24-year-old Ryan Santiago, the son of Randy Santiago and Marilou Coronel, died on August 14. His uncle Reilly, Randy’s brother, shared the sad news on facebook, reassuring their family and friends that his nephew’s passing was ‘peaceful and painless.’
“Our family is deeply saddened to inform you that our nephew Ryan Leonardo Santiago has joined our Lord today, August 13, 2017. We are relieved that his passing was peaceful and painless,” wrote Reilly in a Facebook post shared by the #HealRyanSantiago page. “Our family and friends will terribly miss his infectious smile, funny jokes and his great fashion style.”
“He is survived by his parents Randy and Marilou and brothers Raphael and Raiko. We ask for your prayers for his departed soul and the strength for our family members during this very difficult time. We shall be informing you of urn viewing details soon.”
“Baka may purpose si Lord kung bakit (Ryan) had to leave and he had to go at an early age…”
Though Reilly initially chose not to go into detail regarding Ryan’s cause of death, Rappler reports that he suffered from a rare brain disease as well as multiple sclerosis.
Admittedly still in shock, Randy told PEP in an interview: “Tanggap, pero mahirap… masakit. Lalo na kapag magulang, e. Pero siyempre, ang Panginoon, nandiyan…Baka may purpose Siya kung bakit he had to leave and he had to go at an early age, dahil siyempre hindi naman siguro patagalin pa yung sickness niya.”
Despite the pain, Randy fondly remembers how “loving” Ryan is.
He also shared how his wife believes that there was a purpose that their son had to pass away before them.
“Baka mas mahirap siguro kung mauna tayong mamatay sa kanya at walang mag-alaga sa kanya,” he recalled her saying. “So minsan, kahit masakit sa amin, mas mabuting naalagaan namin siya hanggang sa huling hantungan.”
According to CNN, Ryan’s wake will be held at the La Salle Greenhills Chapel from August 14 to 16, 2017 from 5 p.m. until midnight.
READ: Losing a child – What it’s like and how to deal with the loss