Shortly after Jaclyn Jose’s untimely demise was confirmed on 4 March, her colleagues started taking to social media to pay their emotional tribute to the award-winning and well-loved actress whose legacy will surely live on in the entertainment industry.
Jose (real name Mary Jane Sta. Ana Guck) passed away 2 March at the age of 60 after suffering from myocardial infarction or a heart attack, as announced by her daughter Andi Eigenmann in a press conference two days later.
Dimples Romana, who worked with Jose in the film Minsan May Isang Puso (2001) and the TV remake of the classic romance flick May Minamahal (2007), expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the late great actress in an Instagram post.
“Tita Jane, I remember all the laughter, the lessons you generously taught me as a young actor back when we were shooting this movie in 2001 and for our May Minamahal remake,” Romana said in the caption. “Mahal kita at laging yayakap ng mahigpit; You will never be forgotten (I love you and will always hug you tightly.).”
Another former co-star, Katrina Halili, who recently mourned the death of her boyfriend Jeremy Guiab, revealed on Instagram that Jose showed comfort and support when she was grieving.
“Thank you tita jhane, dinalaw mo pa ako 2weeks ago para i comfort ako, salamat sa mahigpit na yakap, oras, at pagmamahal. Rest in peace, mahal kita (You visited me two weeks ago to comfort me. Thank you for the tight embrace, time and love. I love you),” Halili wrote, also revealing a phone conversation she had with Jose.
Kylie Padilla, who played Jose’s daughter in the series Bolera also honored the dear departed: “I remember our heart-to-heart conversations under the stars sa taping ng bolera… Thank you for being [a] mom to me but also being a friend to me. It’s only a comfort that I saw you last night in my dreams smiling, I got a sense that you were at peace wherever you were. And that’s what you deserve. RIP Tita Jane.”
Singer, songwriter and actor Ice Seguerra conveyed his gratitude to Jose especially for the kindness showed to his wife, Liza Diño, who’s the former chairperson of the Film Development Council of the Philippines.
“Maraming salamat sa pagmamahal mo kay Liza. Lagi mo siyang sinusuportahan nung nasa FDCP at pinagtatanggol nung wala na siya. Thank you for your kindness. Sobrang nakakalungkot (Thanks a lot for the love for Liza. You always supported her when she was still with FDCP and you defended her when she already left… It’s so heartbreaking),” Seguerra captioned his post, adding that Jose is a huge loss to the entire industry.
Popular actor Alden Richards shared an old selfie he had with the actress: “My heart aches like a son who lost his mom. You will be with me always. I love you my tita jane.”
Apart from the outpouring of tribute from numerous showbiz denizens, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, also an actor, extended his profound sympathy and condolences by filing Resolution 942.
“She brought life to her roles, making them feel real and relatable, transcending borders, and touching the hearts of those who watched. Her loss is a tragic one and will be felt deeply by the entire entertainment industry,” Estrada said.
Jose was a recipient of multiple accolades throughout her lengthy acting career, including five Gawad Urians, a FAMAS award and more. She also won the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress for her role in Brillante Mendoza’s Ma’Rosa, making her the first Filipino and Southeast Asian actress to win the highly-coveted prize.
The iconic star was last seen onscreen in the action-drama series FPJ’s Batang Quiapo as Dolores Espinas.
Jose’s daughter Andi said in a press conference, “We 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 as she herself, her life itself was her greatest obra maestra.”