Jograd dela Torre dies
JOGRAD DELA TORRE – The family, friends, and fans of the singer-composer and comedian are mourning following his passing.
The sad news of his passing was announced by his sister, Arlene McCullough, on social media today, November 15. “Everyone, prayers and love for my brother (dela Torre) who joined Papa Eddie, Mama Betty, Boy Antoy, and Manong Bebot,” she said in her Facebook post, accompanied by a photo of a candle.
The cause of his death or details about his wake were not mentioned. However, in an interview with entertainment writer and vlogger Morly Alinio last July, Jograd mentioned that he was battling liver disease and had been hospitalized several times.
“Minsan nga, parang sumusuko na ako dahil inom ako nang inom ng gamot, pero mas masarap mabuhay e kaya gusto ko gumaling,” Jograd told Morly.
The actor-musician also expressed in the interview that he was prepared to move on to the next life but still hoped for more time with his family. Jograd started in the theater, where he worked alongside TV and stage actress Isay Alvarez. Johnny Manahan discovered him in the theater and brought him to television.
He gained prominence in showbiz when he became a co-host on the musical variety show “Superstar” with National Artist Nora Aunor and the late star maker German “Kuya Germs” Moreno.
Aside from his stint on “Superstar,” Jograd also starred in the film “Okleng Tokleng” (1986) and appeared in other movies such as “Working Girls” (1984), “Rambo Tan-Go” (1984), “Bala at Lipstick” (1994), “Cubao Kid: Until the Last Bullet” (2017), and many more.
He also produced several songs like “Bulag na Pag-ibig,” “Hindi Ako Lasing,” “Pag-ibig Ko’y Metal,” and “Kawatan,” which he sang during the height of the pork barrel scam involving Janet Napoles and some high-ranking elected officials.