Ben&Ben's Paolo Benjamin honors fan who passed away by performing at her wake

Paolo Benjamin Guico, member of the OPM band Ben&Ben, paid tribute to a fan who passed away by performing at her wake.

On their Facebook page, Ben&Ben shared a video of Paolo playing the guitar and singing their hit songs "Leaves" and "Magpahinga."

"Liwanag si Melanie," they said, referencing their fanbase. "Kaya sa huling pagkakataon, pumunta kami sa service niya para makiramay at maghandog ng iilang mga awit. Let's all pray for the repose of her soul."

In a statement to GMA News Online, Paolo said he learned about Melanie's passing away through her friends. And when he learned of the details, "sobrang nawasak kami."

"Lalo na kasi nung mga huling sandali niya, kapakanan pa rin ng mga mahal niya sa buhay, at pag-aaral at kinabukasan yung nasa isip niya," Paolo wrote.

"Na-move ako na pumunta sa memorial service niya, at mag-alay ng mga kanta," he continued.

According to Paolo, it was a very emotional moment. "Pagtugtog ko pa lang nung unang awitin, nahirapan na agad ako, dahil pinipigilan ko yung luha at pag-alog ng boses."

The whole experience led Paolo to wonder, what if it happened to somebody close to him? "Kaya sobrang nakikiramay ako sa mga kaibigan at pamilya ni Melanie. Sobrang bigat," he said.

"I observed that Melanie is surrounded by loving family and friends, and upon meeting some of them, they shared how much of an impact she's made in their lives, now including ours. Melanie is a lovely, pure soul. May her soul rest in peace," Paolo said ending his note. 

Melanie was a student who passed away two days prior. She was a victim of a fire in Novaliches, Quezon City.

"Nakausap namin yung mga malapit kay Mels, at hanggang sa huli, ang pinaglaban niya pa rin ay yung kapakanan ng mga mahal niya sa buhay, at yung pag-aaral at kinabukasan niya," Ben&Ben said.

"Thank you for your bravery and compassion, Melanie. You'll live on forever through the people whose lives you've touched," they added.

Ben&Ben is a nine-member folk pop band known for their songs "Leaves," "Kathang Isip," and "Pagtingin," among others. —JCB/LA, GMA News