MANILA, Philippines – The untimely death of veteran actor Mark Gil, left the showbiz industry shaken. Reports said the 52-year old actor died of liver cirrhosis, a slowly progressing disease in which healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, eventually preventing the liver from functioning properly.
Not only his relatives, close friends, but as well as netizens expressed their sadness over his demise.
In honor of his memory, here are some of the films, which made him one of the most sought after actors of his time.
Batch ’81
Batch ’81 was the last film released by Sampaguita Records before shutting down their business. Mark Gil played the role of a college student who witnessed the abuse and torture of seven neophytes by ‘masters’ of a college fraternity they joined in. It has became quite controversial during the time since the film used the influence of the Marcos regime on the Filipino as an example to demonstrate abusive power and using one’s weaknesses for personal gain. Mark Gil's character in the film was named Sid Lucero, later used by his son Timothy Eigenmann as his screen name upon entering showbiz.
Palipat-lipat, Papalit-palit
Palipat-lipat, papalit-palit was a film directed by Lino Brocka and written by Bibeth Orteza. Mark Gil played the role of David, to whom Carissa (Dina Bonnevie) spent most of her time with after her marriage with Chuck (Christopher de Leon) had gone on the rocks. The dilemma started when Chuck had found out that David is gay and Carissa discovered that her husband won't be able to give what she needs most. Mark Gil won the Gawad Urian Best Supporting Actor in 1983 for this film.
Magnifico
Magnifico is a drama film released in 2003. It gained international acclaim as an indie film in major international film festivals gaining 31 wins and 11 other nominations. It has also garnered seven major awards in the FAMAS Awards, including best supporting actor, Mark Gil for playing the role as the bus driver.
Alon
For the 2008 Cinema One Originals Digital Film Festival, Mark Gil played the role of Fiel in Alon, a lonesome middle-aged man who developed fondness over a 17-year-old girl, Vanni (Charrie Pineda). Gil won the Best Actor Award for this film directed by Ron Bryant.
Donsol
Mark Gil also starred in Donsol, the Philippines' official submission to the OSCARS Foreign Language Film category in 2007. The film won four awards from different film award-giving bodies including best cinematography and best performance of an actress. The lead role was played by Mark Gil’s son, Sid Lucero, who was also his competition for best actor award at the Gawad Urian. This is one of the few films in which they have worked together.
Rotonda
Mark Gil also won the Gawad Urian best actor award in 2007 for his troubled tabloid reporter role in the movie Rotonda. It was Mark's second Gawad Urian trophy, following the ‘Palipat-lipat, Papalit-palit.’
Baby Angelo
In 2008, Mark Gil played the role of Noel on a film directed by Joel Ruiz. The film, which won the Best Production Design in Cinemalaya on 2008 centers on an investigation that ensues when an aborted fetus is found in the dumpster of a run-down apartment complex. Baby Angelo is Mark Gil’s 2nd Cinemalaya full length feature.
Mark Gil’s last film was ‘The Fighting Chefs,’ about a group of chefs divided into two fighting groups after learning they only have three months before they're all fired from their restaurant.