Actor Robert Arevalo has passed away.
He was 85.
The sad news was confirmed by his family via social media on Thursday.
In a post, his daughter, Anna Ylagan, wrote, "Today is the day that the Lord has chosen to take our dearest Papa home. Robert Francisco Ylagan, a.k.a. Robert Arevalo, peacefully passed away at 10:17 a.m. this morning, Aug. 10, 2023. Praise God for His mercy and grace.
"We are grateful that He has given us the best Papa one can ever wish for. Thank you for loving us the way you did, Pa. Although our hearts are broken, we are comforted by God’s promise that He has a place reserved for you in His kingdom in Heaven where all of us who believe in His son, Jesus, will one day reunite.”
Born in Dumaguete on May 6, 1938, Arevalo started his acting career under Premiere Productions.
He made his film debut in 1960 appearing in “Huwag Mo Akong Limutin.”
This was followed by “Noli Me Tangere” (1961), “The Moises Padilla Story” (1961), “Bangkay Kaming Hahakbangan” (1961) and “Mga Leon sa Lansangan” (1962).
Arevalo was married to actress Barbara Perez.
Both won the FAMAS best actor and best actress trophies, respectively, in 1965 for their performance in “Ang Daigdig ng mga Api.”
More awards came for the actor in the ensuing years.
In 1977, Arevalo received the Urian trophy from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino for best screenplay for “Hubad na Bayani,” a film he also directed and starred in.
In 1990, he won best supporting actor in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) for his performance in Lino Brocka’s “Ama, Bakit Mo Ako Pinabayaan?”
He was the recipient of the Film Academy of the Philippines’ (FAP) best supporting actor trophy for Joel Lamangan’s “Pangako ng Kahapon” in 1994.
Among his more recent appearances were in the film “Ang Larawan,” and the TV series “Dear Heart” — both released in 2017.