Delfin Gonzalez, Sr. (Source: *66 Years, 2 Months, 21 days…and Still Counting*.)

Delfin Gonzalez, Sr., 107, litigator and trial lawyer, on January 4 of pneumonia and old age. The centenarian studied law at the University of the Philippines and earned his Master’s in Law from San Beda College at the age of 90. On the day he turned 107 on June 15, 2021, he distributed his memoir, Reminiscences of a Centenarian, recalling his early years in Bulacan, his family’s experiences during WWII, his professional career, and meeting the love of his life, Auring Carballo -- their courtship, marriage, children, and travels. In an interview with People Asia, he said, “When I am gone, I would like to be remembered not as a good son, a good friend, a good husband, or a good father, but as a kind and gentle old man.”

F. Sionil Jose, 97, National Artist of the Philippines for Literature, on January 6 at the Makati Medical Center where he was scheduled for an angioplasty the next day. His novels and short stories, mostly written in English, “depict the social underpinnings of class and struggles and colonialism in Filipino society.” He founded the Philippine Center of PEN International in 1957, the Solidaridad Bookshop and Publishing House in Ermita in 1965 and the Solidaridad Galleries in 1968 for artists to showcase their works. His wife, Tessie Jovellanos Jose, his muse, counselor and protector, passed away on October 7, nine months after Sionil died.

Ernesto Fajardo aka Don Pepot, 88, comedian, actor, radio host, and writer, on January 18 at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City due to pneumonia brought on by COVID-19. He was in a traveling comedy show with the late Apeng Daldal. He was awarded the Lou Salvador Sr. Memorial Award at the 2005 FAMAS Awards.

Roberto Romulo (Source: Philippine News Agency)

Roberto “Bobby” Romulo, 83, businessman, diplomat, and former Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines under President Fidel Ramos, on January 23. He served as ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Commission of the European Communities. He oversaw the case of Flor Contemplacion, a Filipino overseas worker in Singapore who was sentenced to death for murder (human rights groups argued she was coerced into admitting to the crime). Contemplacion’s execution led to a diplomatic crisis, and Romulo resigned as secretary on April 30, 1995. He was the son of Carlos P. Romulo and Virginia Llamas.

Dolly Quimbo Perez, 86, the first female landscape architect, on January 28. Dubbed the “Mother of Philippine Landscape Architecture,” her first major commission was Luneta’s transformation to Rizal Park where she applied her U.S. (University of California, Berkeley) training to produce a modern park, highlighted by clean lawn spread, sculptural fountains, and playgrounds with lots of seating and good lighting. She also did the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani and The Dambana ng Kagitingan in Bataan. She taught at the University of the Philippines and founded the Philippine Association of Landscape Architects.

Rustica Carpio, 91, actress, scholar, playwright, philanthropist, and public servant on February 1 in Imus, Cavite. She was best known for her portrayal of Lola Puring in Brillante Mendoza’s Lola, for which she won the Gawad Urian for Best Actress, the Crystal Simorgh for Best International Actress at the Fajr International Film Festival in Iran and the Las Palmas International Film Festival Best Actress award in Spain. She also served as dean of two schools of communication and a graduate school in Manila.

Ricardo Villanueva “Dong” Puno, 76, television public affairs host, media executive, newspaper columnist, and lawyer, on February 15 of Parkinson’s disease. His father, Ricardo Puno, Sr. was the Minister of Justice from 1979 to 1984. The show Viewpoint on GMA brought him fame as it was critical of the Marcos administration at a time when military dictatorship was still enforced. Viewpoint stood out from other political shows, earning the prestigious Gawad CCP para sa Telebisyon award for a number of years. In the 1990s, Puno moved to ABS-CBN where he eventually became senior vice president for news and current affairs. He later joined government service as the press secretary of President Joseph Estrada.

Josine Loinaz Elizalde portrait by Celia Diaz Laurel (Source: The Colors of My Life by Celia Diaz Laurel)

Josine Pardo de Tavera Loinaz Elizalde, 76, beauty queen and philanthropist, on February 18. Fourth runner-up at the Binibining Pilipinas 1966 pageant, she married Fred Elizalde of the Manila Broadcasting Company, and had four sons. She was known for her desserts dubbed as “Wonder Woman Cakes” due to her resemblance to Sigourney Weaver and Lynda Carter. In 1990, she established the New Beginnings Foundation, a substance abuse rehabilitation center.

Eduardo Roy, Jr., 41, filmmaker, on February 21 from a massive pulmonary embolism. As the director of Pamilya Ordinaryo, he carefully guided his female lead, the unknown Hasmine Kilip, into winning the Urian best actress, and also achieved the same success with Ricky Davao, who also won several trophies for Fuccbois.

Luz Fernandez, 86, long-time radio actress at DZRH who also did acting for film, television, and theater, on March 5 from cardiac arrest. She will forever be known as the beloved storyteller of Ora Engkantada (titled Wansapanataym before martial law). In her personal life, Luz had her own tragedies. In the late 1960s, a house help left her service, but took off with one of her children. With the help of the authorities, the child was found in far-flung Sorsogon. That was the most harrowing episode of her life.

Kidlat de Guia, 46, photographer and cinematographer, on March 8 in his sleep in Madrid, Spain. The son of National Artist Kidlat Tahimik, De Guia was in the process of completing a documentary under the auspices of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. Drawing on Cordilleran culture, de Guia later developed his practice by weaving together strips of his photographs, creating composite portraits of himself and his father or son, as well as people and places in Baguio where he grew up, which he exhibited in “Woven into Being” at Galleria Duemila in 2015. More recent exhibitions, such as the group exhibition “Stalking Solitude,” at Galerie Stephanie in 2019 featured his travel photographs.

Justice Antonio Eduardo Bermejo Nachura (Source: Wikipedia)

Antonio Eduardo Bermejo Nachura, 80, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines from 2007 to 2011, appointed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, on March 13. A graduate of San Beda College of Law, Nachura was the Dean of the Arellano Law School from 1992-94. He was elected congressman from Samar in 1998. In 2006 he was named Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and a month later, he was appointed Solicitor General. He disposed of about 1,690 cases and penned 640 full-length decisions and resolutions.

Jhannah Villegas, 38, radio broadcaster on Radyo Ukay and internet and print reporter for Sagad and Bugso killed by unknown armed men who shot her at close range on April 15 in Datu Anggal Midtimbang, North Cotabato. Villegas was known as a critic of local officials. Her husband said she received a death threat hours before she was killed.

Chito Sta. Romana (Source: South China Morning Post)

Jose Santiago “Chito” Sta. Romana, 74, the Philippines’ ambassador to China, on April 19 while in quarantine for COVID-19 in China. He first went to China in 1971 as head of a Filipino youth delegation but was unable to return to the Philippines when the writ of habeas corpus was suspended the same year. He stayed on in China where he studied Mandarin at the Beijing Language Institute. He became a correspondent and Beijing bureau chief for ABC News from 1989 until his retirement in 2010, where he and his team garnered Emmy nominations and awards. He was appointed ambassador to China in 2016.

Marisol Panotes, 76, Congresswoman in Camarines Norte’s 2nd District, on April 29. She principally authored and co-authored legislation on COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021, Salary Standardization Law of 2019 and Good Manners and Right Conduct and Values Education Act of 2020.

Regina Ongsiako Reyes Mandanas (Source: Facebook)

Regina Ongsiako Reyes Mandanas, 57, Congresswoman from Marinduque, on May 5 due to sepsis. She was admitted to the hospital because of a bacterial infection affecting her right foot. She finished her Foreign Service degree at Georgetown University and then studied at the Ateneo Law School. As a member of the 16th Congress, she was vice-chairwoman of the House Committee on National Defense and Security. She was also a devoted member of Gawad Kalinga. She was the wife of Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas.

Felix Mariano Fausto, Jr. aka Fanny Serrano, 74, celebrity stylist and makeup artist, on May 10. The cause of death was not made public although he suffered a massive stroke in 2016 and was placed on life support in 2021.

Miguel Faustmann (Source: The Movie Database)

Miguel Faustmann, 67, veteran film, TV and theater actor and director, on May 16. Born to a Spanish-Filipino family, he started performing in Spanish and later made his debut at Repertory Philippines. His notable films are Escapo (1995), Ang Probinsyano (2015) and Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral (2018).

Jesusa Purificacion Levy Sonora aka Susan Roces, 80, actress and producer, on May 20 due to cardiopulmonary arrest. Regarded as the “Queen of Philippine Movies,” Roces won five FAMAS Awards including two Best Actress wins and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Luna Awards for her long-standing contribution to Philippine cinema. She was married to mega-star Fernando Poe, Jr. who ran for president in 2004 and died the same year. They have an adopted daughter, Senator Grace Poe. A few months before her death, Roces was honored by The Philippine Post Office with a commemorative stamp. The Senate and House of Representatives passed resolutions to honor her legacy.

Carmen Navarro Pedrosa, 80, journalist best known for a series of biographical books on First Lady Imelda Marcos, on June 8. She went into exile in London after writing “The Untold Story of Imelda Marcos” which was banned by the government during martial law. She wrote a weekly column, "From a Distance," for The Philippine Star from 1987 to 2019.

Rustico “Rusty” Lopez, fashion and shoe designer, on June 20 of cancer. He was among the first to introduce ready-to-wear clothing in the Philippines and with its success, he released a line of shoes and other accessories.

Federico “Ding” Gempesaw, 63, radio journalist shot at close range by assailants in a motorcycle in front of his house on June 29 in Cagayan de Oro. He hosted “Bitayan sa Kahanginan” (Gallows on Air) and reported on local politics.

Rolando Andaya, Jr., 53, lawyer and politician, on June 30 from a gunshot wound in his right temple in Naga City. He served as a member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines representing the 1st district of Camarines Sur from 1998 to 2006 and from 2010 to 2019. He was also the Secretary of Budget and Management from 2006 to 2010 in President Arroyo’s cabinet, but his tenure was marred by allegations of graft and malversation.

Archbishop Angel Lagmadeo (Source: Politiko)

Angel Lagdameo, 81, Archbishop of Jaro from 2000 to 2018, on July 8 in Iloilo City due to an undisclosed illness. He was the former president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

Philip Lazaro, 52, actor, assistant director and comedian, on July 11 from multiple organ failure. He was known for Bawal Na game show (2020), Widows’ Web (2022) and Prima Donnas (2019).

Fidel V. Ramos, 94, general and the 12th president of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998, on July 31 due to complications from COVID-19. He was widely credited with revitalizing and renewing international confidence in the Philippine economy. A West Point graduate, he rose through the ranks in the military and became Chief of the Philippine Constabulary. Prior to his election as president, he served in the cabinet of President Corazon Aquino as Secretary of National Defense. He was credited with the creation of the Philippine Army’s Special Forces and the Philippine National Police Special Action Force.

Evangeline Rose Gil Eigenmann aka Cherie Gil, 59, actress with a career spanning nearly 50 years, on August 5, in New York City of endometrial cancer. She was a FAMAS Award winner, recipient of the Ani ng Dangal by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and a Hall of Famer at the Metro Manila Film Festival in the Best Supporting Actress category. In 2015, she won the Best Actress trophy at the ASEAN International Film Awards and the Best Lead Actress in a Foreign Language at the Madrid International Film Festival, and in 2019 the Best Supporting Actress at the 42nd Gawad Urian Awards. Gil was the daughter of actors Eddie Mesa and Rosemarie Gil and was married to Rony Rogoff, an Israeli violinist, for 20 years.

Lydia de Vega, 57, athlete, on August 10 after battling cancer. She was considered Asia’s fastest woman in the 1980s, winning gold medals in the 100-meter dash at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi, in Seoul in 1986 and in the SEA Games in 1987, 1991 and 1993. She retired as an athlete in 1994 and was elected councilor of her native Meycauayan town in Bulacan in 2001. De Vega was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2018.

Nelia Sacho (Photo courtesy of Anna Liao-Balanquit)

Nelia Sancho, 71, beauty queen-turned-activist, on September 1 at the UP Bliss compound in Quezon City. She bagged the Queen of the Pacific title in 1971 and became a sought-after model. During martial law, she joined the underground and spent 1976 to 1978 in prison. She was one of the founders of Gabriela National Alliance of Women together with fellow beauty queen and activist Maita Gomez.

Renato Blanco (Source: Committee to Protect Journalists)

Renato Blanco, radio broadcaster, was fatally stabbed on September 18 in Negros Oriental. He frequently reported on local politics, corruption and social issues.

Frederick Kriekenbeek (Source: Wikipedia)

Frederick Kriekenbeek, 90, Catholic priest and pioneering exorcist in the Archdiocese of Cebu, on September 26 in Lahug, Cebu. Born to a Filipino mother and a British father from Sri Lanka, he was a scholar at Harvard Law School but abandoned this to become a priest. In 2019, he, along with six priests and a layman, were appointed by Archbishop Jose Palma, as the founding members of the Archdiocese of Cebu Office of Deliverance and Exorcism, whose task was to address reported demonic possessions in Cebu.

Percy Mabasa aka Percy Lapid, 63, radio host of Lapid Fire and tireless critic of Philippine government corruption, was murdered on October 3. A prison chief has been accused of ordering the killing. Lapid was also very vocal against the dangers of red-tagging, a practice where the government attempts to silence journalists and other dissenters by accusing them of being Communists. Before being a radio host, Lapid was a reporter, commentator, and columnist.

Estrella Ravelo Alamar (Source: Hyde Park Herald)

Estrella Ravelo Alamar, 86, a dedicated archivist and cataloguer of Filipino American history and well-loved member of the Hyde Park community, on October 23. A second-generation Filipino American, Alamar attended Hyde Park High School and DePaul University. She went on to teach primary education in Chicago Public Schools, retiring after 30 years. Following this lifelong passion, in 1986 she founded the Filipino American Historical Society of Chicago, and later co-founded the Filipino American National History Society Midwest Chapter, where she served as a vice president from 1990-1992. In 1999, she opened the FAHSC Museum of Filipino American History and Heritage in Chicago. In 2001, she co-authored the book Images of America: Filipinos in Chicago, a pictorial book depicting everyday Filipino Americans in the city along with notable figures.

Auggie Cordero, 78, fashion designer, on October 24 due to pneumonia and sepsis shock. Known as President Corazon Aquino’s designer, Cordero made high fashion and Hollywood glamour effortlessly accessible to young women.

Danny Javier (Source: Vogue Philippines)

Danny Javier, 75, singer, composer, actor, television host, and businessman, on October 31 due to a prolonged illness at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute. He was one of the members and the lead vocalist for the popular group, Apo Hiking Society. He coined the term “OPM” (Original Pinoy Music) and ventured in a T-shirt business called Pidro: Ang Saplot Ng Bayan, based on Pidro, a character about a man from the rural areas who came to Manila seeking good fortune.

Arthur Angara, 85, politician and National Awardee for Public Service, on November 16 at his son’s house in Baler, Aurora. He was the former national deputy secretary-general of and former national adviser for the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP). He was the longest-serving mayor of the municipality of Baler with his terms of office covering a period of 18 years. He was the brother of the late Senator Ed Angara.

Flora Gasser, 89, veteran film and television actress best known as “The Yaya of Philippine Television” for her memorable and effective portrayals, on November 19. The cause of death was not made public.

Cecilia Suyat Marshall, with husband Justice Thurgood Marshall (Source: UPI)

Cecilia Suyat Marshall, 94, civil rights advocate and widow of the first African American U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, on November 22 at Falls Church, Virginia. Born in Maui, Hawaii to parents who immigrated from the Philippines in 1910, she is survived by her sons, John and Thurgood Jr, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Her life is featured in the National Museum of African American History and Culture at the Smithsonian and her experiences with civil rights were recorded by the Library of Congress. She served on the boards of the Supreme Court Historical Society and the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund.

Sylvia La Torre, 89, actress, singer and radio star on December 1 in her sleep in Southern California. Dubbed as the “Queen of Kundiman” her singing career started at the age of five when she entered a singing competition and later attended the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music and was a frequent feature at the Manila Grand Opera House. She hosted Oras ng Ligaya with Oscar Obligacion in 1960s and earned the title “First Lady of Philippine Television.” In the 1980s, her family immigrated to the United States. She was married to Celso Parez de Tagle, a dentist with whom she had three children.

Jovit Baldivino, 29, first winner of 2010 Pilipinas Got Talent on December 9 in Batangas City of a brain aneurysm. He was named the “Promising Recording/Performer Artists of the Year” at the 2011 Box Office Entertainment Awards. After performing a song during a Christmas party on December 3, he experienced difficulty in breathing and suffered a mild hemorrhagic stroke and became comatose after an operation.

Jose Ma. “Joma” Sison, 83, founding chair of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), on December 17 after two weeks of hospital confinement in Utrecht, the Netherlands, 10 days before the 54th founding anniversary of the CPP on December 26. Released by President Cory Aquino from jail, he continued his attacks on her administration prompting the government to cancel his passport while he was in the Netherlands. He applied for asylum as a political refugee in 1988 and was granted approval in 1995. He said he would “lead the revolution from abroad.” Attempts by other administrations for a peace agreement failed.

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