Redford White, actor-comedian, is dead

Filipino comedian Cipriano Cermeno, 55, popularly known as Redford White, passed away on Sunday morning.

A family friend, who asked not to be named, said that Cermeno was suffering from brain cancer.

Jay Agras, desk officer of Barangay 177 in Caloocaan City, confirmed that Cermeno passed away "after 6 a.m. today." Cermeno is a resident of the barangay.

"Pinuntahan po ng tanod ang bahay nila kaninang 9:44 a.m. Napag-alaman na namatay na nga siya. Confirmed na po (A local volunteer already went to Cermeno’s house at 9:44 a.m. It was learned that he had died. It’s confirmed)," Agras said in a phone interview with GMANews.TV.

The actor-comedian is survived by his wife and daughter.

Cermeno's friends in show business announced his demise on the social networking site Twitter.

"At 6:47 [a.m.] today, my great friend, fellow diver and a wonderful human being known to all as Redford White passed away peacefully," said singer and APO Hiking Society member Jim Paredes in his Twitter account.

Paredes said Cermeno died of "complications due to cancer in his lungs and brain."

In his Twitter account, actor Gabe Mercado also said that Cermeno "kept his condition secret even from close friends."

"Redford White was a mentor, a man who had tremendous respect for his craft and was perhaps the most generous man I knew. Rest in peace," Mercado added.

Cermeno began his movie career in the late 1970's. He rose to fame in the television sitcom "Buddy en Sol" with Eric Quizon during the early 90's.

His movies in the 1990's include "Haba-baba-doo! Puti-puti-poo," "Tong Tatlong Tatay Kong Pakitong-kitong," and "Tik Tak Toys: My Kolokotoys." —VS, GMANews.TV

ma mis ka namin sir red!!
rip po