Ex-comedienne Zorayda Sanchez passes away

MANILA, Philippines - Former actress-comedienne Zorayda Sanchez passed away Wednesday at the age of 57 due to breast cancer, QTV's Balitanghali reported Thursday. The television report said Sanchez discovered her illness just last year, after which she immediately underwent chemotherapy and other treatment. The actress died after her cancer cells reached her liver, bones, and lungs, the report added. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death of women aged 35 to 54 in the entire world today and our country has the highest death incidence rate in Asia, a Philippine Breast Cancer Network report said. Sanchez's remains lies in Angono, Rizal, with the date of interment yet to be set by her family. Sanchez starred among the following films: "Feel na Feel" (1990); "Hotdog" (1990); "Tiyanak" (1988); "Petrang Kabayo at ang Pilyang Kuting" (1988); "Bakit kinagat ni Adan ang mansanas ni Eba" (1988); "Ready, Aim, Fire" (1987); “Takot ako eh!" (1987); "Working Girls 2" (1987); and "Bagets" (1984). Sanchez, who was also a television and film scriptwriter, was schooled in the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila, where she took up Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV