Arzen Rose Dulzura

EXCLUSIVE: Diego Gutierrez shares life lessons from grandmas Pilita Corrales, Nora Aunor and uncle Ricky Davao

Article (news)

Gary Ann Lastrilla

Push Team

<p>Star Magic artist and singer Diego Gutierrez recalled fond life lessons he learned from his grandmothers Pilita Corrales and Nora Aunor, as well as from his uncle and godfather Ricky Davao. </p><p>PUSH ABS-CBN caught up with Diego during Avignon Clinic’s AvignonNBright launch on Wednesday, May 21, at the aesthetic brand’s Alabang branch, just before he headed to a memorial mass marking Pilita’s 40th day since her passing. </p><p>“After this, we’re going to have mass lang because it’s Mamita’s [Pilita] 40th day after she passed. So, we&#x27;re just going to her house Parañaque to have mass and kind of have dinner lang with the whole family. So, everyone&#x27;s gonna be there,” he said. </p><p>Pilita passed away last April 12 at the age of 87. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/4/14/pilita-corrales-and-her-legacy-that-will-live-forever-2113"><strong><u>READ: A Million Thanks To You: Pilita Corrales and her legacy that will live forever</u></strong></a></div><p>Coincidentally, May 21 also marked what would have been Nora Aunor’s 72nd birthday. The beloved Superstar passed away last April 16. “It&#x27;s also Mama Guy&#x27;s [Nora’s nickname] birthday. Tapos sa [May] 25, 40th day na rin niya. So, we&#x27;re gonna have a mass din also [with] family,” Diego added.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/4/16/nora-aunor-superstar-of-philippine-cinema-passes-away-2329"><strong><u>READ: Nora Aunor, superstar of Philippine cinema, passes away</u></strong></a></div><p>Still coping with the recent loss of his two grandmothers and his uncle-godfather Ricky, who passed away early this month, Diego talked about how the experience has been overwhelming. “Sad pa rin, medyo nakakagulat, sunud-sunod ‘yung pagkakapanaw nila so it&#x27;s overwhelming; it&#x27;s a lot. Pero we&#x27;ve just been getting by together as a family. We&#x27;ve been spending a lot of time together. So that helps a lot. We&#x27;ve been having more time together — dinners, ganyan, movies. Just to try and distract ourselves from the pain,” he said. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/5/2/a-look-into-ricky-davao-s-legacy-a-veteran-actor-cool-director-and-a-loving-father-1927"><strong><u>READ: A look into Ricky Davao&#x27;s legacy: A veteran actor, cool director, and a loving father</u></strong></a></div><p>Despite the grief, Diego said they find comfort in the love and support being shown to his late grandparents and uncle. “It helps a lot. Kasi nakikita din natin kung gaano sila ka-appreciated sa industriya, sa mga fans. And, it shows just the body of work that they put in. Sobrang galing talaga nila and maaalala sila forever. And that gives us comfort na they were loved by so many.”</p><p>Recalling some memorable life lessons he learned from them, Diego began, “Si Mamita, dahil nga singing ang aking tinatahak, madami talaga siyang nabigay na advice sa akin especially in performing — to just be confident and laging mag-rehearse para pagsalang mo sa stage, prepared ka talaga. And ayun, lagi lang niyang sinasabi sa akin na super important din ‘yung kapal ng mukha, na parang, you know, just be confident, be yourself.” </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-18" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIWtmDIy6--/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A18%2C%22os%22%3A17218450.400000006%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-18" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>“Si Mama Guy naman, very motherly advice din. Very supportive na parang just focus on what you&#x27;re doing and work hard,” he shared. </p><p>As for Ricky, Diego revealed that they were very close to each other. He revealed, “Super close din kami kay Tito Nong. Tito Nong tawag namin sa kanya kasi Tito Ninong siya… Madami din siyang nabigay na advice sa amin, especially naman sa acting dahil director siya, ganyan. And just really study your script, ganyan. And also practice.”  </p><p>Currently, Diego is stepping into his own spotlight. He signed with Star Magic last March, embarking on a music career. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/3/24/janine-gutierrez-s-brother-diego-signs-with-star-magic-push-tv-1620"><strong><u>WATCH: Janine Gutierrez&#x27;s brother Diego signs with Star Magic | PUSH TV</u></strong></a></div><p>“I’ve been just focusing a lot on my music also. Nagsusulat ng mga kanta. Nag-release din ako ng single a few months ago. And then, ayun, just trying to be consistent in releasing music. And syempre open din ako to acting opportunities,” he said. </p><p>When asked if he’s releasing new music soon, he happily said, “Malapit na. Abangan niyo na lang sa socials ko [‘yung] mga announcements.”</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-16" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIF4Sdpy6B7/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A16%2C%22os%22%3A17153051.599999994%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="846" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-16" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Likewise, Diego expressed his excitement as he has started preparing for the <em>Star Magic All-Star Games </em>in July. He said, “First time ko maglalaro sa Araneta [Coliseum], and super dream ko talaga maglaro sa Araneta since before, and I’m super excited.”</p>

<p>Diego Gutierrez opens up about coping with the loss of his grandmothers, Pilita Corrales and Nora Aunor, as well as his uncle and godfather, Ricky Davao.</p>

Diego Gutierrez opens up about coping with the loss of his grandmothers, Pilita Corrales and Nora Aunor, as well as his uncle and godfather, Ricky Davao.