Gloria Romero: ‘Queen of our hearts’

When movie queen Gloria Romero turned 90 on 16 December 2023, she was already quite frail and weak. Although daughter Maritess Gutierrez didn’t want her mother exposed to whatever virus that may be flying in the air in that post-pandemic period, there was no choice but to throw a party to celebrate Romero’s 90th birthday.

It was a thanksgiving for all the good years she had, especially in her showbiz career. Besides, how many people get to reach 90?

Maritess and son Christopher Balbin therefore arranged a party in her honor at the Sampaguita events place in Valencia, Quezon City. It was the perfect venue since it was Sampaguita Pictures that gave Gloria her big break in the movies.

The party was held on 15 December, the eve of her birthday. Gloria recognized her well-wishers and went home very happy. During her actual birthday, she stayed home in her favorite Kamuning “duster.” She had no other visitor, except for Sampaguita colleague Daisy Romualdez.

Two months later, Daisy thought of giving Gloria a tribute at the Manila Hotel. Maritess was hesitant at first because she felt her mother was safest at home — away from the contaminants of this world. But she couldn’t say no to Daisy Romualdez — and so the tribute went as planned. It was a huge affair with friends from showbiz and politics in attendance.

When the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) gave Gloria Romero a special award the following month, Maritess asked this writer to accept the trophy on her mother’s behalf. It was a major film event (at the Seda Hotel) attended by important personalities in the film industry.

Another award was given to Romero by the FAMAS last May. It was Maritess who went to receive the award this time — at the Manila Hotel. Yes, it was the same night when organizers of the FAMAS were unable to locate Eva Darren.

Maritess will always be grateful for all the honors given to Gloria Romero. However, she didn’t want to tire her mother, whose health kept deteriorating by the day.

By the last quarter of 2024, Gloria Romero had become the favorite patient of St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City. Thankfully, the hospital is only a few minutes-drive away from the actress’ New Manila home.

Last 9 December, this writer marked another year with a simple birthday celebration that also doubled as the Christmas party of the Mowelfund Film Institute. The event was held at my place and in the middle of dinner, I got a call from Gloria Romero who managed to sing “Happy Birthday” to me — the entire song. It was the best birthday present ever.

The following week, when she turned 91 on 16 December, I wanted to talk to her and greet her happy birthday, but she was not in festive mood. She whined about having to celebrate another birthday. She was obviously tired. But a simple celebration was still held at home — hamburgers and hotdogs to mark the occasion.

At midday of New Year’s Eve, however, she refused to eat. This alarmed Maritess so much that she rushed her mother to St. Luke’s again. Gloria Romero welcomed 2025 in the hospital.

All throughout the time of her hospitalization, she had no appetite. She had to be spoon fed with this white, milk-like substance to keep her alive.

It was heartbreaking for Maritess to hear her mother say, “I want to die!” A devout Catholic, Gloria never forgot to call on the Almighty. Her constant prayer: “Lord, please take me.”

In the beginning, the doctors suspected that she could be suffering from leukemia. And then came the medical theory that it was possible she had bone cancer. But after the tests came out, Maritess heaved a sigh of relief when the doctors ruled out both leukemia and cancer. Unfortunately, Gloria was still in pain.

After 16 days in the hospital, Maritess asked her mother if she wanted to go home. Gloria gave a weak nod. She seemed happy at the thought that she’d be able to rest in her own bed again.

At home, Gloria was under pain management — with a team of medical staff attending to her 24/7. Last 22 January, her blood pressure went down to alarming levels, Maritess thought it was the end of her mother. But Gloria Romero fought on.

Late morning of 25 January, however, the monitor attached to her started heading for a flat line. Maritess, who had been having sleepless nights worrying about her mother since the start of the year, jumped off her bed and rushed to her mother’s side.

She started feeling her mother’s body. All the signs indicating that it was time were there — including her feet that started to feel “cold and clammy.”

Maritess would have wanted to spend an eternity with her mother, except that it is not possible in this world where pain and death exist. She knew it was time to say goodbye to her beloved Mama.

And so, let go she did. Gloria Romero closed her eyes and breathed her last at 9:59 a.m. 25 January 2025. She was 91.

The wake for Gloria Romero — Gloria Anne Galla Gutierrez off-screen — will start on 26 January, Sunday, at the Arlington Funeral Homes along Araneta Avenue in Quezon. The first night will only be for family.

On 27 and 28 January, the vigil will be opened to friends and colleagues in the business. A huge crowd is expected, but that shouldn’t come as a surprise. Gloria Romero is the most loved member of the entertainment profession. She will forever be remembered not only for her contributions as actress, but also for her kindness and generosity toward industry members.

Goodbye, Miss Gloria Romero. There have been dozens and dozens of movie queens in Philippine cinema, but there will be no other like you.

Did God have to break the mold after creating Gloria Romero? That’s what He did, which makes it doubly painful to see a Gloria Romero go. But thank you for making show business a better place in the last 70 years. In our hearts, you will always be our queen.