It was last night when we got a private message from our friend Danie who happens to be close to Atty. Ralph Calinisan, the one behind the now-viral open letter to Kapuso actor Alden Richards on Facebook yesterday in behalf of his ailing grandmother. Our friend wishes to help her husband's best friend make what seemed to be a far-fetched wish for a 97th birthday surprise happen. Prior to our tweet sharing the letter last night, Atty. Ralph's Facebook post already generated numerous comments and shares in an attempt to reach Alden and his team.
This afternoon, less than 24 hours since the letter was posted, we were thrilled to find out that Alden and Nana Liling had their Tamang Panahon. From the words of a happy grandson overwhelmed by the response to his simple letter, "walang imposible". Below is his touching story behind Alden's hospital visit.
It all started with the open letter.
We got to talk to Atty. Ralph over the phone an hour after the much-awaited meet-up and here's his story.
How did Alden Richards find out about it?
"Lahat daw ng taong kilala niya, mapa-kaibigan, mapa-kamag-anak, sinabihan siya. Professional and Personal friends, and even business associates. Pati-kamag-anak."
How did he and his team reach you?
"Multiple Alden organizations reached out and said he would try. May kamag-anak din siyang nag-text sakin. May kamag-anak, may business associate, may fans. Hindi ko akalain na ganun so nagulat talaga ako, possible pala 'yun. Pati manager na rin niya, talagang they all reached out. Everyone reached out. I'm indebted to everyone kasi hindi naman para saakin to eh, para sa lola ko. Sa lahat ng taong tumulong, hindi ako makakapagpasalamat. Hindi ko maisa-isa ang dami talaga nila.
At around lunchtime, nag-text sakin ang manager niya and...(Oops, the call turned a bit choppy when he named the other contact persons but I heard the name of Alden's handler Sam as one of them. Atty. Ralph shared that due to the nature of his job as a lawyer, he hardly gets to watch TV so he's not very familiar with showbiz personalities. He emphasize that he did not know anyone from Alden's management team prior to today's event. He said it was really out of the goodness of people that te surprise was really made possible)."
On coordinating with Alden's team for the surprise
"No one kwen dun sa room. Not one. Ako lang. [Nasurprise] pati nanay at tatay ko. In the room were my mom, my dad, kapatid ko, isa sa mga anak ng Lola ko, 'yung katiwala namin. Walang may alam na papunta siya (Alden)."
What was your Nana's reaction?
"My grandmom has not been feeling well for the past 4 weeks, so nung makita niya [si Alden], she jumped out of bed. Nakaupo siya without assistance. On a normal day, she needs assistance. Pero yun, for that particular moment, nakaupo siya."
Nana Liling's gave Alden Richards advice on his AlDub loveteam partner Maine Mendoza. "Huwag daw saktan si Maine. So, meron siyang payong lola, payong nanay."
Atty. Ralph went on to share that his grandma brought Alden Richards book "In My Own Words" to the hospital and the actor was able to sign it earlier.
On Alden making time
"Everybody told me he has a Sunday show so he probably couldn't come. He's fully booked. Pero, as it progressed, siningit niya ito sa schedule niya. He drove himself to the hospital." (Earlier during the conversation, Atty. Ralph expressed appreciation for Alden's mere presence and acknowledged how precious the actor's time is and how steep his talent fee would cost on a normal day).
How's Nana Liling? is she happy?
"Sobra." Atty. Ralph said his Lola's blood pressure has been high on the average for the past couple of weeks but it lowered right after meeting Alden Richards.
Atty.-Ralph-Calinisan-97-year-old-Nana-Liling-Open-letter-to-ALden-richards-Facebook-Hospital-visit-6
Message of thanks to Alden Richards, his team, and the AlDub Nation
"Gusto ko lang iparating yung sinsero at taos-pusong pasasalamat ko sa lahat ng tumulong, particularly sa AlDub Nation at lahat ng kaibigang nagmalasakit. Mahirap man, wala palang imposible."
What can you say? This is a different kind of love story we just witnessed—one that gives us kilig overseeing someone genuinely happy. It's a story of love in all forms—between a grandson and his Nana, a celebrity and his fan (and vice-versa), and the love and generosity from friends and people you don't even know.
Thanks, Atty. Ralph for sharing your story. We hope Nana Liling gets well soon.
