Founder of 'Jingle' magazine Gilbert Guillermo dies at 74

The founder of "Jingle" magazine, Gilbert Gillermo, has passed away on Tuesday. He was 74.

His sister-in-law Nerissa Guillermo, the wife of his brother Eric, confirmed the news with GMA News Online.

"He passed on yesterday morning," she said. 

According to Nerissa, the cause of his brother-in-law's death is not due to COVID-19.

"Gilbert was debilitated by multiple illnesses and health conditions (after having survived two brain surgeries) in his retirement years. It’s time for him to rest," she said.

His family members also shared the unfortunate news in several posts in the public community Facebook group, Jingle Music Magazine.

"Kuya Gilbert is finally home," Eric, who was a former music editor at Jingle wrote in a post in the Facebook group that accompanied a photo of a quote that read, "Each person grieves in their own time, at their own pace, to the beat of a silent heart they once heard."

Nerissa Guillermo also posted a photo of a weeping chordian angel and confirmed the sad news in the caption.

"It is a very sad day for the Guillermos and the whole JINGLE Clan as well. Kuya Gilbert, the brains, boss and big brother of JINGLE goes home," she wrote.

"Rarely seen...barely known by many... but will truly be missed for what he has shared to all that has greatly shaped Filipino pop culture," she continued.

The chordian angel is essentially the crying version of the Jingle logo. According to Inquirer, it was created by visual artist Dengcoy Miel, who posted it on his Facebook account.

"Paalam, Sir Gilbert Guillermo," he said, tagging but Eric and Nerissa.

Jingle was influential to Filipino music. It taught generations of Pinoys how to play the guitar, and fostered rock journalism in the country.

According to the Inquirer, Gilbert launched Jingle in 1970, when he was only 24 years old. It published its last issue in 1977.  

JINGLE started with the music magazine then later on grew to become a publishing empire that produced the JINGLE Songhits, JINGLE Extra Hot Movie Magazine, JINGLE Sensation Movie Magazine, JINGLE Champ Sports Magazine, Female Forum and the JINGLE TV Guide.

Thank you for the music, and may you rest in peace, sir. — Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/LA, GMA News