*238. THE GILS OF PORAC: Acting is All in the Family

ROSEMARIE'S BABIES. The Gils, a family of actors led by mother Rosemarie and children Michael, Mark and Cherie Gil, hail from Barrio Pio, Porac. Their Spanish bloodline is courtesy of Don Felino Gil, founder of the first trade school of Asia and a Spanish military man who became a hacendero in Porac. ca. 1963.

Rosemarie Gil, Cherie Gil, Mark Gil, Michael de Mesa, Sid Lucero, Ryan and Geoff Eigenmann---who has not heard of this talented family of Kapampangan artists who left their marks in acclaimed movies and TV serials like “Oro, Plata, Mata", "Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan", "Bituing Walang Ningning", "Grazilda", “Batch ‘81”, "Miss X", "Pasan Ko Ang Daigdig", "Palabra de Honor", "Unfaithful Wife" and "Selda".

Two generations of Gils continue to liven Philippine cinema arts today and credit should be given to the one who started it all—Rosemarie Gil—who traces her Hispanic-Kapampangan roots from Porac. Though Manila-born (b. 9 March 1942), Rosemarie’s family comes from Barrio Pio. She is directly descended from Don Felino Gil (1804-83), a Spanish military man who was assigned to Porac to prepare the area for the coming friar missions as well as to secure the forests which were a chief source of lumber for the projects of the Spanish government. Gil impressed his Spanish superiors and was rewarded with large tracts of lands which he converted into a profitable sugar hacienda.

Don Felino Gil went on to found the Escuela de Artes y Oficios de Bacolor, the oldest vocational school in Far East Asia, now known as Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University. He married Carlota Aguilar, and his great-great grandson would turn out to be Carlos Gil, Rosemarie Gil’s father.

Rosemarie Gil, like her daughter Cherie, was known for her rich socialite-villain roles, but surprisingly, she was introduced in a religious movie in 1958, in the title role of “Santa Rita de Casia (Patrona ng Imposible)”, opposite Lauro Delgado, who portrayed the saint’s wayward husband. This movie turned out to be a hit, but in the 60s, she married Eddie Mesa (Eddie Eigenmann, in real life), putting her stardom on hold, while her husband, known as the Philippines’ Elvis Presley, enjoyed a flourishing career as a singer and actor. The couple would eventually settle in the U.S., separate and then reconcile

Rosemarie went back to make movies for international release in the 1970s, starting with “Manda” (1970), “Night of the Cobra Woman” (1972), “Master Samurai” (1974), and the remake of “Siete Infantes de Lara” (1973). It was in 1977 that she made her presence felt in the 1977 critically-acclaimed “Burlesk Queen”, starring Vilma Santos. For her role as Virgie Nite, Rosemarie earned a Gawad Urian nomination the following year.

In the 80s thru the 90s, Rosemarie continued to appear in dramatic movies such as “Problem Child”, “Dear Heart” (1980), “Bata pa si Sabel” (1981), “Bagets” (1984) and in the HBO-produced mini-series inspired by the 1986 People Power Revolution, “A Dangerous Life” (as Tingting Cojuangco). In 1990s, she was in blockbuster hits like “Anak ni Baby Ama” (1990), “Maging Sino Ka Man” (1991), “Mulanay” (1996) and “Wansapanataym: The Movie” (1999). Rosemarie was also seen in telenovelas such as “Anna Karenina” (1996), “Sa Puso Ko, Iingatan Ka” (2001) and “Hiram” (2004).

Meanwhile, her children were also making their own mark as actors of note in dramatic movies. Cherie Gil (b. 12 May 1965) is undoubtedly one of the best contravidas of Philippine movies, best known for making life miserable for megastar Sharon Cuneta in the movie, “Bituing Walang Ningning” (1985). As the villainess Lavinia Arguelles, she spewed out the often-quoted put-down line, “You are nothing but a second-rate, trying hard copycat!”, while dousing Sharon with a glass of water. Siblings Mark Gil (b. 25 Aug. 1961) and Michael de Mesa (24 May 1960) are also seasoned actors on TV, stage and the silver screen. The next-generation Gils, led by heartthrob Geoff Eigenmann, continue to thrill Filipino fans on TV and Film.

The Gils have since upped and left Porac—only the controversial Pio Chapel—part of the Gil hacienda constructed in 1861, remains of their once vast homestead. This property has since been sold. The Gils may have already uprooted themselves from Pampanga, but in movies, stage and films, they continue to shine and make their presence felt, in the same league as the Dela Rosas and Fernandezes—actors, thespians, singers, dramatists, zarzuela stars, Kapampangan performers all--who once ruled the golden age of Philippine cinema.