A little over a week since she collapsed and fell into a coma due to a brain hemorrhage following a ruptured aneursym in Doha, Qatar, singer-actress Isabel Granada has passed away at the age of 41.
In a heartfelt statement, her husband Arnel Cowley paid tribute to his beloved wife.
“She has been a fantastic wife, mother and daughter. She always did her best in everything she did, whether it be in front of a camera or sports,” he told Philstar.com.
“Baby, wherever you might be, just always remember that I love you and I miss you very much,” said Arnel.
The couple just marked their second anniversary less than a month before flying to Doha for a speaking engagement.
“I will miss you, baby. You are my heart and soul.”
photo: Isabel Granada Instagram
“I will miss you, baby,” Arnel wrote in a tribute to Isabel on instagram. “You are my heart and soul.”
Arnel also took the time to thank the Filipino community in Doha for their “full support throughout this difficult time for (their) family.”
Her colleagues in the showbiz industry have paid tribute to the beloved singer-actress, who first rose to fame in the 1980s.
Lea Salonga remembers her colleague as “level-headed and sweet.”
Acclaimed film director Carlos Siguion-Reyna remembers Isabel as someone who was professional.
“At a very young age, she was such a pro,” he marveled. “She truly enjoyed performing and it came across so easily.”
But more than her success in the entertainment industry, Isabel was also a licensed pilot and devoted mother, who advocated for healthy living.
Isabel has a 14-year-old son named Hubert with former husband Jericho Aguas, who was one of the first to confirm the news of the actress’ death and sought prayers from Isabel’s fans.
“Sa lahat po ng sumuporta at nagpakita ng pagmamahal, hindi ko na po kayang banggitin lahat. Ang amin pong pamilya, ang kanyang ina, ang aking anak, at lahat po ng narito ay maraming salamat po sa inyong pagdarasal at pagmamahal kay Isabel,” Isabel’s former partner Jericho told Philstar.com. “‘Yun po ang nagbibigay ng lakas samin para maghold at maniwala sa miracle ngunit ‘yung katawan po hindi na po talaga kinaya.”
(To everyone who has supported and shown their love, I cannot mention you all by name. Our family, Isabel’s mom, our son, and everyone here are thankful for the prayers and love you have shown Isabel. That’s what is giving us the strength to keep believing in miracles, but sadly Isabel’s condition could not improve.)
As of this writing, Isabel’s husband Arnel and their family are arranging to bring his wife’s remains back to the Philippines so her close family and friends can pay their respects.
sources: Philstar.com, ABS-CBN news, Inquirer.net, GMA News online
READ: Actress Isabel Granada passes away