“I can’t live without Nanette.”

This was one of the last statements of the late Noel Orate, Sr. to his friends before he was killed in an alleged hostage-taking incident inside the residence of former congresswoman Nanette Castelo-Daza recently.

According to his close friends at the Amoranto Tennis Court where he stayed before proceeding to Daza residence on the fateful night of Feb. 10, Orate was depressed because Daza broke up with him.

“Napansin namin na talagang sobrang lungkot niya nang dumating siya dito sa tennis court nang araw na ’yun,” Jun Bilbao said.

Bilbao is one of the friends of the former couple who was actually with Orate before he left the tennis court. He said Orate complained that he was sleepless and was not feeling well but still wanted to play just to exhaust and knock himself out.

Orate’s friends realized the seriousness of his problem when he threw his expensive IPhone away which he was tin-kering endlessly earlier. They presumed it was Daza whom he was trying to send messages.

Contrary to reports, Bilbao clarified that it was Orate who wanted to reconcile with Daza. 

“Si Noel mismo ang nagsabi sa akin noon kaya hindi totoo na si Nanette ang may gustong makipagbalikan kay Noel,” Bilbao said.

Orate was shot and killed by Bulacan provincial board member Allan Robes after he reportedly took the Daza family.

As of press time, Robes was out on a bail.