Ronaldo Valdez. Image: showbiz-portal.com
Updated 11:05 a.m.
Ronaldo Valdez, a screen veteran whose career spanned nearly five decades, has died, his son, Janno Gibbs confirmed on Monday. He was 76 years old.
Initial report from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Valdez, whose real name is Ronald James Dulaca Gibbs, died in the afternoon of Sunday, Dec. 17 at his home in Quezon City.
Valdez’s manager Jamela Santos, while not directly confirming his death, made a touching tribute to the late actor, known for his fatherly and grandfatherly roles on television and movies, on Instagram, sharing a snipper of their last dinner together on December 15.
“This is my last dinner with him last Friday, Dec 15. It’s supposed to be my despedida dinner because I’m leaving for abroad soon. Only to know that this will be the last time I’m going to see him,” she wrote on Instagram on Monday, Dec. 18.
“You always tell me that I’m the only reason why you are still living. That’s the reason why I didn’t leave the country as much as I used to. That’s the reason why I will.drop everything whenever you invite me for coffee or drinks. I am at your beck and call,” Santos further said of Valdez.
The talent manager admitted that she’s aware that Valdez will “leave” her at some point, however, she didn’t expect that the latter will “leave [her] this soon.”
“Nothing can ever prepare you for the real thing. I am beyond devastated. Ikaw lang sapat na saken (You are enough for me). You’re so weird, Pepe. You want me to have a boyfriend. You want me to continue to travel and see the world. You want me to be happy. Sabi mo saken (You told me), you’re at your happiest when you see me happy. That you can truly be yourself when you’re with me,” she said.
In what seemed to be an emotional tribute to Valdez, Santos confessed that she would have a hard time “enduring [her] pain” because she “never cared for another human being as much” as the latter.
“How can I ever endure this pain ??? How can I go on with my life?? Bangungot ba to (Is this a nightmare)?? My partner in life and in crime is gone,” she said. “I’ve never cared for another human being as much as I cared and love you… You are a good man. You’re such a gem of a person. I am sooo blessed to be loved by you. When you lost someone so important, everything else become irrelevant. Thank you Pepe for making me realized I am capable of caring that much for a person.”
Just three weeks ago, when the veteran actor celebrated his 76th birthday, he made a post on Instagram after receiving a bouquet of flowers from Santos, another indication of their deep friendship.
The veteran actor was survived by his wife, Maria Fe Ilagan Gibbs, and his children, Janno Gibbs and former actress Melissa Gibbs. Janno appeared to be in Canada for concert, per his last Instagram post.
Valdez was discovered by the late comedian-actor Dolphy in the 1960s, where he starred in his first role in the 1969 film “The Mad Doctor of Blood Island.” As his career progressed, he became known for portraying patriarch roles and rich father or husband figures.
Among his most well-known projects include “Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Los Bastardos,” “Seven Sundays,” “The Mistress,” “Ina, Kapatid, Anak,” “Pasión de Amor,” and “Ikaw Lamang,” just to name a few.
His final project was the 2021 series “2 Good 2 Be True” where he portrayed Sebastian Agcaoili, a real estate magnate stricken with Alzheimer’s disease, where he was also known as “Lolo Sir.” The series also stars ex-partners Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla.
Valdez also made waves as the first Filipino Colonel Sanders for a fast food restaurant chain. Among his most notable achievements include Best Supporting Actor at the 1997 Metro Manila Film Festival and the Golden Screen TV Awards’ Helen Vela Lifetime Achievement Award for Drama in 2015.