The grim ripper was so busy in the year that just ended. In January 2021, actors Tony Ferrer and Rex Lapid left us for the great beyond.
In March, it’s singer Claire de la Fuente, former actress-beauty queen Josephine Estrada, and designer Rocky Gathercole.
In April, it’s critic-writer-director Nestor Torre Jr., actress Mildred Ortega, director Toto Natividad and singer-actor Victor Wood.
In May, it’s Philstar entertainment editor Ricky F. Lo, production designer-director Leo Abaya, comedian-director Arlene Tolibas, and veteran radio-TV-movie actresses Laura Hermosa and Esther Chavez.
In June, comedian Lito Shalala Reyes and former Pres. Noynoy Aquino wrote 30.
In July, theatre actress-director Celia Diaz Laurel, comedian Hans Mortel, former actors Orestes Ojeda and Mel Francisco / former MTRCB chairman Manuel Morato, TV executive Arlene de Castro, Sharon Cuneta’s impersonator Marvin Martinez aka Ate Shawie and indie filmmaker Joseph Laban.
In August, actor-playwright Domingo Landicho, reporter-TV host Ansel Beluso, producers Kitchie Benedicto and Tess Fuentes, writer Vir Gonzales, comedian Noemi Tesorero aka Mahal and character actor Richard Manabat.
In September, writer Roel Villacorta, actress Janet Bordon, “Pusong Bato” singer-composer Alon de los Reyes and National Artist for Literature and film critic Bienvenido Lumbera. In October, folk singer Heber Bartolome, director Bert de Leon and musician Mike Shapiro, husband of Suklay Diva Katrina Velarde.
The last to go is broadcaster-director Arlyn de la Cruz this December. Let’s all pray for the repose of their souls. And may the Grim Reaper be much less busy in doing his job in this new year 2022!
