‘My true screen partner’: Sharon Cuneta mourns Cherie Gil’s passing
MANILA, Philippines — “Megastar” Sharon Cuneta wrote a very emotional tribute for one of her best friends, “a most important part” of her life, godmother of her daughter Simone, and “true screen partner” Cherie Gil.
According to Cuneta, she flew to New York early yesterday, hoping that Cherie could still make it.
“I flew to New York early yesterday with a heavy heart, still forcing it to hang on to that sliver of hope of God performing a miracle & allowing you to pull through this,” she said on Instagram early today.
She recalled how they became best friends ever since they starred in 1985 cult movie “Bituing Walang Ningning,” which paved way for them to pair up in another hit maker the following year, “Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas.”
Although Cherie was her antagonist in those movies, with their scene marked by Cherie’s “You’re nothing but a second rate, trying hard copycat” as among the most memorable in Philippine cinema, the two’s relationship was far from negative in real life. Even through different movies and with different partners in real and reel life, the two were each other's constants.
“I am eternally grateful to Him for giving us the few hours we spent together… the love & words yet again exchanged in person… the knowledge that the friendship forged when we were very young was stronger & would only keep getting so…”
Related: WATCH: Sharon Cuneta, Cherie Gil reenact 'Bituing Walang Ningning' 'copycat' scene
Sharon hinted that Cherie has been prepared to see Lord, as she even grew a “tree to heaven” that she wanted the Megastar to see.
“You told me about your tree to heaven outside of your apartment window which I didn’t get to see.”
Sharon cannot believe that Cherie already died since hours before she left, she was even strong enough to give her two thumbs up.
“We said ‘I love you’ & I said I’d see you again today… & you raised both arms and gave me the thumbs up with both hands. Then barely eleven hours after I left you, I was awakened by his call saying you had passed… I leave New York now with a much heavier heart than ever before… because now I am leaving YOU with the knowledge that I will NEVER see you again… I cannot process it. It seems so unfair.”
Sharon mourns not only Cherie’s passing, but also because Philippine cinema has lost another legend.
“It will never be the same without you. I will never be the same without you. I told you that you had to fight, please, because you couldn’t leave me & that you were my partner, that there is no one like you… You said yes… My heart is in pieces again & now I dunno how to put it back together anymore-because among the many loved ones I have lost these past few years,you were &always will be one of my most loved…a most important part of my life & my history.Of my heart.I love you so very much.It is the end of an era now that you’ve left us…What will I do without you now, Love? My true screen partner,a true friend, ninang of Simone…”
Cuneta noted of how good Cherie was not only as a friend and an actress, but most importantly, as a mom.
“But God took you home, took all your pain away. I will never get to feed you ice chips again. Or share most everything else with you. Your kids are strong & love you so much.”
Sharon also mentioned Cherie’s last living sibling, Michael de Mesa, Sharon’s co-star in ABS-CBN’s longest-running series “Ang Probinsyano,” which is about to end.
“Mike & I won’t have to keep our talks about you a secret anymore like we did while taping our show. But I don’t know how we would want to. I thank God I was with your Dad & Mom & R & all your kids to ‘see you off’ -but I am not happy.”
In ending her post, Sharon thanked her dear friend for everything, but there were no goodbyes.
“I miss you so terribly & know it will only get worse.Be at peace in God’s loving arms,my Cheech…I’ll see you again someday. I will love you with all my heart, forever.Thank you for everything.”
In her Instagram story, Sharon also shared Cherie's video message for her after winning an acting award.
"Girl, look, I finally got it! It has been how many decades and I finally got it!" Cherie was shown as telling Sharon in the video.
"And they asked me ano pa daw dream role ko and wala na akong maisip pero ito totoo: Dream role kong makatrabaho ka ulit. We should reconcile and make a movie!"
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