Acclaimed Filipino tenor Nolyn Cabahug of Negros Occidental succumbed to acute respiratory failure secondary to pneumonia at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute Monday.

He was 59.

Cabahug, son of the late Rev. Salustiano and Lily Cabahug, passed away six years after he was diagnosed with end-stage renal cancer.

His daughter, Marian Cabahug Unterberg, who confirmed the news of her father's death on her Facebook page, wrote "Thank you all for praying. Papa has left. And is serving in a higher calling. He has been called to sing and give praise to our Creator personally."

The wake for Cabahug will be at Chapel 5 of the Heritage Park, Bayani Road, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, today. Viewing starts at 4 p.m. and a memorial service will follow at 6 p.m., his daughter said.

The “Bayanihan para sa Tenor ng Bayan” benefit concert for Cabahug at the International Baptist Church Manila at Salcedo Village, Makati, will push through at 8 p.m. tomorrow, tenor Jenmai Buntalilid said.

The concert had been scheduled prior to the death of Cabahug to raise funds for his medical expenses.

Cabahug, grew up in Ilog, Negros Occidental, where his father served as a pastor before they moved to Bacolod City.

He acquired his Bachelor of Music Major in Voice degree from the University of the Philippines.

As a soloist and tenor of the U.P. Concert Chorus, he received awards at international competitions in Germany, the Netherlands, and Australia, the Philippine Entertainment Portal said.

Some of his memorable works include playing the role of Crisostomo Ibarra in Felipe Padilla de Leon's restaging of Noli Me Tangere (1987) and as Alfredo Belmonte in Rolando Tinio's Filipino adaptation of La Traviata (1990), PET added.

Cabahug was hailed as Aliw Awards' Best Classical Performer in 2003 and 2005, as well as National Press Club's Opera Singer of The Year in 1990.

He is survived by his wife, Meriam, daughter Marian, son Eziel and sisters Zion and Lisa.*

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