Cherie Gil and her son Raphael Rogoff. Image: Instagram/@raphrogoff
Raphael Rogoff, Cherie Gil’s son, expressed his longing for his mother and described her as “a gift to this world,” in an open letter he made weeks after the veteran actress passed away.
Rogoff gave a glimpse of their family moments as he remembered Gil and the life lessons she taught him, through his Instagram page last Saturday, Aug. 20.
“You were a gift to this world. You touched every life that you came across, whether through the silver screen, on stage, or in person,” he said. “You were a light that filled every room with pure warmth and bliss. Your laugh, wit, and humor resonated deeply with all who had the pleasure of basking in it.”
Rogoff credited Gil for inspiring him to live his life “freely” and “with no care in the world,” just as how his mom did by “unapologetically being herself.”
“You were the life of every party and the party to my life. What I’d give for just another minute to spend with you — no amount of time would ever be enough,” he stated. “What I’d do to see you crack that unforgettable smile of yours; the one that radiated with so much joy.”
Rogoff then vowed to always bring her memories with him, and to keep their promise to each other of “dancing to the music of life.”
Raphael and his sister Bianca are Gil’s children with husband Rony Rogoff. Their brother Jay Eigenmann, meanwhile, is Gil’s eldest son with veteran actor-comedian Leo Martinez.
Gil, known as Philippine showbiz’s “La Primera Contravida,” passed away last Aug. 5 after her battle with endometrial cancer, a disease she was diagnosed with last year. JB
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