Victor Wood, jukebox king, passes away at 74

Victor Wood, known as the Philippines’ jukebox king, passed away on Friday. He was 74.

The veteran singer died 9 a.m. at New Era Hospital in Quezon City, his common-law wife Nerissa confirmed in a phone conversation with GMA-7’s Lhar Santiago.

She said her husband was rushed to the hospital due to asthma yesterday.  

The singer was diagnosed with pneumonia and showed a negative result in an initial rapid test.

Wood was later admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU), tested positive for COVID-19, and had to be intubated due to low oxygen level.    

While funeral arrangements were still being finalized, the family said he would be laid to rest in Montalban, Rizal.

Meanwhile, Carlo Ortega Cuevas, who directed the biopic “The Victor Wood Story,” paid tribute to the singer in a Facebook post.

“Mapalad ako dahil bago siya pinagpahinga ng Diyos ay narinig ko sa kanya mismo ang isang kwentong ngayon ay isa ng kasaysayan. Mahaba at makabuluhang usapan tungkol sa buhay, kasikatan, pagbagsak, pagbangon, pagtingala ... at pagpanaw,” he wrote.

[I am blessed because before God made him rest, I was able to hear from him a story now considered history, a long and meaningful talk on life, fame, downfall, rising up, pride ... and death.]

Cuevas said that while Wood told him about his childhood, he felt as if he was growing up with the singer.

“Isang karangalan na mapalapit sa kanya sa huling taon ng kanyang buhay. Ang mga karanasan niya ay nag-iwan sa akin ng aral na babaunin ko hanggang sa pagtanda,” said Cuevas.

[It’s truly an honor to have gotten close to him during his last year on earth. His experiences taught me lessons that I will bring with me until I grow old.]

However, he expressed regret that he was unable to answer the singer’s phone call.

“Sampung araw ang nakakalipas, tumawag sya, dalawang beses, ’di ko nasagot. Sinubukan ko siyang tawagan pero di na rin nya nasagot. Ano kaya ang sasabihin o ibibilin sana nya?” the director said.

[Ten days have passed. He called twice, I wasn’t able to answer. I tried calling him back but he wasn’t answering too. What did he want to tell me?]

Wood made a name for himself with his famous ballads such as “Mr. Lonely,” “I’m Sorry My Love,” “Eternally,” “Crying Time,” and “Carmelita.”

He also starred in films with Nora Aunor and other popular leading ladies.

The singer tried his hand in politics but failed in his senatorial bid in 2007 and 2013.

His life journey, from his rise to fame and to his personal turmoils, had been retold on “The Victor Wood Story.” – Kaela Malig, with a report from Lhar Santiago/RC, GMA News