Bing Pimentel - “...We were supposed to be kissing while watching a very violent scene from Stanley Kubrick’s ‘A Clockwork Orange...I was stiff, naturally, because Mark was practically a stranger and it was my first day on the set of my first movie...I didn’t think much of him because I was dating another actor that time, (Roel Vergel de Dios)...After 28 takes, the director yelled ‘Pack up! Mag-date muna kayo!’ (Go out on a date first!)...” - Bayani San Diego Jr., Philippine Daily Inquirer, 25 September 2014 (READ MORE)
Enchanted Family - "...On a more personal note, we got to know Mark earlier than most because, in the ’70s, we tapped his beautiful and gifted mother, Rosemarie Gil, as one of the hosts (along with Pete Roa, Gigi Lacson and Bey Vito) of the pioneering TV magazine show, “Sanlinggo,” that we scripted and directed for PTV 4. Rosemarie would sometimes bring her children to our taping and shooting sessions, so we first saw Mark, Cherie and Michael as lovely and spirited kids, and we found the entire family, including dad Eddie Mesa (a fine singer and actor in his own right) absolutely enchanting. That early, we simply knew that all of the Eigenmann kids would also become exceptional performers and stars. —What we didn’t know was that their thespic genes would “power” another generation of dynamic players, including Mark’s son, Sid Lucero, who was named after the character he played in “Batch ’81,” and Andi Eigenmann..." - Nestor U. Torre, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 06 September 2014 (READ MORE)
Still Friends - “…THE movie Miss X, filmed and released in the ’80s, will forever be memorable to Mark Gil. Then still very young and raw as far as acting is concerned, Direk Gil Portes tapped Mark to play Governor Vi’s leading man. Miss X had Governor Vi playing the title role. It was filmed entirely in Amsterdam, the official capital of the Netherlands. The entire cast, crew and staff, headed, of course, by Direk Gil, stayed in Amsterdam for about a month. As expected, the film was a blockbuster when it was shown. Henceforth, Mark admitted, life was never the same for him after the film. That he has a lot to thank Governor Vi is a given. Kaya for Mark, ang chance na makatrabaho uli si Gov. Vi is something to be grateful about. “Kasi she has not changed,” aniya. “Kung ano’ng pag-uugali niya when we were in Amsterdam together at pareho pa kaming bata noon, ganu’n pa rin siya ngayon. “Considering all the achievements na kanyang natamo, ’di lang bilang artista kundi bilang public official din, I am glad she still takes to me as a friend,” pahayag ni Mark. Doing The Healing with Gov. Vi is another challenge for the actor….” - Nel Alejandrino, Journal, July 11, 2012
Days in Amsterdam - “…Where to now?” I heard my mommy ask Gil when all the proper and necessary introductions were conducted. “Since it is a Sunday,” Gil suggests, “Why don’t we hear mass at the church of the Bigginhoff?” The church is situated in a strategic area, along several residential houses, and it is one of the only two Catholic churches in Amsterdam. Since between the two churches, it is the Bigginhoff which celebrates one mass in English, it is where most Filipinos attend their Sunday mass. The front yard of the church, after the mass, serves as a melting pot of sorts for most Filipinos. It si here where they renew acquaintances, exchange tete-a-tete, or get the latest tsismis about a fellow Filipinos. It is in this area where my group and I chanced upon Eddie Gutierrez, who was on the last leg of his European tour. Eddie works as a promotional salesman for Belcraft International, a firm which has its main office in Canada and which specializes in household wares….Happily for all of us, nothing untoward happened since then. We managed to even finish shooting the entire movie ahead of schedule. Now that I am back home, things which I should have done and which I shouldn’t keep rushing back into my mind. Truly, my days in Amsterdam continue to evoke memories for me, both pleasant and otherwise. For example, how can I forget the group who made up Miss X? They were such a happy lot that I would love working with them again. Gil, my director, despite himself, is a dear. I love the guy, since I know he loves me, too. Mark G., my leading man, will forever hold a special place in my heart. He proved so sweet, so pleasant to work with, so much so, I pray he will succeed. And my Ductch leading man, Max van Os, he did make my last days in Amsterdam memorable. I will always take him as one of the most warm-heated persons I’ve ever met in my whole life. My memories of Amsterdam will never be complete without me mentioning the kindness and generosity of the Filipinos residing there. The way they welcomed and treated us in their respective homes truly amazed me. I love them all and will cherish their memories for a long, long time…” - Ethelwolda A. Ramos, Expressweek December 20, 1979 (READ MORE)
Generous Actor - "...If there is one thing that Mark Gil should be remembered for, it is his generosity. His career is marked by performances wherein he is required to work with others, whether it is a director with a distinctly unique vision or filmmaking style, or an ensemble of actors with varying ranges. In all his works, it never appeared that he was occupying much of the limelight. He was simply not there for himself. He was there for the film. Even Sid Lucero, the name that jumpstarted his career, he generously lent to his son, Timothy Eigenmann. Perhaps this is the reason why Mark Gil is such a great actor. He just had so much to give, but too little time to keep giving...Even up to the end, he was preparing for projects, for various filmmakers, for himself. There were simply no boundaries, not even the pain he was suffering because of the illness he had kept a secret, when it comes to his craft..." - Oggs Cruz, Rappler, 02 Sep 2014 (READ MORE)
Generous Actor - "...If there is one thing that Mark Gil should be remembered for, it is his generosity. His career is marked by performances wherein he is required to work with others, whether it is a director with a distinctly unique vision or filmmaking style, or an ensemble of actors with varying ranges. In all his works, it never appeared that he was occupying much of the limelight. He was simply not there for himself. He was there for the film. Even Sid Lucero, the name that jumpstarted his career, he generously lent to his son, Timothy Eigenmann. Perhaps this is the reason why Mark Gil is such a great actor. He just had so much to give, but too little time to keep giving...Even up to the end, he was preparing for projects, for various filmmakers, for himself. There were simply no boundaries, not even the pain he was suffering because of the illness he had kept a secret, when it comes to his craft..." - Oggs Cruz, Rappler, 02 Sep 2014 (READ MORE)
Nora Aunor on Mark Gil - "...I got to work with Mark in ‘Rock ’n’ Roll’ (1981) and then in ‘Babae’ (1997). He was one of the best. I would get nervous in our scenes together. I last saw him at the thanksgiving party of Direk Maryo J. de los Reyes last year. We talked about making a movie together again. Sayang it didn’t push through. He still had so much to give to the movie industry...” - Bayani San Diego Jr., Philippine Daily Inquirer, 08 Sep 2014 (READ MORE)
Raphael Joseph De Mesa Eigenmann (born September 25, 1961), better known as Mark Gil, is a Filipino actor. He is the son of actors Eddie Mesa and Rosemarie Gil, brother of actors Michael de Mesa and Cherie Gil. He is fourth Filipino, fourth Spanish, and half Swiss German American descent. He is the father of singer/actor Gabby Eigenmann and Ira Eigenmann from actress Irene Celebre. He is also the father of Tim "Sid Lucero" Eigenmann and Maxene "Max" Eigenmann from actress Bing Pimentel, and of Andi Eigenmann from another actress, Jaclyn Jose. He has been married for 18 yrs to Maricar Jacinto-Eigenmann. - Wikipedia (READ MORE)
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