Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 5) — Filipino independent filmmaker Sigfreid Barros-Sanchez has died. He was 46 years old.
On Wednesday, Sanchez’ wife Kaye confirmed his death in a post on Facebook: “Nagpursige kaming lumaban upang mabuhay, nagsumikap na dugtungan pa muli ang hininga ng aming Ama ng tahanan sa isang napakahirap at nakalulungkot na laban. Hindi kami nagtagumpay at alam naman nating binawi na ng Panginoon ang ating minamahal na si Sigfreid January 3, 2022 ganap na ika-7 ng gabi.”
[Translation: We fought hard to extend the life of the father of our home. It was a difficult fight. We lost and the Lord took back our beloved Sigfreid on January 3 at 7 p.m.]
In a message to CNN Philippines, Kaye said her husband died from “septic shock, multifactorial.”
She also shared a special memory: “He proposed again and gave me an engagement ring on July 27, 2021.”
Kaye added they would have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this year.
Tributes for Sanchez from friends and colleagues also poured in, including from the Directors’ Guild of the Philippines, Inc.
Cinemalaya also honored Sanchez and his work, calling him a “pioneer in the independent film scene.”
Among Sanchez’ films were “Ang Mga Kidnaper ni Ronnie Lazaro,” “Huling Biyahe” and “Lasponggols.”
His brother, Seymour, also paid tribute to the director.
A crowd-funding drive to help pay Sanchez’ hospital bills has been started. He had been confined at the Philippine Heart Center from Oct. 27 until his death.
