Johnny Antillon's grandson says he was shocked to see his lolo go viral for 1954 debate video

Johnny Antillon's grandson said that he was surprised to see Filipinos' welcoming reaction to his lolo's viral performance in a 1954 youth debate at the United Nations.

In a video posted on YouTube, Wednesday, Daniel Buenaventura, 41, said that he and his family were happy to know that their grandfather, or "Popo," as they used to call him, inspired many online with his eloquence and wit.

"I was so shocked to see Filipinos saying, 'What an amazing man! He should be the next President. Whatever happened to him?'" Buenaventura said.

"It's a breath of fresh air for a lot of people to see a Filipino command such attention and respect from a long time ago," he added. "I do hope his message would ripple across time to the next generation of Filipinos."

READ: Who are these 2 teen Pinoys from the 1950s the internet is stanning?

Antillon wowed netizens when his 1954 debate back when he was a teenager resurfaced in early April. In the video uploaded by ArchiveMC, Antillon gave a charismatic speech on the effects of war.

Buenaventura said that Antillon didn't pursue a career in politics but he did find success in the field of business.

More than that, however, Buenaventura said that his grandfather was a sincere and loving man.

"He really cared about us—me, my sister, and one of my cousins—who he raised from birth. He wasn't just a grandfather. He was a father, a mother who raised us by himself. He did his best to give us a good future," he said.

In an exclusive interview with GMA News Online, Buenaventura also said that Antillon vowed to give his family a normal life because of what he experienced after World War II—from witnessing the economy at a very low point and the feeling of sadness around the world.

"The way he raised us was basically just to be normal, to have a compassionate heart, to be kind to other people," Buenaventura said. "He never really focused on raising us to be someone like him in debate who aspired for bigger things. He just wanted us to be normal kids."

Aside from being a loving family man, Antillon was also someone who would "gladly help another person, no questions asked."

Although Antillon passed away in 2010 at the age of 74, Buenaventura said that he'll always remember him.

"That's how I want to remember him. Not as a businessman, not as someone who shocked the world in 1954 in the United Nations in New York. I want to remember him as the man who helped other people," he said. "He was the man who made me who I am now."

Teary-eyed, he added, "I miss you, Popo. I hope you're somewhere happy... I'll always remember you and thank you for everything."

—MGP, GMA News