NEGRENSE director Peque Gallaga passed away on Thursday at 11:45 a.m. in a hospital in Bacolod City due to pneumonia, his family said. He was 76.
“He was a visionary and artist; a loving husband, father, and grandfather; and a dear friend. He has brought so much joy to so many people and he will always live in our memories and in his art,” his family said in a statement.
“There will be no service as we will observe safety precautions during these times. We are grateful for your thoughts, well-wishes, and prayers but we would appreciate some time to grieve as a family in private during this very painful time,” they added.
The director’s widow, Maddie Gallaga, told ABS-CBN News that he will be immediately cremated. “This is what he wanted and this is what we wanted,” she said.
Mrs. Gallaga encouraged his friends to do their own online memorial for the director, who would have turned 77 this August.
“Let’s remember him at his best!” she said.
In a post on Facebook, June Rufino, past manager and close friend of Gallaga, poured her emotions on the untimely death of her friend.
Rufino also shared that Gallaga died peacefully and that the family was able to say their last goodbye last Monday.
“My mentor and best friend, Peque Gallaga just went home to his creator. I am so sad I was not able to say goodbye nor talk to him lately. Peque and I would often fight, but our love for each other would always prevail. He was one of my closest friends since I was young and my heart is so broken. Most of what of what I am now is what he taught me to be. Peque being a Virgo, was always full of surprises, last December 17, 2018 he surprised me with this message and song,” Rufino wrote.
