‘A shining star’: Celebrities pay tribute to Gloria Romero, Queen of Philippine Cinema

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MANILA, Philippines – Veteran actress Gloria Romero died on Saturday, January 25, at 91 years old.

She had starred in over 250 films and shows throughout her career that ran for more than seven decades. Romero truly was the Queen of Philippine Cinema, and those around her knew it as well.

Her passing meant the loss of another luminary in the local film industry, so the many stars who had worked with her in the past took the time to honor her legacy by way of heartfelt messages.

Amy Perez and Carmi Martin

On Instagram, actress-host Amy Perez shared a video of her embracing Romero at an event they attended together in the past, with the background song’s lyrics saying, “You will always be a special part of me.”

“Mommy, I will miss you. Thank you for everything. Rest now in the loving arms of our Lord Jesus Christ. Love you forever,” Perez wrote.

Perez and Romero starred together in the sitcom Palibhasa Lalake, which ran from 1987 to 1998.

Under Perez’s post, Carmi Martin also left a message for Romero.

“Tita Glo is well loved and respected in the industry. Rest well Tita Gloria in God’s hands,” Martin wrote.

Charo Santos-Concio

Charo Santos-Concio shared portraits of Romero on Instagram, along with the poster for the film Kapag Langit ang Humatol, where Santos-Concio starred as Dorina, and Romero as Octavia.

In Santos-Concio’s lengthy caption, she shared that she had always been mesmerized by Romero’s “beauty and brilliance on the silver screen,” adding that she never would have thought that she would one day get the chance to work with her.

“When I became a producer for Kapag Langit ang Humatol, I saw firsthand how dedicated and professional she was. Tita Glo had this remarkable way of making everyone around her feel valued and respected. She treated every role with the same reverence, from her award-winning performance in Dalagang Ilocana, her unforgettable portrayal in Tanging Yaman, to the heartwarming comedy of Palibhasa Lalake, where she became our ever-charming Tita Minerva,” the actress wrote.

She continued by saying that both onscreen and offscreen, Romero had always brought laughter, joy, wisdom, and warmth.

Tita Glo wasn’t just an icon; she was a guiding light for so many of us. She showed us how to carry success with humility, how to navigate challenges with grace, and how to leave a legacy that transcends time. Thank you, Tita Glo, for the laughter, the lessons, and the love you shared with all of us. You will forever live on in our hearts, a shining star whose brilliance will never fade,” Santos-Concio added.

Cherry Pie Picache

“My Queen of the Philippine Cinema. Maraming maraming salamat (Thank you very much) Ms. Gloria Romero. I love you Tita Glo. Rest now in the loving arms of our Father and His perpetual light shine upon you. Heaven will definitely shine brighter with one of the most beautiful soul, being home,” wrote Cherry Pie Picache, who acted alongside Romero in the 2006 film I Wanna Be Happy.

Eugene Domingo

Eugene Domingo, meanwhile, shared an old photo of her with Romero from Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan. In the 2001 teleserye, Domingo played Simang Bernardo, while Romero played Lola Carmela “Mameng” Estocapio.

“My queen,” Domingo wrote.

Screenshot from Eugene Domingo’s Instagram stories

Shaina Magdayao

In her tribute, actress Shaina Magdayao shared that Romero had taught her how to pray the rosary on the set of Tanging Yaman, a 2001 film directed by Laurice Guillen.

“Rest in peace, my Lola Gloria….So blessed to have shared the screen with you po but most importantly, to have learned from such a gracious soul,” wrote Magdayao.

Screenshot from Shaina Magdayao’s Instagram stories

Barbie Forteza

Kapuso actress Barbie Forteza, meanwhile, reacted to the “heartbreaking” news of Romero’s passing. They starred alongside each other in The Half Sisters from 2014 to 2016, and in Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, which aired from 2017 to 2024.

— Barbie Forteza (@dealwithBARBIE) January 25, 2025

“Buong buhay ko pong ipagmamalaki na nakatrabaho ko po kayo (For the rest of my life, I’ll boast that I got to work with you). Rest in paradise, Ms. Gloria Romero,” said Forteza.

Some of Romero’s many iconic roles include Lola Magda in Magnifico; a comedic tobacco-smoking woman in Dalagang Ilocana — for which she won her very first FAMAS Award for Best Actress; Lola Loleng in Tanging Yaman; and Lola Amor in Dahil May Isang Ikaw, to name a few. – Rappler.com