Veteran actor John Regala passes away at 58

John Regala passed away on Saturday morning, June 3 due to cardiac arrest.

As confirmed by his wife, Victoria Scherrer, the seasoned actor died of health complications caused by liver and kidney failure.

"He died at 6:28 a.m. of cardiac arrest due to liver and kidney complications at the New Era General Hospital," she told ABS-CBN News.

Regala has been confined multiple times at the hospital due to several ailments including bouts with liver cirrhosis, and diabetes.

In July 2020, his friends from the industry Chuckie Dreyfus, Nadia Montenegro, and Aster Amoyo pleaded for help on behalf of the veteran actor and opened a crowdfunding page.

However, a month later, they all backed out as Regala was being uncooperative.

"Sadly, no amount of effort on our part can help a very uncooperative and difficult individual. In addition, John's terrible habit of constant and abusive self-medication is something we cannot condone nor tolerate," they wrote in a joint statement.

Despite it, they "are thankful to have had this opportunity" and wished the actor the best.

Born on September 12, 1965, Regala marked his career in the '80s, casting on the late German Moreno's That's Entertainment.

He was known for his antagonist roles in the '90s, and was portrayed in many films such as Boy Kristiano, Isa-Isahin ko Kayo, Primitivo Ebok Ala: Kalaban Mortal ni Baby Ama, and The Vizconde Massacre: God Help Us.

Regala won best-supporting actor at the 2011 Metro Manila Filmfest for the movie Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story and recently appeared in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano in 2016.

His family sets to finalize his wake arrangement at St. Peter Chapels in Tandang Sora, Quezon City.