At A Glance
- Vanessa Blanca, the singer known for the original "DOTA O Ako," has died at 30 following an accident in Manila. Her family, fans, and former collaborators mourn her passing.
Vanessa Blanca, the singer behind the original version of the popular track “DOTA O Ako,” has died at 30.
Her cousin Ivy shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook on Wednesday, August 19, revealing that Vanessa died following an accident at the condominium where she was staying in Manila.
News of Vanessa's death quickly prompted an outpouring of condolences from fans and listeners who remembered her through her music.
Among those who paid tribute was songwriter and rapper Aikee, who collaborated with Vanessa on the original "DOTA O Ako."
Aikee shared the song on Facebook while remembering his longtime collaborator.
“Mahal na mahal ko tong Patner kong to eh. Mamamalagi siya sa Puso ko. Isa sa mga Tunay at Mapagmahal na Kapatid!”
Vanessa and Aikee's collaboration became closely associated with Filipino DOTA fans during the game's peak popularity in the 2010s.
Vanessa would go on to join MYMP in 2011.
A decade after their first collaboration, Vanessa and Aikee reunited for “DOTA At Ako,” a sequel released by Netflix Philippines in 2021.
Looking back on their reunion at the time, Vanessa said she was excited to work with Aikee again after a decade apart.
“I was so excited in general to be working with Aikee again because it has really been a long time since our collaboration, 10 years ago to be exact.”
She also expressed her excitement about making the sequel with Netflix.
“I knew I was gonna do it! I had to do it for sure! And especially ecstatic to do the sequel with Netflix because I am OBSESSED.”