According to his family, actor Jose Maria Rodriguez, better known as Pepito Rodriguez, died on Thursday. He was 83.

The former actor passed away at before 4 a.m., according to Jecca Jamandre Abad, whom Rodriguez assisted in raising.

During the height of Philippine cinema’s popularity, Pepito was a star of Sampaguita Pictures, one of the nation’s most renowned production companies.

Abad remembered his last moments, “Lumaban pa siya. Sabi niya sa akin, uuwi na kami bukas sa Antipolo. Nagbibiruan pa nga kami na itakas siya sa admitting room,”

After being introduced by Sampaguita Pictures as a member of Stars ’66, a group of emerging talents, Rodriguez became well-known in the 1960s. He gained widespread recognition for his on-screen collaboration with Rosemarie Sonora during the peak of his career.

Among the movies he starred in was “Sa Bilis, Walang Kaparis” (1964).

Beyond his years in the spotlight, Rodriguez’s most significant contribution to Abad’s life was his private life as a kind and giving father figure whose empathy influenced her family’s course in life.

She further mentioned that Rodriguez continued to worry about their well-being in his final days.

She also highlighted the fact that Rodriguez loved his siblings dearly and was a very kind brother.

Additionally, Pepito and Sonora collaborated on a number of projects, such as “Juanita Banana” and “Life Everlasting.” The actor acknowledged their romantic relationship in a 2024 interview with Morly Alinio. Pepito stated in the same interview that he was childless and had no wife.

The late actresses Gloria Romero (“Ang Bituin at Araw”) and Amalia Fuentes (“Santa Teresa de Avila”) were among Pepito’s past co-stars in addition to Sonora.

Pepito even stated in a more recent interview with Aster Amoyo in 2026 that he would be open to taking center stage again if given the chance to work on a project.

At the time, he was also one of the most well-liked leading men.