In one of the most emotional scenes the Philippine entertainment industry has ever witnessed, veteran actress Cherie Gil spent her final hours in the hospital with no less than her long-time friend and fellow icon, Sharon Cuneta, by her side. The bond between these two legendary stars proved unbreakable, even in the face of death.

A Friendship Forged in Fame and Forever in the Heart

For decades, Cherie Gil and Sharon Cuneta shared the silver screen, standing as two of the most powerful forces in Philippine cinema. But beyond the glamour, cameras, and movie lines, their connection ran deep—a sisterhood filled with respect, pain, healing, and love.

When Cherie was confined in a hospital abroad battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer, Sharon made no hesitation. She flew in immediately, determined to be with her friend in her most fragile moments.

“I Held Her Hand Until the End”

In a tearful account shared on social media, Sharon wrote:

“I flew all the way to hold her. I whispered to her how much I love her… I cried as she slept. And when she was no longer able to speak, I just sat there… holding her hand, praying she could still feel me.”

Witnesses from the hospital say Sharon never left Cherie’s side. She sang softly to her, wiped away tears, and offered comfort until Cherie drew her last breath.

“It was one of the most painful yet sacred experiences of my life,” Sharon later confessed.

A Quiet, Dignified Goodbye

Cherie Gil, who famously told everyone that she wanted to “exit with grace”, passed peacefully. Her final wish was no grand farewell, just love, privacy, and dignity—something Sharon fully respected.

“She didn’t want the world to see her like that. But she let me in. I will never forget it,” Sharon said in her emotional post.

Fans Grieve: “Two Queens, One Eternal Bond”

News of Cherie’s passing and Sharon’s presence during her last days sparked an overwhelming wave of love from fans, who posted tributes, photos, and movie clips featuring the two.

“Even in her final moments, Cherie had Sharon,” one fan wrote. “That’s what true friendship looks like.”

A Promise to Keep Her Memory Alive

Sharon Cuneta has since vowed to honor Cherie’s memory through advocacy, storytelling, and remembrance. She’s reportedly planning a private tribute and hopes to collaborate with Cherie’s family to celebrate her life and legacy in the most meaningful way.

Rest Now, La Primera Contravida

Cherie Gil may be gone, but her legacy as the ultimate screen villainess with a heart of gold will live on. And thanks to friends like Sharon Cuneta, her story will never fade into silence.

As Sharon said in her goodbye:

“Rest now, my dear Cherie. You fought beautifully. I will carry you with me always.”

Sharon Cuneta sits by Cherie Gil’s bedside at her last moments
“What will I do without you now, Love?” Megastar Sharon Cuneta is deeply saddened by the passing of actress Cherie Gil.

This Saturday morning, August 6, 2022, Sharon emotionally shared on her social media accounts her thoughts on the passing of her best friend.

In her post, Sharon said that one of her goals for going to New York City was to visit Cherie.

Sharon said, “I flew to New York early yesterday with a heavy heart, still forcing it to hang on to that sliver of hope of God performing a miracle & allowing you to pull through this.”

Sharon was still grateful that she was able to be with Cherie in her last moments before she passed away.

“I am eternally grateful to Him for giving us the few hours we spent together…the love & words yet again exchanged in person… the knowledge that the friendship forged when we were very young was stronger & would only keep getting so…”

Sharon also said in her post that Cherie seemed to be letting her go after she mentioned her “tree to heaven”.

And what Sharon was afraid of happened when she received a call that Cherie had passed away a few hours after they met,

Sharon’s story (published as is): “You told me about your tree to heaven outside of your apartment window which I didn’t get to see.

“We said ‘I love you’ & I said I’d see you again today…& you raised both arms and gave me the thumbs up with both hands.”

“Then barely eleven hours after I left you, I was awakened by his call saying you had passed…

“I leave New York now with a much heavier heart than ever before…because now I am leaving YOU with the knowledge that I will NEVER see you again… I cannot process it. It seems so unfair. It will never be the same without you. I will never be the same without you.

“I told you that you had to fight, please, because you couldn’t leave me & that you were my partner, that there is no one like you…You said yes.

“But God took you home,took all your pain away. I will never get to feed you ice chips again. Or share most everything else with you.

“Your kids are strong & love you so much.

“Mike & I won’t have to keep our talks about you a secret anymore like we did while taping our show. But I don’t know how we would want to.”

Even though Sharon was with her best friend in her final moments, the sadness she felt now that she would never see him again was still intense.

“I thank God I was with your Dad & Mom & R & all your kids to ‘see you off’ – but I am not happy.

“My heart is in pieces again & now I don’t know how to put it back together anymore-because among the many loved ones I have lost these past few years, you were & always will be one of my most loved…a most important part of my life & my history. Of my heart.”

In the last part of her post, Sharon shared how much she will miss her talkative friend.

“I love you so very much. It is the end of an era now that you’ve left us… What will I do without you now, Love? My true screen partner, a true friend, godmother of Simone…

“I miss you so terribly & know it will only get worse. Be at peace in God’s loving arms, my Cheech… I’ll see you again someday.

“I will love you with all my heart, forever. Thank you for everything.”

In addition, Sharon also shared on her Instagram the ending scene of her and Cherie in the movie Bituing Walang Ningning (1985). She captioned it with her “Leaves” from Ben & Ben.

Sharon also put three broken heart emojis in the caption of her post,

It is worth remembering that the two became close friends after they starred in the said movie. In this movie, Cherie also dropped the iconic movie line, “You’re nothing, but a second-rate trying hard copycat!”

Due to the success of the movie, it was followed by Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas in 1986.