Outpouring of love at funeral of ‘family man, doting grandpa’ Nene Pimentel

"A perfect grandfather," was how Maria Petrina Pimentel-Brar would best describe her late father, former Senate President Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr., as he was finally laid to rest Sunday at the Heritage Park in Taguig.

Amid all the accomplishments of the former senator as a legislator, it was perhaps his successful stint as a family man that resonated the most.

Petrina fought back tears as she tried her best to recall the fond memories his father shared not only with her but also her own child.

"Yung mga text messages niya, tawag niya, 'Petpet, kamusta si Pitpit,' iyong anak ko... Very encouraging konting ano lang 10/10 sa quiz, insignificant quiz, o advance mo na prize 20 dollars. I will reimburse you. It's the little things that showed that he cares and that he is always there for us," said the bereaved daughter.

Nene's protege and son Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, in between mentions of the legacy of his late father, would interject how the patriarch has always found time for them.

"Wala tayong masasabi sa work ethics po ni Sen. Nene Pimentel. Lahat ng oras, very productive. Kung magpapahinga man sa trabaho, productive pa rin 'yung oras nya sa pamilya naman," said Koko, who eventually followed in the footsteps of his father as a legislator.

WATCH: @SenKokoPimentel talks about his late father, former SP Nene Pimentel, as a family man @gmanewsbreaking @gmanews pic.twitter.com/8Y4T5zf2eu

— Bernadette Reyes (@bernadettereyes) October 26, 2019

Koko and Petrina's sisters Teresa Lourdes Pimentel, Commission on Human Rights Commissioner Gwendolyn Marie Pimentel Gana, and Lorraine Marie Pimentel exchanged sobs as they bid their father their final goodbyes.

The younger brother of Koko, Aquilino "Jac" Pimentel IV, a doctor by profession, could be seen always standing by their 81-year-old mother — with a cane in her hand — from the chapel to the cemetery, giving her a reassuring rub on the back.

Petrina said it was Jac who would always encourage the siblings to talk to their dad while at the hospital whenever the sedative wore off.

During those times, the four sisters would always ask their father to remain strong and be well, as they were not ready to let go of him just yet.

"'Tay magpagaling ka para makalabas na tayo sa ICU. Be strong. We still need you. We are not ready to see you go. Kaya mo ito. Fight 'tay fight," Petrina recalled.

Yet, nothing was more crushing than to see Nene's better half silently mourn over his death.

As the casket was moved out of the chapel to the hearse, Lourdes, or Bing as everyone fondly calls her, looked on with gloomy eyes.

Throughout the ceremony, Lourdes lovingly gazed at Nene's face and savored the last few moments she would be seeing the man whom she bore six children with.

As she helped close the casket on Nene, Lourdes repeatedly reminded him how much love she has for him, "Tay, I love you. Love you, Tatay. I love you."

WATCH: Mrs. Lourdes "Bing" Pimentel as she bids her last goodbye to late Senate President Nene Pimentel @gmanews @gmanewsbreaking pic.twitter.com/oldI53iKKC

— Bernadette Reyes (@bernadettereyes) October 26, 2019

As to how the Pimentel family would move on from the demise of Nene, Petrina said she hasn't quite figured out that yet but added that they find refuge in family and friends, and in all the Filipinos whose lives Nene has touched for the past 85 years.

"Day to day and faith you know because that's what he would have wanted for us — to be strong for nanay. We have to, but it's going to be very difficult. It's one of a kind. Hindi pa rin ma-overcome. Day to day, day to day and prayers. Iyong ganito, overwhelming love, support kindness, thoughts, prayers, thoughts ng Filipinos all over."

WATCH: Maria Petrina Pimentel fights back tears as she talks about moving on after his late father, former SP Nene Pimentel is finally laid to rest @gmanews @gmanewsbreaking pic.twitter.com/2g6gBDsXIA

— Bernadette Reyes (@bernadettereyes) October 26, 2019

For Koko, whose work at the Senate will continue even after the death of his father, its only through gratitude toward those who showered them with love that they will be able to pull it through.

"The outpouring of spontaneous show of love and support para kay Tatay Nene napakalaking tulong po."

As the Philippine flag was being removed from the senator's casket at noon,  the sound 21-gun salute echoing in the background, the Pimentel family stood behind the casket, looking over the flag, looking over their patriarch, looking at a life well-lived whose memories will live on for generations to come. — MDM, GMA News