Vanessa Blanca, the Filipino singer best known as a former member of the youth group Sugarpop and for her involvement in the popular song “DOTA O Ako,” died on August 19, 2026, at the age of 30. Her sudden passing prompted an outpouring of grief from relatives, former colleagues and fans who remembered her contribution to Philippine entertainment.
According to a statement from Blanca’s cousin, Ivy Ann Salaum Jubelag, Vanessa suffered a fatal accident while getting dressed in the bathroom of the Manila condominium where she was staying. The family said she accidentally tripped and fell, striking her face and head on the floor.
The fall caused a severe traumatic brain injury and internal brain hemorrhage, which the family identified as the cause of her death. Her companions reportedly sought emergency medical assistance, but the family said an ambulance did not arrive within about 15 minutes. They then took her to a nearby hospital in a wheelchair, but despite efforts to obtain urgent treatment, she died from her injuries.
The family has described the incident as accidental and appealed to the public to avoid speculation while relatives mourn their loss. The circumstances surrounding Blanca’s final moments have therefore been explained by her family as a tragic bathroom fall rather than a deliberate act.
Blanca, whose full name was Vanessa Blanca Quillo Rangadhol, first gained public attention as a finalist on Popstar Kids before becoming a member of Sugarpop. The group also included Julie Anne San Jose, Rita Daniela, Enzo Almario and Cholo Bismonte. She was particularly remembered for the original version of “DOTA O Ako,” a song that became associated with Filipino pop culture in the 2010s.
News of her death was met with emotional tributes from her former Sugarpop colleagues. San Jose mourned the loss of her former groupmate, while other members also shared messages and funeral information as fans gathered to remember Blanca and her career.
Vanessa Blanca’s death at just 30 has left her family, friends and supporters grieving a life that ended suddenly and unexpectedly. Her music and performances, however, remain part of the memories shared by those who watched her rise from a young talent on Philippine television to a familiar voice in Filipino pop music.
