On January 16, comedic actor-turned-director Janno Gibbs revealed how Ronaldo Valdez’s passing affected their family.
At the media conference for Itutumba ka ng Tatay Ko, which LionhearTV covered, Gibbs admitted that they find comfort in their family and avoid being alone as they process their father’s passing.
“Well, family is the best comfort. Medyo sa ngayon, kami, hindi kami–hindi kami pwedeng mapag-isa. So kailangan kung nasan ‘yung isa, dadamayan at sasamahan mo. Hindi pa kami– wala pa kami sa stage na ‘yun eh. So hindi kami pwede mag-isa. So kailangan magkakasama kami.”
He addressed the ‘bashing’ he got after their recent trip following Valdez’s death. Aside from the family travel being a scheduled trip, he explained that they needed the breather away from the rumors.
“Ah yes, very much, that travel which got some bashing also. Sinasabi nung iba parang nagsasaya agad di ba, after ng ano. Pero, that was a scheduled trip.
“Which noong una, one of my kids said, ‘wag na natin ituloy dahil nangyari ‘to. Sabi ko, ‘hindi, the more na we should go through with it. Ituloy natin, because we need it para makahinga, para makalayo sa mga chismis and everything.’ So it helped talaga.”
Valdez passed away on December 17, 2023, at 76.
Gibbs also disclosed that their family plans to commemorate the 40th day of Valdez’s passing through a family-only mass.
“Yes, mayroon kaming family gathering, mass.”
As for his upcoming directorial debut, Itutumba ka ng Tatay Ko stars Janno Gibbs and Xia Vigor with Anjo Yllana, Louise delos Reyes, Juliana Parizcova Segovia, and Ronaldo Valdez.
Itutumba ka ng Tatay Ko, under the direction of Janno Gibbs, opens in cinemas January 24.
