The former Sugarpop member was planning a reunion with Vanessa Blanca when news of her sudden death left the group devastated.
Julie Anne San Jose was left heartbroken as she remembered her fellow Sugarpop member Vanessa Blanca, whose sudden death came as a devastating shock to the group.
The singer became emotional during the media conference for her latest single, “Saglit Lang,” which she personally wrote, produced, and performed. What was supposed to be a celebration of her new music also became an emotional moment as she opened up about losing someone she considered a little sister.
“Honestly nakakagulat. Kasi ang tagal rin namin hindi nakita si Vanessa nagpaplano pa naman kami ng reunion sana,” Julie Anne shared in GMA News and radar.
She recalled how the news reached them through Rita Daniela’s mother, making the loss even harder to process because Vanessa was still so young.
“Nagulat kami yesterday, from Rita’s mom na wala na siya, na nagkaroon ng aksidente. Sobrang sudden kasi she’s so young, ang dami pang good things na mangyayari sa life niya and then…,” she said.
Julie Anne revealed that they had last seen Vanessa a few months ago, while their most recent larger gathering happened years earlier on GMA’s “All Out Sunday,” when the Sugarpop members had the chance to come together for a mini reunion with their batchmates.
“Nagpa-plano pa nga sana kami magkita-kita and then it all happened so fast,” Julie Ann said. “Honestly, I can’t express how in deep pain we are, especially bunso kasi namın si Vanessa (among Sugarpop members).”
For Julie Anne, the pain is made heavier by knowing that Vanessa still had so many dreams she hoped to fulfill. Her plans of building a family and pursuing the life she envisioned were among the things that made her passing particularly difficult for those who knew her closely.
“Ang dami pa niyang pangarap sa sarılı niya. She wants to have a kid, she wants to get married, and we’re really devastated,” she added.
The loss also came at a significant time for Julie Anne, who is currently planning to mark her 20th anniversary in the entertainment industry this year. Amid preparations for the milestone, Vanessa’s death became an emotional reminder of how unexpectedly life can change.
Breaking down in tears, she said: “She’s in paradise now.”
Vanessa’s death was announced by her cousin Ivy Ann Salaum Jubelag in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
“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.
In a separate Facebook post, Ivy revealed that Vanessa sustained a severe traumatic brain injury that resulted in an internal brain hemorrhage following an accidental fall.
A public viewing for Vanessa will be held on August 21 at 6 PM at Loyola Memorial Chapels in Commonwealth, Quezon City.
Born on December 6, 1995, Vanessa became part of Sugarpop alongside Julie Anne, Rita, Enzo Almario, and Cholo Bismonte.
She was also remembered for her song “DOTA O Ako” with Aikee, a catchy track centered on a man’s dilemma between spending time with his girlfriend and playing his favorite game.
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