Actor, singer and director Joey Paras passed away on 29 October. He was 45.
"To all of our family and friends, we are saddened to announce that our Tito Joey Paras passed away and joined our Creator this afternoon, October 29, 2023 at 5:40 p.m. Unfortunately his heart wasn't able to recover anymore," his niece Zciara Shyne Sinchon-Fabian announced on Facebook.
Paras' family is asking for help in settling the hospital bills. As of writing, his body remains at the hospital's morgue.
"Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng nagpaabot ng kanilang pakikiramay sa aming pamilya. Salamat rin po sa lahat ng nagpaabot ng pinansyal na tulong, nangangailangan po kami ng tulong pinansyal para po sa hospital bills ng Tito Joey Paras ko, at para maisaayos po namin siya at maiuwi sa amin (Thank you very much to everyone who sent their condolences to our family. Thank you also to everyone who extended financial help, we need it for the hospital bills of my uncle Joey Paras, so that we can bring him home with us)," Sinchon-Fabian said.
Paras first underwent heart surgery in July 2018. He was also diagnosed with Covid-19 in 2020, and also had an angioplasty operation.
A prolific actor for theater, TV and film, Paras started out with the Cultural Center of the Philippines' resident theater company Tanghalang Pilipino, training under its founding director Nonon Padilla.
In 2008, Paras was named Aliw Awards' Best Stage Actor in a Straight Play for the Virgin Labfest play Ang Bayot, Ang Meranao at ang Habal-Habal sa isang Nakakabagot na Paghihintay sa Kanto ng Lanao del Norte. He also starred in TP's original blockbuster production of ZsaZsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal.
He wrote the Virgin Labfest play Bawal Tumawid, Nakakamatay, and also founded Teatro Expedicion de Filipinas, a non-stock, non-profit theater organization that staged original theater works such as musicals, plays and storytelling skits.
His film credits include the dramedy Last Supper Number 3 which won best film at the Cinemalaya Film Festival in 2009; Sisterakas, Born Beautiful, Ayuda Babes, Working Beks, Maria Leonora Teresa, Working Girls, Bromance: My Brother's Romance and Bekikang: Ang Nanay Kong Beki.
Paras was also featured in the television series Maging Sino Ka Man as well as Sunday PinaSaya, Mulawin vs Ravena, The Last Prince and Princess in the Palace.
