ILOILO – Nielette “Tweety” Tupas-Balleza, the only daughter of the late governor Niel Tupas Sr. and former Barotac Viejo mayor Myrna Causing Tupas, passed away while receiving treatment at a hospital in Iloilo City yesterday afternoon, June 16. She was 49.
In separate Facebook posts yesterday, Tupas-Balleza’s passing was confirmed by her husband Parly Balleza, Barotac Viejo councilor, and younger brother, former Iloilo City councilor Lex Tupas.
“Nanay twets u know how much i love u..wala ta gd gnbiyaan asta sa katapusan..this is the last picture nga gusto mo gd nga magpa pic kita.Rest well langga indi ko pabay an mga kids ta (sic),” stated Balleza.
The Ballezas have three children.
Lex Tupas, meanwhile, posted: “First death from us siblings. The picture below was when the family of 9 that I come from was complete. Today at past 3 p.m., my only sister Nielette ‘Tweety’ Tupas joined our creator and on Father’s Day. Upod mo na Inday si Tatay. She is very close to Tatay. We will miss you Inday. Thank you for everything. I will always remember you fondly. Pls say hi to Tatay. No more pain ka na (sic).”
Tupas-Balleza served as an executive assistant of her late father during his term as a governor. She also served as national consultant of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
Tupas-Balleza was the fifth among the seven Tupas children that include former congressman Niel “Jun-jun” Tupas Jr.; 5th District’s Cong. Raul “Boboy” Tupas; former Barotac Viejo mayor Niel Tupas III; current Barotac Viejo mayor Nielo “Bongbong” Tupas; Dr. Darl Tupas; and Lex Tupas.
In a Panay News interview, Lex said Tweety was brought to a hospital in Iloilo City on June 11 due to high blood pressure.
“Last Tuesday gindala sia sa hospital because nga nagsaka ang iya blood pressure which caused her multiple blood clots and this necessitated her to have a urgent brain surgery to remove the blood clot,” the former city councilor said.
It was a successful operation and the surgeon told them Tweety’s condition was improving.
On Saturday, June 15, Lex said he received a call from one of Tweety’s children that she again suffered from stroke.
“Na-stroke sia tapos nagka-blood clot tapos na-restroke. So, ang natabu half of the brain naman ang naigu kay ang una half of her brain na. So, meaning bilog na,” he added.
“I’m very sad kay Father’s Day pa. Very, very close ni sia kay tatay. Hambal ko basi kon nagpauli, nag-upod na gid man sia kay tatay on Father’s Day,” Lex said./PN
