MANILA, Philippines – Another doctor has been added to the death toll for COVID-19 in the Philippines, with the passing of Dr. Salvacion “Sally” Rodriguez-Gatchalian, the president of the Philippine Pediatric Society and elder sister of actress Ruby Rodriguez.
The actress posted an official statement on her Facebook account, announcing her sister’s passing on March 26.
“As of 6am my sister Dr Sally Gatchalian who fought really hard, Has Joined our Lord God and creator. We her family Thank you all sincerely for Praying with us. Stay Safe and keep on praying,” Ruby wrote.
Last week, Ruby confirmed that Dr. Sally was in the hospital but denied reports that her sister was already dead at the time as people were sending her their condolences.
“I have been quiet all this time about Dr Sally Gatchalian status. Yes she is my sister. Yes she is confined. Yes we all are praying and scared. But when Fake News spreads and people texting me Condolences. I Ask Please She is fighting! She is weak but stable. Please 🙏🏼🙏🏼,” Ruby wrote on Twitter last March 21.
Many were sad that Dr. Sally died. And while they are grieving, Ruby said that she and her family choose to remember their sister with their happy memories together. On Instagram, the actress shared a family photo taken just last December 2019 as tribute to her elder sister.
“My sister, Manang Sally, this is our Christmas 2019 family picture. Finally we’re complete. We will only remember you with Happy memories, laughing and sleeping, your johnson outfits and all, how u love bling bling, your Kuaff hair everday, your Kdrama addiction (u got me hooked up too). I will make u kwento what I have seen last, our Sunday lunches, our "bonding trips" that you and I only do (other siblings kasi nasa US). Lots of happy and fond memories! I love you so much my big sister❤️❤️❤️ smile say hi to Mom Dad and manong robert. Be at peace do not worry about us anymore. Have fun in heaven! Love you so much!!!”
Dr. Sally is the ninth doctor to die of COVID-19 in the Philippines, according to Dr. Rustico Jimenez, the president of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines.
She was the president of the Philippine Pediatric Society but also served as Asst. Director at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa, a hotspot for COVID-19 patients.
— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express
The actress posted an official statement on her Facebook account, announcing her sister’s passing on March 26.
“As of 6am my sister Dr Sally Gatchalian who fought really hard, Has Joined our Lord God and creator. We her family Thank you all sincerely for Praying with us. Stay Safe and keep on praying,” Ruby wrote.
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| TV host and actress Ruby Rodriguez (L) with elder sister, Dr. Sally Gatchalian; Photo credit: Tribune |
Last week, Ruby confirmed that Dr. Sally was in the hospital but denied reports that her sister was already dead at the time as people were sending her their condolences.
“I have been quiet all this time about Dr Sally Gatchalian status. Yes she is my sister. Yes she is confined. Yes we all are praying and scared. But when Fake News spreads and people texting me Condolences. I Ask Please She is fighting! She is weak but stable. Please 🙏🏼🙏🏼,” Ruby wrote on Twitter last March 21.
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| Photo credit: News5 |
Many were sad that Dr. Sally died. And while they are grieving, Ruby said that she and her family choose to remember their sister with their happy memories together. On Instagram, the actress shared a family photo taken just last December 2019 as tribute to her elder sister.
“My sister, Manang Sally, this is our Christmas 2019 family picture. Finally we’re complete. We will only remember you with Happy memories, laughing and sleeping, your johnson outfits and all, how u love bling bling, your Kuaff hair everday, your Kdrama addiction (u got me hooked up too). I will make u kwento what I have seen last, our Sunday lunches, our "bonding trips" that you and I only do (other siblings kasi nasa US). Lots of happy and fond memories! I love you so much my big sister❤️❤️❤️ smile say hi to Mom Dad and manong robert. Be at peace do not worry about us anymore. Have fun in heaven! Love you so much!!!”
Dr. Sally is the ninth doctor to die of COVID-19 in the Philippines, according to Dr. Rustico Jimenez, the president of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines.
She was the president of the Philippine Pediatric Society but also served as Asst. Director at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa, a hotspot for COVID-19 patients.
— Joy Adalia, The Summit Express
