Isang matinding dagok sa pamilya Barretto ang pagpanaw ng kanilang panganay na kapatid, si Mito Barretto, anak nina Miguel at Inday Barretto. Ang balitang ito ay agad naghatid ng labis na lungkot at pangungulila sa kanilang pamilya at sa mga tagahanga na matagal nang humahanga sa solidong samahan ng magkakapatid.

MGA KAPATID, NAGBABAHAGI NG PAKIRAMDAM

Sa Instagram, ibinahagi nina Marjorie, Claudine, at Dani Barretto ang kanilang malulungkot at pusong-pusong mensahe bilang pamamaalam sa kanilang Kuya Mito.

Marjorie Barretto, pang-anim sa pitong magkakapatid, ay naglahad ng isang mahabang post kung saan ipinaliwanag niya ang bigat ng pagkawala:

“The hardest caption I’ll ever write… My eldest brother, Mito, passed away so suddenly. So full of life. No warning, we are not prepared for this. I can’t imagine life without you—you were always present for every important occasion: every birthday, holiday, graduation, premiere night… always so proud of me and my children. You and Connie always opened your home for us, every Sunday or any day, a place filled with love, Connie’s cooking, laughter, and family. I will never have regrets, because I had the best memories with you and Connie, your children, and your grandchildren. You lived life to the fullest, and you captured it all through the best photos, leaving us with moments to treasure forever. You were everybody’s friend, the glue that kept us together. Everybody loves you, Mito. What a guy!”

Dagdag pa niya, si Mito umano ang naging haligi ng pamilya matapos ang pagpanaw ng kanilang ama, Miguel.

“When Dad passed, you stepped in and took his place in the family. You were our rock, and you were the best. You loved my children so much and they are so heartbroken. The pain of losing you is unbearable, Mito. I didn’t know a life without you… and now I must learn to. I love love love love love you. Please guide us all here, watch over us as we suffer this great loss.”

Claudiine Barretto, sa kanyang Instagram post, ay hindi makapaniwala sa biglaang pagpanaw ng kanyang kuya. Ibinahagi niya ang emosyonal na pagbabalik-tanaw sa kanilang pagkakaayos bago pumanaw si Mito:

“i can’t believe you left us this soon. my 💔 & soul is broken. rest in Paradise where there is no pain. i luv u always had forever will. when we reconciled u swallowed your pride & said you’re sorry. i didn’t know that was already Goodbye. I thank God & Mark for fixing us before leaving bcoz i might’ve never forgave myself if we weren’t ok. my Kuya. help me 🙏 i can’t. really i can’t 💔💔💔”

Ang mensaheng ito ay malinaw na nagpapakita ng bigat ng pagkawala at ng kahalagahan ng kanilang pagkakaayos bago ang huling pamamaalam.

PAGPAPUGAY NG MGA PAMANGKIN

Si Dani Barretto, anak ni Marjorie at Kier Legaspi, ay nagbahagi rin ng emosyonal na post sa Instagram bilang pag-alala sa kanyang Tito Mito:

“I can’t believe I’m writing this. My heart is so heavy. Thank you for being our rock after Pikey passed, for keeping us together, for never missing a single milestone, birthdays, weddings. You were always the first to arrive, the last to go home, and no matter what it was, you showed up for us, always.”

Nagbalik-tanaw si Dani sa kanilang bakasyon sa New York kasama si Mito:

“I will never forget our New York trip. That was our first trip with you, and it will forever be one of my most cherished memories. The last time I saw you we were talking about it, you were surprised at how much it meant to me. We had hotdogs outside the MET, you offered to take all my photos without hesitation, nagpahula pa tayo hahaha, we had beers at a random Irish pub, and we sat on the steps of Times Square while you kept saying how happy you were that you joined us. That memory is etched in my heart, Tito Mits. I will hold onto it forever.”

Si Dani ay nagpasalamat sa yumaong tiyuhin at nangakong aalagaan ang naiwan niyang pamilya:

“Thank you for being the best Tito to us, and the best Kuya to Mom. Thank you for loving her, protecting her, and defending her the way only you could. Mom loves you so deeply, and so do we. We promise to take care of Tita Connie and your family. We will hold each other up, just as you always held us. Rest now, Tito Mits. You and Pikey are together again. Please watch over us, our family’s pillars and strength. We are heartbroken, but we will carry your love and your memories with us, always & forever. I love you! I love youuu Tito Mits!!!”

MGA MEMORABILYA AT PAGPAPARANGAL

Si Leon Barretto, anak ni Marjorie, ay nagbahagi rin ng larawan nila ni Mito sa kanyang Instagram Story, na may kasamang praying hands at dove emojis, bilang tahimik na pagpupugay sa yumaong Tito at Kuya.

Ang mga post at mensahe ng pamilya ay nagpapakita ng isang malalim na pagdadalamhati, ngunit kasabay nito ay ang pagpapahalaga sa mga alaala at pagmamahal na iniwan ni Mito sa kanila. Ang kanyang presensya sa bawat okasyon, sa bawat pagtitipon ng pamilya, ay nagmarka sa puso ng bawat isa—isang alaala na mananatili sa kanilang isipan at damdamin magpakailanman.

ISANG PANGWAKAS NA PAGPAPAALAM

Ang pagkawala ni Mito Barretto ay hindi lamang personal na dagok sa pamilya kundi pati na rin sa mga taong nakilala siya bilang mabuting kapatid, kaibigan, at haligi ng pamilya. Ang kanilang mga pahayag ay patunay ng matinding pagmamahal, respeto, at pagpapahalaga sa kanyang buhay at alaala.

Sa kabila ng lungkot at pangungulila, malinaw na ang pamana ni Mito ay mananatili—sa mga alaala ng kanyang pamilya, sa mga tawa at samahan, at sa puso ng bawat Pilipinong humahanga sa matibay na samahan ng pamilya Barretto.

Sa huli, ang pamilyang Barretto ay nagpapaalala sa lahat: ang bawat sandali kasama ang mga mahal sa buhay ay mahalaga, at ang bawat alaala ay yaman na walang pwedeng makapalit.