It was with great shock and sadness that we learned about the passing of Lloyd Cafe Cadena — author, radio personality, and one of the most loved Pinoy vloggers on YouTube. With the late vlogger having had millions of subscribers, it comes as no surprise that fans have come forward with their own personal anecdotes about how much Lloyd has touched their lives.
One of his fans, Rica Mae Tianson Domingo, named him “one of her mental health saviors.” In a now-viral Facebook post, she shared, “Lloyd has played a very big part in helping me cope up with my daily struggles. His loudness, being genuine, and his humanitarian acts inspired me to watch his vlogs whenever he uploads a new one.”
In order honour Lloyd, Rica travelled all the way to Hollywood in order to place his name in a star in the Walk of Fame. “He deserves a star in the walk of fame as he has helped A LOT!!! virtually and physically,” she said. We at TripZilla had the opportunity to speak with Rica, who kindly shared her story with us all the way from California.
“I have been an avid fan of his videos since 2011,” she told us. “This was when I flew to Manila for college and first time ko malayo sa family. So I needed some medium para ma-ease yung homesickness.” She adds, “Malapit ang puso ko sa kanya kasi totoong totoo siya sa sarili niya, sa family, friends, and sa lahat ng mga taong nakakapanood ng vlogs niya.”
“Lloyd helped me sa pansamantalang pagtanggal ng mga problema ko when it comes to studies noon, pagod at stress sa work, at kung ano ano pa. Na ultimo pag gising, hanggang sa makauwi ng bahay, ‘Llloyd’ lang agad ang tinatype ko sa YouTube search bar.”
“The time na nalaman ko na wala na siya, it was 3am here in CA, and sobrang hindi ako makapaniwala hanggang sa hindi na ako nakabalik sa pagtulog. I felt that I needed to do something this time. Since tinulungan ako ni Lloyd hindi man financially (thru his acts sa mga kababayan natin na nangangailangan) kundi emotionally, I paid tribute na lang to him through a star.
Kasi from everything na ginawa niya para sa kapitbahay niya, sa mga kapamilya niya, sa mga friends niya, at pati sa mga hindi niya kakilala, naging star siya ng mga taong iyon. Kumbaga, naging guide siya para unti-unti maabot din ng mga taong nasa paligid niya ang umahon sa buhay, and from there na-pass on ni Lloyd yung pagtulong na ginawa niya sa mga taong ito. Nakakatuwang nakikita ko ito sa mga vlogs niya.
I already knew about the thing na pwedeng magpa-personalise ng star sa Hollywood Walk of Fame and then you can take your pictures. So, binalak namin na pumunta ng Hollywood that weekend. So there, may mga blank stars by the corners along the street of Hollywood na pwedeng magpalagay ng brass letters for the tourists to take their pictures. Hindi siya permanent, those are only temporary na after mo magpapicture, tatanggalin na din. But you have to pay for it.”
“Wherever you are right now, I hope that you still continue to push for your dreams and guide those who look up on you, your loved ones, and the rest of your family,” Rica wrote. “Rest well, and I salute you for everything that you have done. Thank you very much, Lloyd Cafe Cadena.”
Without a doubt, Lloyd Cafe Cadena made the world a better place with his spirit, his passion, and his work. He will certainly not be forgotten, thanks to the overflowing amount of love, life, and laughter he has left behind.
These quotes have been edited for clarity, grammar, and flow.
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