Action star Ace Vergel, with the help of his doctors, tried desperately to hang on to life before eventually letting go.
In a taped interview with Ace's sister, Beverly Vergel, aired by Showbiz Central yesterday, December 16, she revealed that the original "Bad Boy of Philippine Movies" first slipped into a coma last Friday evening at the Chinese General Hospital.
The attending doctors did their best to stabilize Ace's fluctuating blood pressure.
"Sabi nga ng doctor, sobrang baba ng blood pressure. Ang initial findings, pneumonia," said Beverly, who was wearing dark shades to conceal her grief.
She added that, in a bid to save her brother, doctors had to pump the actor's chest repeatedly. Beverly recalled, "Talagang pina-pump nila. Hindi daw kaya, e."
The doctors explained to Beverly that although they managed to bring up her brother's blood pressure to a decent 31, it only took a few seconds before his blood pressure again went dangerously low.
With Ace's grasp on life slowly slipping away, his immediate family had no choice but to accept whatever the "doctors say is the best." And after a few more minutes, Ace heaved his last breath.
Time of death was registered at 3:17 a.m. on December 15, 2007, with the official cause listed as a heart attack.
FINAL GOODBYE TO ACE VERGEL
Ace's remains currently lie in state at the La Funeraria Paz in Quezon City. In a report by GMA-7 news earlier today, the wake is now open to fans, colleagues, and other friends of the late action star.
Ace's Saturday wake, at the request of Beverly, was strictly for family members only.
"Wala akong choice, I have to be strong," Beverly said to some reporters during the wake.
Ace's son, Alejandro, who flew in from Australia, arrived yesterday, December 16.
"Pinag-pray ko siya," said one female fan who paid her last respects. "Malungkot ako dahil paborito ko siyang action star, magaling siyang gumanap, e."
Among those who sent flowers to the bereaved family were Senators Bong Revilla and Lito Lapid.
Ace will be cremated this Friday, December 21.