Gian Carlo Pineda Reyes

Gian Carlo Pineda Reyes, 14 years old, rejoined our Maker on December 19, 2019. He was born April 25, 2005 in Taal, Batangas, Philippines. His life may have been short but it was full of joy, blessings, hope, energy, and love - many can't even match with a lifespan four times as much.

In the four corners of his room, he recorded sang, danced, and shared them on musical.ly. Something people can easily credit this to his childish disposition but it was his way of sharing a part of himself to the world, a part of his joy, a part of his craft. His songs may not have been perfect in notes or melodies, but they were perfect in joy and energy.

He was the life of gatherings, with incessant, funny, and silly jokes. He loved making his cousins laugh, loved teasing them that the family developed a Gian alert whenever he starts messing around but it was his way of making people laugh and bringing everyone together.

His adoration for children inspired everyone in the family to rediscover the joy of watching children, reinvigorate our appreciation for the purity of their soul and the potential of their life. He loved watching this Korean TV show, "Return of Superman", finding joy in witnessing the formation of life, the display of their purity, and the sheer beauty of watching the closest thing to angels we will ever get in this life.

Gian, however, was the exact opposite when it came to food. He had a sophisticated palate that would have given Gordon Ramsay a run for his money and an appetite that would have certainly made the best mukbang TV show.

His love for food may only be matched with his love for basketball. Although he loved all sports, his love for the Golden State Warriors translated to a bonding activity with his friends, playing basketball every chance he got.

He also found a way to use his love for sports as a bonding activity with his sister, Sandra. She sometimes cried during competitions and he comforted her the best way he knew how - by making her laugh. He teased her for being 'weak' but his actions showed just how much he admired her for being strong, courageous, and skilled.

Yeah, Gian's expression of love may not always be conventional but nonetheless great. He took the blame for things his siblings did just to spare them from their parents' anger.

Back in October 2018, he was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type I and Glioblastoma Multiforme or Grade 4 Astrocytoma but in true Gian fashion, he battled these diseases while still going to school, refusing to let it take over his life. He took voice lessons and taught himself how to play the piano and guitar through YouTube sessions.

In the toughest times, his love for life didn't change but most importantly, his faith in God didn't waver. He declared God's love for him over and over. He went through brain surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, innovative technologies, and even clinical trial treatments. It drained his body but not his heart and soul. Through the pain, he had so much faith for tomorrow. He even recently asked his parents if he would be allowed to get married and asked if he could borrow money from his parents to buy milk for his future kid.

He believed he had a future and he is right. He has a future, one that will be spent with our Maker. Our 14-year-old Gian is an epitome of strength, faith, courage, and love and he will never be forgotten. Gian made sure of that and we will do our part. His soul may be in heaven but his memories will keep him in our hearts forever.

Gian is survived by his parents, Carlos and Arlene Reyes; siblings, Nichole, Stacey, Sandra, and Andrea Reyes; grandparents, Romana Reyes, and Gloria and Abelardo Pineda; aunts, Ditha, Thelma, Ruth, Imelda, and Angela; uncles, Tony, Pabling, Logie, Virgil, Gary, Edgardo, and Abelardo; and many other aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as a host of loving relatives.

Visitation will be on Sunday, December 29, from 9am to 9pm PST followed by a Vigil Mass at 6pm PST at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, California CA 90068.

Celebration of Life will be on Monday, December 30, 2:30 pm PST at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, Old North Church, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, California 90068.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the brain tumor patients of Children's Hospital Los Angeles in memory of Gian Carlo P. Reyes at https://tinyurl.com/GianReyes.

"Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
Psalm 23:6 NIV