By ABS-CBNnews.com and U.S. News Agency / Asian

Celebrities on the microblogging site Twitter were abuzz after hearing news that veteran director Marilou Diaz Abaya died Monday night.

Most of them expressed surprise about the tragic news, while others sent their prayers and condolences to the director’s grieving family.

Television host Tim Yap said Abaya’s “contribution to the Filipino film industry will always be remembered.”

RIP to visionary director Marilou Diaz-Abaya. Your contribution to the Filipino film industry will always be remembered.

— Tim Yap (@officialTIMYAP) October 8, 2012

Singer Zsa Zsa Padilla, for her part, said she was fortunate to have worked with the multi-awarded director.

Oh my! So sad to hear about the passing of Direk Marilou Diaz-Abaya. I worked with her on two films. :(

— zsa zsa padilla (@zsazsapadilla) October 8, 2012

Actress Jodi Sta. Mari also said she will miss Abaya.

We will miss you Rest in Peace Direk Marilou Diaz Abaya

— Jodi Sta.Maria (@JodiStaMaria) October 8, 2012

Paolo Valenciano, Kean Cipriano, Saab Magalona and Bianca Gonzalez extended their condolences to singer Marc Abaya, the son of the visionary director.

Rip Marilou Diaz abaya …. Praying for you bro @marcabaya .. We’re all here for you

— Paolo Valenciano (@paolovalenciano) October 8, 2012

Rest in peace Ms. Marilou Diaz-Abaya. My condolences to @marcabaya and family :(

— Isabella Magalona (@saabmagalona) October 8, 2012

RIP direk marilou diaz-abaya. My deepest condolences to the whole family.

— kean cipriano (@keancipriano) October 8, 2012

rest in peace direk marilou diaz abaya. :( your beautiful films made me take up film in college. you are an inspiration.

— bianca gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) October 8, 2012

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also mourned over Abaya’s death.

“Marilou Diaz Abaya is a loss. I’m proud to have been her teacher and I cherish Bagong Buwan,” she said on Twitter.

Marilou Diaz Abaya is a loss. I’m proud to have been her teacher and I cherish Bagong Buwan.

— Gloria M Arroyo (@gmarroyo) October 8, 2012

Star Cinema, in a statement, said “we are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our dearest friends and mentors.”

Abaya succumbed to breast cancer on Monday at 6:40 p.m. at the St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City.

Fr. Jboy Gonzales SJ of the Ateneo de Manila University said: “At the passing away of a great director, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, we pray for the repose of her soul and the consolation of her family.”

At the passing away of a great director, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, we pray 4 the repose of her soul and the consolation of her family. @marcabaya

— Fr. Jboy Gonzales SJ (@jboygonzalessj) October 8, 2012

Gonzales added that Abaya’s “last request was a family vigil in her last hours.”

Abaya was a film instructor at the Ateneo and a trustee of the Jesuit Communications Foundation.