Parokya ni Edgar’s Guitarist Needs Your Help in His Fight Against Cancer

(SPOT.ph) Parokya ni Edgar frontman Chito Miranda has sad news for fans: Guitarist Gab Chee Kee was diagnosed with lymphoma and is battling its complications at the hospital ICU, he said Wednesday, January 18. Those who want to help can send funds and attend their upcoming fundraising gigs, he said.

Chee Kee, the guitarist of one of the most popular '90s bands in the country, has been undergoing chemotherapy since late 2022. He continued to play with the band until he was advised by the doctor to stop, Miranda said.

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"Unfortunately, due to complications brought about by his condition, he is now battling pneumonia and was recently transferred sa ICU and has been intubated for more than a week already," Miranda said in a Facebook post.

While Chee Kee was initially financially prepared for his chemotherapy, his family now needs help paying the overwhelming hospital bills, he said.

"Initially, ayaw pa rin sana ni Gab ipaalam sa lahat kasi ayaw n'ya talaga makaabala sa iba... but because of the situation, his partner, Kha, and his brother, Raoul, convinced Gab to allow us to inform everyone, because it would be easier for everyone to ask for assistance if the people who loved him knew what was really going on."

"Matinding laban 'to for Gab... at reresbakan natin siya."

Lymphoma is a type of cancer of the lymphatic system, which defends the body against infections. It is the sixth most common form of cancer, according to Cancer.Org.

For those who want to extend financial help, you may send any amount to these accounts, said Miranda:

BPI 2816006235
Gabriel Ignatius Chee Kee

Paypal: @chitomirandajr
Alfonso Miranda

Coming Soon: Parokya ni Edgar Fundraising Gigs

The band will also do a series of fundraising gigs to help fund Chee Kee's hospitalization, said Miranda. "Gab is the heart of the band, and it doesn't feel like Parokya kung wala siya."

Initially, Miranda said he didn't want to play without Chee Kee but the guitarist told them to continue playing.

"We owe it to Gab, and more importantly, to everyone na patuloy na sumusuporta sa Parokya, to continue playing."

Parokya ni Edgar and "friends from the music scene" will hold a series of fundraising gigs for Chee Kee. There were no specific dates mentioned yet, only that most of the gigs won't be announced as fundraisers.

"Maraming salamat kay Ebe, sa Kamikazee, kay Gloc9, kay Shanti Dope, kay Flow G, sa Gracenote, sa December Ave, sa POT, sa Moonstar, at kay Moira," he said.

Lifting a line from their hit song "The Yes Yes Show", Miranda said: "Walang iwanan sa Parokya Band... sa Parokya ni Edgar."