Dannyka Manangan

‘DOTA O Ako’ singer Vanessa Blanca passes away

Article (news)

Alyana De Guzman

Push Team

<p>Vanessa Blanca, the female singer featured in the 2010s hit “DOTA O Ako,” has died at the age of 30. </p><p>Her cousin Ivy confirmed the news in a Facebook post on Wednesday, August 19, saying Vanessa passed away following an accident at the condominium where she was staying in Manila. </p><p>“To our dear friends, relatives, and everyone who knew and loved Vanessa, </p><p>It is with the heaviest heart that I share the heartbreaking news of the passing of my beloved first cousin and little sister, Vanessa Blanca Quillo Rangadhol, who tragically passed away today, August 19, 2026, following an accident at the condominium where she was staying in Manila,” Ivy wrote. </p><p>Her sudden loss makes it even more heartbreaking for their entire family as she was also the unica hija or only daughter of her mom, Anabella.  </p><p>“She was not only my cousin, but also someone I cherished and considered my little sister. 🤍,” Ivy added.  </p><div><strong></strong><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2FVanessa.Blanca.1995%2Fposts%2F2447674669062394%3A1804332151003851&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=500" width="500" height="250" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><strong></strong></div><p> Their family has since asked friends, relatives, fans, and supporters to give them the time, space, and privacy as they mourn Vanessa’s passing.  </p><p>“Rest peacefully, my dear Wani🤍 You were deeply loved, and you will forever be remembered and missed,” the post ended.  </p><p>Details about Vanessa’s wake and funeral arrangements will be announced by the family once arrangements have been finalized. </p><p>News of her passing saddened fans and music listeners, many of whom took to social media to express their condolences and offer prayers.  </p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2Fiskinbeautydistrictph%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0EiKr3a5JUVXyJ2pMpaUBtZbj8hpTm8XjZ6CsMMru2kH9S543LstQReF2P7iLBPS8l&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=500" width="500" height="250" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Songwriter and rapper Aikee, who was Vanessa’s collaborator in the original version of “DOTA O Ako,” also paid tribute to the late singer by reposting their song on his Facebook account.</p><p>&quot;Mahal na mahal ko tong Patner kong to eh 🥹💔 Mamamalagi siya sa Puso ko. Isa sa mga Tunay at Mapagmahal na Kapatid!&quot; he wrote. </p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2Freel%2F2134747947108486%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=267&amp;t=0" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Vanessa is famously known for taking part in the original version of &quot;DOTA O Ako&quot; in 2011. The song became particularly popular among Filipino fans of the online computer game DOTA during the height of its popularity in the 2010s. </p><p>In 2013, UMG Philippines released another version of the song featuring Aikee with Sabrina, giving the track a different female vocal rendition.</p><p>A decade after the original version of the song was released, Vanessa and Aikee reunited for a sequel titled “DOTA At Ako,” which was released by Netflix Philippines in 2021. </p><p>The sequel revisited their connection with the game while continuing the story introduced in their earlier hit. </p><p>“I was so excited in general to be working with Aikee again because it has really been a long time since our collaboration -- 10 years ago to be exact. We&#x27;ve gotten so busy individually with our careers so it was definitely time to catch up and reminisce in a super memorable and major way,” Vanessa said at the time. </p><p>“I knew I was gonna do it! I had to do it for sure! And especially ecstatic to do the sequel with Netflix because I am OBSESSED,” she added. </p><div><iframe width="655" height="491" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pAEFx5GKtTU" title="Dota o Ako, 10 Years Later…" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Before becoming known for “DOTA O Ako,” Vanessa was already making her mark in the local entertainment scene. </p><p>She competed in GMA’s <em>Popstar Kids</em>, where she finished as second runner-up. She later became part of Sugarpop in 2006, the pre-teen singing group formed by finalists of the reality talent competition. The group included fellow singers Julie Anne San Jose and Rita Daniela, among others. Vanessa eventually reunited with her former Sugarpop co-members in 2023. </p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2FVanessa.Blanca.1995%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02Xk8W3Uke9X14yHM4DspM8rdchMgWMkVa2e6ZTTw52xe6QBzSsiXh6upodgi5zraml&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="250" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>The Filipino-Indian singer also continued pursuing her passion for music as she joined MYMP in 2011 at the age of 16, taking on the role of lead vocalist after Juliet Bahala left the group. </p><p>In recent years, Vanessa had remained active in music and online content as she became a content creator and vocal coach before her passing.  </p>

<p>Vanessa Blanca, the original singer of the 2010s hit “DOTA O Ako,” has died at the age of 30. </p>

Vanessa Blanca, the original singer of the 2010s hit “DOTA O Ako,” has died at the age of 30.