Mario Dumaual (Facebook)

Following a heart attack, Mario Dumaual has been brought to the intensive care unit (ICU), his family announced on Thursday as they asked for prayers for their patriarch.

The news was confirmed by his son Miguel Dumaual when he posted on his Facebook account about his father's condition. 

''Papa suffered a heart attack last Monday and remains under critical care today, three days on. But he can now at least tell us, during the few times he’s given his phone while isolated, that he misses and wishes to be with us. I’ve never treasured a message so much after what Papa went through and is still hurdling,'' he wrote in his post. 

Miguel also shared that his father's situation right now was overwhelming for him. ''Papa’s never once been confined in my 32 years, so this experience has been overwhelming."

On his way to recovery, Mario's friends and family are requesting prayers and encouraging thoughts.

Angeli Valenciano, wife of Gary Valenciano, also took the time to send her prayers and support to Mario by posting on her social media account. She shared in her post the recent encounter she had with Mario.

''I hugged my friend of over 30 years and said something like “Dearest Mario, please be strong okay!? I don’t want anything to happen to you…” Then I said “let’s have a selfie !!!!” And a week later he is in the ICU after a cardiac procedure, miraculously bouncing back. Please could you please pray for the recovery and healing of our good friend from Abscbn TV Patrol’s Mario Dumaual, one of my sweetest and dearest friends in showbiz,'' Angeli wrote in her post 

The Dumaual family said they are certain that they will have even more reasons to be thankful in the days to come, including the happy occasion of Mario's homecoming to their home.

''For now please keep him in your prayers. We claim that in the coming days we’ll have more to be grateful for, including having him back home,'' he added.