Imelda Papin shocked over Didith Reyes' death

MANILA, Philippines –Singer Imelda Papin on Wednesday expressed shock over the death of her contemporary, Didith Reyes. In an interview on dzBB radio, Papin said she had a tight relationship with Reyes, whom she took care of for about two years. "Medyo na-shock ako kasi napamahal na rin ako sa kaniya (I’m a little shocked because I’ve grown to love her)," said Papin, who only learned of Reyes’ death during the interview. "Si Didith, inalagaan ko ‘yan for almost two years. Naipasok ko yan sa hospital. Medyo kailangan niya yung kalinga at that time. (I took care of her for almost two years. I was accompanying her to the hospital. She needed support). She was very down," Papin added. Papin said Reyes’ career took a downfall because she succumbed into depression. "Yun ang cause ng kanyang downfall, yung depression, very emotional na tao (The cause of her downfall is depression. She was very emotional)," Papin said. Reyes (Helen Sta. Maria in real life) was found dead early Wednesday morning, three days after she claimed that she was sideswiped by a vehicle prompting a police investigation into her death. Initial police reports said Reyes went to the house of a friend, Girlie Antolin, three days earlier in Sto. Domingo village in Biñan, Laguna. Region 4-A police head Chief Superintendent Ricardo Padilla said Reyes at the time had bruises in the body, and claimed she had been sideswiped. But at the time she said the injuries were not serious. He said Reyes allegedly weakened Tuesday night and was found dead before dawn Wednesday. Reyes is known for her song “Araw-Araw, Gabi-Gabi." Aside from Papin, her contemporaries include Claire dela Fuente. In an earlier dzBB interview, dela Fuente said Reyes had been suffering from depression, saying Reyes’ being perceived as a has-been was a traumatic experience for her. - GMANews.TV