April 2025 Obituary

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.