Wowie de Guzman’s wife dies a month after giving birth

The wife of former actor Wowie de Guzman, Sheryl Ann Reyes, died last Saturday, a month after giving birth to their first child. She was 26. An emotional de Guzman faced ABS-CBN News on Tuesday during the wake held at United Church of Christ Sta. Catalina in Reyes’ hometown of Lubao, Pampanga. The 37-year-old former dancer, who rose to fame in the ‘90s as a leading man in soap operas, said he is still not sure as to what caused his wife’s death.

“Sobrang bilis talaga, eh. Wala, hindi namin alam kung ano’ng nangyari. Wala, natutulog lang kami talaga tapos tumayo lang siya, pumunta sa CR, umihi, tapos bumalik para matulog ulit. Bago siya matulog, uminom siya, parang muscle pain reliever. “Humiga siya, kasi may parang rayuma siya or arthritis. Pag higa niya, ‘yun lang, para siyang nag-choke. Tapos pagpunta ko sa kanya, nag-dilate na ‘yung mata niya, nanigas na ‘yung mga ganito niya (fingers). Tinry kong i­mouth-to-mouth. Kaya lang, wala talaga, eh,” de Guzman narrated.

De Guzman recalled rushing Reyes to a nearby hospital, and requesting doctors repeatedly to attempt reviving her. Actress-host Gladys Reyes, de Guzman’s close friend and former co-star, said doctors tried to revive Sheryl for three hours. “Tinakbo namin sa ospital,” de Guzman said. “Nakiusap ako sa mga nandodoon na gawin lahat, kasi everytime na pumupunta sila sa akin, sinasabi walang pintig. Nakikiusap kami na gawin niya pa, baka kasi masalba pa, baka puwede pang tumibok. Kaya lang, siguro talagang hanggang doon lang siguro. Hindi na nila nagawan ng paraan. Wala kaming magagawa.”

De Guzman and Reyes were married in July 2013, and welcomed their daughter, Alex Rafael, last March 27. ‘No signs’ According to de Guzman, Reyes had been suffering from erratic blood pressure during her pregnancy. This continued even after she gave birth. Asked if there had been serious signs of Reyes having ill health, de Guzman said, “Wala, eh, kasi wala naman siyang sakit sa puso. Walang history. Wala naman akong alam na kino­complain niya na masakit ‘yung puso niya.”

“Basta, ‘yun lang, noong bago siya manganak, tumaas ‘yung blood pressure niya. Hanggang sa pagkatapos niya manganak, pagkatapos niya ma-discharge, ‘yon parin ang problema namin — tumataas tapos bumababa [‘yung blood pressure niya],” he added. De Guzman recalled that they were advised against breastfeeding Alex, as Reyes at the time still had fluctuating blood pressure.

“Ang pinaka-sign lang na nakikita namin, hirap siya maglakad kasi nga parang may rayuma,” he said. “Dati pa, gano’n na ‘yon, e. Pina­CT scan na namin, pero wala namang nakita. Kailangan lang ng pahinga, ‘yon lang ginagawa niya.”

Asked if he is blaming anyone for Reyes’ passing, de Guzman said, “Wala akong sinisisi, kasi naniniwala ako na gusto ito ng nasa taas, ng Panginoon. Kung meron na may kagustuhan na mangyari ito, siya lang. Medyo masakit, pero kailangan mong tanggapin kasi sigurado naman ako na hindi niya ibibigay ito sa akin na hindi ko makakayanan.