MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said he was “deeply saddened” by the passing of movie and television icon Gloria Romero.

Marcos said he first met Romero on the set while filming “Iginuhit ng Tadhana” and that he had been “an admirer of her work as an actress ever since.”

“Iginuhit ng Tadhan” is a 1965 movie about the life of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., where then 8-year old Marcos Jr. portrayed himself, while Romero played the role of his mother, First Lady Imelda Marcos.

“I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of one of Philippine cinema's great icons… She was always a great lady with the dignity of a true star,” the President said.

“Not just a brilliant artist but a very fine person, the world of Filipino cinema and all of entertainment will never forget her,” he added.

The celebrated actress passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 25, her family said. 

Romero, who appeared in over 250 movies and TV productions, was widely regarded as the "First Lady of Philippine Cinema."

The incomparable Gloria Romero

She received numerous movie citations including Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress awards from FAMAS, Film Academy of the Philippines, Gawad Urian Awards, among others.

We Celebrate The Many Fashion Moments Of Gloria Romero

Some of her best known works were for the movies Dalagang Ilocana (1954), Nagbabagang Luha (1988) and Tanging Yaman (2000). She was also part of ABS-CBN's sitcom Palibhasa Lalake.

Gloria Romero’s indelible Kapamilya characters—from sitcoms to drama & fantasy seryes

Last February 2024, she was given a special tribute by her friends, fellow actors, most of whom are movie luminaries themselves, celebrating her 90th birthday.