What’s the cause behind so many young deaths: Davey Langit’s passing renews debate

MANILA: Davey Langit, the Filipino singer-songwriter best known for his heartfelt ballads and viral OPM hits, has died at the age of 38. However, Langit’s death is not just being taken as an immense loss, but it has also reignited the debate behind the causes of so many people dying young nowadays.

Langit’s passing was confirmed by his wife, fellow artist Therese Villarante-Langit, in a social media post on Wednesday, October 22. Though no official cause of death was publicly disclosed, Langit had previously opened up about his health struggles in a YouTube vlog published in October, where he revealed being diagnosed with a serious spinal condition two months prior.

The couple spoke candidly in the video about the painful and uncertain journey to diagnose the source of Langit’s persistent back pain. Despite the prognosis, they expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from friends and fans and remained hopeful for recovery.

Therese paid tribute to her husband online, remembering him as a passionate soul who embraced life fully – from thrill-seeking adventures and spontaneous dancing to pouring his heart into music and storytelling. “He loved, LOVED music and songwriting with such fire,” she wrote. “My husband… fought fiercely ‘til the very end.”

Langit rose to fame in 2006 as a contestant on the first season of Pinoy Dream Academy and went on to become a respected figure in the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) scene. Among his best-known works are “Wedding Song” and the viral hit “Selfie Song.” In 2016, his composition “Dalawang Letra,” performed by The Itchyworms, won the Grand Prize at the Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs competition.

Public memorials for Langit will be held at Phoenix Memorial Chapels and Crematory Inc. in Santa Rosa, Laguna, from October 23 to 26, followed by another memorial at St Peter Urdaneta from October 27 to 29.

“Thank you for being part of Davey’s life,” Therese wrote. “He loved each and every one of you.”

Earlier this week, American chess grandmaster, commentator, and educator Daniel Naroditsky has died at the age of 29, just weeks before his 30th birthday. Last week, Sam Rivers, the longtime bassist and founding member of Limp Bizkit, died at the age of 48. There is no dearth of conspiracy theories behind a sudden surge in young deaths lately, including some even speculating these deaths to be linked to the aftermaths of mass vaccinations.