Every year we bid farewell to some celebrities and personalities that we admire and who have inspired us with their work or contributions to society.
Actors, singers, and other people who work behind the scenes in the showbiz industry not only entertain us, but also give us inspiration.
Same goes for well-known figures in politics, sports, and other fields.
We have seen their careers flourish throughout the years, and have also witnessed the impact and influence they have on people.
We may not all know them personally, but in some way we feel connected to them and they have touched our lives one way or another.
In this gallery, we honor and celebrate the lives and contributions of some of the well-loved celebrities and personalities that we lost in 2021.
The 15th president of the Philippines, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, or Pnoy, passed away on June 24 at the age of 61 due to renal disease secondary to diabetes. Continue browsing to see other well-loved celebrities and personalities we lost in 2021.
Veteran singer Claire Dela Fuente died on March 30 at the age of 63, due to cardiac arrest. Prior to her death, Claire tested positive for COVID-19 and had comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes.
Comedian Le Chazz, or Richard Yuzon in real life, died on May 1. The cause of Le Chazz's death is still unclear, but fellow stand-up comedian and friend AJ Tamiza revealed in an interview that the 43-year-old comedian had diabetes and probably died due to its complication.
Former 'Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman' co-host, Shalala, passed away on June 23 due to cardiac arrest. A week prior to his death, he was hospitalized due to pulmonary tuberculosis.
Esports coach Michael 'Kyaaah' Belaya died on April 18 at the young age of 23. No cause of death was announced. He was best known as the coach of NRX Jeremiah 29:11.
Veteran entertainment editor and columnist, Ricky Lo, died on May 4 at the age of 75. He was also a former Kapuso TV host of programs such as 'Startalk' and 'CelebriTV.'
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National artist for Visual Arts, Arturo Luz, passed away on May 26 at the age of 94. He is also the father of actress Angela Luz and grandfather of visual artist Paulina Sotto-Llanes.
Jukebox King Victor Wood died on April 23 at the age of 74 due to COVID-19.
Actress-director, Arlene Tolibas, died on June 3 due to cardiac arrest. The 55-year-old showbiz personality was best known for her role as Venus in the political satire TV series 'Abangan Ang Susunod na Kabanata.'
Veteran director and North Bay Boulevard South Kaunlaran barangay captain, Toto Natividad, passed away on April 27. No cause of death has been announced, but he reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 prior to his passing.
Stage actress Celia Diaz-Laurel passed away on July 12 at 93 years old.
Celia was also the wife of former Vice President Salvador Doy Laurel, and the mother of theater actor Cocoy and singer Iwi Laurel.
She was known for her many contributions in the field of stage acting, painting, writing, poetry, and set and costume design, among many others.
Celia released a book in May titled, 'My Lives Behind the Proscenium.'
Veteran radio personality and actress Ester Chavez passed away at the age of 93 in June.
Ester started her career in radio at 17 years old.
Her vast amount of work in radio earned her the moniker Queen of Filipino Radio Drama.
One of her most popular radio characters was Aling Chayong from the popular Ilaw ng Tahanan.
Carmen "Baby" Barredo, who co-founded Repertory Philippines in 1967, passed away on May 23, at the age of 80.
A theater star herself, Barredo teamed up with other theater personalities including Zeneida Amador, to establish Repertory Philippines.
Repertory Philippines has become the training ground for some of the biggest names in local theater including Monique Wilson, Cocoy Laurel, Cris Villonco, Pinky Amador, co-founder Leo Martinez, and Lea Salonga, among many others.
Butch Dans, 69, succumbed to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in his Quezon City home in the early morning of April 8, Thursday.
A member of the 15-man Ateneo de Manila University band Apolinario Mabini Hiking Society, Dans would pivot into managing the group instead when it became a trio composed of Jim Paredes, Danny Javier, and Buboy Garrovillo.
Dans formed The Thirdline Inc. to initially provide management and production support to the Apo Hiking Society.
The company would later manage more local artists throughout the years including other OPM big names such as Leah Navarro, Florante, Joey Ayala at ang Bagong Lumad, Mike Hanopol, Mon David, Vernie Varga, Bituin Escalante, Yano, and the Eraserheads.
Comedian and TV personality Hans Mortel passed away after months of battling pneumonia.
Hans was a host for a former talk show titled Face to Face and was a regular in comedy bars.
Comedian Vice Ganda once mentioned in a show that it was Hans who helped launch his TV comedy career.
Luis Pagalilauan a.k.a. Orestes Ojeda succumbed to pancreatic cancer on July 27, 2021. He was 65 years old.
Orestes appeared in the movies Isang Gabi, Tatlong Babae! (1974), Ang Boyfriend Kong Baduy (1976), Inay (1977), Manila By Night (1980), Dekada '70 (2002), Mano Po 2: My Home (2003), among many others.
Movie fans best remember him for his portrayal in the 1985 erotic thriller, Scorpio Nights, directed by Peque Gallaga.
He was also seen on the GMA series Te Amo, Maging Sino Ka Man (2004), and Once Upon a Kiss (2015).
Orestes dabbled in painting and ran his own art galleries named Art Cube and Art Verité.
Comedian Ate Shawee, popularly known as the impersonator of the Megastar Sharon Cuneta, died on July 26 due to liver cirrhosis at the age of 45.
“Isa na namang nakakalungkot na balita. Pumanaw ngayon ang # 1 Impersonator ni Mega Star Sharon Cuneta na si Marvin Martinez a.k.a. ATE SHAWEE,” announced talent manager Freddie Bautista on Facebook.
“Maraming maraming salamat sa Raket, Bonding at magagandang samahan.
He added, “Ate Shawee, mami-miss ka namin. Gone too soon. I am shocked right now.”
Manoling Morato, the former head of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), died on July 30 due to COVID-19. He was 87.
Former TV executive Arlene De Castro, wife of former Vice President Noli De Castro, passed away on July 31 due to non-COVID-related causes. She was 66 years old.
The esports community also lost another beloved icon on August 27, Friday, as Aldrin Paulo “Dunoo” Pangan, a.k.a. Kuya D, passed away after battling COVID-19. He and his fellow caster Malon “Lon” Marcelo are credited for making the battlecries “lakad matatag” and “normalin” popular.
Celebrity photographer and visual artist Raymund Isaac passed away on September 4 after battling COVID-19.
Friends, colleagues and allies of former Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman paid tribute to her on Sunday, September 19. The 68-year-old former social welfare secretary reportedly died due to complications from heart and renal failure.
National Artist for Literature Bienvenido 'Bien' Lumbera passed away on September 28, 2021, due to “complications of stroke.” He was 89 years old.
Imprisoned during Martial Law, Lumbera wrote musical dramas including 'Rama, Hari,' 'Noli Me Tangere,' 'Bayani,' and 'Nasa Puso ang Amerika.'
He was also a literary critic and author of textbooks that include 'Philippine Literature: A History and Anthology' and 'Filipinos Writing: Philippine Literature from the Regions.'
One of Lumbera's greatest contribution to Philippine cinema was co-founding the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, which gives out the Gawad Urian.
Century Pacific Food Inc. founder and chairman emeritus Ricardo Po Sr. passed away at the age of 90 due to complications arising from surgery.
Po is the man behind one of the most recognizable food brands in the country, Century Tuna, as well as a host of others, such as 555 Sardines, Argentina Corned Beef, Blue Bay Tuna and Birch Tree Milk.
Aside from its food brands, the company also has a stake in restaurant operator Shakey's Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. and Arthaland Corp.
The Pinoy guitar legend died on October 16 due to COVID-19.
Beloved for his unconventional style of guitar playing, the Tacloban native musician was a fixture in the club scene where he performed passionate covers of well-known tunes popularized by artists such as The Beatles, Michael Jackson, The Doors, and Madonna, to name only a few.
Noli was also affiliated with the legendary folk group Asin where he served as a session guitarist for the band's studio albums.
Some of his notable achievements included the classical and jazz opus '”All Roads Lead Home,” arranging the scoring of the 1988 American film Saigon Commandos, and his 2006 solo album titled Meanderings: The Prelude.
Pinoy folk legend Heber Bartolome passed away on November 17, 2021. He was 73 years old and had just celebrated his birthday a week before his passing.
Together with his brothers Jesse and Levi, the 73-year-old OPM legend founded the protest band Banyuhay whose songs spoke about Filipino plight and struggles, which catapulted them to fame in the '70s.
A prolific songwriter, Heber penned the classic hit “Tayo'y Mga Pinoy.” The song talks about loving and being proud of one's Filipino roots, flaws and all.
“Tayo'y mga Pinoy, tayo'y hindi Kano / 'Wag kang mahihiya kung ang ilong mo ay pango,” the song's memorable chorus goes.
Noemi Tesorero, famously known as Mahal, died on August 31 at the age of 46.
Mahal first appeared on television in 1998 through the GMA noontime show "Lunch Date." She has since starred on several Kapuso shows, including "Idol Ko si Kap," "Bahay Mo Ba 'To?" and "Owe My Love."
Former actress Janet Bordon, who rose to fame in the '70s and '80s, died on September 22, after a decades-long battle with cancer. She was 66 years old.
Janet started her acting career through the film "Ako Si Emma, Babae!" where he starred alongside the late Rudy Fernandez, while her last movie was "Moises Platon" with Bong Revilla, Jr.
Music legend Wally Gonzales died on July 23, after he suffered a stroke and complications from diabetes and pneumonia. He also tested positive for COVID-19.
Wally is a bluesman and musician who has been active in the industry since the 1960s. He is well known for being part of the Juan de la Cruz Band, which rose to fame in the 1970s and became the first OPM rock band in the Philippines.