Many shocking news surprised fans and audiences this 2023. That included the passing away of celebrities and personalities people came to love, with some of them abrupt.
Now that 2023 is about to end, it is time to look back to this year and remember those celebrities and personalities from the entertainment industry who fans, and fellow showbiz people mourned.
This list pays tribute to the celebs and personalities from various forms of media who left a mark on the showbiz industry and in people’s hearts:
Lualhati Bautista
Filipina writer, novelist, and activist Lualhati Bautista passed away on February 12, 2023, confirmed by her cousins Maria Rosario and Sonny Ross Samonte via Facebook. Lualhati wrote the widely celebrated novels “Dekada 70”, “Bata, Bata, Pa’no Ka Ginawa?” and “GAPÔ,” among others.
Boybits Victoria
Former PBA player Emmanuel Victoria, also known as Boybits, succumbed to an acute myocardial infarction on March 1.
Andrei Sison
Sparkle Artist Andrei Sison got involved in a lethal car accident on March 24. The talent management arm confirmed his passing while expressing their condolences to his family, writing, “He was a well-loved and much-cherished member of the Sparkle family. We will miss you, Andrei. Be with God now.”
John Regala
Seasoned actor John Regala, legally known as John Paul Guido Boucher, succumbed to his multiple health ailments on June 3 at the age of 55, including a cardiac arrest. He was a highly celebrated action star and kontrabida actor, with some of his roles including the ‘Encantadia’ character Apitong.
Mario Dumawal
Seasoned showbiz reporter and journalist Mario Dumawal reportedly passed away on July 5 at the age of 64 due to septic shock after being confined at the Philippine Heart Center for a month.
Ricky Rivero
Former ‘That’s Entertainment’ member, director, and actor Ricky Rivero passed away on July 16 at 51. The actor-director was rushed to the hospital in May 2023 after suffering a stroke. However, his family and close friends refrained from disclosing the details about his passing.
JM Canlas
Former child actor and brother of Elijah Canlas, JM Canlas, also known as Jamile Matthew, passed away on August 3 at 17. According to his elder brother, Jerom, JM struggled with mental health. He also urged people through posts to celebrate JM’s ‘short but wonderful life.’
Sean Lester Beltran
Content creator Sean Lester Beltran succumbed to stage 4 bone cancer and passed away on August 20. He gained a significant following in TikTok through his inspirational posts.
Mike Enriquez
Seasoned broadcast journalist and GMA Network news anchor Mike Enriquez passed away on August 29. The Kapuso Network released a statement confirming his passing and paid tribute to one of the pillars of the news industry.
Enriquez was one of the anchors of GMA Network’s news program ’24 Oras’ and hosted the long-running public affairs program ‘Imbestigador.’
He served as President of RGMA Network, Inc. and GMA Network’s Senior Vice President and Consultant for Radio Operations.
He also anchored DZBB’s ‘Super Balita sa Umaga’ and ‘Saksi sa Dobol B.’ He joined the broadcast industry in 1969. He joined GMA Network in 1995 and became part of the lives of the Filipino audience for 54 years.
Ronnie Lledo
Seasoned broadcaster Ronald Luis ‘Ronnie’ Lledo passed away at 64 on September 9. His family announced the heartbreaking news through a statement.
Bayani Fernando
Former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson Bayani Fernando passed away on September 22. Reports about the former Marikina Mayor’s passing stated that he was repairing the roof of their home and had a fatal accident.
Joey Paras
Actor-comedian Joey Paras passed away at 45 on October 29. He had a heart condition and had a pacemaker in 2018. However, his loved ones refrained from disclosing details about his passing.
Conrado de Quiros
Seasoned journalist and author Conrado de Quiros passed away on November 6. His brother Paul de Quiros disclosed his passing in a Facebook post.
Yohance Levi Buie
Former The Voice Kids contender and actor Yohance Buie passed away at 17. His talent management company, Virtual Playground Global, released a statement about his passing.
Sammy Manese
Youtuber and TikTok content creator Sammy Manese passed away on November 29 with his sister, Bea Manese, confirming the unfortunate news via a Facebook post but refrained from publicly disclosing the cause of death.
Gil Soriano
Director Hermenegildo ‘Gil’ Soriano passed away at 81 in December. His daughter, Gia Allana Soriano, confirmed details about her father’s condition since September. His condition escalated from October to November.
Kokoi Baldo
Reggae singer Kokoi Baldo passed away on December 8 with his manager and wife, Sam, breaking the saddening news on his official Facebook page.
Ronaldo Valdez
Seasoned actor Ronaldo Valdez passed away on December 17, with the Quezon City Police Department released the news. His son, comedic actor Janno Gibbs, confirmed his passing through his Instagram account.
Samboy Lim
Retired Basketball star Samboy Lim passed away on December 23, 2023. Although details about his passing remained undisclosed, Lim had been in a coma and was receiving medical treatment after collapsing due to a cardiac arrest in 2014.
