Rene Garcia, known by many people as the lead guitarist of the iconic Filipino band Hotdog, passed away Sunday night, Sept. 2. He was 65.
Rene Garcia (FACEBOOK/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Rene Garcia (FACEBOOK/ MANILA BULLETIN)
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Rene suffered from cardiac arrest and died at around 6:20 p.m., reports said, quoting his brother Dennis Garcia. In a Facebook post an hour ago, Dennis uploaded a slideshow of Rene’s photos accompanied by a “new original, Hotdog song,” “Sana Naman.” “The very last collaboration with my exceptionally gifted brother Rene Garcia. It was a hell of a ride, tol… I will miss you like hell,” the caption read. The Garcia brothers formed Hotdog in the ‘70s with female lead singer Ella del Rosario. They pioneered “Manila Sound” with hits such as “Pers Lab,” “Bongga Ka Day,” “Ikaw Ang Miss Universe Ng Buhay Ko,” and “Bitin Sa’Yo,” which the vocalist sang with Rene. Ella and Rene also did a duet of “Ikaw Ang Miss Universe Ng Buhay” before an international audience during the proclamation ceremonies of the Miss Universe pageant held at the Folk Arts Theater in Manila in July 1974. Industry colleagues expressed grief over the matter. Actor Richard Merk posted on Facebook: “This is so sad. The music industry just lost a great talent. And I lost a good friend. I will miss you Rene Garcia of ‘Hotdog.’ Tagal mag-sink in sa akin pre! I am a huge fan of youts. The songs you wrote, ibang klase ka Rene!... Rest in heavenly place my dear friend,” he said.