“After 35 years in this business, what can I leave behind aside from my famous line in the movie? It is not the image but the message we give to inspire people…”
Fans and followers were left in shock after it was revealed to the public that the 59-year-old veteran actress Cherie Gil passed away on August 5.
It was inevitable that those who had been following the actress’ career started searching the net for updates, as well as throwbacks showing the ‘La Primera Contravida’ of the showbiz industry. She was, after all, a favorite and much lauded celebrity.
One of the most striking videos of Cherie was that which was aired by ABS CBN News in October of 2014 wherein she humbly apologized to Vice Ganda over her ‘scums of the earth’ tweet in 2013; apparently, her reaction to the controversial segment in Vice’s May 2013 concert at the Araneta Coliseum.
The late actress was one of three judges of “It’s Showtime’s” Magpasikat Week which was a yearly tradition of the show and coincided with its fifth anniversary.
It was after the performance of Vice that she asked for ample time to air some thoughts which made her emotional.
“I realized that at the end of the day it all comes down to getting to know the person better and understanding every story that each person goes through. Today, I saw your autheticity and your honesty,” she disclosed.
“I would like to personally apologize to you because I know that at some point in the past I have reacted to one of your stand up stints which maybe perhaps have been written by someone else and I didn’t take that into consideration at that time,” she added; with eyes that tried to hold back her tears as she referred to the tweet she made back then.
“It is not the image but the message we give to inspire people,” Cherie said on this. She then proceeded to thank the Showtime host-comedian.
“Thank you, Vice Ganda, so much for letting me get to know you today in the deepest most real sense, in your most honest being and for letting me to get to know you as a person through that song. You touch my heart,” she said to Vice Ganda who was so surprised over Cherie’s revelation and apology as well as her feedback on their performance.
A part of Vice’s group’s peformance that time was his own composition; a song about equality. One of the lines goes, “Wag mong isipin ang sinasabi ng mundo. Ang damahin ay pag-ibig ng lumikha sa’yo.” It was a song that aimed to encourage people to feel good about themselves and that they are blessed despite challenges and difficulties in life.
That’s My Tomboy winner Epey Herher, and a number of differently-abled individuals and sick children were invited by Vice to sing parts of the song and Ryan Bang sang in the latter part.
Being one of the ‘hurados’ Cherie Gil then gave her feedback and surprised everyone with her sentiments and apology. She even quoted Vice lyrics, “Ikaw ay tuwid, ako ay hindi. Pero hindi ibig sabihin ako ang mali. Wala kang karapatan husgahan ako.”
Here’s that very humbling video of Ms. Cherie Gil:
Meanwhile, comments poured on that episode.
“Came here to reminisce moments of Ms. Cherie Gil. She’s a great actress, judge, and adviser, but above all, she’s a loving and beautiful soul. May you rest in Peace Ms. Cherie Gil and have a fun time with God in heaven without all the pain you felt when you were still battling cancer. We will never forget you.” 🙁
“Cherie Gil is Cherie Gil and for her to be able to say sorry in front of live television that’s very tough. It takes guts to do it. I salute you Ms. Cherie Gil. Alam nyang nagkamali sya at siya ay humingi patawad.”
“I go back here after knowing her death to remind myself how precious life is, to be blessed witnessing this scene in Philippine television.”
Vice’s reply to Cherie:
“Naalala ko nung napanood ko toh sa TV nung college ako. Ito pa rin yung favorite kong “Magpasikat” performance ni Vice kasi sobrang sincere at nakaka-iyak. Plus, yung naging reconciliation nila ni Ms. Cherie. Very heart-warming. And we must all learn from it.”
“That is called maturity, when you accept that you are at fault and when you did not require anyone to please you. Thumbs up to both of them.”
“Thank you ms. Cherie Gil for a great example of truthfulness and humility. It’s not everyday that you see someone apologize whole heartedly esp when they know they’ve done or said something wrong. I hope it’s also a lesson and blessing to Vice as well. There are not many TV personalities like that.”
Read: Cherie Gil’s family moved by outpour of love and support
Rest in peace, Idol Cherie Gil!
