Award-winning cinematographer Romy Vitug passes away at 86
Award-winning photographer and cinematographer Romy V. Vitug has passed away. He was 86.
His daughter, Dana Vitug Taylor announced his death on Thursday, Jan. 18.
“This morning at 6:11 Philippine time, my TATAY, Romy V Vitug, passed away,” she wrote in a Facebook post.
Taylor said her father would not only be remembered as the “legendary cinematographer” for his incredible contributions to Philippine cinema but also as their “dearly beloved tatay.”
“Please pray for me and my family that God's peace and comfort be upon us as we grieve and mourn for the loss of our dearly beloved tatay,” she continued.
“Tatay, we will surely miss you. We love you so much! This is not a goodbye but rather until we meet again!”
The cause of his death was not disclosed.
Last month, his daughter Dolor revealed Vitug was in the hospital due to anemia and pneumonia.
An inspiration in film
Fellow creatives, including writer Jerry Gracio, director Joven Tan, and cinematographer Luke Miraflor, took to social media to mourn Vitug's passing.
“Paalam tatay Romy Vitug. Ang pinakauna kong DOP (Director of Photography). Ang DOP na pinakamarami akong nagawang proyekto. Ang DOP na laging nakasuporta at aalalayan kang talaga. Salamat sa lahat. Salamat din sa picture na nasa frame na bigay mo noon na nakasabit pa rin sa room. Kulang ang pasasalamat. Pahinga ka na Maestro,” Tan wrote, sharing throwback pictures of them together in early years.
Miraflor, for his part, recalled how Vitug inspired him to enter the film industry.
“Naalala ko na medyo nahihiya pa ako dahil wala pa ako masyadong projects nun panahon na iyon pero hindi ko makakalimutan yun sinabi niya sa akin nun napansin niya na kinakabahan ako. ‘Bata ka pa at marami ka pang magagawa kaya wag lang hihinto.’” he shared.
Gracio, meanwhile, recalled how happy he was to have worked with the master photographer for his film Itlog, which bagged the Best Cinematography and Visual Design awards in the Young Critics Circle.
He also recalled how they bonded outside production work and maintained their friendship through the years.
“Alam kong nagluluksa ngayon ang utol ko at ang mga pamangkin ko dahil sa pagkawala ng kanilang kapitbahay na si Romy V. Vitug. Luksa rin ngayon ang puting tabing dahil sa kanyang pagpanaw,” he wrote.
Vitug showcased his brilliance in beloved Pinoy films such as Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak; Haplos, Sa Pusod ng Dagat, Sana Maulit Muli, and Hihintayin Kita sa Langit, among others.
Rest in peace, Romy Vitug.