Writer and critic Luis Katigbak passes away at 41

After battling numerous complications from diabetes, award-winning writer and beloved music critic Luis Katigbak has passed away on Wednesday morning.

In a brief exchange via text message, Katigbak's friend Sarge Lacuesta told GMA News Online that Katigbak's remains were cremated on Wednesdsay evening.

The wake will be limited to family and friends, but Lacuesta said that "there will certainly be a tribute to him (Katigbak) and his literary legacy for the general public."

"What we can do now is read his work—his books of fiction and non-fiction, his magazine work, his music reviews, his tweets, his posts," Lacuesta said.

While formal tributes have yet to be organized or announced, friends and peers have posted messages of grief and tribute. 

Carlos Celdran shared on Katigbak's Facebook page, "Have a great journey, man. See you on the other side. Rest well." 

Vin Dancel of Peryodiko paid his respects as well as expressed gratitude, "Kitakita sa dulo Luis. Salamat sa lahat ng naiambag mo sa tugtugan at literatura natin." 

Over the last weeks and months, Katigbak's page have been filled with support and love from literary and music circles. 

Aside from the kind words, a series of benefit events were also held in January 2016 for Katigbak, whose contributions span a wide range of interests. 

Katigbak graduated from the University of the Philippines. He started his college years as a mathematics major, but later on shifted to creative writing. 

He would eventually go on to win four Palanca awards, including one for Short Story for Children in 2002 for his work "Mico and Friends."

He has also received a Philippine Graphic prize and a Young Artists’ Grant from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Katigbak was a resident writer for Pulp magazine and a columnist for The Philippine Star, as well as the associate editor for Esquire Philippines. 

He released a collection of short stories in 2000 titled "Happy Endings" and a collection of essays in 2006, "The King of Nothing to Do." 

Both books were nominated in the National Book Awards by the Manila Critics Circle. 

His last book "Dear Distance," a follow-up collection of short stories, was released in March 2016. —Aya Tantiangco/KG, GMA News