Regine Velasquez’s father, Mang Gerry, takes a bow

Photo screengrabbed from Regine Velasquez-Alcasid’s Instagram account (reginevalcasid)

MANILA, Philippines–Gerry Velasquez, the father of singer-actress Regine Velasquez, passed away Monday. He was 76.

The singer-actress confirmed the news on Instagram: “The leader of the band, Mang Gerry, joined his creator at 1:39 p.m. Thank you for praying for him during all this time that he has been fighting for his life. God bless you all.”

Singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid, Regine’s husband, told the Inquirer: “God comforts [my wife] always.”

Earlier Monday, Velasquez had just met with select members of the press to promote her coming Valentine concert, “Voices of Love.”

She arrived late at the lunch gathering, explaining that they just had a family emergency.

Her father was rushed to the hospital the day before and she had slept late, she explained.

She expressed the hope that her father would be able to watch the show set on Feb. 14 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“We are hoping he’d be strong enough to watch,” she said. “If not, we cannot do anything about it.”

Known in show business as Mang Gerry, he was fondly remembered by his daughter’s peers as a “regular” in her concerts and shows.

Singer-actress Lea Salonga said on Facebook: “Rest in peace, Mang Gerry. I will always remember you as a fixture by Reg’s side at gigs from when we were young ones in the biz. Always present, forever supportive. I don’t think of Reg without thinking of you. To Ogie and Regine, you are in our prayers and we send hugs to you and your family.”

Singer-actress Rachelle Ann Go, who was discovered on the talent show “Search for a Star” (which was hosted by Regine), remembered Mang Gerry as a good man. “He was always on the set, guarding Ms. Reg. He was always generous with compliments.”

Mang Gerry had been credited for training the Asia’s Songbird during her youth, when she used to join numerous singing competitions.

Originally posted at 03:49 pm | Tuesday, February 3, 2014