Vice Ganda’s grandfather passes away on Christmas Day

A photo posted on Instagram by Vice Ganda shows the comedian with his grandfather, on the occasion of the latter’s 93rd birthday in April this year.

MANILA – Comedian Vice Ganda announced on the evening of December 25 that his grandfather had passed away earlier that day.

During a December 21 interview on the television show “The Buzz,” Vice said that Gonzalo Dacumos, 93-years-old, was suffering from renal and respiratory failure, and had to be confined in the intensive care unit.

After some days in the ICU, however, Dacumos succumbed to the ailments, as well as other complications brought on by old age.

The entertainer and TV show host – who grew up in the care of his grandfather – tweeted on Thursday: “He’s gone… He made sure I was number one before he left.”

In his tweet, Vice was referring his success at the box office, based on the first-day earnings of his latest film “The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin,” an entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), which began on Christmas Day.

Followers and fans of the comedian responded to the announcement with messages of sympathy and support; tweeting their condolences with the hashtag “#BeStrongViceGanda,” which was “trending” as of Friday afternoon.

Dacumos’ remains were brought to The Ascension Chapels in Quezon City.