Paolo Tantoco, a prominent player in the local retail industry, has died at the age of 44.

The heartbreaking news was shared on 9 March by his brother, Rustan Commercial Corporation president Donnie Tantoco, who conveyed a message from their parents, Rico and Nena Tantoco.

“It is with great sorrow that we share the sudden passing of our son, Paolo ‘Paowee’ Tantoco,” Paolo’s parents, Rico and Nena Tantoco, said in a statement.

“We are devastated by our loss and kindly request your prayers for Paowee and our family. We will share more details as we finalize arrangements for bringing him home to the Philippines,” they added.

Paolo is the grandson of Bienvenido Tantoco Sr. and Gliceria Rustia-Tantoco, who founded Rustan Commercial Corporation. In addition to Donnie, his siblings are Robbie, Gippy, Katrina, Bea, and Joel.

After 12 years of dating, he married his wife, Dina — who is part of the Social Secretary’s Office at Malacañang — in a civil ceremony in Las Vegas, then renewed their vows at the Montecito Chapel in Laguna in 2016. They have three children: Alana, Bela and Zach.

Paulo is the second sibling to pass away, following Joel in 2007.

Their aunt, former Rustan Group chair and CEO Zenaida Tantoco, also recently passed away at 77 in February 2024.