Solemn sendoff for Mang Gerry

OGIE Alcasid paid tribute to his father-in-law, the leader of the band. INSTAGRAM PHOTO

Mang Gerry Velasquez was laid to rest at the Manila Memorial Park in Plaridel, Bulacan, on Friday.

REGINE Velasquez’s message for her dad was “funny, inspiring.” INSTAGRAM PHOTO

A witness described the mood at the funeral as serene and solemn: “There was no drama.”

A day before, at a Mass organized by GMA 7, Mang Gerry’s famous daughter Regine Velasquez delivered a eulogy, described by husband Ogie Alcasid as “funny and inspiring.”

“Papa is proud of you love,” Ogie wrote on Instagram.

Ogie delivered his own tribute to his father-in-law: “To the leader of the band, we salute you.”

At the Mass held before the funeral on Friday, the couple sang a duet (“The Lord Is Our Savior”), and balladeer Martin Nievera sang “Our Father.” Regine’s first manager, Ronnie Henares, gave a speech. “We dedicate our voices to you, Papa Gerry,” Nievera said in a statement sent to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

At the end of the funeral, family and friends (who were dressed either in pink or white) released butterflies, doves and balloons. Bayani San Diego Jr.