Showbiz world shocked over teen actress Buencamino’s death

Manila Times/ManilaShow business and theatre circles woke up to a sad and shocking news yesterday, when the death of 15-year-old talent Julia Louise Buencamino —daughter of veteran thespians as well as movie and TV actors, Nonie and Shamaine Buencamino —surfaced online.It was ABS-CBN News online that first broke the story before dawn with initial reports that Julia, who stars in the network’s ongoing afternoon drama series “Oh My G!,” was declared dead at the Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital in San Juan City (Metro Manila).The family’s household help had found the young actress hanging from the ceiling of the Buencamino residence in Quezon City around 8pm on Tuesday.The reports said Julia’s father Nonie had requested the police to refrain from pursuing further investigation as he is convinced that his daughter had committed suicide.“Oh My G!” is a TV series that tackles teenage faith amid the Internet age.Julia played the supporting role of Aimee Chua, one of the main character, Sophie Cepeda’s close friends, portrayed by Janella Salvador.The Manila Times learned from Julia’s manager, Ricky Gallardo of the Talent Factory, that the young actress had neither shown signs of depression nor seemed problematic before the tragic incident.Her parents cannot fathom what may have forced their daughter to take her own life.Gallardo, who also handles the careers of the noted show business and theatre couple, said he immediately rushed to Cardinal Santos when he heard about it, to be with the Buencaminos for support.He shared the official statement of Nonie and Shamaine on the heart-breaking death of their daughter:“We are deeply saddened to announce the death of our beloved daughter Julia Buencamino.“We would like to make a firm request to allow us to mourn her passing in private. We make this appeal for privacy also on behalf of those close to us, who wish to remember Julia and celebrate her life in peace and quiet.“We thank you for your love, understanding and prayers of support during this time of profound grief. Julia led a beautiful and blessed life, and she will be fondly remembered and terribly missed by her family and friends.”A source of Manila Times who was at the hospital emergency room when Julia was brought in on Tuesday evening said that as doctors confirmed Julia had a happy family life, they suggested that unexplained suicides may be caused by an undiagnosed psychological condition, or, in teenagers’ cases, may result from his or her environment outside the home.“It is not always the parents’ fault that their child commits suicide,” the source, a paediatrician, noted.Julia is survived by her parents Nonie and Shamaine, and siblings Delphine, Gorio and Jose.Her wake was held at St Joseph Chapel of Mt Carmel Shrine, Broadway Avenue, New Manila, Quezon City yesterday. Cremation is set for July 12.