Veteran comedienne Zorayda Sanchez, 57, passed away yesterday, August 27, due to breast cancer.
According to GMA News, the comedienne's daughter said that their family learned about her mother's breast cancer last year. Zorayda immediately underwent some tests and chemotheraphy, but early this month, they found out that the cancer cells had already spread to her liver, lungs, and bones.
Earlier this year, ABS-CBNNews.com wrote about Zorayda denying reports that she had bone cancer. She explained that it was plain misunderstanding between her and her comedienne friend Vangie Labalan.
"Ang sabi ko kay Vangie, i-cancel na lang ang miting dahil magpapatingin ako sa doktor. Magpapa-bone screen 'kako ako," Zorayda told ABS-CBN News.
The comedienne said that it was just arthritis. She even assured, "I am very healthy. Rayuma lang 'yon."
Zorayda's remains lie in her hometown in Angono, Rizal, but there is still no definite date about her funeral.
Zorayda used to be a household name in late 1980s when she played supporting roles in comedy films. Among these movies were, Takot Ako Eh! (1987), Petrang Kabayo at mga Pilyang Kuting (1988), Tiyanak (1988), and Feel na Feel (1990). She was also included as the main cast of the hit gag show in the '80s called Goin' Bananas, together with Christopher de Leon, Johnny Delgado, Edgar Mortiz, and the late Jay Ilagan.
Aside from being a comedienne, Zorayda is also known as a writer, a stage actress, and a university professor.