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Tirso Cruz III remembers Mark Gil with fondness

Mark Gil: Well loved, even in death (Contributed photo)

Tirso Cruz III not just lost a dear friend when Mark Gil died on September 1. It’s like he bid a family member goodbye.

Mark, Ralph Eigenmann in real life, "died peacefully in his sleep in the arms of his wife, Maricar, and surrounded by family” after battling liver cancer for two years.

Tirso Cruz III remembers seeing the late actor Mark Gil for the last time on his (Tirso's) birthday last April 1.
Tirso Cruz III remembers seeing the late actor Mark Gil for the last time on his (Tirso's) birthday last April 1.

Mark’s classic jokes and photos from the good old days will always remind the 62-year-old Tirso of his fond memories with Mark.

“‘l'll take a risk of saying it, ang nagsabi sa akin ng condition niya si Mike (Michael de Mesa) ‘yung older brother niya, since we’re like family talaga. Two years ago he told me the situation of Mark. Kaya lang sabi nga niya, let’s keep it among the family,” he told Yahoo Philippines Friday (September 5) on the set of “Hawak Kamay,” his latest primetime series with ABS-CBN after “Ikaw Lamang.”

‘Last vision’

Tirso shared his “last vision” of Mark where he was still looking good and happy.

"The last time I saw him—and I’m so glad that he was there and he was still looking great, a little slimmer but he was okay—nung birthday ko (April 1) sa events place ni Mother (Lily). It was the usual Ralph. That night he was still very much okay. Naglolokohan pa kami. Tawanan pa kami nang tawanan.”

His friends Rudy Fernandez and Mark Gil’s passing has made Tirso think about his own mortality.

"Everybody’s going to go somewhere. Sabi nga, masakit lang kasi is anong form ng death. But of course alam naman nating lahat, the moment you’re born you start to die."

Wonderful words

Tirso concluded, "Naka-drawing na ‘yung lifeline mo whatever mission the Lord has designed for you, di ba? And maybe if you’re able to survive that mission after you’ve done it all, then they said it nga, when the Mighty One calls for you, then the most wonderful words you’ll hear daw is, ‘Welcome home, my good and faithful servant. Now rest in peace with Me.’”