A Tribute to Louie Reyes: The Crystal Voice of OPM

The Philippine music industry mourns the passing of Louie Reyes, one of its most distinguished voices and a beloved pillar of Original Pilipino Music (OPM). The acclaimed jazz singer, best known for her crystalline tone and soulful interpretations, passed away on Sunday, 26 October 2025. Her husband, musician and The New Minstrels founder Cesar dela Fuente, confirmed the heartbreakingThe Philippine music industry mourns the passing of Louie Reyes, one of its most distinguished voices and a beloved pillar of Original Pilipino Music (OPM). The acclaimed jazz singer, best known for her crystalline tone and soulful interpretations, passed away on Sunday, 26 October 2025.

Her husband, musician and The New Minstrels founder Cesar dela Fuente, confirmed the news in a comment on a tribute post by singer Ivy Violan. “Today, I lost the love of my life,” he wrote — just days after celebrating his birthday with a photo of the two together.

While the family has yet to release an official statement, close friends have shared that Reyes battled ovarian cancer. In a heartfelt post, Violan expressed how she had been praying for her friend’s complete healing, writing, “I have asked JESUS to give you the best comfort and heal you completely. JESUS is so good to you and I believe HE is with you 24/7. I love you and keep singing as you hear every beautiful note.” Later, she added, “The Philippine music industry celebrates the life of our dear Ms. Louie Reyes. No goodbyes—just the best hello to a very, very dear friend and colleague.”

Messages of love and remembrance poured in from fellow artists and admirers, including Louie Heredia, Richard Merk, and Bunny Paras, who all honored Reyes’s timeless contribution to Filipino music.

Born with a gift that could only be described as rare, Reyes’s voice was once hailed by Los Angeles-based journalist Ruben Nepales as “crystal clear,” with a resonance that captivated audiences everywhere. A graduate of the College of the Holy Spirit Manila with a degree in Music Education, Reyes’s talent was discovered by dela Fuente, who would later become her husband. Together, they helped shape the legacy of The New Minstrels — the 1970s vocal group that became a cultural touchstone for Filipino artistry, known for their seamless blend of pop, jazz, Broadway, and OPM classics.

It was with The New Minstrels that Reyes earned her place in history, performing alongside greats like Joey Albert, Ray-An Fuentes, Eugene Villaluz, and Chad Borja. The group’s hits — from “Smile” and “Kahit Na Magtiis” to “Buhat” and “I Don’t Love You Anymore” — became the soundtrack of a generation.

In a 2013 interview, Reyes fondly recalled her earliest taste of performing. In Grade 2, she was asked to sing backstage for a classmate who had lost her voice, while the classmate lip-synced in front of the audience. Though unseen that day, Reyes’s voice filled the hall — a moment that quietly foreshadowed her destiny as one of the most powerful voices of her time.

Reyes and dela Fuente married in January 1979 and later migrated to the United States in the 1990s, where she continued to share her love for music as a performer and vocal coach. Her dedication to nurturing young talent reflected her belief that music was not just a profession but a calling — a lifelong gift meant to be passed on.

With her passing, the Filipino music community loses not only a singer of extraordinary caliber but also a teacher, mentor, and inspiration whose artistry transcended eras. Louie Reyes will forever be remembered for the clarity of her voice, the sincerity of her music, and the warmth she shared with everyone whose lives she touched.

As her song “Going On Holding On” echoes once more in the hearts of those she inspired, Louie Reyes takes her final bow — not into silence, but into the eternal music of the heavens.news in a comment on a tribute post by singer Ivy Violan. “Today, I lost the love of my life,” he wrote — just days after celebrating his birthday with a photo of the two together.

While the family has yet to release an official statement, close friends have shared that Louie battled ovarian cancer. In a heartfelt post, Violan expressed how she had been praying for her friend’s complete healing, writing, “I have asked JESUS to give you the best comfort and heal you completely. JESUS is so good to you and I believe HE is with you 24/7. I love you and keep singing as you hear every beautiful note.” Later, she added, “The Philippine Music Industry celebrates the life of our dear Ms. Louie Reyes. No goodbyes—just the best hello to a very, very dear friend and colleague.”

Messages of love and remembrance poured in from fellow artists and admirers, including Louie Heredia, Richard Merk, and Bunny Paras, who all honored Louie’s timeless contribution to Filipino music.

Born with a gift that could only be described as rare, Louie’s voice was once hailed by Los Angeles-based journalist Ruben Nepales as “crystal clear,” with a resonance that captivated audiences everywhere. A graduate of the College of the Holy Spirit Manila with a degree in Music Education, Louie’s talent was discovered by dela Fuente, who would later become her husband. Together, they helped shape the legacy of The New Minstrels — the 1970s vocal group that became a cultural touchstone for Filipino artistry, known for their seamless blend of pop, jazz, Broadway, and OPM classics.

It was with The New Minstrels that Louie earned her place in history, performing alongside greats like Joey Albert, Ray-An Fuentes, Eugene Villaluz, and Chad Borja. The group’s hits — from “Smile” and “Kahit Na Magtiis” to “Buhat” and “I Don’t Love You Anymore” — became the soundtrack of a generation.

In a 2013 interview, Louie fondly recalled her earliest taste of performing. In Grade 2, she was asked to sing backstage for a classmate who had lost her voice, while the classmate lip-synced in front of the audience. Though unseen that day, Louie’s voice filled the hall — a moment that quietly foreshadowed her destiny as one of the most powerful voices of her time.

Louie and Cesar married in January 1979 and later migrated to the United States in the 1990s, where she continued to share her love for music as a performer and vocal coach. Her dedication to nurturing young talent reflected her belief that music was not just a profession but a calling — a lifelong gift meant to be passed on.

With her passing, the Filipino music community loses not only a singer of extraordinary caliber but also a teacher, mentor, and inspiration whose artistry transcended eras. Louie Reyes will forever be remembered for the clarity of her voice, the sincerity of her music, and the warmth she shared with everyone whose lives she touched.

As her song “Going On Holding On” echoes once more in the hearts of those she inspired, Louie Reyes takes her final bow — not into silence, but into the eternal music of the heavens.