MANILA, Philippines - Redford White, the comedian noted for his silver air and fair complexion, succumbed to cancer of the brain at 6:47 yesterday morning at his Novaliches, Quezon City, home barely 24 hours after he checked out of St. Luke’s Medical Center also in the same city. He was 54.
He was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor last February. He begged off from undergoing surgery after the doctors told his wife Elena that Redford would be lucky if he lived until end of this year. Elena is a faith healer whom Redford met when he consulted her about his recurring headaches that started more than two decades ago. The couple built a chapel near their home in Novaliches.
Friends said that Redford hit his head hard during a fall when he was a kid. But it’s not confirmed if the fall had something to do with the brain tumor that developed years later.
Cipriano Sermeno in real life, Redford developed his own style of comedy in several films and in TV shows including Buddy en Sol in which Eric Quizon played Buddy and Redford played Sol. The two actors’ other starrers were, Buddy en Sol Praybet Detektib and Si Lucio at si Miguel. All three were directed by Boots Plata.
“We visited Redford at his home last Tuesday,” recalled Boots. “He was upbeat. His wife Elena told us that it was the first time in six months that Redford seemed to be back in his old jolly self. Nagbibiro pa siya. He hugged us before we left.‘Yon na pala ang pamamaalam niya.”
Redford was brought to St. Luke’s a day after that but asked to be brought home last Saturday.
From Hong Kong where he’s now based, working for a company, Eric sent the following text message to The STAR:
Today is one of the saddest days of my life. A truly honest and good man has passed away. Red was my partner. My Sol. We were One. I was the body, he was the soul. I was the vessel, he was the spirit. He was a man who believed in the craft and valued his work. He was a professional and dedicated actor that everybody admired. Red… a good friend, a wonderful father, a loving husband and a faithful son of God. He is now with his Creator. We love you, Red. We will miss you.
Redford is also survived by his and Elena’s only child, Gerwyn. His remains lie at the chapel the couple has built at No. 139 Sto, Nino de Maligaya, Maligaya Park Subdivision, Novaliches, Quezon City. Interment date will be annoumced later.