Over a week had passed since Red Sternberg died and the wounds are still fresh for Angelu de Leon, Bobby Andrews and Michael Flores.
In an interview with Boy Abunda, the former T.G.I.S (Thank God It's Sabado) stars turned emotional after a letter from Red’s wife Sandy was read by the host.
In the letter, Sandy said Red had many stories about his T.G.I.S Barkada. She appealed: "Someday, I hope you can tell the kids more stories.”
“What I feel sad most about is how his kids will never know him the way we did,” Bobby said. “And I hope that we’ll get the opportunity to be able to tell his family or his kids who Red was.”
Bobby said Red’s sudden passing was “so hard to accept”, recalling that they had a long conversation just days before he died.
Angelu, who admitted that she is still ”in disbelief,” also recounted her previous conversation with her late friend and colleague.
“The last time I talked to him, he was so excited about his bunso kasi only boy niya. At tsaka ‘yun ‘yung time na talagang ine-enjoy niya ‘yung fatherhood,” she recalled.
“Sina Sandy [were] very fortunate to be given the time with Red na katulad nung sabi niya na may plano lahat, may solution sa lahat. And 'yun 'yung isa sa pinakamasakit, [he was] just turning 51,” she added.
Meanwhile, Michael revealed Red’s plans of coming home and returning to show business.
“Actually, plano talaga niyang bumalik muna, plano nga niya mag-artista ulit eh,” he said. “Gusto niya ulit mag-artista. Humingi pa nga ng advice sa amin ni Bobs. ‘Sino ba ‘yung pwedeng kausapin? Sino ba ‘yung manager na interested pa rin na kunin ako?’ 'Pag naging okay baka mag-stay muna sila dito for a while, kung okay 'yung magiging outcome.”
Michael also added that Red was preparing for their supposed reunion to celebrate the 30th anniversary of T.G.I.S
“Sobrang excited siya to the point na nag-workout siya, nag-diet siya," he said. "And in fairness naman sa aming mga fans, talagang wala rin kaming masabi kasi talagang looking forward sila doon sa reunion, kung may project kami na gagawin. Sobrang excited sila."
According to Michael, they were already working on a reunion project when Red’s sudden death happened. However, details regarding the project have not yet been disclosed.
“Actually, ‘yun nga ang masakit, kasi ‘yung pag-uwi niya dito, meron talaga kaming pinaplanong reunion project. Hindi pa namin pwedeng sabihin pero meron na talaga kasi matagal na ‘yan. Every year, lagi yan napaguusapan," he said.
READ: Former TGIS star Red Sternberg passes away at 50
Red passed away last May 27 at the age of 50. It was publicly announced by his wife three days later, on his supposed 51st birthday last May 30.
READ: TGIS stars mourn the passing of Red Sternberg: ‘Thank you for the friendship brother’
Following the announcement, his former colleagues in the youth-oriented show paid tribute through their respective social media posts.