Modesto Tatlonghari, the father of actress and singer Karylle, and ex-husband of singer Zsa Zsa Padilla, has passed away.
The sad news was shared by Karylle on Instagram on Sunday, August 11, 2024, along with photos taken from the wake and at the Santuario De San Jose Parish in Greenhills, Mandaluyong.
"It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of my dad, Papa M, Doc, Dr. ‘M,’ Moy, Tito M," wrote Karylle.
The It's Showtime co-host continued, "He was a beloved man who lived life fully.
"Always a presence in a room, while also making sure everyone felt seen and heard. He, too, was always seen and heard with his handsome 'cute' face, youthful porma, and booming voice."
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A FUN-LOVING FATHER
Karylle affectionately referred to her dad as "a great guy, always brightening up people's days."
Modesto was a "Baguio boy (and Laguna lad)! at heart," said Karylle.
Based on Karylle's description, her late father had a passion for the outdoors, loved picnics and road trips, and enjoyed playing basketball.
"Fun! He was always in for the fun! High attendance and truly present in school events," Karylle remarked.
Her father, Karylle mused, "was everyone's dream dad," and then added proudly, "I was always lucky coz he was my dad."
Karylle was grateful to her dad for taking the time off to watch four theater plays she was part of, and that they both love the movie Little Shop of Horrors.
"It breaks my heart that I couldn't have spent more time with him lately.
"But as my best friend, Diane, told me, our last moments together don’t define the lifetime that I’ve loved him. I will always love him and miss him."
Karylle is the only child of Modesto and Zsa Zsa, who got married in 1980.
The couple separated, and their church wedding was annulled on August 6, 2003. The court officially finalized the annulment on December 3, 2004.
Zsa Zsa and Modesto's civil wedding was annulled on July 13, 2009, with the annulment officially finalized on December 17, 2010.
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ESCAPING DEATH AS A YOUNG MAN
Karylle shared a particularly intriguing piece of trivia about her dad: he was supposed to be on the flight that tragically crashed on July 28, 1963, claiming the lives of 24 Boy Scouts from the Philippines en route to Greece for the 11th World Scout Jamboree.
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According to reports, the plane encountered severe turbulence and heavy rain while maneuvering for a landing at Bombay Santa Cruz Airport in Bombay, now known as Mumbai, in India.
The plane — United Arab Airlines Flight 869 — crashed into the Arabian Sea off Bombay, killing all 63 passengers.
To honor the victims, a landmark known as the 11th World Scout Jamboree Memorial Rotonda was erected and unveiled in 1965 at the intersection of Timog and Tomas Morato Avenues in Quezon City.
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Additionally, the surrounding streets were named after the ill-fated scouts, preserving their memories for future generations.
Karylle mentioned in her eulogy post, "A boy scout who was supposed to be one of the streets in the Jamboree circle in Quezon City, I am grateful to Lolo Benny and Lola Thelma for not allowing him to go to jamboree despite him already having the funding from San Miguel where lolo worked.
"It was a pretty great life extension."
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