Master cinematographer Romy Vitug dies at 86

Romy Vitug. Image: Facebook/Romy V Vitug

Award-winning cinematographer Romy Vitug died on Thursday, Jan. 18, a few days before his 87th birthday.

Vitug’s demise was confirmed by his children Dana, Dolor, and Vittorio through their respective Facebook pages.

“This morning at 6:11 p.m. Philippine time, my TATAY, Romy V. Vitug, passed away,” Dana wrote, even showing a photo collage of his father from when he was younger, while at work, and during confinement at a hospital.

“He was known as the Legendary Cinematographer in the Philippines world of cinema but we have known him as our Dearly Beloved TATAY!” she added.

Dana then asked the public for prayers, and expressed her longing for her father. “This is not a goodbye but rather until we meet again!”

Dolor honored her dad by showing their last photo together, in which the seasoned cinematographer was seen sitting on the hospital bed while an oxygen tube was attached to him.

“I want to remember you this way. Our last picture together last December ‘My Tatay,'” she captioned her post.

For his part, Vittorio shared a black-and-white photo of his father with the caption: “Romy V. Vitug (01/27/1937 – 01/18/24) – 6:11 PM.”

No cause of death was immediately disclosed by the family, although Vitug had been in and out of the hospital since 2020 due to his megaloblastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes.

Vitug was best known for his works “Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak” (1978), “Salome” (1981) “Haplos” (1982), “Paradise Inn” (1985), “Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit” (1991), and “Ikaw Pa Lang Ang Minahal” (1992), among many others.

Throughout his career, the ace cinematographer received accolades that included Cinemanila International Filmfest lifetime achievement award in 2000, Natatanging Gawad Urian in 2016, and Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Hall of Fame award in 2019.