Fil-Am comic actor’s family hit hard by pandemic

Nico Santos’ Instagram post bares his serious but loving side. His stepdad, Calixto Villanueva (center), died of coronavirus, while his mom, Tita, is ill with it. INSTAGRAM

Actor Nico Santos cracks up viewers as the brown-noser Mateo on the NBC hit comedy “Superstore.”  He brought down the house with his campy take as the protagonist’s confidante Oliver T’sien in the 2018 blockbuster “Crazy Rich Asians (CRA).”

Last week the Filipino American TV and film star bared his serious side when he revealed that his stepfather had died and that his mother was battling the respiratory illness caused by the corona virus.

In his March 30 Instagram post, Santos offered a loving tribute to his stepfather, Calixto “Sonny” Villanueva, and requested prayers for healing for his mother, Tita Briones Villanueva.

Santos’ 113,000 followers got an introduction to his parents in a photo from what appeared to be a celebratory dinner.

“He was a kind, caring man. Friendly to a fault,” he described his “Tito (Uncle) Sonny.”  “He always greeted strangers walking past him with a chipper ‘Good Morning!’ and a big smile. He had a great laugh that filled the room with joy.”

Sonny Villanueva was 67.

Santos unpacked unbearable pain shared by innumerable people all over the world who have lost a loved one to the virus or are close to someone who has contracted it.

“The loss of my stepfather is devastating, but what has gutted me is that this pandemic has kept my family apart. We were unable to be with him during his last days. I can’t hold my mother as she mourns her husband. I can’t hug my brother as he contemplates a world without his father. I can’t wipe away the tears from my nephews’ eyes as they wonder why their Lolo Sonny isn’t here anymore.”

Santos’ colleagues rushed to comfort their grieving friend.

“This Is Us” lead Chrissy Metz said she was “praying for your dear Mother and your family.  May you all be surrounded with peace, health and love.  May Sonny be gracefully held during his transition and always.”

Fellow comic Ken Jeong responded with his sober side.

“So sorry for your loss, Nico.  Your mother and family are in our thoughts and prayers and wishing her a speedy recovery.  Sending all our love,” said “The Hangover” franchise star who headlined CRA.

British actor Gemma Chan, who also starred with Santos and Jeong on CRA, amplified the sentiment.

“Oh Nico.  I’m so sorry for your and your family’s stress.  Your mom is in my thoughts.  I hope she makes a speedy recovery.  Sending all my love to you,” she posted.

Television’s “Queen of the South” co-star Justina Machado and “Fresh of the Boat” dad Randall Park were among 2,900 who extended their condolences and love.

Santos’ sent well wishes to his followers as he thanked them for their support.

“I want to thank everyone of you who offered up prayers, love and assistance to our family during this difficult time,” he wrote. “Please continue and send healing energy to my mom. I hope all of you are staying safe and healthy. Rest in Peace Tito Sonny. I love you.”

Santos hails from a tight-knit and artistically inclined clan that includes Apo Hiking Society’s Jim Paredes, the singer-songwriter and activist now based in Australia.

His aunt Rose Ysip Capistrano-Rokicki, who lives near the San Francisco Bay Area is a painter of healing art.  She and her cousins took pride in Nico’s success, laughing with him as he portrayed his hilarious character in “Crazy Rich Asians,” the first Hollywood Asian rom-com to shatter the box office.  These days they mourn with him while turning to their faith for the return of his mother’s good health.

“Both families are very sad to have lost a loving cousin, but it brought all of us in prayer daily,” Capistrano-Rokicki told INQUIRER.net.  “We continue to pray together.”

The Villanuevas live east of San Francisco Bay, she said. No services were scheduled at press time, “but we celebrate his life every day.”

Santos was born in the Philippines.  He was 16 when he and his family moved to the United States, making their home in Gresham, a town east of Portland, Oregon.

Santos attended Southern Oregon University after graduating from Centennial High School.  Before he found a place on center stage, he worked in the costume department of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, according to The Oregonian.

One of the most visible Filipino Americans onscreen, Santos is among the first US celebrities to lose a family member to the pandemic that to date has killed over 7,000 Americans.