Annabelle Rama pays tribute to her late daughter-in-law, Alexa Uichico-Gutierrez | Screengrab from Instagram/@uichico
Annabelle Rama drew laughs during her tribute to her late daughter-in-law, Alexa Uichico-Gutierrez, when she said that they had a lot of things in common, including how they both had a good and kind heart.
In her eulogy, posted on Instagram Wednesday, August 7, by Alexa’s sister-in-law, Patricia, Rama was videoed while providing an insight into her relationship with her son Elvis’ deceased wife, who she said she loved very much.
“Kaya magkasundo kami ni Alexa, hindi kami nag-aaway, bakit? ‘Pag nasa bahay kami, English siya ng English sakin, yes lang ako ng yes sa kaniya (Alexa and I get along; we don’t fight, why? Because whenever we are at home, she speaks all English to me and I only say yes to her),” said the actress-manager, eliciting laughter from the audience.
Rama, who is known for her coarse and combative language, then enumerated the things that she loved about Alexa.
“‘Pag nagmumura na ako, ‘Tita, that’s bad,’ Mabait si Alexa. Nakikita ko sarili ko sa kaniya,” said Rama in jest, drawing more laughs. “Unang-una, mahal na mahal niya si Elvis.” (When I started cursing, ‘Auntie, that’s bad,’ Alexa was always kind. I see myself in her. First things first, she loved Elvis very much),” continued the talent manager.
Rama shared that Alexa asked her for a grand wedding with her son, Elvis, which she provided.
“Nung nanganak na siya, ako nag-alaga sa mga bata, kasi ayoko siyang mapagod. Si Alexa mahal na mahal ko ‘yan. Nung kinasal sila, sabi niya sakin, ‘Tita gusto ko ng bonggang wedding,’ [Sabi ko,] ‘Ako bahala, ‘Day’ Very expensive, ako bahala. Libre lahat ‘yan,” she recalled.
(When she gave birth, I took care of the children, because I didn’t want her to get tired. I love Alexa so much. When they got married, he said to me, ‘Auntie, I want a big wedding,’ [I said,] ‘I’ll take care of it, Day’ Very expensive, I’ll take care of it. It’s all free.)
The seasoned talent manager ended her speech by extending a promise to her late daughter-in-law: “Alexa uulitin ko, ‘Day, ako na bahala sa mga anak mo, kaming dalawa ni Eddie. Mahal na mahal ko sila.” (Alexa, I will repeat, ‘Day, I will take care of your children, Eddie and I. I love them so much.)
On July 27, Alexa succumbed to her battle with leukemia at age 38. She was survived by her husband, former child star Elvis, and their two daughters, Ezria and Aria.
Attended by family members and celebrities in the industry, Alexa’s wake was held at the Santuario de San Antonio, Forbes Park, and McKinley Road in Makati City from July 29 to 31, followed by an inurnment on August 1.