Jovit Baldivino, who rose to fame as the first grand winner of ABS-CBN’s nationwide talent-reality show “Pilipinas Got Talent” in 2010, died Friday in Batangas City.

“He passed away around 4 a.m. after six days of confinement due to stroke complications, “ Hilario Baldivino, Jovit’s father, told ABS-CBN News. He just turned 29 last October 16 .

“Masakit sa loob namin pero kailangang ipasa-Diyos namin ito,“ Baldivino lamented. “Mahal na mahal ko anak ko pero mayron din tayong Panginoon kaya kailangan tanggapin natin.”

The Baldivino patriarch related that Jovit had a mild stroke November 22 this year. “May enlarged heart siya at namanas,“ he said.

Jovit was treated for five days in a Batangas hospital after which he recovered at their family home. Last weekend he was invited to perform in a Christmas party in Batangas City where he suffered yet another stroke.

“Three songs lang kanta niya. Pagkatapos nakita na siya nakaupo, nakangiwi ang nguso. Nadala agad siya sa ospital, nakalakad mula ambulansya,“ recalled Baldivino. “Nasabi pa niya na lalaban siya dahil gusto niyang mabuhay! Pero na comatose na siya pagkatapos ng operasyon,” said Baldivino.

Jovit was only a teener selling siomai in Batangas when he joined “ Pilipinas Got Talent” 2010. Even then he was already a YouTube hit with his rendition of The Journey’s “Faithfully”.

He won P2 million after topping text and online votes with 48.81 percent, according to www.abs-cbn.com. His runners-up were Dance groups Baguio Metamorphosis and Velasco Brothers.

“Marami siyang pinasaya, at alam din namin mahal siya at kami ng mga tao kaya masakit man, nagpapasalamat pa rin kami sa Diyos dahil yan ang tinadhana niya sa aming pamilya, “ said Baldivino, also citing the loss of Jovit’s younger sibling during the pandemic.

The Baldivino family is finalizing wake arrangements for Jovit at their home in Rosario, Batangas.

• Jovit Baldivino wins in Pilipinas Got Talent

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