Veteran comedian Redford White passed away due to cancer of the brain and lungs on July 23 in his home in Novaliches, Quezon City.

In a report on “The Buzz” later that day, White was said to have died at 6:47 in the morning. He was 54.

It was in July 2008 when White began experiencing dizziness, difficulty in walking, and lack of balance, all of which the actor thought were simply symptoms of vertigo. His doctor recommended him to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) but he reportedly refused.

It was only in February 2010 when he discovered that he has stage four brain cancer and lung cancer. Albeit rumors about his illnesses reached the media, White’s camp remained mum about these.

White’s family friend, Simon Serrano, told GMA News.TV in an interview that they “tried to consult with other doctors for him to survive, but he passed away this morning.”

APO member Jim Paredes, a close friend of White’s, related in an abs-cbnNEWS.com article that he visited him on Saturday, the last time he saw White alive.

“I saw him yesterday to bring him Tita Cory's (President Cory Aquino) rosary given to her by Sr. Lucia of Fatima. We hugged the last time, exchanged 'love you, 'pre,' had one good laugh, a few tears and an 'ingat 'pre' before I turned around and left his room,” Paredes said.

Fellow actors Eric Quizon and Leo Martinez also paid White a visit on July 20 in his home before he was brought to a hospital in Quezon City.

“Today is one of the saddest days of my life. A truly honest and good man has passed away. Red was my partner. My Sol. We were One. I was the body, he was the soul. I was the vessel, he was the spirit.

“He was a man who believed in the craft and valued his work. He was a professional and dedicated actor that everybody admired…. He is now one with his Creator. We love you Red. We will miss you,” said Quizon in a text message.

Fans and colleagues in the industry mourned White’s passing on Twitter. As of 3:17 p.m., abs-cbnNEWS.com reported that “Redford White” was at the top of the social microblogging site’s worldwide trending topics.

White, or Cipriano Cermeno in real life, shot to fame during the ‘70s via the classic TV series, “Iskul Bukol.” Known as “Bisoy” (Bisayang Tisoy), he is most remembered for starring in the sitcom “Buddy en Sol” with Quizon (which later on spun off into the movies “Buddy en Sol (Sine ito)” and “Buddy en Sol: Praybeyt depektibs”), as well as in films “Tar-San,” “Ala eh Con Bisoy! Hale-hale-hoy!: Laging panalo ang mga unggoy,” “Wrong Rangers,” “Rambo Tan-go,” and “Tik Tak Toys: My Kolokotoys."

The Cebuano comedian was last seen on the boob tube via ABS-CBN’s “Kokey” (2007) and “Palos” (2008). Coincidentally, his last film was “Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After (The Ungasis and Escaleras Adventure),” which was an entry in the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival.

White is survived by his wife Elena and their daughter Jeruie. His remains lie in state at 139 Sto. Niño de Maligaya Shrine inside Maligaya Subdivision, Novaliches.