest cavity.

8. Sleep problems because you are not getting enough oxygen into your lungs.

source: interaksyon.com