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Dear friends, family, and community,
After an inspiring display of courage during his 7-month hospital journey, our dearly loved uncle, brother, son, godfather and best friend passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on June 23rd, 2022.
In November of last year (2021), Vlad was admitted to Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican hospital in Las Vegas due to difficulty breathing and was quickly diagnosed with COVID-19. Due to underlying health conditions, his diagnosis rapidly worsened, and he was induced into a medically assisted coma to stabilize his heart and vital organs. At this point we were told that the only way to save his life was to transfer him to a facility that supported the higher level of care he needed and more specifically, offered the specialized program he needed, ECMO. After a grueling week of researching, networking, and exhausting all possible options, we turned to UCSD to be closer to our family in San Diego and we were thrilled they made a spot for him. He was life-flighted from Dignity to USCD the very next day.
The team at UCSD cared for Uncle Vlad with tenacity, dedication, kindness and love. Over the course of several months, his progression was like a roller coaster; there were many highs and many lows. He was given a tracheotomy, was put on dialysis, and had blood transfusions daily. On February 8th, Vlad graduated UCSD’s ECMO program and his care team celebrated this victory hand-in-hand with us. He received physical therapy and was able to sit in a chair, stand up and take a few steps at a time. His medical team was astonished by his road to recovery. We cheered him on and prayed every day. We also read him messages from friends and family afar and even had recordings and videos so he could see everyone. It made Vlad so happy, our hearts were full.
All the progress he was making also came with many, many challenges. It was a constant battle for his body to fight off infection, his heart rate and blood pressure were fluctuating regularly, and he was in an intense amount of pain. On May 2nd, Vlad’s doctors told him his situation was becoming fatal and his body was quickly deteriorating. They gave him 2 weeks to live, and they asked him what his end-of-life wishes were. Our amazing Vlad, with his ultimate warrior spirit, said he will not stop fighting until the very end!
Once again, his progress started to improve. He began eating solid foods and his physical therapy was progressing - he even walked out of his room! His care team started talking to the family at the beginning of June about discharge plans for Vlad, and suggested a few rehabilitation facilities to resume his care post-UCSD. And just like that, his progress took a turn for the worse. His liver began to fail, and rapidly deteriorated beyond the point of return. His body became highly acidic, spawning a chain-like reaction from several other vital organs that began to fail. Recovery, at this point, was futile. We were absolutely devastated, as we had so much hope and promise in his body being restored to us. His body could no longer keep up with that tenacious, fighting will to live.
He fought for his life so he could one day return to the people he loves. Our family continued to cheer from his bedside throughout this long season of pain and suffering. We surrendered to God even though it broke our heart. On June 23rd, our Uncle Vlad chose to be with God, surrounded in love by family and friends. He is survived by siblings Charmaine, Christine, Charlaine and GJ; and parents Gene and Judy.
Vlad was known for his friendship, laughter, brotherhood, and love. He was passionate about many things in life. He loved food, trying different cuisines and knew every restaurant in Las Vegas. He enjoyed traveling with close friends to different countries, most especially the Philippines. He loved adventure and snowboarding. He was passionate about music and had a love for deejaying with his crew, Unique Technique. He was a hard-working, devoted director at an Insurance Company who appreciated his employees. And most importantly, he was a family man and always put his family first. Although he didn't have children of his own, he was Godfather (Ninong) to many kids. Vlad knew a lot of people and had close friends near and far, many of whom were considered family. We were blessed to have him, and his spirit will live on in us forever.
As his immediate family, we've started a fundraiser to help cover the cost of his medical, funeral, and memorial expenses. We are grateful for your generosity and support. He will be honored in the best possible way.
Vlad deeply valued family, friendship, his city of San Diego, and Filipino pride. It would mean a lot if you could share Vlad’s funeral fundraiser with others who knew him. We love and cherish you so much, Vlad!!
After an inspiring display of courage during his 7-month hospital journey, our dearly loved uncle, brother, son, godfather and best friend passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on June 23rd, 2022.
In November of last year (2021), Vlad was admitted to Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican hospital in Las Vegas due to difficulty breathing and was quickly diagnosed with COVID-19. Due to underlying health conditions, his diagnosis rapidly worsened, and he was induced into a medically assisted coma to stabilize his heart and vital organs. At this point we were told that the only way to save his life was to transfer him to a facility that supported the higher level of care he needed and more specifically, offered the specialized program he needed, ECMO. After a grueling week of researching, networking, and exhausting all possible options, we turned to UCSD to be closer to our family in San Diego and we were thrilled they made a spot for him. He was life-flighted from Dignity to USCD the very next day.
The team at UCSD cared for Uncle Vlad with tenacity, dedication, kindness and love. Over the course of several months, his progression was like a roller coaster; there were many highs and many lows. He was given a tracheotomy, was put on dialysis, and had blood transfusions daily. On February 8th, Vlad graduated UCSD’s ECMO program and his care team celebrated this victory hand-in-hand with us. He received physical therapy and was able to sit in a chair, stand up and take a few steps at a time. His medical team was astonished by his road to recovery. We cheered him on and prayed every day. We also read him messages from friends and family afar and even had recordings and videos so he could see everyone. It made Vlad so happy, our hearts were full.
All the progress he was making also came with many, many challenges. It was a constant battle for his body to fight off infection, his heart rate and blood pressure were fluctuating regularly, and he was in an intense amount of pain. On May 2nd, Vlad’s doctors told him his situation was becoming fatal and his body was quickly deteriorating. They gave him 2 weeks to live, and they asked him what his end-of-life wishes were. Our amazing Vlad, with his ultimate warrior spirit, said he will not stop fighting until the very end!
Once again, his progress started to improve. He began eating solid foods and his physical therapy was progressing - he even walked out of his room! His care team started talking to the family at the beginning of June about discharge plans for Vlad, and suggested a few rehabilitation facilities to resume his care post-UCSD. And just like that, his progress took a turn for the worse. His liver began to fail, and rapidly deteriorated beyond the point of return. His body became highly acidic, spawning a chain-like reaction from several other vital organs that began to fail. Recovery, at this point, was futile. We were absolutely devastated, as we had so much hope and promise in his body being restored to us. His body could no longer keep up with that tenacious, fighting will to live.
He fought for his life so he could one day return to the people he loves. Our family continued to cheer from his bedside throughout this long season of pain and suffering. We surrendered to God even though it broke our heart. On June 23rd, our Uncle Vlad chose to be with God, surrounded in love by family and friends. He is survived by siblings Charmaine, Christine, Charlaine and GJ; and parents Gene and Judy.
Vlad was known for his friendship, laughter, brotherhood, and love. He was passionate about many things in life. He loved food, trying different cuisines and knew every restaurant in Las Vegas. He enjoyed traveling with close friends to different countries, most especially the Philippines. He loved adventure and snowboarding. He was passionate about music and had a love for deejaying with his crew, Unique Technique. He was a hard-working, devoted director at an Insurance Company who appreciated his employees. And most importantly, he was a family man and always put his family first. Although he didn't have children of his own, he was Godfather (Ninong) to many kids. Vlad knew a lot of people and had close friends near and far, many of whom were considered family. We were blessed to have him, and his spirit will live on in us forever.
As his immediate family, we've started a fundraiser to help cover the cost of his medical, funeral, and memorial expenses. We are grateful for your generosity and support. He will be honored in the best possible way.
Vlad deeply valued family, friendship, his city of San Diego, and Filipino pride. It would mean a lot if you could share Vlad’s funeral fundraiser with others who knew him. We love and cherish you so much, Vlad!!