Friday, March 19, 2010

Toni Rose Gayda's son dies after falling from condo

MANILA, Philippines - TV host and actress Toni Rose Gayda and her family are grieving following her youngest son's sudden death on Friday.

Toni Rose's son Edward James Lim died at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center where he was taken after falling from the 4th floor of his condominium unit, in Wack-Wack, Mandaluyong City.

James was still alive when he was rushed to the hospital at 5 a.m. for internal bleeding due to fractures he sustained from the fall. He died more than an hour later.

Family driver Ariel Tolentino testified to the Mandaluyong City police that James's death may have been due to personal problems and depression.

"No suicide"

Toni Rose, who was not home when James fell, denied her son may have taken his own life.

She said James was using the computer and had the habit of going for a smoke in the veranda.

"Conscious pa siya, tapos nadala ko pa siya (sa hospital), and then sabi niya, 'Ma, I'm in pain,' sabi niya. 'Ma, I'm in pain,' ganoon siya ng ganoon," Toni Rose said.

"6:30 (a.m.) kanina bigla nalang siyang nag-flat line, kasi sabi daw, 'yon daw ribs niya ang pinakanatamaaan," she said.

Veteran actress Rosa Rosal said she could not believe the news on her grandson's death.

"Masakit sa amin, pero we have to face reality. Ang Panginoon ang nagbigay buhay sa atin, at siya rin naman ang puwedeng kumuha nito sa atin," Rosal said.

James is Toni Rose's son with businessman Monie Lim.

James's MySpace account bears a wallpaper of Jesus Christ, and the words "and the greatest of all these things is love."

His family now appeals to the public to respect their privacy in their time of loss.

James' remains have been cremated and a wake will be held at the Sanctuario de San Jose, in Green Hills, San Juan.

ABS-CBN News Channel