Cipriano "Dodoy" M. Cermeño II (December 5, 1955 – July 25, 2010), better known by his screen name Redford White, was a Filipino actor and comedian. He was best known for his role as Sol in the television sitcom Buddy and Sol opposite Eric Quizon who played Buddy. White was recognized as Best Comedy Actor on the 5th PMPC Star Awards for Television for his role as Sol.
Early life and career
White first came to prominence in the late 1970s for his supporting role in the sitcom Iskul Bukol.[1] He had a string of hits as the leading man in several 1980s comedies such as Boni and Klayd, Darakula and Hee Man: Master of None, his first major role.[2] For several years, he starred in the TV sitcom Buddy en Sol with Eric Quizon.[3]
In the latter part of his career, White appeared in several films for Star Cinema such as Tar-San, Ala eh... Con Bisoy! Hale-hale-hoy!: Laging panalo ang Mga Unggoy, and Haba-baba-doo! Puti-puti-poo! paired with various comedians including Babalu, Bonel Balingit, Carding Castro and Leo Martinez.[4] His last film and television appearances were in Iskul Bukol 20 Years After and Palos on ABS-CBN, respectively, in 2008.
Personal life
White was reportedly born with albinism,[5] which gave rise to the surname of his screen name. On the other hand, the first name of his screen name is based on the name of American actor Robert Redford.[6]
He was married to Elena Cermeño and they had a daughter, Jeruie.[7] His closest friends were his fellow Buddy En Sol co-star Eric Quizon, Vic Sotto who worked with him in the sitcom Daddy Di Do Du, singer-songwriter Jim Paredes and comedians Gabe Mercado and Leo Martinez.
Illness and death
White died at the age of 54 from lung cancer and a brain tumor on July 25, 2010, at 06:47 PST (GMT+8). He had reportedly experienced dizziness and difficulty walking, and loss of balance as early as July 2008, which the actor initially mistook for symptoms of vertigo. His physician advised magnetic resonance imaging, which White refused. He was later diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer in February 2010.[8]
^Salanga, Elyas Isabelo (August 16, 2007). "Comedy's dynamic duos". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
