Fans, celebrities pay respects to Gloria Romero during wake

Fans and fellow celebrities visited Gloria Romero's wake during the allotted schedule for public viewing.

According to Aubrey Carampel's report on "24 Oras," Tuesday, among the personalities seen at the wake were Barbie Forteza, Vilma Santos, Daisy Romualdez, Sharon Cuneta, former President Joseph Estrada, and Iza Calzado.

Tirso Cruz III, Leo Martinez, Nova Villa, Celia Rodriguez, and more were also present.

"Nawalan tayo ng isang icon. Napakaganda niya hindi lamang dahil sa itsura niya, kundi sa kaniyang pagdala sa sarili, pakikipagkapwa-tao. She was really a beautiful human being," Iza said.

Film Development Council of the Philippines Chairperson Jose Javier Reyes said that Gloria was truly the Queen of Philippine Movies.

"Kung papaano niya tratuhin ako bilang writer, bilang director, gano'n din niya tratuhin ang mga utility, even down to the smallest person on the set. So that for me is a rare quality," he said.

President Bongbong Marcos also expressed sympathies to Gloria's family through a Facebook post.

Meanwhile, fans patiently waited in line from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to pay their respects.

Gloria passed away on January 25 at 91 years old.

Her family said that until her last moment, "she was still trying to give pa rin."

Hailed as the "Queen of Philippine Cinema," Gloria has won various acting awards throughout her 70-year career in showbiz. Among her memorable performance in film are "Magnifico," "Dalagang Ilocana," "Tarima," "Tanging Yaman," and "Rainbow's Sunset."

She was given a star-studded tribute in February 2024, and in April of the same year was named by the FDCP among its Lifetime Achievement Honorees.

—Carby Rose Basina/MGP, GMA Integrated News