
It was an emotional reunion as Sugarpop members—Julie Anne San Jose, Rita Daniela, Enzo Almario, and Cholo Bismonte—visited the wake of their late friend and bandmate, Vanessa Blanca.
Cholo shared Instagram photos of the group paying their final respects to their fellow singer. The post shows the four remaining members standing side-by-side, holding a framed picture of their beloved friend.
Overlaid on the image was a heartfelt caption: “Mahal na mahal ka namin, Wani @iamvanessablanca.”
Source: cholobismonte (IG)
In a separate Instagram story, Cholo also shared another photo where he, Julie Anne, Rita, and Enzo were joined by their fellow former Pop Star Kids reality competition contestants, Gigi de Lana and Jalynna Magadia.
“This is where it all started. Thank you for the love, friendship, and beautiful memories, Wani!” read the text on the Instagram story.
Source: cholobismonte (IG)
The news of Vanessa's passing was first shared last month in a Facebook post by her cousin, Ivy Ann Salaum Jubelag.
According to Ivy, Vanessa suffered an accidental fall that caused a severe traumatic brain injury and internal brain hemorrhage.
Recently, Vanessa's close friend, Julie Anne, also expressed her grief through an Instagram story after receiving news of her passing.
“Wani Still can't believe it... Plano pa naman natin mag reunion. Sugarpop will never be the same without you. Rest in Heaven, Wani,” the Kapuso star expressed in her tribute.
Vanessa Blanca first rose to national prominence as a contestant on GMA Network's talent search Popstar Kids in 2005, where she finished as 2nd runner-up.
Following her stint on the show, she became part of Sugarpop in 2006 alongside Julie Anne San Jose, Rita Daniela, Enzo Almario, and Cholo Bismonte.
Beyond her Sugarpop days, Vanessa achieved viral success as the female vocalist featured in the hit 2011 novelty track "DOTA O Ako," alongside rapper Aikee.
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