The Philippine entertainment industry was plunged into mourning following the passing of Gloria Romero, the revered “Queen of Philippine Cinema,” on January 25, 2025, at the age of 91. As tributes poured in celebrating her illustrious career, the Romero family found themselves confronting a distressing issue: the circulation of a fabricated last will and testament falsely attributed to the late actress.

A Legacy Tarnished by Misinformation

Shortly after Romero’s death, various social media platforms began disseminating claims that she had left behind a fortune exceeding ₱700 million, earmarked for constructing a provincial high school and supporting charitable institutions. These assertions were swiftly and firmly refuted by Romero’s family.

In a statement reported by Frontline Pilipinas, Romero’s daughter, Maritess Gutierrez, and grandson, Chris Balbin, labeled the circulating document as “misleading” and entirely baseless. They emphasized that such fabrications not only disrespected Romero’s memory but also exacerbated the family’s grief during an already challenging time.entertainment.inquirer.net

Renowned film critic and close family friend Butch Francisco also addressed the issue, stating, “Gloria Romero is not that rich.” He urged the public to exercise discernment and respect, cautioning against believing in “fake news” that lacks credible sources. entertainment.inquirer.net

Public Apology and Family’s Response

The originator of the false information, the Facebook page “Pinoy History,” issued a public apology for disseminating the fabricated will. In their apology, they admitted to creating false content and acknowledged the distress caused to Romero’s family. They expressed deep regret for the misinformation and the additional sorrow it brought to the bereaved family.

Honoring a Cinematic Icon

Despite the controversy, the nation united in paying tribute to Romero’s monumental contributions to Philippine cinema. On January 29, 2025, her remains were cremated at Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City, following a necrological Mass attended by family, friends, and fellow artists. entertainment.inquirer.net+1entertainment.inquirer.net+1

In recognition of her enduring impact, the Senate filed Resolution No. 1290, acknowledging Romero’s significant role in enriching Philippine cinema and culture. The House of Representatives also adopted House Resolution No. 2198, commemorating her life and legacy. Further cementing her status as a national treasure, Romero was posthumously conferred the Presidential Medal of Merit on May 4, 2025, by President Bongbong Marcos for her services to the arts. Wikipedia

A Call for Responsible Media Consumption

The incident surrounding the fake will serves as a stark reminder of the perils of misinformation, particularly in the digital age where unverified content can spread rapidly. It underscores the need for responsible media consumption and the importance of verifying information before sharing, especially during sensitive times.

As the nation continues to celebrate Gloria Romero’s remarkable legacy, her family appeals for privacy and respect, urging the public to honor her memory by upholding the values she embodied: integrity, humility, and a deep love for the arts.

For more information on Gloria Romero’s life and contributions, please refer to the official statements released by her family and the Philippine government.

Gloria Romero’s family calms down over fake last will and testament
Maritess Gutierrez’s son may file a complaint.
The social media posts circulating about the last will and testament of the late veteran actress Gloria Romero are fake news.

The movie icon and Queen of Philippine Cinema passed away, at the age of 91, on January 25, 2025.

Gloria’s bereaved family clarified that the circulating last will and testament is untrue, baseless, and without evidence, so the public should not be misled.

The fake news that was spread while the award-winning actress was buried and her family is grieving is a desecration of Gloria’s memory.

Gloria’s bereaved family is already studying the legal steps they plan to take to stop the continued spread of fake news, and to hold those spreading it accountable to the law. FAKE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF GLORIA ROMERO
The spread and fabricated news stated the allegedly large amount of money she deposited in the bank; the value of Gloria’s mansion; the price of a school she wanted to build in Pangasinan; the value of her donations to three unnamed institutions; and the value of the late actress’s bequest to her daughter Maritess Gutierrez and grandson Chris Gutierrez. This is untrue and baseless.

In an interview with TV5 entertainment reporter MJ Marfori, Maritess Gutierrez pleaded to be given the opportunity to grieve.

MJ interviewed Maritess at the cremation of Gloria’s remains at the Arlington Memorial Chapels & Crematory in Quezon City, this Wednesday afternoon, January 29, 2024. Maritess is expected to file a complaint in the coming days.