Rodel Naval — the handsome and enigmatic singer behind the hit ballads “Muli” and “Lumayo Ka Man” — succumbed to AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) 17 years ago, two of his siblings revealed on Saturday, World AIDS Day.
The singer’s sudden and mysterious death in Toronto, Canada on June 11, 1995 at age 42 was officially ascribed to pneumonia, but rumors soon reached Manila that he had in fact died of complications from AIDS.
His sisters Rosalie and Delia acknowledged the rumor as fact in an interview with Cristy Fermin on “Ang Latest” on Saturday, ahead of the release of a new commemorative album of Rodel’s best-known songs.
Delia said Rodel had confessed to his family in Toronto that he was HIV-positive in 1993, two years before his death. “Kalmado niya kaming kinausap. Sabi niya meron nga siyang sakit na genital,” she said.
Rosalie said their brother faced his impending death peacefully. “Kalmado siya kasi bumalik siya sa Diyos, at binigyan siya ng forgiveness and peace,” she said.
Despite his illness, Rodel managed a one-year stint with the cast of the Toronto production of “Miss Saigon” in 1994. He also performed two concerts in April of that year, one in Toronto and another in Los Angeles.
According to his official website, Rodel had begun his showbiz career in 1975 as an actor. But he left in 1979 when he felt his career wasn’t going anywhere and joined his immigrant family in Canada.
When he returned to the Philippines in 1990, he was already an accomplished singer who had performed in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and other cities in North America.
He finally found success at home with the songs “Muli” and “Lumayo Ka Man”. However, he left for Canada again in 1993 when he contracted HIV.
Besides the commemorative album, which will be released by Alpha Records this week, his sisters said a biography of Rodel is also in the works.
source: interaksyon.com
