On Saturday, Osmani García bid farewell to the late José Manuel Carbajal Zaldívar, popularly known as El Taiger, during a heartfelt ceremony at the San Lázaro Church in Miami. The Cuban singer attended the funeral alongside his wife, Laura, to pay their respects to the beloved artist. "Today we said our final goodbyes to a legend. Rest in peace with God and your parents, José Manuel. No one deserves to die like this. The music and joy you left behind have left an undeniable mark; you achieved immortality as you dreamed," Osmani shared on social media, accompanied by images of the flowers he brought and a touching moment with El Taiger's daughter, Sofía.
The ceremony took an emotional turn when young Sofía called Osmani "uncle," prompting an unexpected wave of tears. "I didn't expect her to call me uncle, or for the hug that came with it. She suddenly said 'uncle' and, whew, I couldn't hold back," Osmani recounted, alongside photos of the poignant encounter with the child, one of El Taiger's four children, who also includes two more daughters and a son.
In addition to Osmani García, several other musicians from the industry gathered to honor El Taiger's life. A private mass was held with close friends and family, followed by an open-casket ceremony allowing attendees to pay their final respects. The event marked a solemn yet significant farewell to a figure who left a lasting legacy in the world of music.