UNANG araw ng Setyembre, ginulantang ang buong industriya sa pagpanaw ng isa sa kinikilala at tinitingalang aktor na si Mark Gil (real name: Raphael Joseph de Mesa Eigenmann).

Mark, 52, died at 8:00 in the morning yesterday due to liver cirrhosis.

Si Mark ay anak nina Eddie Mesa at Rosemarie Gil, kapatid naman nina Michael de Mesa at Cherie Gil. Anak ni Mark sina Gabriel “Gabby” at Ira Eigenmann kay Irene Celebre; Timothy “Sid Lucero” at Maxene “Max” Eigenmann kay Bing Pimentel; at Andrea “Andi” Eigenmann kay Jackyn Jose.

At the time of his death, Mark is married to Maricar Jacinto-Eigenmann.

Ang balita ng pagpanaw ng aktor ay una ring kumalat sa social media at kinumpirma ng manager ng aktor na si June Rufino.

“We would like to confirm the death of one of our beloved, Mark Gil, who just joined our Creator this morning at 8. As of now, the family is in deep grieving and they want private time with him. They will issue an official statement within the day. Thank you and we need all your prayers for the repose of the soul of Mark and strength for his beloved family.”

Nag-post na rin si Gabby sa kanyang Facebook account at sabi niya, “... And so you held my hand in yours, just like you did when I was young. But then you held it to your heart just as you slowly slipped away. Today, I said goodbye to you, Dad. I said the last I love you that you would hear. Fly free with the Lord, fly free without pain. No worries, no problems, just love. Thank you for everything you have done for me and the family. Thank you for the legacy you have left behind. You will be forever in our hearts, till we meet again.”

Nagsimula si Mark bilang aktor noong taong 1979. Ang unang pelikula niya ay Underage at Miss X (1980). Ang ilan sa mga notable film ni Mark ay Eskapo (1995), Magnifico (2003), Alpha Kappa Omega: Batch 81 at Palipat-lipat, Papalit-palit (1982), Rotonda at Donsol (2006), Phillipino Story (2013) at marami pang iba.

Aktibo rin si Mark sa TV. Ang ilan sa mga drama show niya ay Makapiling Kang Muli, Pahiram Na Sandali, My Husband’s Lover (GMA), Walang Hanggan at The Legal Wife ng ABS-CBN.

Taong 2004 nang parangalan siya ng FAMAS as Best Supporting Actor para sa pagganap niya sa Magnifico ni Direk Maryo J. de los Reyes, at nasungkit din ni Mark ang Best Actor sa 2007 Gawad URIAN para sa pelikulang Rotonda ng Cinemalaya Foundations. Bukod sa iba pang karangalang natanggap ng aktor, umani rin siya ng kabi-kabilang acting nominations mula sa FAMAS, Gawad Urian, Young Critic Circle, Golden Screen Awards at iba pang award-giving bodies ng bansa.

With Mark’s untimely demise, nawalan na naman ng isang haligi at mahusay na aktor ang industriya ng pelikula at telebisyon.

Ang pamunuan ng Balita at Manila Bulletin ay buong pusong nakikiramay sa mga naulila ng aktor.