Family Surprises Grandmother with a Way to Hear Her Late Father's Voice One More Time (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Asunción Estevan Chico and her father Blas Estevan.Photo:Courtesy of Irene Patón; Irene Patón/TikTok

Courtesy of Irene Patón; Irene Patón/TikTok

In a touching moment on TikTok, Asunción Estevan Chico hears her late father’s voice for the first time in 30 years.

“I wasn’t expecting it,” Asunción recalls, as the moment was a surprise. “I felt immense joy, excitement, and the urge to cry, thinking I would never hear him again in my life.”

The surprise came when Irene’s mother discovered an old tape labeled with the name “Blas Estevan” while going through Asunción’s belongings. With the help of a tape recorder brought from Germany, the family was able to listen to the recording.

Asunción’s father, Blas Estevan, was remembered as a kind and loving person who had a passion for music and poetry. “He cared deeply for all of us and always loved dedicating songs and poetry to us," Asunción remembers.

Her favorite memory of him is from her childhood, when he would carry her on his shoulders as they walked along the beach in Alicante, Spain.

L-R: Asunción’s sister Irma, Blas Estevan, Ángeles Chico and Asunción Estevan Chico.Courtesy of Irene Patón

Courtesy of Irene Patón

For Irene, who had never heard her great-grandfather’s voice before, the moment was equally moving. “I listened to the tape before my grandmother did, and I was completely shocked because I had no idea it existed,” she tells PEOPLE. “I loved hearing my great-grandfather sing, and I knew my grandmother would love the surprise. I cried with her when I saw how emotional she was.”

The surprise sparked a flood of memories and stories, prompting Asunción to share tales of her childhood, speaking of her father’s strong bond to music and poetry. She even has a notebook filled with his notes.

“They told me they had a surprise for me, and I told them I didn’t want any surprises!” Asunción says with a laugh. “But when I found out what it was, I told them they had given me the greatest gift of my life.”

The viral TikTok clip resonated with many people, as they’ve drawn comparisons between Asunción and Mamá Coco from the Disney movieCoco. The family, who hadn’t seen the movie before, has since watched it twice and loved it.

Asunción Estevan Chico and Irene Patón Reig.Courtesy of Irene Patón

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“Many people say it’s the most beautiful video they’ve ever seen,” Irene shares of her TikTok, which has nearly 4 million views and 900,000 likes. “They share their own personal stories and mention that, after watching our video, they now want to record their loved ones’ voices so they never forget them.”

As Irene notes, “Many people say that love doesn’t die when a person is gone — it lives on in the hearts of those who remember them.”

For Asunción and her family, the viral moment has bonded them. “It has been incredibly emotional,” Asunción reflects. “It has brought us even closer together and made me remember my childhood, my parents, and how happy we were.”

source: people.com