
Volleyball star-turned- TV presenter Gretchen Ho shared on her Facebook the last moments she and her father James Ho shared. He died at the age of 65.
In a lengthy post, Gretchen stated that she learned that her father was not doing well while she was shooting for work in Sagada.
The TV host recalled, “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.”
Gretchen also revealed that her father was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and suffered a stroke in July 2022.
“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.
“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.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, Gretchen was able to arrive at the hospital just in time to see her father awake and told him “lalaban tayo.”
“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.”
Despite the sadness they are feeling right now with the death of her dad, Gretchen Ho extended her appreciation for the outpouring of love that her family received during these trying times.
“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.”
She added, “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.”
TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE TOUCHING TRIBUTES OF CELEBRITIES FOR THEIR LOVED ONES THEY LOST HERE: