Janno Gibbs says they let Kathryn Bernardo view Ronaldo Valdez's body during wake: 'They were really close'

Kathryn Bernardo was the only person who was allowed to see Ronaldo Valdez in his casket during his wake—aside from his immediate family.

The veteran actor’s son, singer Janno Gibbs made the revelation on TV Patrol, noting how the two were able to develop a tight bond when Valdez was still alive.

“Kathryn was there, one of the firsts sa wake,” he told the media outlet in an interview that aired on Tuesday, Jan. 16. “She was the only one allowed to view. It was just immediate family plus they were really close.”

The actress had a close relationship with Valdez during the production of ABS-CBN’s 2 Good 2 Be True.

When the show concluded in 2022, Bernardo described their project as an “answered prayer” as it was her dream to work with Valdez. Recalling how they became closer day by day, she said, “We just clicked. I had no idea you were as matakaw and into sweets just like me! And ooops, pareho din tayo iyakin."

“I didn’t expect to be so close to you. Thank you, thank you,” she said, calling Valdez the “best lolo [she] never had.”

Valdez was found in his room on Dec. 17 with a gunshot wound in his head. He was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Since the gun was found in his room, all of his home companions underwent paraffin and ballistic tests as part of the standard operating procedure of the investigation. The results turned out to be negative. 

After his death, Kathryn took to Instagram to honor Valdez by posting photos and videos of their joyful moments together. She also shared Valdez's own posts on her IG stories, including a heartwarming snapshot of him attending the premiere night of her hit movie A Very Good Girl.