Napatunayang kapamilya ang trato kay Kathryn Bernardo ng naulilang pamilya ni Ronaldo Valdez dahil siya lamang sa mga hindi kamag-anak ang pinayagang makita sa huling pagkakataon ang bangkay ng 77-year-old actor.
Read: Veteran actor Ronaldo Valdez dies at 77
Ang anak ni Ronaldo na si Janno Gibbs ang nagsiwalat ng impormasyon tungkol kay Kathryn sa panayam sa kanya ng TV Patrol noong Lunes, Enero 16, 2024.
“She was the only one allowed to view. It was just immediate family, plus they were really close,” sabi ni Janno.
Pinasalamatan ni Janno ang ABS-CBN dahil sa pag-aalaga at pagbibigay ng mga proyekto sa kanyang ama noong nabubuhay pa ito.
"Lolo Sir" ang tawag ni Kathryn kay Ronaldo nang magkasama sila sa 2 Good 2 Be True, ang romantic-drama series ng ABS-CBN na napanood mula Mayo 16, 2022 hanggang Nobyembre 11, 2022.
Ang 2 Good 2 Be True ang nagsilbing instrumento para maging malapit sa isa’t isa sina Ronaldo at Kathryn, tulad ng mga karakter na kanilang ginampanan.
Nang magwakas ang teleserye nila noong Nobyembre 2022, isang mensahe ng pagpupugay para kay Ronaldo ang isinulat ni Kathryn at inilabas nito sa social media.
Pruweba ito ng kanyang pagmamahal sa veteran actor na tinawag niyang “The lolo that I never had.”
Mensahe ni Kathryn: "Fast forward to 2021, it seemed like God answered my prayer because you agreed to do this project with us. You probably have no idea how much it meant to me and how excited I was.
"I tried to get to know you day by day, cycle by cycle, then whoosh! We just clicked. I had no idea you were as matakaw and into sweets just like me! And ooops, pareho din tayo iyakin. Hahaha! God knows how much I enjoyed doing every scene with such brilliant and genuine actor like you, Tito Ron.
"Tito Ron, Ali wouldn't be effective without Lolo Sir, she wouldn't have been able to do every single scene if not for your support.
"You show us who you really are behind the 'veteran actor' people know you as, and we just loved you even more. I didn't expect to be so close to you. Thank you, thank you.... I'm crying again (again) as I compose this message because I realize this is it..it's finally over.
"As they always say, no goodbyes. The memories we shared for a year will always be in my heart. You know that I will always be here for you right? Kung makulit si Ali, mas makulit si Kath.
“I will always protect you and check on you (bec we always want what's best for you). Seeing you happy make us all happy (I'm saying these on behalf of your 'trusted circle).
"I love you so much, my lolo sir! Alipot and Kath are both lucky to have experienced this journey with you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Tito Ron. You are the lolo I never had.”
Nang mamatay si Ronaldo noong nakaraang buwan, muling naglabas ng mensahe si Kathryn para sa kanyang Lolo Sir.
Kabilang din siya sa mga artistang namataan sa unang gabi ng burol ng cremated remains ng beteranong aktor sa Loyola Memorial Chapels and Crematorium, Guadalupe, Makati City, noong Disyembre 18, 2023.
Read: Burol para sa mga labi ng veteran actor na si Ronaldo Valdez nagsimula na