The picture posted by actor albert martinez on his instagram account showing him with his wife, liezl. Photo from Albert Martinez’s INSTAGRAM Account
Actress Liezl Martinez, wife of actor Albert Martinez and daughter of veteran actors Amalia Fuentes and Romeo Vasquez, passed away on Saturday. She was 47.
According to the family’s official statement released via the Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP), Liezl “peacefully passed away in her sleep” at exactly 6:15 a.m. at The Medical City.
“Liezl is surrounded by her beloved husband, Albert; precious children, Alyanna, Alfonso, and Alyssa; loving mother, Amalia; father Bobby; and her relatives at this time of love and grief. Thank you for your continued prayers,” the statement added.
Her uncle, Cheng Muhlach, said her wake would take place at the Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City.
Liezl had been battling stage 4 breast cancer that had already metastasized to her left lung. Her mother, Amalia Muhlach in real life, is the aunt of actors Aga, Niño and Arlene Muhlach.
She was first diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in 2008, and since then, had put up a strong and inspiring fight. After mastectomy, chemotherapy and rounds of radiation, she was in remission by 2010.
Her breast cancer however, recurred in 2011, and worse, it cancer cells had spread to her left lung. Never losing hope, she had chemotherapy again, and tried stem cell therapy. Her condition improved and she was able to return to work as member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) in 2013.
However, Liezl’s health deteriorated again when she was put on life support, her cousin Niño told The Manila Times last week.
Niño said he was amazed by how Liezl had obviously prepared her children for what was coming.
“Parang ready na sila and may acceptance na. Nakaka-bilib pero napakalungkot.” (They were ready and seem to have accepted her fate. It’s amazing at the same time saddening.)
Meanwhile, family and friends have expressed their grief on social media. Liezl’s husband, Albert, posted a photo of them on his Instagram account.
“She was my wife, my partner, my best friend. We grew up together. We raised a family together. She was a wonderful mother who devoted her entire life to our children. I have three wonderful kids because of her.
She was supportive wife, who stood beside me in every endeavor big or small. I am grateful to her. I owe everything to her. I have a successful career and happy home life because of my wife Liezl,” Albert wrote.
Prior to this, Albert posted another photo with Liezl during their vacation in Barcelona, Spain. He was also looking forward to a vacation in Hawaii for Liezl’s birthday on March 27.