MAY 2025 Obituary

Veteran actress and National Artist Nora Aunor has died while undergoing a heart procedure, just a month before her 72nd birthday in May.

Her death was announced by her son, actor Ian de Leon, who posted on Facebook.

In February 2023, she said in an interview with Boy Abunda that she “died for three minutes” at a hospital where she rushed herself after experiencing low oxygen levels. Miraculously, she woke up again in the intensive care unit (ICU), she had said.

As an icon and a legend to many, Aunor was the ultimate artist for being able to master singing, dancing, and acting in theater and on the silver screen, and even on the radio. She was also a record producer and film producer. She was also the most celebrated and the most awarded actress in Philippine show business.

She began her career in stage plays before transitioning to television, and then in making films, for which she was later called the “Grand Dame of Philippine Cinema,” and a Hall of Fame awardee at the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (Famas), arguably, the highest acting award-giving body in the Philippines. She was also named the champion of the popular singing contest “Tawag ng Tanghalan” on her second attempt with her rendition of “Moonlight Becomes You” in 1967.

Aunor was also the host of the long-running musical variety show “Superstar,” which premiered in 1967 and lasted for 22 years. She was joined by the late German Moreno, Cherie Gil, Jaclyn Jose, and Jograd de la Torre.

As a provincial lass from Iriga, Camarines Sur, Aunor rose to fame in her film debut “All Over the World” (1967), starring Eddie Gutierrez and Rosemarie Sonora. Among her other critically-acclaimed movies were “Minsa’y May Isang Gamu-Gamo” (1976), “Bona” (1980), “Himala” (1982), “Bulaklak sa City Jail” (1984),  and more recently, “Mananambal” (2024). (Inquirer News Service)

By Jessica Ann Evangelista

INQUIRER.net

PILITA Corrales, Asia’s Queen of Songs, has died at the age of 85, her granddaughter actress Janine Gutierrez confirmed on Instagram on April 12.

“She touched the lives of many, not only with her songs but also with her kindness and generosity. She will be remembered for her contributions to the entertainment industry, but most of all for her love of life and family,” continued the young actress.

Corrales is survived by her daughter actress Jackie Lou Blanco and son Ramon “Monching” Christopher Gutierrez.

Corrales, known for her distinctive vocal style and her signature “backbend,” popularized the hits “Kapantay ay Langit,” “A Million Thanks to You” and “Dahil Sa’yo,” among others.

Aside from her decorated musical career, Corrales was a mainstay on Philippine television, notably co-hosting “An Evening with Pilita” and being a judge on talent shows like “Philippine Idol.” She also appeared in many films alongside the late actors Fernando Poe Jr. and Dolphy.

By Hannah Mallorca

INQUIRER.net

HAJJI Alejandro has died of complications due to stage 4 colon cancer, his family confirmed. He was 70 years old. 

He was survived by his three children, singer-actress Rachel, chef Barni Alejandro and Mojofly drummer Ali Diaz Alejandro.

The OPM singer’s battle with colon cancer was made public by his longtime girlfriend Alynna Velasquez during an interview with broadcast journalist Julius Babao in March 2024. She also revealed that he has since undergone surgery and battled an infection, and has since returned home.

Alejandro, who started his entertainment career in the 1970s, made a name for himself as the “kilabot ng mga kolehiyala (college crush),” with his captivating charm and swoon-worthy vocals. He has been active in the OPM scene for more than four decades.

He is best known for his songs “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika,” “Nakapagtataka,” “Tag-Araw, Tag-Ulan,” “Panakip-Butas,” “If I Were Man Enough,” and “May Minamahal,” to name a few.

By Gavin Martinez

INQUIRER.net U.S. Bureau 

Filipino American actor and dancer Patrick Adiarte, who starred in “The King and I” and the hit TV series “M*A*S*H,” has died at the age of 82. 

His niece confirmed that the actor succumbed to pneumonia in a hospital in Los Angeles, The Daily Mail reported.

In 1946, the family immigrated to the United States, arriving through Ellis Island. Just five years after settling in the country, a young Adiarte found himself in the bright lights of Broadway.

His roles included Prince Chulalongkorn in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The King and I, Wang San in Flower Drum Song, and David in The Brady Bunch.  

When the beloved musical was adapted into a Hollywood film, Adiarte took on the role of Prince Chulalongkorn, performing alongside legends like Yul Brynner, Deborah Kerr and Rita Moreno.

His IMDb biography highlights this period as the beginning of a remarkable career. Adiarte’s artistic talents were not confined to the stage or screen as he also showcased his dancing prowess in a memorable sequence with Gene Kelly. 

Although he later stepped away from the limelight, Adiarte’s contributions helped shape the visibility of Asian and Filipino talent in American entertainment. 

ERIBERTO Ramiro Pagana, 89, passed away on March 24 in Chicago, Illinois. Bert is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Lyra (Kurt) Long and his only granddaughter Karina Jasmine Long (12); his sister, Virginia Pagana Caja, as well as numerous relatives and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his wife, Carman Rina Pagana; his daughter. Irma Pagana; his parents Dionisia and Tiburcio Pagana; brother Armando Pagana and sister Yolanda Pagana Tagarao. 

Wake held at Drake and Son Funeral Home. Funeral Mass at Queen of Angels Church at Queen of Apostles Parish. Interment at Maryhill Catholic Cemetery.

SALLY De Ocampo Guerra passed away on April 13 at age 71. She was born in Lipa City, Philippines.  Survived by her spouse Al Guerra, by daughters Beth and Cathy; and grandkids Sean, Kiley, Charlette, Ian and Timmy. Survived by her brothers Sam Jerson and Lyndon. Wake was held on April 18-19 at Salerno's Rosedale Chapels. The place of Funeral held at Friendship United Methodist Church.  Interment Clarendon Hills Cemetery.

JOSE “Joey” Hernandez Lamadrid, age 80, of Jacksonville, Florida, died  March 16. He attended the Philippine Maritime Institute (P.M.I), then completed the Advanced Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, and was commissioned as an Ensign (O-1) in the Republic of the Philippine Navy. He is survived by his wife, Maggie Lamadrid; his children Renato (Mandy) Cabagbag, Vivien Joy Lamadrid, James (Irma) Lamadrid,  Elaine (Vince) Kajohn; sisters Nelly, Anita, Jessie, Roselie (Isidore) Del Valle, Arlene (Teodorico) Baytan, siblings Edwin  (Sally) Lamadrid; and grandchildren Jasmine, Kayli, Keira, Dylan, Kyren.

MANILA— Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board member and jueteng whistleblower Sandra Cam has died, her family confirmed on Friday.

Cam’s son, Marco, announced the death of his 64-year-old mother in a statement posted on his Facebook account. He said his mother died on April 10, but he gave no other details.

Cam first gained prominence in 2005 when she confessed that she had served as a bagwoman who collected money from jueteng operators and delivered them to public officials.

She said she regularly delivered bribes to the late Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo and former Pampanga Second District Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo.

In 2019, then PCSO board member Cam appealed to then-President Rodrigo Duterte to relieve her of her duties, citing corruption issues in the agency.

She said the agency lost a lot of money due to shortfalls, and some P10 billion went missing due to the Peryahan ng Bayan project.

In 2023, she apologized to staunch Duterte critic Leila de Lima, saying that she was “used as a tool” for the imprisonment of the former senator and justice secretary that led to the latter’s years in detention. (Charie Abarca/PDI)

INQUIRER.net US Bureau 

LOS ANGELES – Val Kilmer, who starred in Hollywood blockbusters as “Top Gun,” “Batman” and “Tombstone,”  died of  pneumonia on April 2. He was 65.

In 1991, Kilmer played rocker Jim Morrison in ”The Doors” and the following year starred as an FBI agent in ”Thunderheart.” In 1995, Kilmer starred in  ”Batman Forever ” and in 1997 ”The Saint.”  At 17, he was the youngest drama student ever admitted at the Juilliard School in 1981. His break came in 1984’s spy spoof “Top Secret!”– a parody of spy movies in which he plays an American rocker who stumbles into an East Germany reunification plot. He acted in the comedies “Real Genius,”  “MacGruber” and “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.”

He played a dashing leading man starring alongside Kurt Russell  in 1993’s “Tombstone,” as Elvis’ ghost in “True Romance” and as a bank-robbing demolition expert in Michael Mann’s 1995 film “Heat” with Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.  (With CNS report)

NICOLAS Compra, Jr., Age 88. Beloved husband of Virginia. Father of Reyna Compra and Irene Compra.  He is survived by siblings Sr. Maria Benita Compra, R.V.M., Evangeline “Ellen” Compra, Arturo (Lolita) Compra, and Osita (Ramon) Elizaga.A wake was held at Salerno's Rosedale Chapels. Memorial Mass held at Saint Matthew Church. Interment Galleria at Salerno's.

Josefina P. Wee Sit, 91. She is survived by her children Elma (Thomas Leonard), Evro (Marilyn) , and Ervin (Kimberly). Preceded in death by her husband Tito. She was a President of the Philippine Independence Week Committee She was a Special Education Teacher at Saint Colleta/The Kennedy School in Chicago. Funeral Mass at nt Julie Billiart Catholic Church on April 26. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. 

REYNALDO Leano Fajardo, of Chicago, Illinois, died at age 84 on April 4. He is survived by his wife, Norina Amboy Fajardo; his daughter Mary Grace Amboy Fajardo and his sister Miraflor Fajardo Battista. He worked abroad in Singapore, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia. Wake held at Smith Corcoran Funeral Home.Memorial Mass at St. Padre Pio Parish.

JOSEFINA A. Bustamante "Josie" died on March 24, age 78. She was the wife of Dennis J. Kellogg; daughter of the late Marcelino Singson Bustamante, Sr. and the late Manuela Mata Aquino; and sister of nine siblings. Wake held at Colonial-Wojciechowski Funeral Home. Memorial mass at All Saints Parish/ St. Isaac Jogues Church. Interment Maryhill Cemetery.

JULES Artajo died on March 8 at age 55. A native of Dapitan City, he came to the US when he was 15. He lived in Chicago until 1995 then moved to OKC to work with his Uncle Eddie Artajo. Survived by his mother Jurita Rosal, five children, three siblings. Wake held at Colonial Wojciechowski Funeral Home.  Memorial Mass held at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church. Interment Maryhill Cemetery.

NARCISO “Butch” Racal Jr. died on March 29 at age 51. He worked as a die shop operator and as a motor mechanic at Prompt Electric Motors. He is survived by his wife, Erlinda Racal; his children Samantha (Gee) Vang; Anthony Ian Irle (Tara) Cabanayan; his mother, Nita Durante; and many nephews. A wake and a service to honor Butch’s life were held at Colonial-Wojciechowski Funeral Home. Funeral Service at the funeral home.  Cremation private.

MANILA—Retail magnate Vivian Que-Azcona, president of leading drug store chain Mercury Group of Companies, died on April 5 at the age of 69. Que-Azcona and her siblings ranked 14th among the 50 richest families in the Philippines, based on the 2024 ranking of Forbes Magazine.  The magazine estimated their net worth at $1.7 billion.

She continued to lead Mercury group, which was founded by her father Mariano Que in 1945, long after the latter’s death in March 2017.

 Que-Azcona graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the University of Santo Tomas. She became a licensed pharmacist and joined Mercury Drug in 1977 as a staff assistant. Mercury Drug has expanded into a network of around 1,200 stores across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. (Inquirer News Service)

 Alan K. Simpson, a Wyoming Republican who served three controversy-rich terms in the U.S. Senate, died March 14. He was 93. Pushing the 1986 immigration bill through Congress was  his major legislative accomplishment.Mr. Simpson was first elected in 1978 and served 10 years as the GOP whip.  

The Senate leadership tapped Simpson in 1981 as chairman of a newly formed Judiciary subcommittee on immigration, and worked on legislation with his House counterpart, Rep. Romano Mazzoli (D-Kentucky).

The resulting Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, best known as Simpson-Mazzoli, had three key provisions: amnesty for undocumented immigrants who arrived before 1982; penalties for employers who knowingly hired illegal immigrants; and increased funding for immigration enforcement. The law, however, fell short of expectations. Instead of declining, the number of illegal immigrants more than tripled over the succeeding 20 years, according to government estimates. (Washington Post)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic U.S. Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva of Arizona, who championed environmental protection during his 12 terms in Congress, died March 19, his office said. Grijalva was 77.

Grijalva, the son of a Mexican immigrant, was first elected to the House in 2002. Known as a liberal leader, he led the Congressional Progressive Caucus in 2008 working on environmental causes on the Natural Resources Committee. 

In recent years, he also led advocacy in Congress for the creation of a new national monument near the Grand Canyon. It was part of an effort to protect the area from uranium mining and to acknowledge repeated calls by Native American tribes that sought to protect more of their ancestral homelands. He also opposed plans to develop a major copper mine in southern Arizona. (With reports from PBS, Jonathan Cooper, Susan Montoya Bryan)

LOS ANGELES (AP)— Richard Chamberlain, the handsome hero of the 1960s television series “Dr. Kildare” died on March 29. He was 90.

He was the compassionate physician on the TV series that aired from 1961 to 1966.  He scored his greatest miniseries success in 1983 with another long-form drama, “The Thorn Birds,” based on Colleen McCullough’s best-seller. He played Father Ralph de Bricassart, a Roman Catholic priest in Australia who falls in love with beautiful Meggie Cleary (Rachel Ward).  It reportedly attracted 100 million viewers. Chamberlain won Golden Globes for his work in “Shogun” and “The Thorn Birds.” Years earlier, he received one for “Dr. Kildare.”

Delia Razon, an award-winning actress whose career in Philippine cinema lasted for seven decades, and grandmother of Kapuso actress Carla Abellana, died on March 15. She was 94 years old.

Razon’s death was confirmed by Abellana on her Instagram page a day later. The cause of her death has not been disclosed, as of press time.

Born Lucy May Grytz, Razon was the daughter of a Filipina-Spanish mother and a German father. She started her entertainment career in the 1949 film “Krus na Bituin,” and her screen name was given by the late producer and businesswoman Dona Narcisa de Leon. Her team-up with Rogelio dela Rosa also rode her to stardom.

Some of her notable films include “Rodrigo de Villa,” “Lapu-Lapu,” “Luksang Tagumpay,” “Prinsipe Teñoso,” “Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan?,” “Haplos,” and “Kailan Sasabihing Mahal Kita,” among others.

Razon was nominated for a Best Actress award at the 1957 FAMAS Awards for her performance in “Luksang Tagumpay” and received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.

Her daughter is Rea Reyes, who also briefly dabbled into acting before marrying popular 80’s heartthrob Rey PJ Abellana, Carla’s father. (Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net)

Veteran actress and National Artist Nora Aunor has died while undergoing a heart procedure, just a month before her 72nd birthday in May.

Her death was announced by her son, actor Ian de Leon, who posted on Facebook.

In February 2023, she said in an interview with Boy Abunda that she “died for three minutes” at a hospital where she rushed herself after experiencing low oxygen levels. Miraculously, she woke up again in the intensive care unit (ICU), she had said.

As an icon and a legend to many, Aunor was the ultimate artist for being able to master singing, dancing, and acting in theater and on the silver screen, and even on the radio. She was also a record producer and film producer. She was also the most celebrated and the most awarded actress in Philippine show business.

She began her career in stage plays before transitioning to television, and then in making films, for which she was later called the “Grand Dame of Philippine Cinema,” and a Hall of Fame awardee at the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (Famas), arguably, the highest acting award-giving body in the Philippines. She was also named the champion of the popular singing contest “Tawag ng Tanghalan” on her second attempt with her rendition of “Moonlight Becomes You” in 1967.

Aunor was also the host of the long-running musical variety show “Superstar,” which premiered in 1967 and lasted for 22 years. She was joined by the late German Moreno, Cherie Gil, Jaclyn Jose, and Jograd de la Torre.

As a provincial lass from Iriga, Camarines Sur, Aunor rose to fame in her film debut “All Over the World” (1967), starring Eddie Gutierrez and Rosemarie Sonora. Among her other critically-acclaimed movies were “Minsa’y May Isang Gamu-Gamo” (1976), “Bona” (1980), “Himala” (1982), “Bulaklak sa City Jail” (1984),  and more recently, “Mananambal” (2024). (Inquirer News Service)

Feliciano C. “Felix or Pilli” Dela Cruz Piocos of Chicago, Illinois, a veteran of World War II, passed away on March 15 at the age of 103.  Feliciano was predeceased by his wife Esmenia with eight children.  His was the Chairman of any agricultural issues. Feliciano is survived by 18 grandchildren. He hadseventeen great grandchildren. Wake held at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home.

NORMA de Leon Maranan, age 96. Wife of the late Col. Andres A. Maranan. Mother of Normandy L. (Teresita), Henry L.(Belinda), Edsel L. (Maria), Allan L. (Amy), Glenn L. (Shirley), Ariel L. (Maria), Ronald L. (Teresita), Andrew L. (Pinky) and the late Rey L. (Belinda). Gandmother of 18. Great-grandmother of 15. Wake at Salerno’s Rosedale Chapels. Memorial Mass at St. Matthew Church, Schaumburg. Interment St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery. 

YOLANDA Rubi Castro, a resident of Old Irving Park,died Feb. 22 at age 83. Earned a degree in Commerce at Stella Maris College. Predeceased by husband, Josefino Castro. Survived by sons, Ronald and Rich; grandchildren, Catrina (Steven), Cielo, and Kayla; and great-grandchildren, Henry, Damen, and Archer. Wake at Smith-Corcoran Funeral. Mass at St. Viator Church. Interment Mt. Olive Cemetery.

Bernardino C. Bingayen, Sr., age 78, of Skokie  died on March 12 in Glenview. Husband of Wilma, and the late Carmen, née Aguilar; father of six, Jr., and Lea (Lovell) Cueto; grandfather of 11; Visitation at Haben Funeral Home & Crematory. Memorial Mass held at St. Peter Church of Ss. Peter & Lambert Catholic Parish Interment Maryhill Catholic Cemetery, Niles.

Bernardino C. Bingayen, Sr., age 78, of Skokie  died on March 12 in Glenview. Husband of Wilma, and the late Carmen, née Aguilar; father of six, Jr., and Lea (Lovell) Cueto; grandfather of 11; Visitation at Haben Funeral Home & Crematory. Memorial Mass held at St. Peter Church of Ss. Peter & Lambert Catholic Parish Interment Maryhill Catholic Cemetery, Niles.

JAIME Dilay Babao died March 14 in Chicago, Illinois. Husband to Myrna Reynoso Babao. Father of Amabel B. (Louis) Neely and Maribel B. (Monico) Yadao. Grandpa of Justin Jordan Neely and Maximus James  He was a benefits coordinator at Walgreens in Deerfield. Wake held at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home. Memorial Mass at Queen of All Saints Basilica. Interment All Saints Cemetery.

MARILYN Allado Pasetes passed away on March 5 at age 67. She was a nurse. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Lumawig “Lou” Pasetes; their  children: Vincent Marlo, Felize Dominique, Mikhail Stefan and Aprille Joy; their six grandchildren. Wake held at Colonial-Wojciechowski Funeral Home. A celebration of life was held at CityLine Bible Church.

MILAGROS De La Rosa, age 67, died on March 1 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Mother of Jessica, Cesar, and David. Wake held at Midtown Funeral Home and Cremation Options. Wife to Cesar De La Rosa.