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A year has passed but celebrity mom/vlogger Rica Peralejo is still feeling the pain of losing her father.

Back in 2019, Rica shared on Instagram that she was unable to be with him when he died on August 6. They were flying to California to see her dad to introduce her newborn Manu but didn't make it.

View this post on Instagram

A pic I took of my dad when I visited him in Alaska years ago. I am scheduled to see him next week in California. I was going to show him Manu. Because it has been my habit to go out and see him for every milestone of my life: before my wedding, when I had my firstborn and now, with the second-born. I always wanted to show him the faithfulness of God in his life by the increase of his family. . . But we didn't make it. He already passed on August 6. It was uncharacteristic of him though as he always survived his complications so I was so surprised. So much so that even when my sister was telling me, “Wala na, hindi na umabot...” I still had to ask, “Eh wala na ba talaga?” I surely felt stupid after asking that. Someone just told me he is dead and I had to ask to recheck as though we could still bargain. . . Regardless of what I feel, at least Papa is now free from the pains and limitations of this life. This is so much better than him having to wait for us. . . Pop, rest in peace, in shalom, in wholeness, in life. Hoping you are fully restored in Jesus right now. 🌿 . . Thanks to all who are messaging and praying.

A post shared by Rica Peralejo (@ricaperalejo) on Aug 8, 2019 at 7:33pm PDT

Commemorating the first death anniversary of her father, Rica feels a wave of sadness remembering that fateful day.

One Instagram she wrote, “Around this time, last year, I was just trying to understand the news that my father finally passed away. I had just booked a ticket to fly and see him the week after when I got the call that he had already gone.

“It was one of those things that you wanted to change so bad but couldn't. I mean, people die, yes, but what is a few days just so I can see him one last time? Just so he can meet his youngest grandchild? Couldn't it have waited for just one more week?

“Nevertheless we continue. We went ahead to fly because the tickets were nonrefundable. However come next week and we had prepared much for nothing. After several hours at the airport our plane is said to have been having trouble that we were offered the options to rebook or refund and we took the latter. We stayed and decided to wait for my father's ashes back home.”

Rica couldn't believe how things eventually turned out, since they were supposed to be back in the Philippines in April. But COVID-19 messed up their plans and they have been stuck in the United States up to this month.

“Fast forward to March and we fly to the US. Using the refund money plus vouchers we received as reparation for the hassle. (We were in the airport for twelve hours.) We were booked to come home in April, but Corona happens and we are still here.

“We are finally coming home soon and praying (so hard) we don't get canceled anymore. (We've been canceled three times.) But before we do, I just want to stop and notice the fact that yesterday was my father's first death anniversary. Unbeknownst to me when we rode that plane in March that I would reach this day.”

The celebrity mom also expressed her regret that she couldn't be with her dad.

In a somber mood, Rica said, “Where I was supposed to be last year, is where I am now. And I cannot help but ask (again), why couldn't we be in the same place at the same time?

“I can answer that many ways. One that would make the father more guilty than his daughter, or the other way around. But what is the use? There is only one hope that makes sense at this time. That though our misgivings, we can someday see one another at our best, because of our faith in Jesus Christ.”

View this post on Instagram

Around this time, last year, I was just trying to understand the news that my father finally passed away. I had just booked a ticket to fly and see him the week after when I got the call that he had already gone. It was one of those things that you wanted to change so bad but couldn't. I mean, people die, yes, but what is a few days just so I can see him one last time? Just so he can meet his youngest grandchild? Couldn't it have waited for just one more week? Nevertheless we continue. We went ahead to fly because the tickets were nonrefundable. However come next week and we had prepared much for nothing. After several hours at the airport our plane is said to have been having trouble that we were offered the options to rebook or refund and we took the latter. We stayed and decided to wait for my father's ashes back home. Fast forward to March and we fly to the US. Using the refund money plus vouchers we received as reparation for the hassle. (We were in the airport for twelve hours.) We were booked to come home in April, but Corona happens and we are still here. We are finally coming home soon and praying (so hard) we don't get cancelled anymore. (We've been cancelled three times.) But before we do, I just want to stop and notice the fact that yesterday was my father's first death anniversary. Unbeknownst to me when we rode that plane in March that I would reach this day. Where I was supposed to be last year, is where I am now. And I cannot help but ask (again), why couldn't we be in the same place at the same time? I can answer that many ways. One that would make the father more guilty than his daughter, or the other way around. But what is the use? There is only one hope that makes sense at this time. That though our misgivings, we can someday see one another at our best, because of our faith in Jesus Christ.

A post shared by Rica Peralejo (@ricaperalejo) on Aug 7, 2020 at 11:57am PDT

Rica is married to Pastor Joseph Bonifacio and since the massive flight disruption due to the pandemic, they have been staying in California with their two kids Philip and Manu.

They even celebrated several milestones while stranded in the US like Rica's 39th birthday and Manu's first birthday.

LOOK: Rica Peralejo gives birth to baby boy at home