Comedian Kim Idol worked as a frontliner at a quarantine facility during the coronavirus pandemic. Image: Instagram/@kimdinosaur
Stand-up comedian Kim Idol has died after being in critical condition over the past days.
His mother Maria Argente confirmed his passing on Facebook this morning, July 13, and paid tribute to her son, real name Michael Argente, for bringing joy to the people around him.
“Anak alam ko lumaban ka para hindi mo kami iwan,” she wrote. “Pinaalis mo lang kami ng Ate mo dahil hindi namin kaya na mawala ka. Maraming nagmamahal [sa ‘yo] anak. We love [you]!”
(Son I know you fought so you would not have to leave us. You sent me and your sister off because we could not stand to lose you. There are many people who love you, son.)
As comedy bars shut down due to coronavirus lockdowns, Kim volunteered as a frontliner last May at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, which was turned into a quarantine facility, Inquirer Bandera reported.
Kim’s mother expressed pride in the service he provided for COVID-19 patients.
“Magandang alaala ang iniwan mo anak lalo na sa mga Covid Victim na pinasaya mo inawitan mo,” she said on Facebook. “Sabi mo bumilis ang kanilang paggaling kasi nawawala ang kanilang lungkot.”
(You left many good memories especially to COVID victims whom you made happy and sang to. You said they recovered faster because their sadness went away.)
She said she feared for his life, but still allowed him to take on the role as a frontliner: “Sobrang Proud ako [sa ‘yo] anak maraming sumasaludo sayo, para sa akin anak isa kang bayani.”
(I am so proud of you son, many salute you, for me you are a hero.)
Kim was rushed to the hospital on Thursday, July 9, after being found unconscious. While he was hospitalized, he had to be put on life support.
The comedian revealed in 2015 that he had brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM). It is a rare condition where a tangle of abnormal blood vessels in the brain diverts blood from arteries to the veins, instead of taking blood from the heart to the brain, as per the American Stroke Association. When the AVM ruptures, it results in bleeding in the brain. JB
RELATED STORIES:
Alessandra de Rossi mourns death of ‘BFF’ and ‘classmate’ Anita Linda
Pokwang remembers late comedian Chokoleit on his birthday