OUR hearts are heavy because the Philippine showbiz industry has lost a great artist and person, Mark Gil. The actor passed away at 8am last Monday, September 1. He was 52 years old. He would have turned a year older on September 25.
Ralph Eigenmann in real life, Mark belonged to one of the most respected showbiz family in the Philippines. His father, Eduardo Eigenmann, is better known as Eddie Mesa, an actor and singer who was dubbed as the Elvis Presley of the Philippines; while Mark’s mother is veteran actress Rosemarie Gil, both who are now residing here in the United States. Mark is also the brother of actress Cheri Gil and actor Michael de Mesa.
He is the father of actress Andi Eigenmann, Maxene, Ira and Timothy Mark Eigenmann (also known as actor Sid Lucero). He also has a child, Stefanie, with wife Maricar.
Diagnosed with liver cancer in 2012, he found out in June of this year that the disease was terminal. Upon his request, his family kept his condition unknown to the public, refuting earlier reports that the actor was battling illness.
In the official statement by the Eigenmann family, they explained: “It was Ralph’s request that this should not be revealed, and we did not question his decision. 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.”
As per his request, Mark’s remains were cremated a few hours after he passed away. There was no wake and no eulogies. Instead, there was a “get together” last September 3 at the La Salle Greenhills Chapel that was attended by his family and friends.
Mark was known for his role in the movie Batch ’81 and Miss X opposite actress and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto. His last appearance was in the ABS-CBN teleserye, The Legal Wife.
Our heartfelt sympathies to the whole Eigenmann family.
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Actress Heart Evangelista’s engagement to Sen. Chiz Escudero seem to be going some rocky roads, not with their relationship per se, but with the coordination of their actual wedding next year. The senator proposed to Heart last August 23 in Sorsogon.
Last August 31, a certain Ria Gamboa posted on her Facebook that her friend’s wedding date at an exclusive resort was “bumped off” because of a celebrity-politician couple. Of course netizens assumed that the couple is Chiz and Heart, but the actress denied that they would do such a thing to another engaged couple.
Last September 2, the resort’s owner, Robert Ongpin, sent a statement to Pep.ph:
“I am presently in Europe, but my daughter Anna and nephew Apa have just called my attention to a Facebook entry in which someone claimed that their friends were ‘bumped off’ for their proposed February 14 (Valentine’s Day) wedding at Balesin.
“At first, I was amused by the report, but it seems to be getting some traction and I wanted to set the record straight for everyone.
“I wish everyone to know that it was I who actually invited Heart and Chiz to have their wedding at Balesin when I had dinner with them shortly after they returned from their trip to Paris sometime in July and even before they announced their formal engagement.
“I was therefore very pleased when Chiz and Heart called me a few weeks ago to tell me that they had finally decided on Balesin as their wedding venue.
“As many of you know, both Chiz and Heart have been friends of mine for some time now. “Balesin is one of their favorite places and they go there quite often with their families and friends. “After receiving the confirmation from Chiz and Heart, I immediately checked with our Reservations people waho told me that nobody had actually confirmed February 14 as of that time, so I told them to block it off. “So, nobody has been ‘bumped off.’”
To further clear the air, the senator confirmed their wedding date on February 15, 2015.
