Angel Colmenares, the father of actress Angel Locsin, has passed away at the age of 98. His family confirmed his death on March 5, 2025.
The news was announced by talent manager Mario Colmenares, a nephew of the late Mr. Colmenares, through a social media post on Thursday, March 6. In his post, he shared an art card with a photo of Angel Colmenares, along with his birth date (February 17, 1927) and the date of his passing (March 5, 2025). His remains are currently at Heritage Park in Taguig City.
The family has requested privacy as they mourn their loss but expressed their gratitude to those who have extended their condolences. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Before becoming widely recognized as Angel Locsin’s father, Angel Colmenares had already made his mark in Philippine sports. He was a national swimmer and a member of the Philippine team that won a bronze medal in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay at the 1954 Asian Games, held in the Philippines.
He later passed on his passion for swimming to his daughter. In a 2007 interview on ABS-CBN’s ‘The Buzz’, Mr. Colmenares revealed that he personally trained Angel Locsin in competitive swimming. She became a national champion at just 11 years old and later competed in an international age-group meet in Hong Kong, where she won two silver medals and one bronze medal.
“I feel very happy. I never thought she would achieve these things, that she would have a life like this,” he said during the interview.
“She is very popular, and one thing good is that she knows how to get along with people. She’s generous. Everybody loves her.”
More than just a coach, Angel Colmenares served as a guiding figure in his daughter’s life, reminding her to pursue self-improvement beyond showbiz. He encouraged her to engage in other activities, such as business, as he believed that success in entertainment was not permanent.
“Hindi naman pinakaimportante sa lahat ng bagay ay pera, e. In fact, even with just enough money, you could be very happy,” he once said, emphasizing the value of health and personal growth over material wealth.
For years, Angel Colmenares lived with vision impairment. In the 2007 interview, he recounted how Angel Locsin had sought out medical advancements, hoping to restore his sight. She arranged a consultation at St. Luke’s Medical Center, but unfortunately, doctors determined that his condition was not yet treatable.
“She cried,” he recalled. “She said, ‘Daddy, I wish you could see me on television or in movies.’”
Despite this, he reassured his daughter, saying, “Never mind, don’t cry. I’m happy as I am. Especially knowing that you are there and progressing very well in your career.”
With the passing of her father, many are speculating whether Angel Locsin will step back into the public eye. The actress, who has largely remained out of the spotlight in recent years, has focused on her private life and advocacy work.
