The Philippine entertainment industry mourns the sad news of veteran actor Ronaldo Valdez's passing on December 18, 2023. Several celebs have paid tribute to the well-loved actor, while his closest loved ones have openly shared about his final days.
In a heart-wrenching Instagram post, Jamela Santos or Jam, Valdez's talent manager revealed that she even had dinner with the actor, three days before his demise.
"This is my last dinner with him last Friday, Dec 15. It's supposed to be my despedida dinner because I'm leaving for abroad soon. Only to know that this will be the last time I'm going to see him.." Jam wrote in her Instagram video.
"He even gave me 3 white Ecuadorian roses.. an unusual gesture," she continued in her post.
In the video, Ronaldo can be seen telling Jam the most memorable words anyone could ever tell someone, "At my low points, I think of you, and then everything is alright."
It may not be known to many but Jam and Ronaldo had a very special connection. Jam talked about their bond as more than a manager-talent duo in a poignant message to the late actor. Jam opened up about her closeness to the actor and how they have talked about life in so many ways.
Jam, who was Valdez's longtime manager, had a thousand words for him but clearly, it wasn't enough to bear all the pain brought about by his death. "How can I ever endure this pain ??? How can I go on with my life?? [...] I've never cared for another human being as much as I cared and love you."
"You often ask me, bakit kita pinagtyatyagaan? I never felt any sacrifice. You are a good man. You're such a gem of a person. I am.sooo blessed.to be loved by you," she added.
Jam also posted some snaps and videos of her favorite moments with Ronaldo, where both of them are just smiling and enjoying each others' company. Indeed, they were a one-of-a-kind duo.
Towards the end of her post, Jam expressed her utmost gratitude for the actor, whom have been the most caring and the most loving towards her. "When you lost someone so important, everything else become irrelevant. Thank you Pepe for making me realized I am capable of caring that much for a person.. Thaaank you for your love. Hinding hindi kita makakalimutan. You've loved me until your last breath.. I will be grieving until the day I die.," she wrote.
Ronaldo is also known as the father of singer-comedian Janno Gibbs. Janno was the first one from his family to confirm his passing and the first one to also post one of his best memories with his dad.
On December 19, Janno posted a photo of them wearing a matching outfit. His caption read, "The Sweetest Dad Ever." Truly, Ronaldo is known to be one of the kindest celebrity dads out there, and Janno has always been a proud son.
"I want to thank you, Papa, for being the best dad that you can be. Kung anuman ako ngayon bilang tao, bilang parent, and bilang artista I owe it to all to you," Janno declared in a 2018 interview.
Janno and Ronaldo were last seen together on December 3, 2023 in an Instagram post by Melissa Gibbs. In a light caption, Melissa said "Tinanong ko si Lolo Sir, ano ba talagang nangyari sa KathNiel."
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Ronaldo's last iconic role was in the hit teleserye 2 Good 2 Be True together with Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla. He was popularly known by the moniker Lolo Sir because of the drama.
Sending our hugs and prayers to Ronaldo's family and friends.
