(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The community of Filipino expatriates paid a tribute to Isabel Granada, Filipino-Spanish singer and actress, on her first death anniversary, during a recent ceremony held in her honour at Intercontinental Doha the City.
Notable personalities from the Filipino community attended the event and remembered Isabel who died of brain aneurysm in Qatar on November 4 last year. She was on a tour in Qatar to attend Philippine Trade and Tourism Conference 2017 as a guest speaker.
It was on October 25, 2017, that Granada fell into a coma after experiencing six cardiac arrests during a meet and greet session with her fans in Doha. Granada had travelled to Doha with her husband. She was rushed to the Heart Hospital of the Hamad Medical Corporation and was later transferred to Hamad General Hospital. Granada had suffered from a brain hemorrhage and aneurysm that affected her heart. She died on November 4 at the age of 41.
She started her acting career at the age of 10 and had worked in many films and television serials. She was also a successful singer.
Association of Filipino Realtors and Entrepreneur Executives in Qatar (AFREEQ) hosted a dinner on the actress' first death anniversary.
The medics who attended the celebrity in her last days also attended the event. Mama Guapa, Isabel's Spanish mother, and Arnel Cowley, actress' Australian husband, were also present on the occasion. Eric Fructuoso, close friend and show business celebrity, honoured the event as a special guest.
The guest of honours at the event, included Maria Belen Alfonso Hernandez, Ambassador of Spain to Qatar; Dexter Villamin, Chairman of DV Boer Foundation; Astravel Pimentel, Commission on Filipinos Overseas Undersecretary; Charito B Plaza, Director General of Philippine Economic Zone Authority; and the Board of Directors of AFREEQ.
Joseph Timothy Rivera, Chairman of AFREEQ and close relative of Isabel, spoke about the actress and her life. He said, 'I am sad that she had to go so soon just as when we only got to reconnect as cousins last year. Her contribution to the arts and showbiz is commendable. Aneurysm is a silent killer. It was the same disease that also struck her father and grandfather and we have at least a couple of family members who have survived this medical complication. Therefore there is a dire need of awareness. No words can express our thanks to Hamad Hospital staff, various organisations, the Philippine and Spanish embassies in Qatar, and the Filipino community here in Doha, especially the DV Boer Foundation who supported us during our time of need last year and honouring Isabel this year.
Speaking on the occasion, Eric said, 'I welcome everyone tonight for the event in celebration of late Isabel's joyful days with us. I have lost someone so dear who was not just a business partner and friend but more like a sister.
Arnel Cowley said, 'We were so happy when we came to Doha last year as we were celebrating our second wedding anniversary. Things happened so sudden and I never got a chance to say goodbye to her. I miss her so much.
Charito Plaza said, 'Given her support to our advocacies pertaining to the welfare of women and children, I give her a special salute.
'She opted to remain as a reservist where she continued her support by willingly performing, hosting, and lending her celebrity status to draw crowds at PAF events, 'Her proper demeanour, both as a celebrity and an aviation enthusiast, also contributed to the PAF's public image by virtue of her reservist status, Galang said.
The event also featured live performances by local Filipino talents. The organisers also launched the Isabel Aneurysm Awareness Foundation.
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