Cuneta family asks for privacy

MANILA, Philippines - In the wake of the death of their matriarch, Elaine Gamboa Cuneta, the family is asking for privacy as they mourn for their great loss.

Here’s the family’s official statement sent to The STAR:

The family of Elaine Gamboa Cuneta (file photo) wishes to confirm the news that at 2:05 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, she passed away due to internal bleeding and complications arising from abdominal surgery. She was 79.

Elaine was first confined for abdominal pains on Sept. 2 and was in intensive care for over seven weeks. She was the wife of the late Pasay City Mayor Pablo Cuneta. Her children, Chet and Michelle, Sharon (inset) and former Sen. Kiko Pangilinan; her grandchildren KC, Paul, Chuck, CP, Christopher, Daniel, Czarina, Lucas, Frankie, Miel and Miguel); her siblings (Paz, Betchie and Johnny, Gilbert, Vernon and Esther, Carmela and Paquito, Helen and Sen. Tito Sotto, Edna and Jing, and Evelyn and Bong) and all their children are profoundly saddened by her passing. Elaine was the daughter of the late Domingo Gamboa and Eusebia Albent. 

The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of sympathy, love, prayer and support during their time of grief. They thank all the doctors and nurses who did the best they could to care for Elaine these past few months. They are comforted by their faith and the certainty that she is in a good place, in the hands of her Creator – no pain, no sickness or weakness, and seeing Jesus face to face. 

It has been a very difficult time for the family, especially for Sharon, Chet, KC and Elaine’s brothers and sisters, and it is their hope that they may be allowed some privacy as they mourn the loss of their beloved mom.  The wake is being held at the Capilla Del Señor and Capilla Dela Virgen of Santuario de San Antonio Parish, McKinley Road, Makati City, starting from Nov. 6 to 11. Details of the interment will follow.