Alamid frontman Gary Ignacio; 49

Gary Ignacio. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO from DAKILA

Gary Ignacio,  lead vocalist of the rock band Alamid, passed away on Friday after battling bone cancer. He was 49.

Ignacio’s wife, Buena, confirmed the news to the Inquirer through text.

The music artist, who succumbed to multiple organ failure and other complications, died at around 2:50 p.m. on Friday afternoon at the National Kidney Transplant Institute.

He is survived by Buena and their two children, Sean and Ashley.

The wake, according to Buena, will be held at the Sta. Rosario Chapel in Malabon City.

One of the founding members of Alamid, Ignacio was the voice behind the iconic songs “Your Love,” “Sama-sama,” “Still Believe in Love” and “China Eyes.”

The group that rose to prominence in the 1990s had released five studio albums.

In a Facebook post, Didier Derouet, one of Ignacio’s close friends, described the Alamid frontman as “a talented artist and a great vocalist and songwriter.”

“He was loving to his wife and his children; caring toward everyone and always willing to help to help others in need,” he said.

Besides being a musician, Ignacio was also an active member of the advocacy group DAKILA-Philippine Collective for Modern Heroism.

“He co-founded the Malabon Musicians Alliance and under his leadership conducted the Climate School Malabon with Dakila, educating the youth on climate change and environment protection through music and art. He organized the annual Bazurock Concert, calling for a “plastic free” Malabon,” DAKILA said in its Facebook post. With a report from Allan Policarpio, Philippine Daily Inquirer/ RC/TVJ