Farewell, icons

The Philippine entertainment industry bid farewell to several well-known figures in 2024. Here’s a tribute to their lasting legacies:

Jaclyn Jose (March 1963 - March 2024)

Veteran actress Jaclyn Jose passed away at 60 due to a heart attack. Her illustrious career spanned four decades, featuring notable roles in White Slavery, Private Show and Ma’ Rosa, which earned her the Best Actress award at Cannes in 2016.

Carlo J. Caparas (May 1943 - May 2024)

Renowned writer-director and comic strip creator Carlo J. Caparas left an indelible mark on Philippine pop culture. He created iconic superheroes like Panday and directed films like The Vizconde Massacre. Caparas was 80.

Chino Trinidad (July 1967 - July 2024)

Veteran sports journalist Chino Trinidad succumbed to a heart attack at 56. His notable works include hosting “Time Out” on 24 Oras and “Saksi sa Dobol B” on Super Radyo dzBB.

Lily Monteverde (August 1938 - August 2024)

Regal Entertainment matriarch Lily Monteverde, affectionately known as “Mother Lily,” passed away at 84. Her production company produced blockbuster films like Mano Po; Shake Rattle and Roll and award-winners: Relasyon; Sister Stella L; Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit, among others.

Floy Quintos (April 1960 - April 2024)

Acclaimed playwright and stage director Floy Quintos left a lasting impact on Philippine theater. His notable works include The Kundiman Party and Angry Christ. Quintos was 63.

Tikoy Aguiluz (April 1952 - April 2024)

Renowned filmmaker Tikoy Aguiluz, known for directing Segurista and Manila Kingpin, passed away at 72.

Deo Endrinal (1964 - 2024)

Deo Endrinal, head of ABS-CBN’s Dreamscape Entertainment, left a legacy in Philippine television. He produced shows like May Bukas Pa; FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano; FPJ’s Batang Quiapo and The Buzz. Endrinal was 60.

Mercy Sunot (1976-2024)

Mercy Sunot, a member of the Filipino rock band, passed away due to breast cancer at the Stanford Hospital and Clinics in San Francisco, California last month.

Her powerful voice completed the band’s hits namely “Sinta,” “Luha,” and “Basang-basa sa Ulan.”

Public servants

Former Senator Santanina Tillah Rasul, 94

Rasul, who made history as the first Muslim woman to serve in the Philippine Senate and the first Muslim senator to win reelection, passed away on November 28, 2024, at the age of 94. She served as senator from 1987 to 1992 and from 1992 to 1995.

She was the author of landmark legislations which include: Republic Act No. (RA) 6850, which grants civil service eligibility to government employees who have worked in a career civil service position for at least seven years; R.A. 6949, which declared March 8 as National Women’s Day; R.A. 7192, which dismantled gender discrimination, opened the doors of the Philippine Military Academy to women, allocated funds for women in all government agencies; and, R.A. 7168, which elevated the Philippine Normal College to Philippine Normal University.

Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr., 74

A seasoned politician and lawyer, Barzaga served as the representative of Cavite’s 4th District in the House of Representatives from 2010 to 2016 and again from 2019 until his passing on April 27, 2024.

Barzaga served as the long-time president of the National Unity Party (NUP), which endorsed the presidential bid of then-former senator and now-President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. However, he defied his party’s choice of candidate and campaigned instead for former Vice President Leni Robredo.

Journalists

Ruben Alabastro, 83

Several prominent members of the press passed away this year, leaving behind their remarkable contributions to nation-building. One of them was Alabastro, who served as a reporter and desk editor of various media outlets such as Agence France-Presse, Associated Press, Reuters, and the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Known as Tata Ben to most of his close colleagues, the veteran journalist covered major events in the country that shaped our nation such as the assassination of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. in 1983 and the eventual downfall of the dictatorship of former president Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Kathleen Okubo, 71

Okubo, a veteran journalist and Martial Law survivor from the Cordillera Administrative Region, also passed away this year. She was deeply celebrated for her contribution to community journalism in Cordillera, particularly due to the establishment of Cordillera News Agency, and Cordillera News and Feature.

Following the closure of CNF in 1989, she became a catalyst for the foundation of Northern Dispatch, where she served as editor-in-chief for almost a decade until her retirement in 2019.

Legacy and remembrance

These individuals’ contributions to Philippine entertainment will forever be cherished. Their work continues to inspire new generations of artists, filmmakers and journalists.