Around GMA

Article Inside Page

On April 19, Juan Gaffud, father of beauty queen trainer and talent manager Jonas Gaffud, passed away at the age of 73.

The sad news was shared by Jonas himself on Instagram through a heartfelt letter.

According to Jonas, his dad passed away at exactly 3:09 pm at the Veterans Memorial Hospital. However, he did not disclose any information as to the cause of his death.

“My dad died today at 3:09 pm. I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Veterans Memorial Hospital.

“When I grew up, I thought I never had a good relationship with my Dad. I hated him when I was young. He was a strict military father. I thought he was a burden. But as I grew older, I learned to appreciate him, his sacrifices and he tells me all the time how much he loves me and misses me. Now I know he is a blessing.”

He then promised his father that he will take care of their mom as they move forward with their life without him.

“I promise to take care of your Queen, my mom, and your only love. Francisca Antonio Gaffud.”

View this post on Instagram

My Dad died today at 3:09 PM. I would like to thank the Doctors, Nurses and staff at The Veterans Memorial Hospital, huge thanks to all the blood donors. We will donate those bags to the hospital. Thank you to all my friends and my co-workers who stayed with me in arranging everything. Thank you to all my talents and friends who posted and asked for blood donors. Thank you to people who do not know but saw our messages of hope and went to the hospital. We never got to see him on his deathbed. When I grew up, I thought I never had a good relationship with my Dad. I hated him when I was young. He was a strict military father. I thought he was a burden. But as I grew older, I learned to appreciate him, his sacrifices and he tells me all the time how much he loves me and misses me. Now I know he is a BLESSING. From the movie Love Wedding Repeat: Have you ever thought about how small the chances are, that you would be born? If just one thing in history had changed, just one of your millions of ancestors hadn't crossed paths at the exact moment they did, then you wouldn't exist? You'd never have even lived a single day. Thank you Dad for the gift of LIFE. I promise to take care of your Queen, my Mom your one and only love. Francisca Antonio Gaffud . ❤️

A post shared by Jonas Antonio Gaffud (@jonasempire.ph) on Apr 19, 2020 at 2:15am PDT

In a follow-up post, Jonas shared that his father was a military man who served his country.

But because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, his father won't be receiving a 21-gun salute from the military as per tradition.

He wrote, “He was a soldier. He was a farmer. He served his family, he served his country.

“In this time of the pandemic, there is no 21 gun salute for a retired soldier. But if he were younger, he would have been a Frontliner.

“I know that my salute is the best gift I can honor him with. I was hesitant to go to the hospital because of COVID-19. But in this time of chaos and loss, there is nothing braver than to bury a loved one. I love you forever Dad.”

View this post on Instagram

He was a soldier. He was a farmer. He served his family, he served his country. In this time of pandemic, there is no 21 gun salute for a Retired Soldier. But if he were younger, he would have been a Frontliner. I know, that my salute is the best gift I can honor him with. I was hesitant to go to the hospital because of Covid 19. But in this time of chaos and loss, there is nothing braver than to bury a loved one. I love you forever Dad. ❤️❤️❤️🇵🇭 #dancewithmyfatheragain #family #love

A post shared by Jonas Antonio Gaffud (@jonasempire.ph) on Apr 19, 2020 at 1:32pm PDT

Celebrity friends and beauty queens share their grief and deepest condolences to the talent manager.

Celebrity friends react to Jonas Gaffud's post regarding his father.| Credits to jonasempire.ph (IG)

READ: Jonas Gaffud has a piece of advice for any budding beauty queen

LOOK: Klea Pineda meets beauty queen maker Jonas Gaffud