Yearend Special: Celebrity births, deaths in 2023

In this yearend special report, we aim to give you a look back at the eventful year that was 2023, where saw a lot of highs and lows in the entertainment scene, and these include the lives we have welcomed as well those we bid goodbye to.

To have a recap, here are some of the births and deaths that made headlines in the past 12 months.

BIRTHS

LJ Moreno and Jimmy Alapag’s son Cayson Amory 

Moreno and Alapag welcomed the birth of their fourth child, baby boy Cayson Amory, on Jan. 13. The couple, who is based in the United States, announced their son’s birth by giving a glimpse of Moreno’s birthing journey through a video compilation.

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Melissa Ricks’ second child Mikaela

On Jan. 14, Ricks gave birth to Mikaela, her daughter with her non-showbiz husband Michael Macatangay. The actress introduced her newborn to the public by showing a photo of the latter through her Instagram page. 

Danica Sotto and Marc Pingris’ third child Jean-Luc

Sotto and Pingris, who tied the knot with Sotto in March 2007, announced on Jan. 15 the birth of their third child, baby boy Jean-Luc. The couple’s two older children are 15-year-old Jean Michael and 12-year-old Caela.

Paris Hilton’s children Phoenix and London

Media personality and hotel heiress Paris Hilton announced in January that she and husband Carter Reum had welcomed their first child, baby boy Phoenix, who had been born via surrogate. Ten months later, Hilton would also introduce their second child, baby girl London, who was also welcomed via surrogate.

Behati Prinsloo and Adam Levine’s baby no. 3

Prinsloo and Levine celebrated the birth of their third child, a son whose name and face they have yet to reveal to the public. The birth of their child came months after the Maroon 5 frontman made headlines for getting involved in a cheating controversy.

Katarina Rodriguez’s daughter Clara Amal

Then 30-year-old beauty queen Rodriguez gave birth to her second child with her partner Niño Barbers, a baby girl they named Clara Amal. The child was born on Jan. 29 but she was only introduced to the public on Feb. 6. 

Trina Legaspi’s first child Kaela

The “Goin’ Bulilit” alum welcomed motherhood in March, over a year after her wedding to her non-showbiz husband Ryan Jarina. In her announcement post, Legaspi revealed she underwent an eight-hour labor and an hour of “pushing” prior to giving birth to her daughter.

Iza Calzado’s daughter Deia Amihan 

Calzado and her husband, businessman Ben Wintle, welcomed their firstborn Deia Amihan on Jan. 26 but opted to make the birth announcement in March. Their daughter came over four years after the couple’s wedding in Palawan.

Isabelle Daza’s baby no. 3

Daza announced in March the birth of her third child with her businessman husband Adrien Semblat, baby girl Esmeralda Gloria. Apparently named after Daza’s mother, actress-beauty queen Gloria Diaz, the celebrity offspring was only introduced to the public in November. 

Bianca King’s firstborn, baby girl Sadie Harlow 

King, who has been married to non-showbiz Ralph Wintle since 2021, shared the news of their daughter’s birth in March. King and Ralph—the brother of Calzado’s husband, Ben—are currently based in Australia.

Pamu Pamorada’s first child Zaia

Pamorada gave birth in April to baby Zaia, her first child with her non-showbiz fiancé Mitchell Hapin. The actress-comedian said she felt like a “wonder woman” during the birthing process as she underwent unmedicated vaginal birth.

Roxanne Barcelo’s second child Theo

Barcelo, who is currently based in Taiwan with her non-showbiz husband Jiggs, surprised fans in April after she revealed that she had already given birth to her second child in January. Barcelo introduced her son to the public through a vlog, which also marked her return to YouTube after a maternity leave.

Joyce Pring and Juancho Triviño’s daughter Agnes Eleanor

The celebrity couple welcomed Agnes Eleanor on April 21 after Pring’s “intense precipitous labor.” Pring and Triviño fondly call their daughter “Aggie.”

Mari Jasmine’s first child Noa

TV personality-model Mari Jasmine and her husband, fashion retailer Michael Concepcion, welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Noa, in April.

Rachelle Ann Go’s second child Sela Teruah

Go gave birth to her daughter Sela Teruah in March but only announced her birth to the public a month later. 

“Sela means rock, to pause or reflect. Teruah means shout or trumpet blast,” said the singer, who shares her two children with her husband Martin Spies.

JC de Vera’s second child Laura

De Vera and his non-showbiz wife Rikkah Cruz welcomed their baby no. 2, a baby girl named Laura, in June. The couple had their daughter baptized in September.

Diego Loyzaga’s daughter Hailey

Loyzaga introduced his daughter to the public in June, without giving further details about the child and his partner. Months later, the actor would disclose that his child was a “hundred percent planned,”

“There’s nothing in this life now that I wanna do aside from if it’s for her,” he declared in an interview with Toni Gonzaga. 

Song Joong-ki, wife Katy Louise Saunders’ baby boy

Song and Saunders welcomed their first child, a son, in June. Song revealed that his wife gave birth in Rome, Italy, which is said to be her hometown. 

“My biggest dream is to have a happy family. It is the most precious gift to us as a couple,” he said in a statement.

Patrick Sugui’s first child 

Sugui and his wife Aeriel Garcia, who wed in April 2022, announced in July the birth of their first child, baby girl Olivia. The pair revealed in January that they were about to become parents, then disclosed in March that their firstborn is a girl. 

Gwen Zamora and David Semerad’s baby no. 2

 Zamora and her husband, basketball player David Semerad, became parents of two after the actress gave birth to their second child, baby Amber Mae, on July 10. The arrival of their second child came seven months after they wed for the second time. 

Lindsay Lohan’s first child Luai

The “Parent Trap” star and her husband, financier Bader Shammas, welcomed a son named Luai, as confirmed by her representative in July. Lohan, 37, gave birth in Dubai where she lives with Shammas. 

Luai is an Arabic name that means “shield” or “protector.” The couple has yet to reveal their baby’s face. 

Toni Gonzaga, Paul Soriano’s daughter Polly 

Gonzaga gave birth to Polly, her second child with Soriano, on Aug. 11. The actress-TV host confirmed her second pregnancy two months prior to childbirth. 

Rihanna’s son Riot Rose

Rihanna’s second child with rapper A$AP Rocky, a baby boy named Riot Rose, was reportedly born on Aug. 1. The couple gave a first look at their second son through an exclusive magazine cover, a month after his birthday. 

Kris Bernal’s daughter Hailee Lucca

Bernal introduced her firstborn Hailee Lucca to the public, two weeks after childbirth. The actress called her child, whom she shares with her non-showbiz husband Perry Choi, as their “Little Sunshine.”

Vickie Rushton and Jason Abalos’ first child

Rushton and Abalos marked their first wedding anniversary by announcing the birth of their first child, baby boy Knoa.

“Our greatest blessing. Our little love. We still can’t believe he’s finally here in our arms,” the actress-beauty queen captioned her announcement post. “We love you more than you’ll ever know, Knoa.”

Lovely Abella and Benj Manalo’s baby boy Liam

Abella announced in September that she and Manalo welcomed their first child Liam. The actress said that the birth of her son came as a “surprise,” adding how she went through experiences she didn’t face in her first pregnancy. 

Valerie Concepcion’s second child, baby boy Viktor Francis

Concepcion announced that she and her non-showbiz husband Francis Sunga welcomed their child, baby boy Viktor Francis, on Oct. 25.

Kitchie Nadal’s second child, baby boy Iago

The singer introduced her newborn son Iago in December, showing what appears to be his dedication ceremony held in Spain in November. 

While Nadal did not immediately disclose her son’s date of birth, she shared that his name was derived from Santiago, who is “revered as the patron saint of Galicia and, more broadly, of Spain as a whole.”

DEATHS

Lisa Marie Presley

Lisa, a musician and the only daughter of rock ‘n’ roll legend Elvis Presley, died at the age of 54 on Jan. 12 due to complications from bariatric surgery she had several years ago.

The autopsy report says the complication that Lisa experienced is a common complication from bariatric surgery, which is a weight loss procedure.

David Crosby

Crosby, one of the most influential rock singers of the 1960s and ’70s with the Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY) died on Jan. 20, at the age of 81.

“It is with great sadness that after a long illness, our beloved David (Croz) Crosby has passed away,” his wife, Jan Dance, said in the statement at the time.

‘Laverne & Shirley’ actress Cindy Williams

Williams, who played Shirley alongside Penny Marshall’s Laverne in one of the most popular 1970s US TV shows, “Laverne & Shirley,” died on Jan. 30, after a brief illness. She was 75.

Lualhati Bautista

Bautista, a renowned writer and novelist, passed away in the morning of Feb. 12.

Best known for her novels “Dekada ’70” (1983) and “Bata, Bata… Pa’no Ka Ginawa?” (1988) as well as her steadfast activism, Bautista died at the age of 77 after losing her battle with cancer.

‘The Wire,’ ‘John Wick’ actor Lance Reddick

Reddick died on March 17 of natural causes, according to a statement issued by the publicist, Mia Hansen. He was 60.

Reddick’s death came just days before the release of the fourth installment in the “John Wick” franchise, in which he reprised his role as hotel manager Charon, an ally of the title character.

Former actress Angela Perez 

Perez, who starred in several films in the 1980s, suffered from a stroke which led to her death on March 29. The former actress was best known for her 1983 film “Laruan,” in which she starred alongside Carmi Martin. Other films she was part of include “Alexandra” and “Nang Maghalo ang Balat sa Tinalupan.”

Astro member Moonbin 

The K-pop idol was found dead in his Gangnam home by his manager on April 19. He was 25. Korean media reported that suicide was suspected, though police declined to comment at the time of his death.

Jerry Springer

Springer, legendary US talk show host, passed away on April 27 after a brief illness. He was 79. While no further details were given about his death,Springer had reportedly been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a few months before his demise.

‘Divergent,’ ‘Thor’ actor Ray Stevenson

Stevenson, known for his roles in “Divergent” as well as Marvel films “Thor” and “Punisher: War Zone,” passed away on May 21, four days before his 59th birthday.

The cause of death was not immediately disclosed but prior to his death, the Irish actor was reportedly hospitalized in Italy while filming a movie.

‘Queen of rock ‘n’ roll’ Tina Turner 

Turner died peacefully on May 24 in her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland, after a long illness. She was 83. 

Often called the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Turner was one of the biggest recording artists of all time, known for her hits “What’s Love Got to Do with It” and “(Simply) The Best,” among many others.

John Regala

Regala—known for starring in numerous films including “Isa-Isahin Ko Kayo” (1990), “Bukas Bibitayin si Itay” (1995), “Askal” (1997), and “Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story” (2011)—passed away on June 3 due to multiple ailments. He was 55.

Glenda Jackson 

British actress Jackson, the two-time Oscar-winning actress who went on to become an MP, died on June 15 after a brief illness. She was 87.

Jackson won the Best Actress Oscar in 1970 for her leading performance in the film “Women in Love.” She won the acting honor anew in 1973 for her role in “A Touch of Class.”

Patrick Guzman

Guzman, who rose into fame after starring in several films in the 1990s, passed away in June. Among his films was the”Mama’s Boys 2” wherein he starred alongside Ogie Alcasid, Michael V. and Anjo Yllana. 

Other movies he was part of were “Una Kang Naging Akin” (1991), “Koronang Itim” (1994), “Ikaw Ang Miss Universe Ng Buhay Ko” (1994) and “Sa Piling ng Iba” (1998). 

Julian Sands 

British-born actor Sands was confirmed dead on June 27, five months after he went missing while out for a hike in snow-covered mountains of Southern California. Best known for his role in the Oscar-celebrated film “A Room with a View,” Sands died at the age of 65.

Alan Arkin

Arkin, a versatile and prolific American actor who won an Oscar for his role in the 2006 film “Little Miss Sunshine,” died at 89 on June 29. Arkin died at his home in Carlsbad, California, and is survived by his wife Suzanne, his three sons, four grandchildren and a great-grandson.

Mario Dumaual

Entertainment journalist Dumaual died due to septic shock as a result of a previous heart attack, his family confirmed on July 5. He was confined for a month at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City prior to his death.

Ricky Rivero

Former teen star-turned-actor-filmmaker, Rivero passed away in July at the age of 51. Two months before his demise, Rivero—best known for his appearance on the variety show “That’s Entertainment”— was rushed to the Philippine Heart Center due to a stroke. 

Willie Nepomuceno

Nepomuceno died on July 26, two days after sustaining a head injury from an accident at home. He was 75. 

Known for his intelligent and uproarious impersonations of prominent local personalities, the television and stage performer made his mark in the industry by impersonating former Philippine presidents Ferdinand Marcos Sr., Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada and Benigno Aquino III.

JM Canlas

“Kiko Boksingero” and “ANi” star JM, brother of actor Elijah Canlas, died on Aug. 3 at the age 17. While no cause of death was immediately made public, Jerom, JM’s other brother, revealed that he struggled with his mental health.

Robert Arevalo

Arevalo died peacefully on Aug. 10, as confirmed by his family. He was 85.

In his decades-long career, Arevalo won numerous awards including the FAMAS best actor for the 1965 film “Ang Daigdig ng mga Api”; and the best supporting actor in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) for Lino Brocka’s “Ama, Bakit Mo Ako Pinabayaan?” in 1990. 

‘Lola Igna’ actress Angie Ferro

Award-winning actress Angie Ferro died on Aug. 17, at the age of 86, her family and friends in the showbiz industry confirmed. Ferro reportedly suffered a stroke and was confined in an intensive care unit in 2022.

Ferro won the 1979 FAMAS best supporting actress award for her movie “Pagputi ng Uwak… Pag-itim ng Tagak.” She also earned a Gawad ng Urian best actress nomination, as well as the best actress honor at the 2019 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino for her performance in “Lola Igna.”

Ethel Ramos

Veteran talent manager and entertainment columnist Ramos died at the age of 87 on Sept. 10.

Ramos, who was known among showbiz circles as the “Dean of Entertainment Writers,” was the talent manager of actors like Aga Muhlach and Angel Locsin.

‘Harry Potter’ actor Michael Gambon

Gambon, best known to global audiences for playing the wise professor Albus Dumbledore in the “Harry Potter” movie franchise, was 82 when he passed away on Sept. 28. 

He died peacefully in hospital, as per a family statement.

Gambon retired from the stage in 2015 after suffering long-term memory problems but continued to act on screen until 2019.

Mike Enriquez

The veteran broadcaster, who stood as one of the pillars of GMA News, died on Aug. 29. Enriquez would have turned 72 on Sept. 29, exactly a month after his death.

Over five decades in service, he established his name as part of DZBB’s radio programs “Super Balita sa Umaga” and “Saksi sa Dobol B,” as well as Kapuso public affairs programs “Saksi,” “24 Oras” and “Imbestigador.” Aside from the numerous awards he bagged, he was also known for the catchphrases he created such as “Hindi namin kayo tatantanan!” and “Excuse me po!”

‘Friends’ actor Matthew Perry

Perry, who brought to life the character of Chandler Bing in the hit TV sitcom “Friends,” was found dead of an apparent drowning at his Los Angeles home on Oct. 28. He was 54.

It was later revealed that the American actor died as a result of “the acute effects of ketamine,” an anesthetic with psychedelic properties.

“Contributing factors in Mr. Perry’s death include drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine (used to treat opioid use disorder),” the medical examiner said in a statement. “The manner of death is accident. ”

Joey Paras

Paras, who made a name for himself as an actor, comedian and filmmaker, died after “his heart wasn’t able to recover anymore.” He was 45 years old.

While his family did give further details on his death, Paras was diagnosed with a heart condition prior to his death and was given a pacemaker in 2018.

Jun Urbano, popularly known as Mr. Shooli

Manuel “Jun” Urbano Jr., best known for his creation and portrayal of Mr. Shooli in his political satire show “Mongolian Barbecue” in the late 1980s, died in December at the age of 84.

Urbano succumbed to ruptured abdominal aneurysm, according to his grandson Angelo Publico. The late actor also had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and underwent a quintuple heart bypass in 2018.

Reggae singer Kokoi Baldo 

Baldo, one of the finalists of “The Voice Philippines Season 2” in 2015, died after figuring in a vehicular accident in Bacolod on Dec. 8. 

Aside from his “The Voice” stint, Baldo—who was dubbed by his fans as the “Philippines’ Bob Marley”—also won the ABS-CBN reality competition “Your Moment” along with his rock reggae band Juan Gapang.

Andre Braugher

Braugher, best known for his roles in American TV series “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “Homicide: Life on the Street,” died on Dec. 13 due to a brief illness. He was 61.

Braugher is survived by his wife, fellow “Homicide: Life on the Street” star Ami Brabson, and three children.

Ronaldo Valdez

Screen veteran Valdez, whose career spanned nearly five decades, was found dead in his bedroom in the afternoon of Dec. 17. Valdez’s driver found him unconscious while sitting on his chair with a gunshot wound on his temple. The actor was rushed to the hospital, but was declared dead on arrival.

Valdez is survived by his wife, Maria Fe Ilagan Gibbs, and his children, Janno Gibbs and former actress Melissa Gibbs.

Other celebrities in the local and international scene who have passed on were Fred White, Jeff Beck, Burt Bacharach, Raquel Welch, Gary Rossington, Robert Blake, Paul O’Grady, Barry Humphries, Harry Belafonte, Grace Bumbry, Rita Lee, Rolf Harris, Anna Shay, Astrud Gilberto, Treat Williams, Coco Lee, Jane Birkin, Tony Bennett, Bo Goldman, Angus Cloud, Paul Reubens, Mark Margolis, William Friedkin, Ron Cephas Jones, Bob Barker, Burt Young, Richard Roundtree, Jaymee Joaquin, Jograd dela Torre, Frances Sternhagen, Gil Soriano, Norman Lear, Benjamin Zephaniah, Ryan O’Neal, Zahara, Na Chul, Jung Chae-yull, Haesoo, Byun Hee-bong, and Nahee.

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TAGS: Iza Calzado, Matthew Perry, Mike Enriquez, Moonbin, Ronaldo Valdez, Tina Turner, Toni Gonzaga