Gloria Romero and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (Screen grab from film ‘Iginuhit ng Tadhana’) 

MANILA, Philippines – Even President Marcos Jr. mourns the passing of veteran actress Gloria Romero whom he called the “great icon of Philippine cinema.”

In a social media post, the state chief said he was saddened to hear about the passing of Romero. 

He recounted first meeting the actress in the 1965 biographical film “Iginuhit ng Tadhana,” about the late dictator where his son and namesake played himself while Romero played his mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos. 

“I first met 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗼 while on the set of filming 𝘐𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘩𝘪𝘵 𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘢𝘥𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘢. I have been an admirer of her work as an actress, ever since. She was a talented lady, a brilliant artist with the dignity of a true star, but above all else—a fine human being,” Marcos said. 

“The world of Filipino cinema and all of entertainment will never forget her,” he said. 

Romero, 91, died “peacefully” on Saturday, January 25, as confirmed by her family.