Sinariwa ni Dina Bonnevie ang magagandang alaala ng pagkakaibigan nila ng pumanaw na kaibigang si Cherie Gil sa pamamagitan ng isang Instagram post nitong Sabado ng madaling-araw, August 6, 2022.
READ: Award-winning actress and primera contravida Cherie Gil dies at 59
Nagsimula ang malalim na pagkakaibigan nina Dina at Cherie nang magkasama sila sa Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas, ang 1986 Viva Films blockbuster movie na pinagbidahan nila, kasama si Sharon Cuneta.
Sa kanyang parangal kay Cherie, inisa-isa ni Dina ang magagandang katangian ni Cherie at mga aral na natutunan niya mula sa 59-year-old actress na binawian ng buhay sa Amerika dahil sa kanser.
Kabilang dito ang panahong tumira sila sa iisang condo building, kunsaan inalagaan daw ni Dina ang panganay na anak ni Cherie na si Jamie.
Inalagaan din naman daw noon ni Cherie si Dina na galing sa broken marriage nila ng first husband na si Vic Sotto.
Narito ang kabuuan ng madamdaming mensahe ni Dina para pinakamamahal na kaibigan:
"It is with a very sad heart that I need to say goodbye to a very dear friend this morning. Cherie as you know in French, means 'dear.' That is what you are to me.
"I will never forget all the times we slept together (you, Shawie and I) at my house when we were filming 'Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas' ….
"You were more than a friend to me, you were my sister, my first mentor in singing, you helped me believe in myself, my dreams, my goals.
"You were my critic and my fan, never afraid to tell me the truth if you felt I could do better and never stingy for words of praise if I did well.
"We shared so many stories, insights, analyzed so many matters in our lives together, we even helped one another pick up the pieces of our broken lives then.
"I remember taking care of Jamie when we were both living in the same condo building and you taking care of me when I was recovering from my broken marriage.
"You taught me how to let go and be brave to face life’s challenges. We were teachers to one another, always observing life as it unfolds and learning from our experiences along the way on how to be better at everything … even at laughing at ourselves and our silly decisions at times.
"We believed that we always had to search for our higher selves and what purpose we had to fulfill in life and most of all what we could impart to this world as our contribution, our legacy.
"I remember how we talked about that in length when I visited you in Italy. I have so many memories of all of our conversations, our joys, our sorrows, laughter and pain.
"You did your part my dear sister and friend, though your life was not perfect because no one’s life is anyway; you gave your all in everything you did.
"You did your best despite the circumstances at hand. You were always true and present in mind, body and spirit. That was your legacy!
"Kudos to you my dearest! I will truly miss you!! I love you, Cherie! Rest now in God’s loving arms where there is everlasting peace. Till we meet again..."
