Theater star Celia Diaz-Laurel passes away at 93

Theater star Celia Diaz-Laurel passed away on Monday evening. She was 93 years old.

Celia is the wife of former Vice President Salvador Doy Laurel and the mother of theater actor Cocoy and singer Iwi Laurel.

The unfortunate news was confirmed by Salvador H. Laurel Museum and Library Facebook page on Tuesday posting a video in memoriam of Celia, recognizing her as a "Mother, Wife, Philanthropist, Writer, Painter, Thespian, and Theater Production - Costume designer."

Meanwhile, her granddaughter singer-songwriter Nicole Laurel Asensio paid a tribute to her grandmother through a Facebook post.

"Thank you Lord for blessing us with our beloved Lola Celia Diaz Laurel," she began.

"Life with you, Lola is beautiful simply because you are in it, your smile, laughter, beauty, kindness, wisdom, love for the arts, love for life, grace and warm embrace are like no other," she added. "Thank you for teaching us, nurturing us and loving us… you are the most giving and forgiving person I have ever been blessed to know."

Nicole described her grandmother as "a true woman of our Lord, and though it is still like a dream, I am grateful that you are now in his loving arms together with Papa Doy, Tita Stella, Tito Tip and your friends who are in paradise. "

"Thank you Lord for allowing us time with our Lola, for allowing us to see her the last few days and make the most of her soft embrace. Your heart forever lives on in all of us who love you very much. See you again one day," she ended her note.

The University of the Philippines also paid tribute to one of its "outstanding alumna," posting a black and white photo on Facebook and listing down the roles she held in her lifetime: Thespian, writer, artist, theater production and costume designer, philanthropist, wife, mother.

In a 2019 Facebook post, Repertory Philippines called Celia one of the "most recognizable names in the field of art and theater."

"In the span of six decades, she has created her own legacy as a stage actress, painter, writer, poetess, as well as set and costume designer," they added in a Facebook post from 2019.

In the 2016 Gawad Buhay Awards, Celia was given the Natatanging Gawad Award, a lifetime achievement award to recognize her exemplary work and dedication for Philippine theater and arts.

Our sincere condolences to the family and friends left behind by Celia. — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News