'70s jukebox queen found dead

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna – Singer-actress Didith Reyes, who became popular in the 1970s with such hits as Bakit Ako Mahihiya and Araw-Araw, Gabi-Gabi, was found dead from still unknown reasons in a friend’s house in Biñan, Laguna yesterday morning, police said.

Chief Superintendent Ricardo Padilla, Region 4 police director, said Reyes – Helen Sta. Maria in real life, in her fifties – was found lifeless at the home of her friend Girlie Antolin at the Floro Compound in Barangay Sto. Domingo at around 5 a.m. yesterday.

Padilla quoted Antolin as saying that Reyes arrived in their house three days ago with bruises on her body, which she said she suffered when a vehicle sideswiped her.

He said Reyes reportedly weakened Tuesday night and was found dead before dawn yesterday.

Residents reported Reyes’ death to their barangay captain, Bayani Serajose, who in turn informed the Biñan police about it.

Reports said Reyes suffered from recurrent stomach problems after being diagnosed with ulcer.

“I already sent scene of the crime operatives and directed the provincial police director to investigate and determine the cause of her death,” Padilla told The Star.

Reyes was tagged as the “Jukebox Queen” during her time for popular songs that included Nananabik, Hindi Kami, Damong Ligaw, Hatiin Natin Ang Gabi, and Aliw.

Reyes started her singing career as part of the Time Machine and Circus Band until she decided to go solo. She was signed up by Vicor Music Corp. owned by cousins Victor del Rosario Jr. of Viva Entertainment and Orly Ilacad of OctoArts.

She also starred in a number of movies such as Panakip Butas, Nananabik, Araw-Araw, Gabi-Gabi (with Charito Solis and Chanda Romero), Hindi Kami Damong Ligaw (starring Marianne de la Riva), and Bakit Ako Mahihiya (with Lolita Rodriguez, Eddie Rodriguez and Alma Moreno in 1976).

She was supposed to do a movie with then San Juan mayor Joseph Estrada, who later became a Philippine president, but this was canceled due to her tight schedule.

Reyes became the talk of the town when one of her breasts was “accidentally” exposed while she was singing Nananabik during the FAMAS awards night in 1977.

At the height of her popularity Reyes said she never wore a bra and underwear.

She represented the Philippines in the Tokyo Song Festival in 1977 and bagged the gold prize.

Her singing contemporaries included Claire de la Fuente and Imelda Papin.

In a radio interview, De la Fuente said Reyes had been suffering from depression and that they tried to help her revive her career but her drinking habits remained.

Reyes was married to Victor Reyes and bore a child named Arvy. Victor died earlier.

She then met 65-year-old Eulogio Disonglo and they lived together for seven years. They separated in August 2006 after she allegedly experienced maltreatment.

Reyes, at the lowest moment of her life, studied cosmetology to earn a living. Her friends in show business and the entertainment media also extended assistance to her.

Entertainment columnist Aster Amoyo, one of Reyes’ closest friends, recommended her to work in one of the beauty salons of Lea Reyes, a younger sister of Ricky Reyes.

The job in the parlor went well for a while but she returned to her old vice – alcohol. She entered a rehabilitation center and was in and out of hospital for medical treatment. – With Ed Amoroso