Evangeline Rose Gil Eigenmann (; June 21, 1963 – August 5, 2022), known professionally as Cherie Gil (), was a Filipino actress and singer. With a career spanning nearly 50 years, she was dubbed the "La Primera Contravida ("The Prime Villain") for her acting prowess which landed her numerous antagonistic roles on film, television, and the stage.
Gil was a FAMAS Award winner, a recipient of Ani ng Dangal by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and a Hall of Famer at the Metro Manila Film Festival in the Best Supporting Actress category. In 2015, she won the Best Actress trophy at the ASEAN International Film Awards. The same year, she also won the Best Lead Actress in a Foreign Language Film at the 2015 Madrid International Film Festival. In 2019, she was awarded the Best Supporting Actress at the 42nd Gawad Urian Awards for her portrayal of the character Patricia Medina in the feature film Citizen Jake.
She began her career as a child actress at the age of 9, and was best known for her role as Lavinia Arguelles in Bituing Walang Ningning (1985) where she uttered the iconic line "You're nothing but a second-rate, trying hard copycat!" to Dorina Pineda, Sharon Cuneta's character.
Early life Cherie Gil was born on June 21, 1963 as Evangeline Rose Gil Eigenmann to a family of actors. Her parents were Eddie Mesa and Rosemarie Gil. She had two brothers, Michael de Mesa and Mark Gil (1961–2014), both actors, and a half-sister, Elaine Eigenmann.
Career Gil started in show business at an early age, being the daughter of celebrities and sibling of actors. She was cast either as a daughter or part of a circle of friends of the lead actor. However, she was given a lead star status in Bubot na Bayabas in 1978 opposite another newcomer, Ronald Bregendahl (Rita Gomez and Ric Rodrigo's son). The movie was a forgettable release.
In 1979, film matriarch Lily Monteverde relaunched her via Problem Child with the then-current teen sensation, Lloyd Samartino. The movie fared mildly, and Gil was continually cast by Regal Films in films such as City After Dark, Salawahan, Ito Ba Ang Ating Mga Anak and Sugar Daddy. She went freelance with assignments like Beach House, Ang Bouncer at ang Dancer, Dancing Master, and Girlfriend. In 1982, Gil portrayed a naïve girl affected by World War II in Bacolod in the now classic film Oro, Plata, Mata.
She tried singing and had another mild hit, "I Love You, Boy".
On TV, she was one of the co-hosts of German Moreno in Germspesyal from 1979 to 1981. Gil became a mainstay of Champoy with Subas Herrero and Noel Trinidad from 1981 to 1986.
Gil resurfaced as a villain in 1985 via Viva Films' Bituing Walang Ningning, providing the lead actress Sharon Cuneta support in the role of Lavinia Arguelles, a famous but insecure singer. From this movie, she became famous for her iconic line, "You're nothing but a second rate, trying hard copycat!" The favorable reception led her to classy and sultry villainess roles, throughout the 1980s until the present.
She appeared in a number of hit teleseryes and primetime shows on ABS-CBN and GMA Network. She starred in numerous films and TV shows. She has performed in plays such as Master Class, playing Maria Callas; (PETA) Arbol de Fuego, an adaptation of Anton Chekov's The Cherry Orchard; and Full Gallop as Diana Vreeland, for which she won the Best Actress award for her one-woman portrayal in 2014.
In 2000–2001, Gil starred in her first soap, May Bukas Pa, which aired on IBC-13 and RPN-9 as part of Viva Entertainment TVs block timer. In 2002–2003 she appeared on ABS-CBN's Bituin, where she resumed her vocal talents. She also appeared in the 2004 TV series, Marina. In 2006, she took on the role as Menang Medel in the hit TV remake of Gulong ng Palad.
In 2007–2008, Gil played the role of Ayessa White / Frosta in Lastikman alongside Vhong Navarro. She played Amanda (originally played by Charito Solis in the 1983 film) as protagonist in Pieta alongside Ryan Agoncillo.
In 2010, she was chosen to star in the fantasy series Grazilda on GMA Network. In early 2011, she joined the cast of the comedy fantasy series Magic Palayok, co-starring Carla Abellana and Geoff Eigenmann. The series was not picked up for a second season after the season 1 finale. GMA Network cast her in another television show, Time of My Life. In the same year, she played the role of Maria Callas in Terrence McNally's award-winning play, Master Class, for which she received positive reviews.
Gil was one of 83 awardees of the Ani ng Dangal award from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), represented the cinema category on February 29, 2016. She simultaneously won the Best Actress award at the ASEAN Film Festival for her role in Sonata, and Best Actress in a foreign film at the Madrid Film festival for her portrayal in MANA, both in the same year. She got the major role as Luciana together with the most admired loveteam from 2015 to 2016, Lizquen, in Dolce Amore.
Her last acting role was in the GMA Network 2021 television series Legal Wives. In May 2021, she announced that she had left her role in an unspecified television series, lamenting that her efforts were not "seen and met in the same light".
Personal life Gil was a previous relationship with actor Leo Martinez where they had a son born in 1987. Gil was later married in 1994 to Rony Rogoff, an Israeli violinist; the couple had a daughter and a son. The family survived the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, during which they vacationing in Phuket, Thailand. Gil and Rogoff’s relationship ended in 2008 after 14 years of marriage.
Shortly after their separation, Gil's two children with Rogoff were under his custody in Israel, while Gil's eldest son remained with her in the Philippines. All three children eventually resided in the United States. Gil reportedly reconciled with ex-husband Rogoff in 2021, deciding to be "companions" to each other.
Health issues and death In October 2021, Gil was diagnosed with a rare form of endometrial cancer, and she chose to conceal information on her illness from the public. Her show business career ended in February 2022 when she moved to the United States to be with her children and prioritize her own "mental, emotional, [and] spiritual states". She also shaved her head to symbolize her "personal growth".
Gil died on August 5, 2022, at 4:48 a.m. EDT (4:48 p.m. PHT) from her cancer in New York City. Prior to her death, she had been receiving treatment at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Her brother, Michael, said that no final resting place was chosen, as Gil's remains were cremated in New York and some of her ashes were scattered in Bukidnon, her favorite place.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes Source 1970 Bruka: Queen of Evil (She Yao Jing: Manda vs. Kung Fu) Younger Manda / Bruka Credited as "Cherie Gil" 1973 Cofradia Child / Younger Raquel Montesa 1977 Beerhouse Corazon 1979 Dancing Master Candy 1980 Gabi ng Lagim Ngayon La Luna Manila by Night Kano Puga Leonor Dimalanta Beach House Bubot Na Bayabas Problem Child Rita Girlfriend Beerhouse Dancers Deadly Brothers Flora 1981 The Betamax Story 1982 Ito Ba ang Ating Mga Anak? Jenny Oro, Plata, Mata Trining Ojeda No Other Love Nurse Guest role Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan 1983 M.I.B.: Men in Brief Diana Sana, Bukas Pa ang Kahapon Ellen 1984 Sa Hirap at Ginhawa Karen Imortal Natasha Quintania Bagets 2 Marinel 1985 Kailan Sasabihing Mahal Kita? Arianne Velez Bituing Walang Ningning Lavinia Arguelles God, Save Me! Edita 1986 Palimos ng Pag-ibig Verna Castillo Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas Monique Versoza Bilanggo Sa Dilim Marissa 1987 Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-ibig? Zeny Saan Nagkamali Ang Pag-ibig? Jasmin Romero-Bulaong Jack & Jill Susan 1988 Hamunin ang Bukas... Huwag Mong Itanong Kung Bakit Aning 1989 Jessa: Blusang Itim Part II Lara Loren Rosenda Ria Kahit Wala Ka Na Debbie Ang Bukas Ay Akin, Langit ang Uusig Miriam Ang Babaeng Nawawala sa Sarili Oliva 1990 Nagsimula sa Puso Charie Trese Angie Tayo Na sa Dilim Mimosa 1992 Ngayon at Kailanman Donna Benitez 1994 Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga Shirley Evangelista Wating Anya Mars Ravelo's Darna! Ang Pagbabalik Valentine 2000 Ika-13 Kapitulo Marge Sugatang Puso Miriam 2003 My First Romance Jackie's mother 2004 Lastikman: Unang Banat Editha / Lastika 2006 Donsol Mars 2009 Agaton & Mindy Tanya 2010 Working Girls Amanda Dela Vega Father Jejemon Violeta 2012 My Kontrabida Girl Sosy Problems Martina Bertrand 2013 A Moment in Time Karen Linden Ang Huling Henya Chief Gabriel Uncredited Sonata Regina Cadena Also producer (as My Own Mann) Ekstra Herself / Doña Beatriz 2015 Mana Sandra Baka Siguro Yata Remy Para sa Hopeless Romantic Miss Katigbak 2016 A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery Babae / Tikbalang 2018 Kasal Helen 2019 Just a Stranger Hilda Guest role UnforgettableCustomer Tia Madre Emilia 2020 Sensitive and in Love Dr. Gina Dangerous Beauty Lucila Short film Magikland Yndraiel 2021 Elehiya Dr. Celine de Miranda Last film appearance
Television / digital series Year Title Role Notes Source 1980–1985 Champoy Herself Supporting cast 1984–1986 Ito Yun, ang Galing! Host 1984–1989 Superstar Co-host 1987 Regal Shocker Tessie Episode: "Halimaw ng Dilim"Credited as "Cherrie Gil" 1991-1992 Cebu Gemma dela Rosa 1992 Maalaala Mo Kaya Sonia Episode: "Walis Tambo"Credited as "Cherie Gil" 1994 Bisperas ng Kasaysayan Ma. Gabriela Luzuriaga 2000–2001 May Bukas Pa Divina Miguel 2000 Maalaala Mo Kaya Episode: "Postcard" 2001–2003 Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka Star / Nena 2002–2003 Bituin Carmela Gaston Main cast / antagonist 2004 Marina Victoria RaymundoAntagonist 2006 Bahay Mo Ba 'To? Tet Ano Now and Forever: Dangal Chandra Gulong ng Palad Philomena "Menang" MedelMain Antagonist 2007 Kemis: Ke Misis Umaasa Clarisse Sineserye Presents: May Minamahal Becky Tagle 2007–2008 Mars Ravelo's Lastikman Ayessa White / Frosta 2008–2009 Carlo J. Caparas' Pieta Amanda Tupaz Main cast / protagonist 2009 Maalaala Mo Kaya Romana Episode: "Wheelchair" 2009–2010 Katorse Doña Margaret Arcanghel 2010 Rubi Sylvana Velasco-dela Fuente 2010–2011 Grazilda Veronne 2011 Magic Palayok Yvonne Ledesma Time of My Life Martha Llorico 2012 Legacy Eva Altamirano-Alcantara Protégé: The Battle For The Big Artista Break Herself – Judge 2012–2013 Temptation of Wife Stella Salcedo 2013 Muling Buksan Ang Puso Marietta Beltran 2014 Ikaw Lamang Señora Miranda Salazar-Hidalgo Book 1 Wansapanataym Stella Tuason Episode: "My App #Boyfie" 2015 Maalaala Mo Kaya Maritess Episode: "Takure" The Half Sisters Magnolia McBride 59 episodes Magpakailanman Magda Episode: "Ina Ko, Bugaw Ko" Single / Single Bianca 2016 Dolce Amore Luciana Marchesa 2016–2017 Alyas Robin Hood Margarita "Maggie" Balbuena 2017 Tadhana Madam Bilal 2018 Sirkus La Ora / Laura Barangay 143 Sophia Rivera Dubbed voice Dear Uge Angelita Buensalida Episode: "Terror Boss" 2018–2019 Onanay Helena Sanchez-Montenegro 2019 Starstruck Herself—Judge 2019–2020 Beautiful Justice Diorella Peñareyes 2020 Tadhana Cordella Episode: "Hindi pa huli ang Umibig" (Parts 1 & 2) 2021 Daddy's Gurl Cherry Hills Legal Wives Zaina Guimba-Makadatu Last TV appearance
Theatre