Diminutive star Noeme Tesorero, known as Mahal in showbiz, died on Tuesday, August 31.
She was 46.
The news was confirmed by her sister, Irene Tesorero, to entertainment website, Pep.ph.
The report said Mahal had gastroenteritis and also tested positive from COVID-19.
In a post on Facebook, Irene Tesorero wrote: “Ang aming kapatid na si mahal ay pumanaw na. Wala pa schedule sa kanyang burol due to covid restriction.”
Friends from the entertainment industry posted words of sympathy and grief for Mahal on social media.
Comedian and vlogger Brenda Mage, who worked as Mahal’s assistant, wrote: “2 years din kita nakasama sa bahay at naging alalay mo sa mga out of town shows mo…ang tapang mo para umabot ng ganyang edad sa kalagayan mo…Mahal ka namin Mahal…pahinga na aming Munting Mahal…”
Kiray Celis, who was in “Owe My Love” with Mahal, said: “Sa liit ng panahon na nakasama kita, ganun naman kalaki ang naibigay mong saya sa puso ko.”
Mahal was last seen in a YouTube vlog posted two weeks ago. In it, she traveled to Bicol to visit her friend, former actor Mura, who is now residing in Guinobotan, Albay. She gave him groceries and money and vowed to assist the ailing Mura until her last breath.
“Pag halimbawa mawala ako sa mundo, meron akong konting naitulong sa’yo,” she told Mura.
