From controversies to new milestones, 2024 was another colorful year in Philippine show business.
Unfortunately, the outgoing year will also be remembered as the time when beloved personalities from showbiz, media, and the arts bid their final goodbyes.
Many were left mourning the passing of veteran entertainment writer and film critic Mario Bautista; visual artist, podcaster, and former Promil "Gifted Child" CJ De Silva-Ong; radio personality CJ Rivera; medical doctor and mental health advocate Gia Sison; and entrepreneur David Charlton, founder of the popular David's Salon.
Other notable figures who passed away include Danny Ledesma Mandia, known as the "Father of Modern Filipino Dubbing," entrepreneur-statesman Larry Henares Jr., Robert Billini, owner of the Italian restaurant Bellini’s at Cubao Expo, and sports journalist Chino Trinidad.
Meanwhile, the following showbiz personalities left their peers and fans shocked and grieving by their untimely departure.
However, their legacy in the entertainment industry will endure, and they will never be forgotten.
Deo Endrinal
Born: November 8, 1963
Known for: Roldeo "Deo" Edrinal, a creative force behind many of ABS-CBN's most memorable programs, wore many hats during his tenure at the Kapamilya network — as writer, producer, and head of Dreamscape Entertainment.
He started the very successful Kapamilya shows Showbiz Lingó, Teysi Ng Tahanan, The Buzz, Today With Kris Aquino, and was part of the team that created ASAP.
Deo founded Dreamscape Entertainment in 1992, and since then produced many ABS-CBN well-loved television dramas—including Mara Clara, Mula Sa Puso, Saan Ka Man Naroroon, Tayong Dalawa, May Bukas Pa, On the Wings of Love, 100 Days to Heaven, FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, and Dirty Linen.
Moreover, many of the programs produced by Dreamscape under Deo's stewardship launched the careers of more than a handful of Kapamilya stars, past and present.
Died: Deo died on February 3, 2024, due to multiple organ failure.
Tikoy Aguiluz
Born: September 23, 1947
Known for: Director Amable "Tikoy" Aguiluz IV was a controversy magnet since he arrived on the scene with his first movie Boatman in 1984, starring Sarsi Emmanuelle and Ronnie Lazaro.
Tikoy's works had a distinctive edge, displaying the director's maverick spirit and penchant for the unconventional—a quality often reinforced by his occasional clashes with censors.
However, unlike other directors who liked having the reputation of mavericks, Tikoy had real talent. His films, therefore, were worth the controversy and hype.
Some notable films in Tikoy's repertoire include Balweg, Segurista, Rizal In Dapitan, Tatsulok, Tatarin, www.XXX.com, Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story, and El Brujo.
Died: Tikoy's passing on February 18, 2024, was confirmed by his family in a statement released to the public.
Jaclyn Jose
Born: October 21, 1963
Known for: Jaclyn Jose, whose real name was Mary Jane Guck, first made a name as a sexy actress who appeared in provocative films such as Escort Girls, White Slavery, Private Show, and Takaw Tukso, where she won her first acting award in 1987.
Jaclyn’s remarkable depth as an actress allowed her to transition effortlessly from sexy star to respected artist.
She became a prominent fixture in films produced by both independent studios and major production houses, collaborating with seasoned and emerging directors alike.
Some of Jaclyn's memorable films included Macho Dancer, Imortal, The Flor Contemplacion Story, Mulanay, Patay na si Hesus, and Ma’ Rosa, which won her the Best Actress award at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival.
Died: Jaclyn died on March 2, 2024, from a myocardial infarction or heart attack.
Floy Quintos
Born: April 17, 1961
Known for: Floy Quintos was a Palanca-winning playwright, scriptwriter, film and TV writer-director, and poet.
Among his musicals and stage plays were The Kundiman Party, Angry Christ, Grace, Fluid, and The Reconciliation Dinner.
In television, he became the director of GMA-7's big showbiz-oriented talk show, Startalk, now defunct. He also served as creative director for the 2019 SEA Games opening ceremony.
Among the films he wrote scripts for were Wating, Darna: Ang Pagbabalik, and Koronang Itim.
Died: Floy died on April 27, 2024, following a heart attack.
Carlo J. Caparas
Born: March 12, 1943
Known for: During his prolific years as a writer, Carlo J. Caparas produced hundreds of stories that graced the pages of Filipino comics.
Many of these works became literary treasures, introducing memorable characters that have since become iconic local superheroes.
His creative genius brought to life beloved figures like Panday, Bakekang, Kamandag, Totoy Bato, Elias Paniki, Gagambino, Tasya Fantasya, and Joaquin Bordado, among many others.
Carlo's creations seamlessly crossed over to films and television, ensuring their continued relevance and appreciation by new generations of fans.
Casting a shadow on his reputation, however, were his later foray into directing “massacre movies,” widely regarded as mediocre and forgettable; and the controversy surrounding his 2009 conferment as National Artist of the Philippines, endorsed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo without going through the standard rigorous selection process.
The Supreme Court eventually nullified Caparas's National Artist honor, ruling that the comic strip writer was "given preferential treatment" by President Arroyo, who was found to have "committed grave abuse of discretion."
Read: Carlo J. Caparas says National Artist Award controversy is "a thing of the past"
Yet, these controversies failed to diminish Carlo J. Caparas' enduring and significant contributions to Philippine culture.
Died: Carlo passed away on May 24, 2024. His loved ones did not disclose the cause of death.
Lily YU Monteverde
Born: August 19, 1938
Known for: What would Philippine cinema be without Lily Yu Chu Monteverde, fondly known as Mother Lily?
As founder of Regal Entertainment Inc., she produced films that defined generations, particularly from the 1970s to the late 2000s.
Among the many gems in Regal’s illustrious catalog are Temptation Island, Manila by Night, Sister Stella L., Scorpio Nights, Relasyon, Batang X, and the iconic Shake, Rattle & Roll and Mano Po series.
Mother Lily gave countless artists their first big break through her film studio, many of whom have since become luminaries and highly respected figures in show business.
Died: Mother Lily died on August 4, 2024, at Medical City in Pasig City.
Coritha
Born: June 27, 1951
Known for: Socorro Avelino, better known as Coritha, gained fame in the 1970s as a folk singer and songwriter.
She is best remembered for her iconic songs, including "Oras Na," "Sierra Madre," and "Lolo Jose."
Died: Coritha passed away on September 27, 2024. She suffered a stroke in February of the same year. Her steadily declining health left the singer-songwriter bedridden and in dire need of medical attention and financial assistance. Controversy followed a Julius Babao footage showing a hapless Coritha in bed staring vacantly into space. Many of her artist friends wanted more respect for the singer.
Maita Sanchez
Born: April 2, 1969
Known for: Before entering politics, former Pagsanjan, Laguna mayor Girlie “Maita” Ejercito was an actress who appeared in the movies Sa Dulo ng Baril, Lagalag: The Eddie Fernandez Story, Minsan Pa: Kahit Pagtingin Part 2, Hagedorn, Pagbabalik ng Probinsyano, Ang Dalubhasa, and Batas ng Lansangan.
She was last seen on the big screen via the horror film Shake, Rattle & Roll The Extreme in 2023.
Died: Maita lost her battle with endometrial cancer on November 3, 2024.
Robert Alejandro
Born: December 21, 1963
Known for: Being a wonderful artist.
Robert co-founded the popular stationery gift shop Papemelroti, where he also served as a production designer.
Kids remember him for his time as the host of the children's art program Art Is-Kool, which aired on GMA-7, where he was affectionately called "Kuya Robert."
He also worked as a correspondent for the defunct documentary program The Probe Team.
Died: Robert had battled colon cancer since 2016. He died on November 5, 2024.
Mercy Sunot
Born: November 6, 1976
Known for: As a founding member of the rock group Aegis, Mercy Sunot, blessed with a powerful voice that would rival any of the country's belters, brought to life many of the band’s unforgettable hits, particularly the iconic "Luha."
Collectively, Aegis, aside from "Luha," churned out the hits "Bakit (Tanong Ko Sa 'Yo)," "Sinta," "I Love You Na Lang Sa Tago," "Christmas Bonus," and "Basang-Basa Sa Ulan."
Died: Mercy succumbed to cancer on November 17, 2024, while confined at the Stanford Hospital and Clinics in San Francisco, California.
Bobby Garcia
Born: September 15, 1969
Known for: Bobby Garcia was considered one of the biggest names in theater, not only in the Philippines but also internationally.
Died: Bobby passed away on December 17, 2024, in Vancouver, Canada.