Kokoi Baldo, a contestant from the second season of The Voice of the Philippines, tragically passed away at the age of 44 in the early hours of December 8.
According to Philstar Global, he died from head trauma sustained in an automobile accident that happened on the Circumferential Road in Bacolod, Philippines, approximately one and a half hours after midnight.
“It is with a heavy heart to inform the public, especially the fans, that Kokoi Baldo has passed away earlier this morning,” posted Kokoi Baldo’s manager, Sam, on his official Facebook page. In observance of his family and friends, we respectfully request that you keep this difficult time private.”
The post said that the singer will be missed, loved, and always in their hearts. It ended with a thank you for your understanding and stated that any more updates would be shared on the official Kokoi Baldo Facebook page.
It’s interesting to note that an hour later, Kokoi’s wife went back on Facebook and asked fans to take down any posts regarding the singer’s untimely passing because they were upsetting the family.
Kokoi Baldo met with an accident
Kokoi Baldo, whose real name was Juan Manuel Ubaldo, died on Friday at the age of 44, according to a report from Philstar Global.
At one in the morning, a car accident caused the sad event. Baldo lost control of his motorcycle and fell off it on a curved section of the road while trying to pass a car, according to preliminary police reports that the news outlet was able to obtain. Later, on Bacolod’s Circumferential Road, he was run over by a ten-wheeler pick-up truck that was transporting sugarcane.
The truck driver, identified as Benny Flor, continued to drive oblivious to Baldo being pulled by his car, according to the Manila Bulletin.
The seriousness of the situation wasn’t made clear until another truck driver saw the incident and pulled over Flor. Reggae singer unfortunately died on the spot from severe head injuries, despite best efforts.
The media outlet claims that Kokoi’s family met with the driver responsible for the incident. Despite the fact that the police have detained him, they have not yet filed a lawsuit against him. According to the Manila Times, the artist had no chance of surviving the accident because his head had been severed from his body.
Remembering Kokoi Baldo’s life and career
Kokoi Baldo reportedly took part in The Voice of the Philippines’ second season, which aired on ABS-CBN in 2014, according to Manila Bulletin.
Philstar Global announced that during the reality singing competition’s Live Shows, he received the public’s choice recognition for two weeks in a row. Despite Baldo making it to the championship round, that season’s victor was his teammate Jason Dy.
Kokoi’s soulful interpretations of songs like “One Day” by Matisyahu, “To Be with You” by Mr. Big, and “Message in a Bottle” by The Police helped him become well-known.
As the “Bob Marley of the Philippines,” Baldo was dubbed by Medico Topics, and his official Facebook page acknowledged him as the winner of the ABS-CBN reality show “Your Moment” alongside the rock-reggae band Juan Gapang.
More about The Voice of the Philippines show
On October 26, 2014, the second season of ABS-CBN’s reality singing competition, The Voice of the Philippines, debuted. For this season, coaches apl.de.ap, Lea Salonga, Sarah Geronimo, and Bamboo Mañalac are back. Luis Manzano from The Voice Kids joined Toni Gonzaga as she returned to hosting. Alex Gonzaga and Robi Domingo, two more V-reporters, are back.
Saturdays at 8:45 p.m. (PST) and Sundays at 8:30 p.m. (PST) were the times the show aired.
On March 1, 2015, Jason Dy from Team Sarah triumphed over Alisah Bonaobra from Team Apl.
