ACTOR and former Hagibis band member Jose Parsons Nabiula, Jr., better known by his stage name Sonny Parsons, died on May 10, at the age of 61, from a heart attack while riding his motorcycle.

His death was confirmed by his friend Manuel Rigor, a member of the 1970s disco group VST and Company through a Facebook post. Mr. Rigor said Mr. Nabiula was riding his motorcycle in Lemery, Batangas when he had a heart attack. He was headed for Quezon province.

“Ride free, Sonny. We had good and bad times. Thank you for the memories, lakay. You will be missed. So sad,” Mr. Rigor said in his post.

Actress Vivian Velez, who also functions as the director-general of the Film Academy of the Philippines, mourned his death in a Facebook post on May 10.

“Another Legend of OPM’s Pinoy Discorama… Rest in peace Senyor Sonny Parsons of Hagibis. Ride to paradise my friend,” Ms. Velez said.

From the 1970s through much of the ‘80s, Mr. Nabiula was a member of the Manila sound group Hagibis, also called the “Village People of the Philippines” because of their similar penchant for campy onstage costumes, catchy songs, and suggestive lyrics.

The band was formed by Juan dela Cruz band singer Mike Hanopol and Viva executive Vic del Rosario. The original lineup included Mr. Nabiula, Bernie Fineza, Mike Respall, Joji Garcia, and Mon Picazo.

Hagibis was known for song like “Legs” (1979), “Katawan” (1979), and “Nanggigigil” (1979).

Beyond his singing career, Mr. Nabiula transitioned to acting after the singing group starred in the film Legs Katawan Babae by Tony Ferrer in 1981. In 1997, he produced, directed, and starred in the film Bala Para sa Katarungan.

His IMDb page lists 33 credits as an actor but only includes films and series he did until 2005. His last acting appearance was in action-drama series FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano in 2017.

Mr. Nabiula was also a city councilor in Marikina. — Zsarlene B. Chua

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