GLORIA ROMERO, QUEEN OF PHILIPPINE CINEMA, PASSES AWAY AT 91

VETERAN actress Gloria Romero, also known as the “Queen of Philippine Cinema,” on Saturday passed away at the age of  91.

Her daughter, Maritess Gutierrez, confirmed the news in a social media post, saying she died “peacefully.”

“To our dearest family, relatives and friends: It is with great sadness to announce the passing of my beloved Mother, Gloria Galla Gutierrez aka Gloria Romero who peacefully joined our Creator earlier today January 25, 2025,” Gutierrez wrote.

“In this time of loss, our family deeply appreciates the support, prayers, sympathy, all the lovely messages, and heartfelt condolences that we’ve received. She will surely be missed dearly,”  she added.

According to the family, the wake will be held at Arlington Memorial Chapels, Hall A on Araneta Avenue, Quezon City.

Romero, who appeared in over 250 movies and TV productions, was widely regarded as the “First Lady of Philippine Cinema.”

She has won three FAMAS Awards – the  Best Actress for “Dalagang Ilocana” (1954) and “Tanging Yaman” (2000); and Best Supporting Actress for “Nagbabagang Luha” (1988).

Romero has also won two Gawad Urian Awards for Best Actress for “Tanging Yaman” (2000) and Best Supporting Actress for “Magnifico” (2003), as well as three Metro Manila Film Festival Awards: Best Actress for “Tanging Yaman” (2000) and “Rainbow’s Sunset” (2018); and Best Supporting Actress for “I Think I’m in Love” (2002).

One of the major stars of the first Golden Age of Philippine Cinema, Romero has been awarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award by government agencies and major award-giving bodies, including the Luna Awards in 2002, FAMAS, Gawad Urian (both in 2004), the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) in 2009 and Film Development Council of the Philippines in 2024.

On Sunday, January 26, the schedule is exclusive for family and friends, with a novena at 5 p.m. followed by a mass at 6 p.m.

On January 27 and 28, public viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., while the rest of the day from 1 p.m. onwards will be reserved for family and friends.

A novena will take place at 5 p.m., followed by a mass at 6 p.m. on both days.