Dannyka Manangan

Angeli Pangilinan recalls son Gab Valenciano’s darkest times: 'I just find myself so blessed that he’s alive’

Article (news)

Peter Andrew Acierto

Push Team

<div><em>Content warning: Mentions of depression and self-harm.</em></div><p>Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano recalled one of her “biggest heartbreaks” was when her son, Gab Valenciano, tried to take his own life in the past. In an interview with veteran broadcaster Luchi Cruz-Valdes, the celebrity wife and mother shared how they handled the situation and drew lessons from it. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NJNddldzwig" title="URL: I Tried To Take My Life" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Back in 2019, Gab previously opened up about his suicide attempts in the past and shared how grateful he is for the support of his family. </p><p>“I believe that my failed attempts had a greater calling, and that calling is to reach out and help as many people as I can who are struggling with mental health issues, through empathy and compassion,&quot; he previously shared.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2024/8/6/gary-valenciano-marks-40th-anniversary-with-wife-angeli-pangilinan-2219"><strong>READ: Gary Valenciano marks 40th anniversary with wife Angeli Pangilinan</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>“I think one of the biggest heartbreaks also was when Gab tried to take his life. That was probably the biggest of all heartbreaks,” Angeli shared in the interview.</p><p>She expressed how grateful she is that her son is still with them despite the attempts he made in the past. From their experience, she alongside Gary Valenciano, hold mental health campus tours.</p><p>“Sometimes, I just find myself so blessed that he’s alive because I have many friends, you know, they didn’t live. How do you deal with that? Gary and I have a foundation and we have what we call the face to face and it’s a mental health campus tour,” she shared. </p><p>When asked how she got through all of that, she credited her faith and the friends that expressed their support for her during those times.  </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2021/9/13/fresh-scoops/gab-valenciano-shares-heartfelt-post-to-mark-suici-195714"><strong>READ: Gab Valenciano shares heartfelt post to mark Suicide Prevention Month</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>“God is the only way and you choose your friends well… You have to be surrounded by girl friends that you can call anytime and cry… God has given me a good team of people and you have to take care of your people. That’s the most important thing,” she expressed. </p><p>Currently, Gab is in the US as he pursues his career in music and has been sharing updates about his life on his public social media accounts. </p><div><em>If you or a loved one is in need of help, the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) has trained respondents to properly deal with those in need. Contact the hotline at 0917-899-USAP (8727) / 0917-989-8727. You can also contact Hopeline Philippines at (02) 804-HOPE (4673), 0917 558 HOPE (4673), 2919 (Toll free for Globe, TM) </em></div>

<p>Angeli Pangilinan recalled one of the darkest times she encountered in the past. </p>

Angeli Pangilinan recalled one of the darkest times she encountered in the past.