Kapamilya star Zsa Zsa Padilla continues to grieve the loss of her younger brother, Peregrine “Sonny” Padilla, who passed away on September 13 at the age of 57.
In a heartfelt social media post, Zsa Zsa opened up about the difficulty of losing the youngest among their siblings, whom she fondly called their “bunso.”
“It has been so difficult to accept. How do you come to terms with losing someone who has simply always been there? Someone you expect to see when you come home, someone you expect to answer when you call. Knowing that when I go home to Vegas, he will no longer be there is heartbreaking,” the singer-actress wrote.
Zsa Zsa remembered Sonny as a kind and gentle person who had always been there for their family.
“My brother was such a kind and gentle soul. At 6’2”, he was always towering beside me, and my sister Carmel, his Irish twin, would fondly call him her ‘gentle giant.’ It described him perfectly- not just his size, but the gentleness of his heart,” she said.
She also recalled how Sonny quietly took care of their family, including their father, and became someone they could always depend on.
“He quietly did so much for our family. He took care of my Dad’s daily needs and was always there for all of us. His presence was something we could count on, perhaps so much that we never imagined a day when he wouldn’t be there.”
“My sister, Bong, always called him her partner, someone who until the very end would care for our parents.”
For Zsa Zsa, Sonny’s sudden passing left an emptiness that the family was not prepared for. “His passing was so sudden, and I don’t think any of us were prepared for the emptiness he would leave behind. We miss him terribly. We miss his kindness, his gentleness, his towering presence, and simply knowing that our bunso was there.”
“Our family will never quite be the same without him.”
As she paid tribute to her brother, Zsa Zsa also recalled how Sonny showed his love not through many words but through the things he did for the people around him.
“He was a man of few words but would always show his love through acts of service. I had a dream about him that he was looking after me, choosing the music playing in the background. Even in my dreams, he would always take care of whatever he felt we needed.”
“I know that we will always feel his presence in the gentlest of ways. I miss him so much. Rest peacefully, Sonny. You were deeply loved, and you will be deeply missed. Mahal na mahal kita, Kapatid ko. 💔”
Zsa Zsa announced Sonny’s passing in September and asked for prayers for him and their family.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dearest brother, Peregrine ‘Sonny’ Padilla. Sonny was deeply loved, and his passing leaves an immeasurable void in our family. We are grateful for the love, laughter, and memories we shared with him, which we will carry with us always,” she said.
Friends and colleagues expressed their condolences to Zsa Zsa and her family in the comments section.
“Hugs to express the depth of condolences and love we have for you my dear dear friend🙏🏼🤍🕊️,” Gary Valenciano said.
Kyla Alvarez also expressed, “Our deepest sympathies and condolences po to you and your family🙏🏼.”
Korina Sanchez echoed the same sentiment, saying: “I too lost a younger brother decades ago and I am familiar with the pain. Deepest sympathies Zsa🙏”
It’s Showtime host Amy Perez also expressed, ”Mahigpit na yakap couz. Praying for you all. Rest in peace Sonny boy. 🙏🤍🙏”
Zsa Zsa and Sonny are two of the six children of world-renowned boxing referee Carlos Padilla Jr. and his wife, Esperanza Felipa Padilla.