Ipinagluluksa ng TV personality na si Gretchen Ho ang pagpanaw ng kanyang ama na si James Ho, 65.
Pumanaw ang nakatatandang Ho dahil sa cardiac arrest noong November 9, 2022.
Ngayong Biyernes, November 17, ibinahagi ni Gretchen sa Facebook ang kanyang saloobin sa pagpanaw ng pinakamamahal na ama.
Lahad niya, “I was in Sagada when I found out dad wasn’t doing okay.
“We were waiting for a call from my doctor brother to give us an update about his proposal to his girlfriend in South Africa. 2pm Manila time Monday, he said.
“The family viber video call came in 30 minutes earlier than expected, and what was supposed to be celebratory suddenly turned grim. It was different news Doc Justin Ho delivered. ‘Code! Code (Blue) si Daddy!’
“We were all stunned.”
Iyon daw ang pangalawang beses na naisugod sa ospital ang kanyang ama matapos itong ma-stroke nitong nakaraang Hulyo lamang.
“This was my dad’s second time in the hospital after getting a stroke last July, and now it was cardiac arrest. He flatlined and got revived.
"Dad was diagnosed with congestive heart failure due to a weak heart muscle, which we fear might have been triggered by long Covid."
Mabilis daw tinapos ni Gretchen ang kanyang trabaho sa Sagada, Mountain Province at dali-dali na silang bumalik pa-Maynila.
Habang nasa daan, may nakita raw siyang isang bahaghari.
“I had to shoot my last spiels before leaving Sagada, severely dreading the 8-hour roadtrip headed home.
"While we were quickly wrapping up, this rainbow appeared on the horizon of the Kiltepan Viewpoint.
“In contrast to the turmoil that was happening inside me, there was so much peace and calm in what I saw, as if giving reassurance that despite what was going to happen in the next days, everything was going to be okay.
"I struggled to comprehend it.”
“I KNOW DAD’S STILL WATCHING OVER US”
Sabi pa ni Gretchen, ligtas siyang nakarating sa ospital at may malay na ang kanyang ama.
Dumating na rin ang iba pa niyang kapatid.
Saad niya, “Thankfully, I arrived in the hospital and found my dad awake. He held my hand, and nodded when I said 'lalaban tayo'.
“Our eldest too had just come home from Indonesia. Mom and little brother were there the whole time.
"Doctor brother made it back from South Africa the next day, personally giving my father the news that he already got engaged.
“Dad, with smiling eyes, mustered enough strength to give my brother and future sister-in-law a two thumbs up. ‘Lalaban tayo.’
“Dad fought on long and hard enough to see us all.”
Ipinagpasalamat ni Gretchen na buo silang pamilya bago binawian ng buhay ang kanyang ama.
Aniya, “I will always be grateful for the chance that we got as a family to spend those last precious moments with my father together.
"I would not have forgiven myself had it gone otherwise.
“It’s been such a rollercoaster ride the past week, the past months and the past year. I don’t know what to say.
“Grace. There has been an unexpected and tremendous outpouring of love, presence and support for our family. Thank you for giving our hearts a soft landing.
“It will take us a while, but I know dad’s still watching over us, the Lord has got our backs, and we’ll be okay.”