TJ Cruz, former actor and son of veteran actor Tirso Cruz III, lost his battle with cancer on November 21, as confirmed by his family. He was 37 at the time of his death.
His mother Lynn Cruz posted a photo on Instagram and shared her fondest memories with her son.
“I remember you telling me, “‘Di ako nahihiya, Ma, na tawaging Mama’s Boy, I am proud to be a Mama’s Boy!” Lynn shared on Instagram.
“Oh my dearest TJ, I am proud of you my dearest son! My first born son! You have a very good heart! A strong man! A warrior! The Lord blessed me with you! Pinahiram ka ni Lord sa akin for 37 years, and I thank God for that. I am blessed!
“You are now dancing in heaven for the Lord! You fought a good fight anak!” she added.
Lynn went on to share the things she will miss the most about her son.
“I will miss you so much! I will miss our talks, yung tawanan natin, yung paghati natin sa food, yung pagdaan mo sa room namin ni Papa mo before you leave the house and pag-uwi mo, yung kumakanta tayong dalawa while you were in the hospital praising and worshiping God, our morning and evening prayer time…so many things na nami-miss ko about you…so many beautiful memories and I will cherish them for the rest of my life!” she said.
Lynn ended her post by saying: “You will always be in my heart! I love you my son! Mama loves you Mama’s Boy! I love you TJ!”
TJ’s younger brother, former actor Bodie Cruz, also dedicated a message to him on the same social media site.
“The battle with cancer for the past 6 months was tough, but it was also a time we got to experience God’s love and faithfulness in abundance as a family,” Bodie wrote.
Bodie said in his post that, despite the grief, he is happy that his brother is not in a happier place where he will no longer feel pain and suffering.
“I love you, Kuya. Thank you to everyone who stood with us in prayer. Today, Kuya TJ has received the miracle of healing that we have believed God for. He is faithful,” Bodie added.
Some celebrities were also in disbelief at the unexpected passing of TJ. Some of the personalities in the entertainment industry who remembered TJ and expressed their condolences to the departed former actor’s family include Sunshine Cruz, Lolit Solis, Rayver Cruz, Ara Mina, Say Alonzo, LJ Reyes, Rica Peralejo, Sheena Halili, RK Bagatsing, Miss Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco, and Rodjun Cruz.
TJ, or Tristan Jedidiah Cruz, became popular in the 90s after appearing on the now-defunct youth-oriented show “Ang TV”. He also appeared on films like “Rollerboys” and “Eskapo”, but eventually left show business in 2003 when he became a young adult.
Before he passed away, he was the co-founder of co-founder Spike For Hope, which is a fundraising volleyball tournament for Make-A-Wish Philippines, according to PEP.ph.
