I AM still in a state of shock after hearing that Angelo, the 23-year-old son of my BFF Cesar Montano, is gone.

Buboy was in high spirits last Wednesday when we had lunch. He was the picture of a doting father to his daughter Butchik. He is truly an ideal dad to all his kids.

As I write, I?ve tried to get in touch with Buboy, Sunshine and their immediate family. But I understand why they are unavailable for comment at the moment. I respect their need to grieve in private.

When Buboy is ready, he will pour his heart out about the sad news.

Lhar Santiago interviewed me for ?24 Oras? about my sentiments on Angelo?s sudden death. It made me think of my own kids who are about Angelo?s age.

Nothing could be more painful for a parent than losing a child. It doesn?t seem fair when our kids go ahead of us. We work so hard to give our kids the best in life. So it?s almost unacceptable when we outlive our children. It just ain?t right.

When we lose our spouse, we are called widow/widower. But what do we call a parent whose child has died? No words would suffice to describe the pain.

My heart goes out to Buboy. He has been so busy as a gubernatorial candidate in Bohol. And now this.

It may derail Buboy?s schedule but Angelo will surely give his dad much-needed strength to carry on. The last time I saw Angelo, he was with his half-brother Diego (Buboy?s son with Teresa Loyzaga) in Bellisimo. Buboy is equally proud of all his children. He put up Bellisimo for his daughter Angela to manage.

Since Angela and Sunshine are busy helping Buboy in his Bohol campaign, it was Angelo who was taking care of the resto and also of Buboy?s three daughters with Shine.

Bonding with Angelo

I remember Shine?s story about her bonding with Angelo. ?We were shopping in Rockwell and I bought an expensive pair of Melissa shoes on impulse,? said Shine. ?I told Angelo not to tell his dad kasi baka magalit ?yun [he might get angry] (laughs).?

Angelo was a fun-loving, mild-mannered guy. He was the quiet type but once he warmed up to you, you?d see his kalog (funny) side. He never threw his weight around just because he?s the son of a superstar.

Buboy?s fave song to sing with Angelo and Diego is ?Father and Son.? The lyrics of Cat Steven?s classic hit best sum up what the ulirang ama in Buboy feels right now. The following are excerpts from the song:

?It?s not time to make a change/Just relax, take it easy/You?re still young, that?s your fault/There?s so much you have to know ?
?Find a girl, settle down, if you want you can marry/Look at me, I am old but I?m happy ??

My deepest condolences, amigo. No doubt Angelo?s pride in being your son is something he will take with him to the Great Beyond.

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I remember first watching Juris Fernandez in Aruba Libis when she was still part of MYMP. I fell instantly in love with her original song, ?A Little Bit.? Back then, her crystal-clear voice already made her stand out in the band scene.

Now she is ready to shine on her own as a solo artist with her self-titled album under Star Records. ?I?m so excited about it,? she says. ?I?m proud because it contains all original tracks with compositions of Ryan Cayabyab, Gary V, Aiza Seguerra, Duncan Ramos, among others. May mga senti, tipong country and alternative.?

Tracks include ?I Don?t Want To Fall (carrier single),? ?Nariyan Ka? (the theme song of ?I Love You, Goodbye?), my fave cut ?Who Was I,? and more. Juris is it!

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Join Gretchen Fullido as she gives you a 15-minute rundown of what?s new in the local and international sports and entertainment fronts in ?The Wrap? everyday at 7:45 p.m. on Studio 23.

Don?t miss its marathons in time for Holy Week: 3rd season ?Ghost Whisperer on Good Friday (April 2) and 3rd season of ?Brothers & Sisters? on Black Saturday (April 3), both at 10 a.m.

Welcome the sizzling summer with new seasons of ?90210? (premieres April 9) and ?CSI? (starting April 18).

The Kabarkada network is truly TVholics? best bud.

E-mail wateringholeshangrila@yahoo.com