Jaclyn Jose had a heart attack that led to her passing on 2 March 2024 at age 60. She’s survived by her two children, Andi Eigenmann and Gwen Garimond.
Her daughter Andi gave a statement in a press conference held in the afternoon of 4 March: “It’s with great sadness that I announce the untimely passing of my Nanay, Mary Jane Guck, better known as Jaclyn Jose, at the age of 60, on the morning of March 2nd, due to a myocardial infraction or heart attack.”
Sobbing, she went on thanking “everyone who has since extended their prayers and condolences” and asking for “the respect and privacy to grieve and we hope this would put all speculations to rest.”
She added, “We’d just like to say that her undeniable legacy will definitely forever live on through her work, through her children, grandchildren and the many lives she’s touched.”
In closing, Andi described her mother’s “life itself” as the award-winning actress’ “greatest obra maestra.”
Indeed, Jose had an incomparable body of work that’s marked by a historic feat of becoming the first Filipino and Southeast Asian to win best actress at Cannes Film Festival.
Jose’s talent management agency, PPL Entertainment Inc., confirmed the actress’ passing past midnight of Monday, 4 March, through a Facebook post.
“It saddens us to inform everyone of the untimely passing of Miss Jaclyn Jose (real name Mary Jane Guck),” the official statement read. “More details will be shared as soon as they are available.”
It added, “The Guck and Eigenmann families are requesting for everyone to please pray for the eternal repose of Miss Jaclyn Jose and for them to be allowed the respect and privacy to mourn her passing, and navigate these difficult times.”
The cause of death was not mentioned in the PPL Entertainment Inc.’s statement, which came hours after unverified news of Jose’s passing started circulating on social media Sunday night. That’s why initial reports said she died that day, 3 March.
DAILY TRIBUNE ran a story on how the Marikina City police started an investigation based on a report saying that the actress was found lifeless in her house at Loyola Grand Villas. It’s a subdivision located in Quezon City and very near Marikina City.
In the follow-up story, Marikina City Police chief, Col. Earl Castillo, said in a phone interview, “If you want information, just coordinate with the family. We will not disclose any information because that’s what we talked about.”
Consummate actress, devoted mother
Jose made her onscreen debut in the 1984 sexy flick Chicas and went on proving she could do much more than taking off her clothes in acclaimed movies by Lino Brocka (White Slavery) and Chito Roño (Private Show, Takaw Tukso). She then took on roles in more mainstream movies, such as Viva Films’ Magdusa Ka and Alabok sa Ulap, while starring in indie projects and working with more filmmakers.
In 1995, she turned her supporting role in The Flor Contemplacion Story into an acting piece of subtlety and restraint. She used the same acting style in TV projects, from drama anthologies to series and eventually becoming a household name in the hit teleserye Nagsimula sa Puso (2009 to 2010).
Along the way, Jose amassed acting awards, notably from Gawad Urian and ultimately from Cannes Film Festival in 2016 for Brillante Mendoza’s Ma’ Rosa. She impressed the multinational jurors with her textured portrayal of a small-time drug dealer who also takes care of her family.
Off-camera, Jose was a devoted mother to Andi and Gwen. Andi, daughter of late actor Mark Gil (real name Ralph Eigenmann) has put her acting career on pause since relocating to Siargao Island in 2019. She’s with her partner Philmar Alipayo and their two children Lilo and Koa. She co-parents her first-born child Ellie with Ellie’s father, Jake Ejercito.
Gwen, whose father is musical Kenneth Ilagan, studied at the Ateneo and is now based in the United States.
Jose had been vocal in her interviews of how she missed her children, both of whom she singlehandedly raised.