Paquito Diaz (photo courtesy of abs-cbnnews.com via 'Rated K')

 MANILA, Philippines – Actor Joko Diaz refuted the headline that came out in a newspaper on Feb. 27 that claimed his father, the veteran actor Paquito Diaz, had already passed away.

This was related by Cristy Fermin on “Paparazzi” last Sunday, claiming she had a talk with Joko who told her that local showbiz’s "Tito Kits" is still alive and will, in fact, be checking out of the hospital in Legazpi City, Albay this week.

“Kasi ang lumabas po ay namayapa na raw po [si Tito Kits], naka-headline. Ayon kay Joko, sa Martes ay lalabas ng ospital si Tito Kits at tanggap nila ang katotohanan na dalawang bagay lamang ang

totoo sa mundong ito: ang ipanganak tayo at ang mawala tayo.

“Pero huwag naman sanang unahan ang panahon, ang pagyao ng kanyang ama, dahil ang totoo ay buhay na buhay pa,” said she.

Fellow host Dolly Anne Carvajal said she also got to talk to Paquito's daughter Cheska, who she said  related the same, and even detailed that that the water in the ailing actor’s lungs was now gone.

Paquito is battling pneumonia--this, after suffering a stroke, having two operations and going into a coma for two months more than 5 years ago.

Cristy praised Joko and his siblings for taking care of their 73-year-old father, while co-host Ruffa Gutierrez revealed that her father Eddie and Pacquito’s wife Nena are actually second cousins.

Meanwhile, a separate report from bomboradyo.com on the same day claimed that the hospital where Paquito is currently confined made the error of declaring the actor dead.  According to the report, the hospital already apologized for the mistake but gave no further details on this incident.

Also on Sunday, abs-cbnnews.com got the reaction of Paquito's daughter, Joanna Diaz-Gallent. She  just brushed the whole fiasco off by saying, “It’s okay. Mag-one month na kami tinetext na he's dead na daw. Sanay na kami.”

More, Katipunan ng mga Artista ng Pelikulang Pilipino at Telebisyon (KAPPT)’s official secretary Jean Balagtas also invalidated the rumor.

“Hindi po totoo ang balita. Nakausap po ng mga taga-Actors Guild si Joko at sinabi niya mismo na hindi patay ang kanyang ama,” said Jean.

Meanwhile, wife Nena refuted the death rumor as well and recalled in a report in “TV Patrol” aired on Feb. 15 how they rushed her husband to the hospital a few weeks back.

“Pagdating nga sa ospital, sabi ng doctor, 'Buti dinala n'yo,' kasi kung 'di namin dinala baka next day or a few days after patay na siya. Kasi malala na iyong pneumonia niya.

“He is still very much alive. Hindi naman siya patay gaya ng binabali-balita ng mga tao,” said she.

Nena then appealed to everyone, especially to those who've worked with Paquito in the past, to assist them financially.

“Kung may gustong magtulong na financial... kasi mahirap magkasakit ngayon, kasi wala na siyang pelikula... we will appreciate it,” she said.

Paquito Diaz is one of local tinseltown’s most famous villains. Appearing in more than a hundred movies, his works include “Pakners,” 'Ang Misis Kong Hoodlum," "Batas ng .45," "Moises Platon," “Eagle Squad,” and “Son of Kung Fu.”