Designer Brian Tenorio passes away at 42

Brian Tenorio, most popular as a shoe designer, passed away on Monday afternoon. He was 42.

Brian's sister, Christine, confirmed the unfortunate news to GMA News Online. "Yes, Brian had passed yesterday afternoon," she wrote on Facebook Messenger. "Though he had fought a good fight, he had lost his battle against colon cancer," she continued.

Brian lived quite a life that went beyond fashion. After graduating from Ateneo de Manila University, he took up his Master's degree in Design Management at the Pratt's Institute and then got an internship at the United Nations in New York.

When he returned to Manila in 2011, he quickly set the city ablaze. In 2012, Brian hosted the GMA show "Design Para sa Lahat."

While working as a consultant for the Asian Development Bank and the World Health Organization, Brian put up KapeTayo, a coffee brand that championed local beans.  

Soon, he turned his attention to the LGBT community, establishing the LGBT Chamber of Commerce, which came up with the first-ever SOGIE inclusivity index in the Philippines.

At its launch in 2018, Tenorio faced the problem head on and displayed his buoyant can-do character: “Philippine companies and organization do not accept [LGBT]. It’s unfortunate but we have to figure it out [from here],” he said.

Most recently, he looked into the inaccessibility of mental health providers and soon launched the country's first telemental health service through Mindcare Club, of which he was CEO.

Brian always had big, wonderful ideas and he knew how make them happen. He looked at what other people would consider a problem, and knew exactly what to do. He was always inspired and in turn, he inspired others. He was smart and kind and had a strong energy about him. Brian will be missed. — LA, GMA News