MANILA – Veteran actor Spanky Manikan has passed away. He was 75.

In a text message to her manager Ed Instrella, Manikan’s wife Susan Africa said her husband “peacefully joined his Creator at 11:41 today.”

“Please pray for his eternal peace and happiness. Thank you for everything,” Africa added.

Manikan had stage four lung cancer and was in and out of the hospital for various complications last year.

In August, several friends of the veteran actor organized the “Sunday for Spanky” fund-raising campaign to help him with his medical expenses after his illness drained their family savings.

Manikan is best known for his roles in the films "Maynila sa Kuko Ng Liwanag," "Bona," "Broken Marriage," and "Himala," for which he was named best supporting actor at the 1981 Metro Manila Film Festival.