Former 'Pinoy Dream Academy' contestant Davey Langit dies at 38

Singer-songwriter and Pinoy Dream Academy Season 1 contestant Davey Langit has passed away. He was 38. 

On Oct. 22, Langit's widow, Therese Villarante-Langit announced the news via Facebook.

"Yesterday, my husband, our bestfriend, brother, son, bandmate, collaborator, favorite guitar player, master storyteller, and the kindest, brightest, most beautiful person — fought fiercely ‘til the very end. He felt so loved by you all these past few days. Thank you for filling his heart with so much gratitude, community, and hope," she wrote. 

Just last August, Langit confirmed his diagnosis in a Facebook post. 

"I’ve been diagnosed with spondylodiscitis, a spine infection around thoracic 8 vertebrae..."

"...Ang dami ko nang namimiss gawin, hehe. Gumalaw-galaw, tumugtog at kung anu-ano pa. Pero mas marami akong mamimiss in life kung hinti ko ito uunahin. Salamat ulit sa mga mensahe’t pananalangin ninyo! Be back soon," he wrote. 

Langit rose to fame in 2006 when he joined the first season of the defunct ABS-CBN reality show Pinoy Dream Academy, which featured aspiring singers. While Langit was eliminated on Week 13, Yeng Constantino went on to win the competition. 

Since leaving the reality show, Langit continued to compose songs and perform. He wrote and performed The Selfie Song in 2013, which became a hit.

He was one of the finalists at the 2014 Philippine Pop Music Festival with his composition NGSB (No Girlfriend Since Break), which was performed by Luigi D'avola. A year later, Langit's "Paratingin Mo Na Siya" won 1st runner-up in the same competition. 

In 2016, he joined Himig Handog P-pop Love Songs with his song Dalawang Letra, which was interpreted by The Itchyworms. The song won the grand prize. 

Langit also collaborated on the tracks Cool Off and Time In with Constantino. 

As Langit battled his illness, fellow musicians held benefit concerts for him. The most recent one, held on Oct. 15, featured Langit's friends in the industry, including Nyoy Volante, Gian Magdangal, Lara Maigue, Aikee, and Yumi Lacsamana. 

Another benefit concert would have been held on Oct. 31, headlined by Ebe Dancel and Noel Cabangon. 

There will be a memorial for Langit from Oct. 23 to 26 at the Phoenix Memorial Chapels & Crematory in the City of Santa Rosa, and another one from Oct. 27 to 29 at St. Peter Urdaneta.