2026 In Memoriam (Second Quarter)

MARCH

Diana Isabel Colvin, 74, former Councilmember of the City of Colma, due to cancer, on March 1, in Colma, California.

Diana Isabel Colvin (Source: Instagram/Colma Police)

J. Ramon Faustman, 78, former band member of the 1960s Kingsmen Band and foremost architect restoring and recreating heritage structures, on March 22, in Florida, U.S.A.

J. Ramon Faustmann (Source: Facebook)

Photojournalists Rodolfo Ong Tan and Neil Clark Ongchangco both of Baguio City, died after their vehicle was swept away by a river in Itogon, Benguet, Philippines after attending a graduation photoshoot at a nearby elementary school and as they were attempting to cross the river, on March 28.

Rodolfo Ong Tan and Neil Clark Ongchangco (Source: facebook)

APRIL

Valentin Flores Dagani, Jr., 81, lawyer, entrepreneur and longtime pillar of the Central Florida Filipino American and Asian American communities on April 4, in Kissimmee, Florida, U.S.A.

Valentin Flores Dagani, Jr. (Source: OSCEOLA Memory Gardens)

Marina Feleo-Gonzalez, 95, screenwriter of the 1970s during the Martial Law years when women writers were rare and politically themed work was censored; known for the classic film Minsa’y Isang Gamu-gamo, and the stage play A Song for Manong about Filipino labor and the diaspora in the U.S., on April 6, in New York, U.S.A.

Marina Feleo-Gonzalez

Pablo M. Olarte, 97, cherished member of the Stockton Filipino community and in the Filipino organization Bayanihan helping countless members of the Filipino community reunite with their families and build better lives in the U.S., on April 6, in Stockton, California, U.S.A.

Pablo M. Olarte (Source: Stockton Obituary)

Sue M. Prado, 44, actor who embodied grounded, socially resonant characters in indie/mainstream hits earning industry respect for her emotional depth, due to cardiac arrest, on April 14, in Manila, Philippines.

Sue M. Prado (Source: Sunstar)

Atty. Renato Zosimo Bilog Evangelista, 53, the first and only Mangyan lawyer, President of The Mangyan Heritage Center and fierce advocate in upholding and safeguarding the traditions and identity of his fellow Mangyans, on April 14, after suffering a stroke, in Manila, Philippines.

Atty. Renato Zosimo Bilog Evangelista (Source: Facebook)

Sr. Eva Fidela Maamo, 85, nun, surgeon, missionary, tireless servant of the poor and The Ramon Magsaysay Awardee 1997, on April 14, in Manila, Philippines.

Sr. Eva Fidela Maamo (Source: facebook)

University of the Philippines student Alyssa Alano, community journalist RJ Ledesma, land rights activists Maureen Keil Santuyo and Errol Wendel, and Filipino American activists Lyle Prijoles, 40, from San Diego, California and Kai Sorem, were among the 19 victims of the 79th Infantry Battalion military operations in Toboso, Negros Occidental, on April 20.

Alyssa Alano (Source: Facebook)

RJ Ledesma (Source: Facebook)

Maureen Keil Santuyo (Source: Facebook)

Errol Wendell (source: Facebook)

Lyle Prijoles (Source: Dignity Memorial

Kai Sorem (Source: Instagram)

Robert “Bob” Rivas, 78, former mayor of Bergenfield, New Jersey and first Filipino American to occupy the position, cause unknown, on April 23, in New Jersey, U.S.A.

Robert “Bob” Rivas (Source: The FilAm)

Ramon “Chino” Bolipata, solo cellist who performed with leading ensembles known for his discipline, artistry and commitment to his craft, on April 25, in Manila, Philippines.

Ramon “Chino” Bolipata (Photo by Elmer Borlongan/Flickr)

Lee C. Chipongian, 56, business journalist known for her rigor and independence, on April 26, in Manila, Philippines.

Lee C. Chipongian (Source: Facebook)

Dempsey Cyden Reyes, 29, Inquirer reporter, due to a respiratory failure following a brain hemorrhage, on April 26, in Manila, Philippines.

Dempsey Cyden Reyes (Source: Inquirer.net)

Danny Vibas, 71, prolific English journalist and former college professor, on April 29, in Manila, Philippines.

Danny Vibas (Source: Facebook)

Francisco A. Mallari, SJ, 98, beloved Jesuit priest, on April 30, at the Ateneo de Manila Campus, in Quezon City, Philippines.

Francisco A. Mallari, SJ (Source: Philippine Jesuits)

MAY

Consul Eric P. Valenzuela, 54, diplomat assigned to the Philippine embassy in Spain, on May 2, in Madrid, Spain.

Consul Eric P. Valenzuela (Source: Facebook)

Jesus Duterte Durano Sr., 89, former mayor of Danao, Cebu, on May 5, in Danao, Cebu, Philippines.

Jesus Duterte Durano Sr. (Source: Facebook)

Dr. Dante A. Ang, 84, former chairperson of the Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) and former Special Envoy for International Public Relations under President Arroyo, on May 5, in Manila, Philippines.

Dr. Dante A. Ang (Source: Manila Times)

Dr. Erwin T. Lim, 56. award-winning Cebuano travel and Sinulog photographer who built a reputation for documenting landscapes, festivals, wildlife and everyday life with striking depth and emotion, on May 6, in Cebu City, Philippines.

Dr. Erwin T. Lim (Source: Instagram)

Alfred Reyes, 58, one of Cebu’s most notable figures in the hospitality industry, on May 7, in Cebu City, Philippines.

Alfred REyes (Source: Instagram)

Carlos Cortes,72, multi-awarded Cebuano author whose prose was marked by lyricism, historical consciousness and a sense of place, on May 8, in Cebu City, Philippines.

Carlos Cortez (Source: Instagram)

Amadis Ma. Guerrero, 85, fictionist, essayist, journalist and art critic who devoted his life to the written word and to the preservation of Philippine culture and history, on May 13, in Manila, Philippines.

Amadis Ma. Guerrero (Source: Facebook)

Eduardo Valdez aka Ed Finlan, 78, actor-turned-director, on May 13, in Manila, Philippines.

Eduardo Valdez aka Ed Finlan (Source: facebook)

Carlos “Chibu” Lagman, 90, progressive thinker and internationalist, on May 10, in Edmonton, Canada.

Carlos “Chibu” Lagman

Lourdes Mitra Esclamado, 96, wife of the late publisher Alex Esclamado who helped engage community leaders and form the NaFFAA, on May 13, in Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.A.

Lourdes Mitra Esclamado

Vince Francis Dingding, secretary of the Southwest Negros Guerilla Front and University of the Philippines alumnus, killed following a series of clashes with the 15th Infantry Battalion under the 302nd Infantry Brigade, on May 16, in Barangay Abaca, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, Philippines. Others killed in the encounter include Jobert “Ka Robi” Casipong, Gilbert “Ka Kolintong/Ka Downy” Tingson, Rolando “Ka Anyo” Dantes, Jr., and Alex “Ka Kaya” Languita.

Vince Francis Dingding (Source: Rappler)

Paciencia “Pat” Gacoscos, 81, former councilmember of the City of Union City and founder of the Union City Friends of Sister Cities, due to pancreatic cancer, on May 22, in Union City, California, U.S.A.

Paciencia “Pat” Gacoscos (Source: Chabot College)

Marina Garon Camia, 82, community volunteer and activist with the Filipino Community of Sacramento and Vicinity, on May 23, in Vacaville, California, U.S.A.

Marina Garon Camia (Source: Facebook)

Roberto V. Garcia, 80, AIM Triple A Awardee and former Chairman of the Alumni Association of AIM, on May 24, in Manila, Philippines.

Roberto V. Garcia (Source: Facebook)

Myrna S. Feliciano, 89, teacher, scholar, law librarian and giant in Philippine legal education, on May 25, in Manila, Philippines.

Myrna Feliciano (Source: Facebook)

Joey Gaston, age unknown, sugar baron who provided scholarships for the people in his hacienda, on May 27, in Negros Occidental, Philippines.

Joey Gaston (Source: Facebook)

Aly Pagaduan, age unknown, vocalist of the rock band Sleep Alley, on May 31, cause unknown, in Manila, Philippines.

Aly Pagaduan (Source: Facebook)

JUNE

Renna Hechanova-Angeles, 70, vice chairman, treasurer, director of Concepcion Industrial Corporation and advocate for vulnerable youth, on June 1, in Manila, Philippines.

Renna Hechanova-Angeles (Source: LinkedIn)

Luz Amandolina “Mandy” C. Navasero, 84, veteran photographer, photojournalist, mentor and travel writer, on June 1, in Manila, Philippines.

Luz Amandolina “Mandy” C. Navasero (Source: X.com)

Felicitas “Tita” Layag Radaic, 88, ballet icon and dance mentor, after a long battle with health complications, on June 2, in Manila, Philippines.

Felicitas “Tita” Layag Radaic (Source: dance.mnl)

Zosimo E. Lee, 73, professor and former University of the Philippines Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, on June 2, in Manila, Philippines.

Zosimo E. Lee (Source: UP Diliman)

Bing Austria, 62, tastemaker, radio host, DJ, and composer best known for his music in the bands Put3ska and Juan Pablo Dream, due to sepsis, on June 8, in Manila, Philippines.

Bing Austria (Source: Facebook)

Roffel G. Brion, 73, poet and professor of interdisciplinary studies, literature, creative writing and popular culture, on June 8, in Manila, Philippines.

Roffel G. Brion (Source: Facebook)

Rene Clert N. Baterbonia, 28, and Nigerian foreign student-athlete Divine Adili, 21, basketball players for Ateneo, due to drowning from a team building exercise, on June 8, in Dipaculao, Aurora, Philippines.

Rene Clert N. Baterbonia (Photo by Julius Domondon/ PEP.PH)

Divine Adili (Source: Facebook)

David Briscoe, 82, Associated Press journalist who chronicled Philippines’ democratic revolution, due to amyloidosis, on June 10, in Kapolei, Hawaii, U.S.A.

David Briscoe (Source: LinkedIn)

Rudy Panaglima, 96, one of only two surviving World War II veteran who performed intelligence work and courier work for the guerillas in his town, on June 12, in Washington, D.C., U.S.A.

Rudy Panaglima (Source: Instagram)

Lyca Benitez Brown, 74, former member of the Board of Directors of Ma-Yi Theater Company, tireless advocate and patron of the arts, on June 20, in Manila, Philippines.

Lyca Benitez Brown (Source: GMA News)

Ayessa Nicole Dazo, 14, Joyancee Badoria Separa, 15, victims in the fatal shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, on June 22, in Tacloban, Philippines.

Ayessa Nicole Dazo (Source: Facebook)

Joyancee Badoria Separa (Source: Facebook)

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