Chito Miranda, other musicians to raise funds for Parokya ni Edgar guitarist Gab Chee Kee

Parokya ni Edgar frontman Chito Miranda said he, his band, and other musicians will conduct fundraisers for his bandmate Gab Chee Kee who is currently hospitalized due to pneumonia, a complication brought on by his lymphoma.

In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Miranda said Chee Kee has been diagnosed with lymphoma “last year and has been undergoing chemotherapy for the past few months.”

“Despite his situation, he was relatively doing OK and thought it would be best not to let everyone know what he was going through, because he didn't want anyone worrying about him,” Miranda wrote.

With this, Miranda said the band guitarist continued to play until he was asked by the doctor to stop to take a rest.

Miranda narrated that he asked the band to not play while Chee Kee is taking a rest, “Pero kinausap kami ni Gab and asked us to continue playing because he doesn't want us to stop playing just because we're waiting for him to get better.”

The Parokya ni Edgar vocalist said they continued playing as they owe it to Chee Kee, but complications arose from his bandmate’s condition.

“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,” he wrote. “He was financially prepared naman for the chemotherapy...but now, his family needs help with the overwhelming hospital bills.”

Miranda said Chee Kee initially did not want to ask for assistance but was convinced by his family and other musicians.

With this, they will conduct fundraising gigs to help Chee Kee.

“Parokya and our friends from the music scene will be doing a series of fundraising gigs to help Gab out...most of which won't even be announced as fundraisers. Tahimik lang sila na tutulong,” he wrote.

The Parokya frontman also thanked fellow musicians Ebe Dancel, Gloc-9, Shanti Dope, Moira Dela Torre, Flow G, and other bands Kamikazee, Gracenote, and December Avenue in the post.

Miranda described Chee Kee as his best friend since high school and “the heart of the band.”

“Bestfriend ko si Gab mula 1st year high school, and sya lang yung palagi kong ka-jamming bago pa naming maisipan magbuo ng banda...at kahit nung naging Parokya na kami, si Gab pa rin yung sinusundan ko whenever we perform live,” he said.

For those who want to send assistance, Miranda wrote the following details: “Kung may extra funds ka at trip mo magpadala ng konting tulong (sobrang laking tulong nito for Gab, promise!!!)  pwede kayo mag-transfer sa mga accounts na 'to.

BPI 2816006235

Gabriel Ignatius Chee Kee

Paypal: @chitomirandajr

Alfonso Miranda”

—NB, GMA Integrated News