Brian Velasco’s girlfriend clarifies misconceptions on boyfriend’s death

Almost two weeks after Razorback drummer Brian Velasco’s death, his girlfriend issued clarifications and belied some information floating around regarding the demise of her boyfriend.

Portia Carlos revealed that Velasco was suffering from bipolar disorder which is a condition that causes extreme mood swings that include mania or hypomania (emotional highs) or depression (lows).

“Early last year, he asked me to stay with him because he said thoughts of ending his life were creeping in in short waves,” Carlos said.

While living with Velasco, she witnessed him going through episodes, swinging from being hyper to being unable to move, from being very angry to being very depressed.

According to Carlos, because Velasco noticed her burden due to his condition, he decided to see a doctor.

“So, he was put on medication and he agreed to take it religiously,” she said.

The doctor advised Carlos to take a rest from watching over Velasco while he is in the low state, explaining to her that people with bipolar disorder, unlike those with functioning depression, do not have the energy to take their own life.

“So, no. He was not depressed,” Carlos clarified.

She also clarified that Velasco did not take his own life due to the loss of his dog Alfie who died in November last year. Carlos said that Velasco actually enjoyed the company of a new dog named Panchito.

“Brian would sometimes come up to me and say ‘Love, I’m so exhausted! I just played with Panchito to expend his bottomless energy supply. He’s like The Flash!’” Carlos said.

“So, no. What happened was not because of the death of his dog Alfie,” she said.

Carlos claimed that Velasco was not alone nor isolated in his last few days, adding that Velasco’s brother had been staying at his condo because his internship and classes were near Velasco’s place.

His best friend had also just visited him prior to January 16.

“The band had meetings and rehearsals and recordings more frequently these past few weeks. His mom was always messaging him…and we have been eating out with her often recently…He was not alone,” she said.

But after his death, Carlos discovered that Velasco had stopped taking his medicines after a helper, who cleaned his condo unit once a week, told her that Velasco stopped asking her to buy his medicines.

“After his death, they also saw some meds in the condo when his supply should have been used up by then. The helper knew when she was supposed to buy the meds if Brian had been taking it regularly,” she said.

Carlos said a psychiatrist told her that Velasco had a manic-depressive episode on January 16, the day when he died by suicide.

She also defended his boyfriend against those who were calling him ‘OA’ (overacting) and ‘KSP’ (kulang sa pansin or attention-seeking) for live-streaming the incident.

“He did not know what he was doing at the time due to his manic- depressive state. Someone with bipolar disorder can have the tendency to be flamboyant and to like the grandiose. Remember his dubsmashes, his fondness for anything ‘fasyon,’ and theatrical gestures during gigs and parties,’ she said.

Lastly, Carlos denied that Velasco was using drugs.

“Brian did not do any drugs, not even weed,” she said. — LA, GMA News

If you need or know someone who needs to talk to someone, Hopeline, the 24/7 suicide prevention hotline, may be reached at (02) 804-4673; 0917-5584673.