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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Music and Concerts devider Bing Austria, Filipino ska, reggae, soul pioneer, dies at 62

Bing Austria, Filipino ska, reggae, soul pioneer, dies at 62

Published Jun 9, 2026 06:49 pm

At A Glance

  • Veteran Filipino musician Bing Austria, a pioneering figure in the country's ska, reggae, and alternative music scenes, has died at the age of 62 after battling sepsis, his family confirmed.

Veteran Filipino musician Abraham “Bing” Austria has died at the age of 62, his family announced on social media on Monday, June 8.

In a Facebook statement, the family described his final moments as peaceful and surrounded by loved ones.

“After more than a week battling sepsis at the ICU, Abraham ‘Bing’ Austria is now painless and sent off by his family and loved ones to a nice place,” the family wrote, referencing “Nice Place,” a track from his former band Juan Pablo Dream.

The family also acknowledged the outpouring of support during his confinement, noting how assistance helped sustain his medical care.

“We are deeply grateful for all the financial support and assistance everyone has extended. Your help gave Bing a fighting chance,” the statement added.

A respected figure in the Philippine independent music landscape, Austria built a multi-decade career that moved across ska, reggae, and alternative soul.

He played keyboards for pioneering ska group Put3ska and later joined reggae outfit Tropical Depression, two acts widely credited with shaping the country’s early alternative music movement.

He eventually stepped into the spotlight as frontman of Juan Pablo Dream, where he became known for his distinctive musical style and live presence.

Austria later founded Flippin’ Soul Stompers, continuing his work as a collaborator and bandleader across genres.

Tributes quickly emerged from colleagues and artists who worked closely with him over the years, remembering not only his musicianship but also his role as a mentor within the scene.

Singer-actress Tuesday Vargas described him as both a mentor and a guiding presence in her artistic journey.

“Thank you for the lessons, the tough love, the shared history, and the music that changed my life,” Vargas wrote. “The local scene will never be the same without your style and your fire, but your legacy lives on in every beat we play.”

Related Tags

Bing Austria Bing Austria death Sepsis Tropical Depression Put3ska Juan Pablo Dream
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