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Filipino fashion designer, Rocky Gathercole, has passed away.

Reports said that Rocky was discovered lifeless at his Diliman, Quezon City, home yesterday, March 3.

Rocky's demise deeply saddened the local fashion scene that is still mourning the loss of Arnold Galang, Ito Curata, and Jeffrey Rogador, last year.

Known for his avant-garde designs, Rocky had worked with top Hollywood celebrities including Paris Hilton, Tyra Banks, Nicki Minaj, Britney Spears, and Jennifer Lopez.

He was also beloved by many of our local celebrities and fashion personalities who had the pleasure of working with Rocky on various projects.

The Megastar, Sharon Cuneta, expressed her grief on social media, saying, “Rocky loved me. He was a pure Sharonian and my friend.”

She added, “Thank you for loving me all these years. My and my family's deepest condolences to Rocky's family during this terrible time.”

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The glitzy fashion world in which Rocky eventually found himself was a far cry from the impoverished conditions that he experienced growing up.

He was battered and maltreated as a child, and was homeless after running away from home at the age of 14.

Rocky's career started in Pasay City before moving to Saudi Arabia where he fulfilled his dream of becoming a fashion designer.

From the catwalks of Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and the Middle East, to the more glamorous stage in the U.S., Rocky helped set the stage for Filipino designers to be recognized worldwide.

Through it all, and despite his success, Rocky always found time to give back by participating in charity projects to help abused and neglected children.