The Philippine entertainment industry mourns the loss of iconic actress Jaclyn Jose, best known for acclaimed performances that earned numerous accolades.
Jose’s sudden passing, which according to daughter Andi Eigenmann was due to a heart attack at the age of 59 left the showbiz community reeling in shock as fans and colleagues grieved her departure.
Born Mary Jane Guck, Jose is renowned for her talent, versatility and dedication to her craft that earned widespread acclaim and admiration while captivating audiences across the silver screen and television.
In a historic moment in 2016, the actress became the first Filipino to win the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for her role in Brillante Mendoza’s film “Ma’Rosa,” where she portrayed a mother entangled in drug-related challenges.
Jose’s acting journey began in 1984 when she was introduced as one of the leads in Chikas ng Baby Pascual Films and Associates alongside budding actresses Lovely Rivero, Tanya Gomez, Rachel Ann Wolfe, and Karla Kalua. That same year, she landed her breakout role in Chito Roño’s “Private Show” which led to a series of more acclaimed performances in films like Olongapo: The Great American Dream” and “Takaw Tukso.”
Throughout her career, Jose brought to life a myriad of characters, from poignant dramas to lighthearted comedies that leave a lasting legacy on Philippine cinema, proving that no role was too big or too small for an actress of her caliber.
Some of her other notable films include “Celestina Sanchez Alyas Bubbles/Enforcer: Ativan Gang” (1985), “The Flor Contemplacion Story” (1995), “Tuhog” (2000), and “Serbis” (2008) and most recently, the black comedy, “Patay na si Hesus” (2016). She also had several memorable roles in numerous teleseryes including her latest, that of Chief Dolores Espinas in the Coco Martin-headlined “Batang Quiapo” on ABS-CBN.
Colleagues, fellow actors, and fans have taken to social media to express their sorrow and pay homage to the late actress, flooding timelines with messages of love, gratitude, and admiration that underscored her profound impact on their lives.
Colleagues pay tribute
Actress Iza Calzado shared on her Instagram the precious mother-daughter moments she experienced with her showbiz “mentor” Jaclyn Jose.
“You were both generous and kind with words of encouragement and support, be it on or off the cam. You were also very stern when you needed to be. That’s one of the best things about you – napakatotoo mo,” she said.
Adding, “Kung alam ko lang, I would have hugged you more that night, yung yakap na sobrang higpit para alam mo na mahal na mahal kita.”
Alden Richards also shared his grief on his Instagram account, “My heart aches like a son who lost his mom…You will be with me always. I love you my tita Jane.”
Alden previously collaborated with Jaclyn on GMA-7 prime-time series like The World Between Us (2021-2022) and Ilustrado (2014).
Other colleagues in the industry, including Comedy Queen Ai-Ai delas Alas, extended condolences, “nawalan na naman ng isang pinakamahusay na aktres sa industriya ng pelikula at telebisyon. It’s an honor na makasama kita kahit isang beses lang sa cinemalaya.”
“We’d like to thank everyone who has since extended their prayers and condolences to us as our family is trying to come to terms with this unfortunate incident. Please provide us the respect and privacy to grieve and we hope this would put all speculations to rest.” Eigenmann said during the press conference on March 4, 2024.
“Her undeniable legacy will definitely forever live on through her work, through her children, through her grandchildren, and the many lives she’s touched. She herself, her life itself was her greatest obra maestra,” Eigenmann concluded.
In the Senate, actors-turned-senators Robin Padilla and Jinggoy Estrada filed separate resolutions that pays tribute to their fallen colleague.