Mon Tulfo mourns death of eldest grandson: 'Had you talked to me, I would have made you strong'
Warning: This article includes mention of depression and suicide.
Ramon "Mon" Tulfo mourned the death of his eldest grandson, who he said was a victim of depression.
The broadcaster expressed his grief in a Facebook post on Oct. 26.
"Had Ramon Enrique (Ramonito), my eldest grandson, talked to me[,] he wouldn't have done the unspeakable," he wrote. "I could have talked him out of it because I probably know what he felt inside."
Tulfo shared that he contemplated taking his own life last year.
"But Ramonito, who looked like me but had the fine features of his mom, was not as strong willed as his dad Patrick and me," he said.
According to the TV host, Ramonito graduated from De La Salle University and had "everything going" for him, including a stable job.
"Ramonito took his own life earlier today, a victim of depression. His body was found in a hotel. He left a note saying he was not strong," Tulfo wrote.
The broadcaster continued to say he wished his grandson opened up to him.
"Had you talked to me[,] I would have made you strong! I would have told you that life [is] full of challenges. That life is unfair. But crises or problems make life so exciting. That if you just plodded on[,] the issues you faced would have disappeared."
Ramonito was 26.
DLSU-POLISCY, where Ramonito served as an executive board member from 2015 to 2016, paid tribute with a post remembering him.
"An outstanding student leader, Ramon served as an executive board member from 2015-2016, spearheading the community outreach projects of the organization like SILAB for the Youth. His friends, peers, and mentors will remember his strength and kindness," it said.
If you think you, your friend, or your family member is considering self-harm or suicide, you may call the National Mental Health Crisis Hotline at 1553 (Luzon-wide, landline toll-free), 0966-351-4518 or 0917-899-USAP (8727) for Globe/TM users, or 0908-639-2672 for Smart users