Veteran actor and Nora Aunor former on-screen partner, Cocoy Laurel dies at 72

• Veteran actor and theatre actor, Cocoy Laurel has passed away at 72 years old, according to his niece
• Nicole Laurel Asensio announced the sad passing of his uncle on her Facebook account
• In a lengthy post alongside Laurel's photo, Asensio thanked her "Tito Cocoy" simply for "everything"
• It can be recalled that Cocoy was late Nora Aunor's former on-screen partner in classic films like "Lollipops and Roses" and "Impossible Dream"

Veteran actor and theatre performer Cocoy Laurel has passed away at the age of 72, according to his niece.

Nicole Laurel Asensio shared the heartbreaking news on her Facebook account.

In a heartfelt post alongside Cocoy Laurel’s photo, Asensio expressed her gratitude to her “Tito Cocoy” simply for “everything.”

It can be remembered that Cocoy was once the on-screen partner of the late Nora Aunor in classic films such as "Lollipops and Roses" and "Impossible Dream."

Asensio wrote:

"My dearest Ninong Cocoy. Losing you is one of the most difficult things ever.

Holding your hand a few nights ago and getting to see you one last time is a blessing. You are with Jesus now in paradise, so full of his love and light as you showed us in the years we were blessed to have you here. You truly lived a life serving him with all your heart and your multitude of talents. Thank you for loving us with a heart so pure, unlike any other the world has seen before. Thank you for sharing your many gifts and immense talent with us all. Thank you for teaching me how to sing, how to love song. If it weren’t for you I would have never embraced the blessing of music. Thank you for everything you did for our family, thank you for always being a positive force and inspiring us. Thank you for the private messages you would send each day to uplift and encourage me when times were tough.

There will never be another YOU… God’s gift to us all, we are so heartbroken to lose you, but in comfort to know you are with Jesus in a place filled with beauty and music beyond measure, and reunited with Lola, Papa Doy, Tita Stella, Tita Suzie and Tito Tip. 🤍

I am so sad I can’t be home with family but of all the times we had our hours long conversations together I know your wish for me was to be elsewhere singing how you taught me to… I honor your wish and I promise to sing every song with you as my driving force and inspiration.

Thank you everyone for your prayers. This is really a tough one. My heart is broken and it’s hard to function but I am rejoicing that he is in heaven with the angels as he was always an angel to us on earth.

I love you so much Tito Cocoy."

Check out Asensio's post below:

Cocoy Laurel, whose full name is Victor “Cocoy” Laurel, is a veteran Filipino actor, singer, and theatre performer from the prominent Laurel family. He first rose to fame in the 1970s as a movie heartthrob, appearing alongside Nora Aunor in hit films like "Lollipops and Roses," "Lollipops and Roses at Burong Talangka," and "Impossible Dream." A multi-talented artist, he also pursued fine arts, studying painting in Madrid, and trained in prestigious performing arts schools such as the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and Juilliard.

On stage, Cocoy has performed major roles in world-class musicals. He played the Engineer in “Miss Saigon” during its 1995 productions in London and Sydney, and took on the role of Jean Valjean in "Les Misérables" in the West End. His artistic background also includes singing concerts and creating portraits, showing that he's not only a talented actor but also a gifted visual and musical artist.

Source: KAMI.com.gh