January

Joann Natalia Aquino, 50, writer, publicist, journalist, healing arts practitioner, and community leader, died of complications from pneumonia contracted in 2024, on January 1, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Joann Natalia Aquino *(Source: Instagram)*

Dr. Norma Mangondato Sharief Al-Hadja, known as the “Mother of Education” in Lanao del Sur and founder of the Philippine Muslim Teachers’ College (PMYC), died on January 2 after completing an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in Marawi, Philippines.

Dr. Norma Mangondato Sharief Al-Hadja *(Source: Rappler)*

Fr. Reynaldo Pineda Sarmiento, 58, priest of the Diocese of San Jose, died on January 7 after a seven-month battle with pancreatic cancer, in San Jose, California.

Fr. Reynaldo Pineda Sarmiento *(Source: St. Francis Cabrini Parish)*

Deogracias Savellano, 65, Ilocos Sur politician and former agriculture undersecretary, died on January 7 of unknown causes, in Manila, Philippines.

Deogracias Savellano *(Source: Inquirer.net)*

Mervin Guarte, 32, middle-distance runner and national athlete who won gold medals at the Southeast Asian Games in the men’s individual 5-km event in 2019 and the men’s team relay in 2023, was stabbed by a tricycle driver who held a personal grudge against him, on January 7, in Manila, Philippines.

Mencit Bascon, 88, first mayor of Himalayan City and political matriarch, died on January 14 due to complications from multiple organ failure related to old age, in Negros Occidental, Philippines.

Mencit Bacon *(Source: Digicast Negros)*

Gloria Romero, 91, movie and television icon, died of low blood pressure and inability to eat, on January 25, in Manila, Philippines.

Edcel Lagman, 82, Albay 1st District representative, one of the longest-serving lawmakers post-EDSA, principal author of the Reproductive Health Law, and president of the Liberal Party, died of cardiac arrest on January 30, in Manila, Philippines.

Sinfronio “Sammy” Acaylar, 66, multi-titled volleyball coach, died of a sudden stroke on January 30, in Manila, Philippines.

Sinfronio “Sammy” Acaylar *(Source: ESPN)*

February

Rene “Toto” Ealdama, 84, rock-and-roll icon and lead singer of the popular 1960s band The Moonstrucks, died on February 5, in Manila, Philippines.

Paula Bagasao Butke, 76, former White House adviser to President Bill Clinton, died on February 6, in Los Angeles, California.

Paula Bagasao Butke *(Source; Legacy.com)*

Margarita “Gaita” Fores, 65, celebrated restaurateur and Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2016, died of cardiac arrest on February 11, in Hong Kong.

Margarita “Gaita” Fores *(Source: Instagram)*

Evelyn Bontogon-Guerrero, also known as Matutina, 78, comedienne who became a household name on the television series John and Marsha, died of acute respiratory failure on February 14, in Manila, Philippines.

Evelyn Bontogon-Guerrero aka Matutina *(Source: IMDb)*

Eduardo Soriano, 69, vice chairman of A. Soriano Corporation (Anscor) and younger brother of Andres Soriano III, died on February 17 of unknown causes, in Manila, Philippines.

Eduardo Soriano *(Source: Manila Times)*

Alfredo Liongoren, 81, acclaimed artist, died of a heart attack on February 19, in Manila, Philippines.

Albert “Bert” Lina, 76, former customs commissioner under Presidents Gloria Arroyo (2005) and Benigno Aquino III (2015), died of complications from pneumonia on February 25, in Manila, Philippines.

Albert “Bert” Lina (*Source: Bilyonario)*

Abdulazis Tadua Aloyodan, age unknown, former mayor of Lumbaca-Unayan, was shot by gunmen in a pickup truck outside his home on February 26, in Lanao del Sur, Philippines.

Helen Marte Bautista, 83, teacher and longtime San Francisco resident, died on February 26 at a residential care facility in Cebu, Philippines.

Helen Marte Bautista *(Source: Rebecca Rottman/Facebook)*

Romano Trinidad, 28, FlipTop battle emcee known for his witty rebuttals and freestyle ability, died on February 27 after battling liver cancer, in Manila, Philippines.

March

Maj. Jude Salang-oy and 1st Lt. April John Dadulla, ages unknown, Philippine Air Force pilots, died on March 4 when their FA-50 fighter jet crashed during a nighttime operation against the New People’s Army (NPA) on the slopes of Mt. Kalatungan, Bukidnon.

1st Lt. April John Dadulla and Maj. Jude Salang-oy *(Source: Philippine Air Force)*

Dr. Conrado “Clipper” Lorenzo Jr., 92, obstetrician-gynecologist, former executive director of the Philippine Commission on Population, president of the Population Center Foundation, and trustee of the Philippine Cancer Society, died on March 6, in Manila, Philippines.

Dr. Conrado “Clipper” Lorenzo Jr. *(Source: Philippine Cancer Society)*

Conchita La’o Lopez Taylor, 95, mother of ABS-CBN Chairman Emeritus Gabby Lopez, died on March 9, in Manila, Philippines.

Paolo “Powee” Tantoco, 44, one of the heirs to Rustan’s, died of cocaine use on March 10 while accompanying his wife, Deputy Social Secretary Dina Arroyo, in Los Angeles, California.

Paulo “Powee” Tantoco *(Source: People Asia)*

Fr. Bernardo Blanco, 97, Spanish missionary priest who lived in the Philippines for nearly 50 years and was once kidnapped by extremists in Basilan, died on March 10, in Quezon City, Philippines.

Fr. Bernardo Blanco *(Source: Claretian Missionaries)*

Lucy May G. Reyes, also known as Delia Razon, 94, veteran actress, died on March 15, in Manila, Philippines.

Lucy May G. Reyes aka Delia Razon *(Source: Wikipedia)*

Gold Dagal, age unknown, comedian known for speaking out against human rights violations and indoctrination, died following a shooting on March 15, in Pampanga, Philippines.

Ruby Gonzalez-Meyer, 72, granddaughter of former president Elpidio Quirino, died on March 22 due to complications from pneumonia, in Singapore.

Ruby Gonzalez-Meyer *(Source: Instagram)*

Antonio I. Gloria, 79, film producer and founder of Unitel Straight Shooters Media, one of the 25 Mavericks of the Advertising Agency (2003) and recipient of the 2005 Creative Guild of the Philippines Lifetime Achievement Award, died on March 24, in Manila, Philippines.

Estelito Mendoza, 95, lawyer and former justice secretary and solicitor general during the Marcos administration, known for defending politicians and business figures in plunder and ill-gotten wealth cases, died on March 26, in Manila, Philippines.

Estelito Mendoza *(Source: Manila Standard)*

Bonifacio Coronel Valera Jr., 59, founder of Barangay Dance Company and teacher of Filipino folk dance, died on March 26, in Daly City, California.

Bonifacio Coronel Valera Jr. *(Source: Duggans)*

Leopoldo Atad, 52, town councilor and barangay chairman of Macleodes, was shot by two assailants on a motorcycle on March 27, in Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines.

Juvenal Sanso, 95, one of the Philippines’ most iconic painters and artists, died of cardiac arrest on March 28.

Virgilio Garcillano, 87, former Commission on Elections commissioner and key figure in the 2004 “Hello Garci” scandal, died after collapsing in his bathroom on March 29, at his farmhouse in Barangay Imbatug, Baungon, Bukidnon.

Virgilio Garcillano *(Source: Inquirer)*

Anson Que, age unknown, Filipino-Chinese businessman, was kidnapped and killed along with his driver despite payment of a ₱200-million ransom, on March 29, in Barangay Langka, Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines.

Anson Que *(Source: South China Morning Post)*

April

Julie Alipala, 58, veteran Mindanao-based journalist, died of cancer on April 3, in Zamboanga City, Philippines.

Amy Gustilo-Lopez, 78, pianist, composer of gospel and instrumental music, and Miss Caltex 1969, died suddenly on April 3, in Manila, Philippines.

Edgar Mercado Enerlan, 85, lawyer and former Leyte governor, died on April 4, in Tacloban City, Philippines.

Edgar Mercado Enerlan *(Source; Rappler)*

Vivian Que-Azcona, 69, retail magnate and president of the Mercury Group of Companies, died of a liver ailment on April 5, in Manila, Philippines.

Richard Reyes, 34, Philippine Daily Inquirer photojournalist, died after suffering a heart attack on April 9, in Tarlac City, Philippines.

Binhar Alon Jawad, 25, barangay chairman of Baraas in Picong town, was shot by gunmen on April 9, in Barangay Montay, Malabang, Lanao del Sur, Philippines.

Julia Ashley “Jhigs” Legaspi, 71, business owner, advocate, spiritual warrior, and the first transgender Filipina appointed to public office in San Diego, died on April 10 of unknown causes, in San Diego, California.

Julia Ashley “Jhigs” Legaspi *(Source: Fox San Diego)*

Sandra Abano Martinez, also known as Sandra Cam, 64, whistleblower and key witness in Senate probes into jueteng, illegal gambling, and the pork barrel scam, died on April 10, in Manila, Philippines.

Sandra Abano Martinez *(Source: Philstar)*

Pilita Corrales, 85, Asia’s Queen of Songs, died of a heart attack on April 12, in Manila, Philippines.

Patrick Adiarte, 82, child star who played the Crown Prince in Broadway’s The King and I (1956) and appeared in Flower Drum Song and MASH*, died of pneumonia on April 15, in Los Angeles, California.

Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, also known as Nora Aunor, 71, superstar and National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts (2022), died while undergoing a heart procedure on April 16, in Manila, Philippines.

Nora Cabaltera Villamayor aka Nora Aunor *(Source: Asian Journal)*

Roberto S. Mariano, 81, economist and co-developer of the Diebold-Mariano test, died on April 17 at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital.

Roberto S. Mariano *(Source: Penn Economix)*

Horacio Ramos, 80, former Department of Environment and Natural Resources secretary under President Gloria Arroyo, died on April 17, in Manila, Philippines.

Suzie Laurel Delgado, 74, daughter of former senator Doy Laurel, died of cancer on April 19, in Manila, Philippines.

Suzie Laurel Delgado *(Source Facebook)*

Patricia Cojuangco Kierulf, 47, daughter of Tony Boy Cojuangco, died on April 19 of unknown causes, in Manila, Philippines.

Patricia Cojuangco Kierulf (left) *(Source: Bilyonario)*

Trinidad Herrera Repuno, 83, martial-law survivor and human rights activist, died on April 19, in Manila, Philippines.

Trinidad Herrera Repuno *(Source: Rappler)*

Fr. Brian Gore, 81, Columban priest and social justice advocate, died of old age on April 20, in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental, Philippines.

Fr. Brian Gore *(Source: Missionary Society of St. Columban)*

Angelito Toledo “Hajji” Alejandro, 70, OPM legend and balladeer, died of complications from stage-4 colon cancer on April 21, in Manila, Philippines.

Angelito Toledo “Hajji” Alejandro *(Source: Facebook)*

Gil Buenaventura, 72, veteran banker and former president of RCBC and DBP, died of brain cancer on April 21, in Manila, Philippines.

Joel Ruma, mayor of Barangay Illuru Sur, Cagayan, was gunned down during a campaign sortie on April 23, in Cagayan, Philippines.

Bianca Castro-Arabejo, also known as Jiggly Caliente, 44, Filipino-American drag performer and Drag Race Philippines judge, died on April 27 from complications of a severe infection following leg amputation, in San Pedro, Philippines.

Bianca Castro-Arabejo *(Source: Facebook)*

Jhon Isidor “Dee” Supelanas, trans woman activist and former UP Cebu student leader, was killed during an armed encounter with the military on April 27, in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental.

Jhon Isidor “Dee” Supelanas *(Source; Rappler)*

Ambassador Edgardo B. Espiritu, 89, banker and former finance secretary under President Joseph Estrada, died on April 28, in Bradbury, California.

Ambassador Edgardo B. Espiritu *(Source: InsiderPH)*

Juan “Johnny” Dayang, 89, veteran journalist and former mayor, was gunned down on April 29 at his residence in Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines.

Juan “Johnny” Dayang *(Source: Committee to Protect Journalists)*

Jose Ma. “Boy” Montelibano, 75, Inquirer.net columnist and Gawad Kalinga activist, died of cancer on April 30, in Manila, Philippines.

Jose Ma. “Boy” Montelibano *(Source: Facebook)*

May

Emmariel Ares, 25, reporter with Cebu Daily New Digital, died after being struck by a motorcycle on May 2, in Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines.

Frederick Charles Caballes Davao, also known as Ricky Davao, 63, award-winning actor and director, died of cancer on May 2, in Manila, Philippines.

Frederick Charles Caballes Davao aka Ricky Davao *(Source: Manila Standard)*

Bonjin Bolinao, 74, public relations managing director, died on May 6, in Manila, Philippines.

Roberto Reyes, also known as Amay Bisaya, 67, sidekick actor in action films alongside Fernando Poe Jr. and Ramon Revilla, died of complications from diabetes on May 8, in Manila, Philippines.

Ronnie Piedad and Albert Salimbot, employees of the Silay City local government who were verifying reports of vote buying, died of gunshot wounds on May 12, in Silay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines.

Rony V. Diaz, 93, multi-awarded fictionist, academic, literary historian, and former editor-publisher of The Manila Times, died on May 14, in Manila, Philippines.

Philipp Santiago II, 45, engineer and mountaineer, died on May 14 while preparing for a summit push on Mount Everest, becoming the first foreign casualty of the season. He collapsed at Camp 4 (26,000 feet), where lack of oxygen causes rapid deterioration of bodily functions.

Philipp Santiago II (Source: Explorers Web)

Larrie Silva, 74, pioneer of Philippine ready-to-wear fashion, died of kidney failure on May 14, in Manila, Philippines.

Jaime T. Licauco, 84, authority on inner mind development, paranormal phenomena, and Philippine mysticism, died on May 15, in Manila, Philippines.

Delfin L. Tolentino Jr., 75, poet, editor, professor emeritus of literature, and founding director of the Cordillera Studies Center at UP Baguio, died on May 17, in Baguio City, Philippines.

Antonio Benjamin Silva Perez, 74, playwright, screenwriter, poet, fictionist, visual artist, teacher, psychic trainer, and mage, died on May 20, in Quezon City, Philippines. He served as the U.S. Embassy’s cultural affairs specialist from 1979 and strengthened Filipino-American cultural exchange.

Antonio Benjamin Silva Perez (Source: Rappler)

Willi Red Buhay, 76, first artistic design director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Folk Arts Theater, died on May 20 following a quadruple bypass operation, in Chicago, Illinois.

Judge Cezar C. Peralejo Jr., 102, advocate of using Filipino in law and legal proceedings, died on May 21, in the Philippines.

Judge Cezar C. Peralejo Jr. (Source: Facebook)

Freddie Aguilar, 72, folk and Original Pilipino Music (OPM) icon best known for “Anak,” which sold 33 million copies worldwide, died of multiple organ failure on May 27 at the Philippine Heart Center, Manila, Philippines.

Freddie Aguilar (Source: Manila Standard)

Rodwick “Red” Sternberg, 50, actor who rose to fame in the 1990s teen drama T.G.I.S., died of a heart attack on May 27, in the United States.

Hassanul Basari Dimakuta Mapupuno, 61, Mindanao State University president, Sultan of the Royal House of Malaig, and former IBP Lanao del Sur chapter president, died on May 27 of unknown causes, in Marawi City, Philippines.

Hassanul Basari Dimakuta Mapupuno *(Source: Rappler)*

Thong Mamasalanao Asim, 56, newly elected municipal councilor of Datu Piang, was gunned down near his home on May 29, in Barangay Poblacion, Cotabato City, Philippines.

Thong Mamasalanao Asim (Source: Philippine News Agency)

Uzziel Delamide, 26, indie actress known for A Lab Story (2024), died of unknown causes on May 31.

June

Luis “Louie” Jalandoni, 90, former Catholic priest turned revolutionary, founder of Christians for National Liberation and chief international representative of the National Democratic Front, died of massive hemorrhage on June 7, in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Joe Galvez, 67, veteran photojournalist and former photo editor of GMA News Online, died on June 9 from complications of kidney disease, in Bataan, Philippines.

Victor “Cocoy” Laurel, 72, stage and film actor, died of cardiac arrest due to multiple organ failure on June 14, in Manila, Philippines.

Don Rodis, 72, longtime San Francisco Bay Area community leader and former president of FilAm Jaycees and Filipinos for Affirmative Action, drowned on June 14 after being swept away by waves in the Sea of Cortez, Los Cabos, Mexico.

Marie Guingona, former mayor of Gingoog City and daughter of former senator Teofisto Guingona III, died after a long illness on June 16, in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

Reynaldo Tamayo Sr., 72, ANGAT Party-list representative, died on June 21 of unknown causes, in Manila, Philippines.

Reynaldo Tamayo Sr. *(Source: Wikipedia)*

Ali Macalintal, 39, former journalist and broadcaster, human rights worker, and trans woman, was shot by an unidentified gunman on June 23 while inside an acupuncture clinic, in General Santos City, Philippines.

Horacio Victor “Ducky” Misa Paredes, 86, former press secretary under President Corazon Aquino, died on June 26 of unknown causes, in Medina, Misamis Oriental, Philippines.

Horacio Victor “Ducky” Misa Paredes *(Source: Facebook)*

Ashlyn Abong, 18, 5-foot-11 Gilas Pilipinas Girls prospect center, collapsed during practice and died on June 28 despite resuscitation efforts, in Manila, Philippines.

July

Harry Liu, 77, veteran stockbroker and former chair of the Philippine Stock Exchange, died of undisclosed causes on July 1, in Manila, Philippines.

Francisco L. Benedicto, 85, former ambassador to China, Singapore, and Brazil, and Cebuano businessman and philanthropist, died on July 2, in Cebu, Philippines.

Francisco L. Benedicto *(Source: Manila Times)*

Lolita Solis, 78, television-radio host and entertainment columnist, died on July 3 after years of battling kidney disease, in Manila, Philippines.

Jigger Jerusalem, 53, Mindanao-based journalist and Peace and Conflict Journalism Network fellow, died of a chronic heart condition on July 7, in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

Sophia Marie Coquilla, 19, college student and campus journalist, was stabbed 38 times on July 9, in her home in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, Philippines.

Sophia Marie Coquilla *(Source: Rappler)*

Leah Mosquera, 49, Israel-based caregiver from Negros Occidental, died on July 13 after sustaining severe injuries from an Iranian missile strike on her apartment in June, in Israel.

Juan Mercado, 94, veteran Cebuano journalist and columnist, died on July 16, in Cebu, Philippines.

Joel Garcia, 45, character actor frequently appearing in student and independent short films, died of unknown causes on July 18, in Manila, Philippines.

Fritz Infante, 84, music, theater, film, and television director, died of natural causes on July 21, in Manila, Philippines.

Ermin Garcia Jr., 77, journalist and publisher-editor of Sunday Punch, Pangasinan’s oldest community newspaper, died of prostate cancer on July 23, in Manila, Philippines.

Bayani Casimiro Jr., 57, comedian known for his role in Enteng Kabisote: Okay Ka, Fairy Ko, died of unknown causes on July 25, in Manila, Philippines

August

Klent John Brua, 39, husband of New Bataan Mayor Bianca Cualing-Brua, and Joseph Taping, 33, Montevista town councilor, died of heat stroke during a mountain trail run on August 3, in Davao del Norte, Philippines.

Joseph Taping and Klent John Brua (Source: Sunstar)

Danilo Barba, 34, schoolteacher at Balabagan Trade School, was shot by a 20-year-old student on August 4, in Lanao del Sur, Philippines.

Digna Santiago, 81, veteran film producer and sister of the late Cirio Santiago, died of unknown causes on August 5, in Manila, Philippines.

Philip George Vail Sr., 50, member of a prominent planting family in Negros Occidental, was gunned down by a lone attacker on August 5, in Negros Occidental, Philippines.

Nicky Perlas, 75, environmentalist and activist known for campaigns against nuclear power and pesticides, died on August 14, in Manila, Philippines.

Judy Araneta Roxas, 91, matriarch of the Araneta clan and mother of former senator Mar Roxas, died on August 26, in Manila, Philippines.

Judy Araneta Roxas *(Source: Bilyonario)*

Mike de Leon, 78, legendary independent filmmaker, died of cancer on August 28, in Manila, Philippines.

September

George de Jesus III, 54, award-winning theater actor, director, and playwright, died of a heart attack on September 9, in Valenzuela City, Bulacan, Philippines.

Roberto Feleo, 71, contemporary artist known for incorporating folk narratives in his work, died on September 13, in Manila, Philippines.

Oscar J. Hilado, 87, executive of the PHINMA conglomerate, died on September 17, in Manila, Philippines.

Andre Tiangco, 54, actor and director, died of unknown causes on September 23, in Manila, Philippines.

Angelito Antonio, 86, abstract modernist and expressionist painter, died of septic shock related to ventilator-associated pneumonia on September 24, in Manila, Philippines.

Angelito Antonio (Source: Nami Art Gallery)

Greg Brillantes, 92, writer and pillar of Philippine literature in English, died from complications of a fall on September 26, in Manila, Philippines.

Maria Elena R. Tantoco, 67, heir to Rustan’s, died of a heart attack on September 30, in Manila, Philippines.

Maria Elena R. Tantoco (Source: Bilyonario)

October

Ali Pangalian Balindong, 85, veteran lawyer and Bangsamoro Transition Authority parliament speaker, died on October 2, at St. Luke’s Medical Center, Quezon City, Philippines.

Ali Pangalian Balindong (Source: Wikipedia)

Oscar S. Reyes, 79, former president and CEO of Manila Electric Company and former chairman of Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, died on October 3, in Manila, Philippines.

Xavier Pardo de Tavera Loinaz, 82, veteran banker and former president and CEO of the Bank of the Philippine Islands, died on October 5, in Manila, Philippines.

Xavier Pardo de Tavera Loinaz *(Source: Manila Standard)*

Victor Arguelles Buencamino Jr., 103, brother of Felipe Buencamino III, died on October 6, in Manila, Philippines.

Victor Arguelles Buencamino Jr. *(Source: Facebook)*

Marico Enriquez, 82, longtime San Francisco Bay Area community leader and former San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Commission appointee, died of kidney complications on October 7, in Fairfield, California.

Marico Enriquez *(Source: Skylawn Memorial)*

Pablo Tariman, 76, journalist, poet, and impresario, died of pancreatic cancer on October 9, in Manila, Philippines.

Gerard Alexander “GA” Fallarme, 45, graphic, projection, and creative designer for the Virgin Labfest, died on October 10, in Manila, Philippines.

Gerard Alexander “GA” Fallarme (Source: Facebook)

Niruh Kyle Antatico, 40, former NIA Region 10 legal researcher, was shot dead on October 10 after reportedly exposing corruption in irrigation funding, in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

Pol A. Mesina Jr., 65, artist, died on October 11, in Manila, Philippines.

Katrin Muller-de Guia, 75, artist, author and culture-bearer, wife of National Artist Kidlat Tahimik (Eric de Guia), died on October 12, in Itogon, Benguet.

Katrin Muller-de Guia *(Source: Facebook)*

Susan Peña Joven, 76, public relations pioneer, died of rapid intestinal lung disease on October 17, in Manila, Philippines.

Susan Peña Joven (Source: Manila Bulletin)

Alfred “Bejo” Romualdez, 91, brother of former First Lady Imelda Marcos and uncle of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., died on October 17, in Manila, Philippines.

Alfred “Bejo” Romualdez *(Source: Rappler)*

Eduardo Ermita, 90, retired general and former executive secretary, died on October 18, in Manila, Philippines.

Davey Langit, 38, singer-songwriter, died of a rare spinal infection on October 21, in Manila, Philippines.

Carmela Rosario Pasquin, 41, municipal circuit trial court presiding judge, died in a motorcycle accident on October 22, in Cebu, Philippines.

Carmela Rosario Pasquin (Source: Manila Bulletin)

Emman Atienza, 19, social media influencer with over 900,000 TikTok followers, died by suicide on October 24, in Los Angeles, California.

Carmen Toledo, also known as Carmen Camacho, 86, kundiman singer and member of the Mabuhay Singers, died on October 19, in the Philippines.

Maria Luisa Reyes de la Fuente, also known as Louie Reyes, 74, veteran jazz singer and OPM pioneer, died of cancer on October 26, in Los Angeles, California.

Maria Luisa Reyes de la Fuente aka Louie Reyes *(Source: Inquirer)*

Manuel Bersamin, 67, first Filipino American mayor of Watsonville and Cabrillo College governing board member, died on October 27, in Watsonville, California.

Manuel Bersamin *(Source: Lookout Santa Cruz)*

November

Dondon Nakar, 66, singer, actor, and 1970s matinee idol, died of a heart attack on November 1, in Manila, Philippines.

Andrew “Ike” Barilea, 21, Alas Pilipinas middle blocker, died from a road accident on November 11, in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, Philippines.

Juan Ponce Enrile, 101, presidential legal counsel, former Senate president, and martial law implementor during the Marcos regime, died on November 13, in Manila, Philippines.

Juan Ponce Enrile (Source: Esquire Magazine PH)

Rosa Rosal, 97, legendary actress and former governor of the Philippine Red Cross, died on November 15, in Manila, Philippines.

Rosa Rosal *(Source: Philippine Entertainment Portal)*

Marie Carisa “Cai” Ordinario, 45, lecturer and award-winning journalist, died of cancer on November 17, in Manila, Philippines.

Marie Carisa “Cai” Ordinario (Source: UST)

Max Limpag, 49, veteran Cebu-based journalist known for investigative reporting on technology, religion, and overseas scam hubs, died of a heart attack on November 18, in Cebu, Philippines.

Sandra Marie Olaso-Coronel, 56, litigator and criminal law professor, died on November 19, in Manila, Philippines.

Sandra Marie Olaso-Coronel (Source: Philippine ENtertainment Portal)

Jess Navarro, 77, film editor and FAMAS Hall of Famer, died on November 22, in Manila, Philippines.

Dido de la Paz, 69, actor known for Respeto and Geisha of Death, died of cancer on November 22, in Manila, Philippines.

Maryan Pascual Esteban, 40, overseas Filipino worker, was killed in a massive fire at a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong on November 26. She is survived by her 10-year-old son in the Philippines.

Maryan Pascual Esteban (Source: South China Morning Post)

Queena Lee-Chua, 59, educator, mathematician, columnist, and acclaimed “math wizard,” died after a lingering illness on November 26, in Manila, Philippines.

Florante Peter Ibanez, 74, activist, scholar, librarian, author, photographer, and historian, and a revered member of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS), died on November 30, in Southern California.

December

Antipas “Biboy” Delotavo, 71, visual artist known for depicting Philippine social realities, died during aneurysm surgery on December 2, in Manila, Philippines.

Antipas “Biboy” Delotavo *(Source: Instagram)*

Jimmy Mariano, 84, former PBA player, Olympian, and champion coach, died on December 7, in Manila, Philippines.

Cesar Augusto Buenaventura, 96, management expert and founding chairman of the Filipinas Shell Foundation and the Makati Business Club, died on December 10, in Manila, Philippines.

Cesar Augusto Buenaventura *(Source: Inquirer)*

Norma Japitana, veteran journalist, entertainment writer, talent manager, PR practitioner, and author, died on December 10, in Manila, Philippines.

Norma Japitana (Source: Kalikasan Vigilante)

Benjie Liwanag Jr., 61, broadcast journalist and senior vice president of DWAR Abante Radyo, died of unknown causes on December 12, in Manila, Philippines.

Ma. Catalina Cabral, 63, former DPWH undersecretary under investigation for flood control project anomalies, died by apparent suicide on December 19, in Tuba, Benguet, Philippines.

Romeo M. Acop, 78, incumbent Antipolo District 2 congressman and retired three-star police general, died of a heart attack on December 20, at his home in Antipolo City, Philippines.

Cesar P. Pobre, 98, Army colonel, historian, author, and former dean of the Philippine Military Academy Corps of Professors, died on December 22, in Manila, Philippines.

Cesar P. Pobre *(Source: Manila Standard)*

Diosdado “Dado” Banatao, 78, technology engineer, entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and philanthropist, died on December 25, in Stanford, California.

Ismael Jampayas, 89, microbiologist, clinical pathology professor, and pillar of the Filipino American community in New York, died of cardiac arrest on December 28, in New York, United States.

The Magazine

In Memoriam 2025