Marky Cielo at 20

Marky Cielo

(May 12, 1988 – December 7, 2008), better known as Marky Cielo, was a Filipino actor, dancer, and the first known Igorot-actor in Philippine showbiz. He is notable for his win in the reality talent competition StarStruck (March 12,2006). During his two-year career, he was able to star in several television shows and in one film, notably Fantastikids (2006), Asian Treasures (2007), Boys Nxt Door (2007), Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan (2007-2008), Sine Novela: Kaputol ng Isang Awit (2008), and his final performance, LaLola (2008). He also voiced the character Ichigo Kurosaki in the anime Bleach (2007).

According to a statement from the TV network, Cielo, 20, was found dead on December 7, 2008 by his mother. The night before, he was last seen playing an online video game up until ten o’clock in the evening in an internet cafe in Quezon City. When he arrived home, he had a discussion with his mother about an emotional decision he made which ended in her telling him to be responsible. According to the report, his mother went to his room in their house in Antipolo at around six o’clock in the morning to wake him up for a charity event. When he did not respond, she immediately rushed him to the nearby Antipolo Doctors Hospital where the actor was declared dead on arrival about four hours after he arrived. An initial report states that he died in his sleep. At present, the cause of Cielo’s death remains unknown. Speculation about the true nature of his death spread immediately after he died, with some trying to discern the mysterious events surrounding it, although some reports have stated that it was Acute Hemorrhagic Pancreatitis.  His wake was held in his home for three days then his remains were brought to the Cathedral of the Resurrection in Baguio City, where it stayed for a day.  His remains was laid to rest on December 15, in Bauko, Mountain Province, where he would be buried in his family’s backyard according to traditional Ibaloi custom. A mass as held before his funeral.  His death was a big disappointment to his family since his father has stated that he was supposed to return to school the following year. In an interview with his mother the day after his death, she said that she is happy that he was an inspiration to his fans although she is also disappointed since it appeared to her that her son had problems and was unable to discuss them to her.  On the last day of his wake, Cielo’s mother thanked all the fans who gave all their prayers and support.

Cielo’s death caused many reactions from among his fans and colleagues alike, most of whom were shocked by his sudden death.  Fellow Igorot were filled with mourning and disbelief when they heard about the event since he had been a model for their people.  After his death, they immediately performed a ritual known as Cañao, believed to cleanse his soul during his journey to the afterlife.  Even people from the rival network of his network were disappointed to hear the news,  although minor altercations have occurred between these two networks about the incident. On Saturday, the rival network apologetically stated on their show Entertainment Live that people should stop the speculation. Glaiza de Castro, his former on-screen romance, was deeply disturbed by the incident since she was one of the last people who were able to talk to him, particularly about a dream she had involving him which would lead him to predict his own death.  His fellow batchmates from StarStruck were deeply saddened by the event especially since most of them had treated him as a brother. Some of them even rushed to see his body immediately after they found out about his passing. Many of them reacted with guilt and sympathy since he had a promising career. They have stated that they would truly miss him very much citing the good memories they have spent with him.  Beginning on December 8, the show LaLola began airing “In Loving Memory of Marky Cielo” before the closing credits of each episode on the week of his death. On December 15, which is his burial, despite not airing “In Loving Memory of Marky Cielo” before the credits, he had his last scenes in LaLola, where he had advanced his taping before his passing. His last appearance was on January 15, 2009 in LaLola. On Saturday, December 13, the show where he once hosted, Startalk, aired a full-episode tribute to him. Tributes were also shown in the news show 24 Oras and the variety/talk show SiS during the early days of his death, which dramatically boosted their ratings, proving his importance to the Philippine showbiz industry. The show, Showbiz Central also paid tribute to him. He was honored during the 12/14/2008 episode of SOP, the weekly variety show on GMA. Friends and fellow performers gave an outstanding and emotional performance at the beginning of the show.

LBM was the primary rumor of what caused the death of the young actor. The unexpected death of Cielo had been the subject of controversy during the first week of his death, in contrast with the uncontroversial life he had lived. Numerous speculations about the true nature of his death quickly spread like wildfire across the tabloids, internet, and blogosphere. Some of these speculations have included sensitive subjects such as romantic conflicts, depression, drug abuse, and even suicide. TV5 Network has rejected these allegations as untrue and, along with its rival network GMA, had asked everyone to stop the controversy. An incident, meanwhile, had occurred over the weekend between these networks about an alleged video that GMA aired. TV5 Network, along with Cielo’s family, had condemned the rival network, expressing that this was a violation of the family’s right to privacy. GMA responded in their entertainment program, that they did not violate anything and aired videos that confirm that they were welcomed by the family. They went on further, by stating that the other network was instigating this controversy on an otherwise uncontroversial figure. It is unknown, though, if the statement was about the allegation that they had aired an uncensored video of Cielo’s corpse.

He will surely be missed.