Tropical Depression vocalist dies

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical Depression vocalist Dominic “Papadom” Gamboa passed away yesterday due to a kidney disease, according to a philstar.com report. Radio jock Rico Robles was among the first to report on social media the sad news.

Philippine Entertainment Portal reported that the Gamboa family was asking for two days of privacy to grieve, quoting the message posted by singer Cooky Chua in her Facebook account.

Chua wrote: “Hanggang sa muli Papadom Gamboa, mahal na mahal  kita ang aking guro nung nagsimula pa lamang ako sa eksena.”

Papadom’s reggae band Tropical Depression rose to prominence in the ’90s, popularizing such songs as Kapayapaan, Alaala and Bilog Na Ang Buwan.

“Success for me is hearing how my songs have inspired or touched other people’s lives,” said Papadom in an article written by Rex Raymond Torrecampo. “To have delivered the message across to as many people possible is what being successful means to me.”