‘This Time I’ll Be Sweeter’ singer Angela Bofill dies at 70

Angela Bofill | Image: Screengrab from YouTube/Gary Baca TV

R&B singer Angela Bofill, known for her hit “This Time I’ll Be Sweeter,” has died at the age of 70, as confirmed by her manager.

Her death was announced by her friend and manager, Rich Engel, through her personal Facebook page, and confirmed by a representative of People Magazine.

“ON BEHALF OF MY DEAR FRIEND ANGIE, I AM SADDENED TO ANNOUNCE HER PASSING ON THE MORNING OF JUNE 13TH,” the first post read, adding that the singer’s funeral will be held at St. Dominick’s Church in California on June 28 at 1 p.m.

“JUST TO CLEAR UP THE CONFUSION, ON BEHALF OF SHAUNA BOFILL, HUSBAND CHRIS PORTUGUESE, WE ARE SADDENED BUT MUST REPORT THAT THE PASSING OF ANGELA YESTERDAY IS INDEED TRUE,” said the second post.

With a career spanning over four decades, Bofill released some hits, including “I Try,” “Angel of the Night,” “You Should Know By Now,” and “Tonight I Give In,” that most Filipinos have come to love.

The American singer-songwriter was a frequent visitor to the Philippines, with her last appearance being 20 years ago, when she was invited to perform in a concert at Merk’s in Greenbelt.

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Her album “Live from Manila” (recorded in September 2004) was released in 2006, the year she suffered a stroke and was paralyzed on her left side. At the time, she was in need of speech and physical therapy. To help pay her hospital bills, a benefit concert was organized on her behalf.

In July 2007, Bofill suffered a second stroke, which required more therapy and left both her speech and mobility impaired.

In 2011, the “I’m on Your Side” singer returned to stage after her hospitalization and expressed how happy she was to perform again.

“I feel happy performing again,” she told The Denver Post. “I need a crowd. In the blood, entertain. Any time a crowd comes to see me, I’m surprised. No singing, no more, and still people come. Wow. Impressed.” 

In an interview with Essence Magazine in 2020, Bofill reacted to the death hoaxes she had received over the years as well as the tributes.

“You always must welcome love,” she expressed. “I figured, ‘They really like me!’ [I’m just] laughing at it, really. It’s better to have a sense of humor.”