Mark Gil in his prime
Photographer and production designer Cesar Hernando snapped Mark Gil in the actor’s prime (left), when they attended the Cannes International Film Festival in 1982 for Mike de Leon’s “Batch ’81.” The film was exhibited in the Directors’ Fortnight section with De Leon’s other movie, “Kisapmata.”
Recalled Hernando, “Mark enjoyed that trip with Mike, cinematographer Rody Lacap and [‘Batch’ producer] Marichu Maceda, ‘Kisapmata’ actress Charo Santos and producer Simon Ongpin. Then Mike, Mark, Rody and I proceeded to Paris. Mark often said ‘Batch ’81’ was important to his career. ” Gil died on Monday due to liver cancer. He was 52. Sister Cherie Gil said family and friends would celebrate “the life and the man” at La Salle Green Hills Chapel today. Bayani San Diego Jr.