The rift between Batangueña singer-actress Aimee Torre and composer-singer Renee de la Rosa has long been buried four feet below the ground ahead of Renee’s death last week.
Aimee, who was married to the late Engr. Claudio Villanueva of Lipa City was devastated when Renee, also known as Alon—the composer of her hit song “Pusong Bato”—suddenly died on the thirtieth count after the twenty ninth hospitals in Metro Manila rejected him while he was suffering from pneumonia.
Many of de la Rosa’s colleagues in the music industry which included fellow singer and composer Lito Camu and Manny Paksiw, comedian-musician-cum—impersonator of Manny Pacquiao got infuriated when the disappointing treatment of the hospitals reached them.
“Kawawa naman si Alon, namatay siya nang dahil sa pagtanggi sa kanya ng mga ospital (Alon is pitiful because he died due to the refusals of his admittances to hospitals),” said Manny, Johnny Dagami, Jr. in real life.
“Grabe ang nangyari kay Alon (What happened to Alon was too much). May his soul rest in peace,” said the Batangueña—by virtue of her marriage—artist who was born in Manila.
Aimee can’t forget the bond she shared with Renee especially when she was giving life to his musical creation. According to Torres, Alon was a persevering musician.
Although she and Alon had a misunderstanding when he also recorded “Pusong Bato” the rift was already water under the bridge. Torres at the time said they owned the song because they already paid Renee his composer’s fee.
“Tapos na po ‘yon (That’s already said and done). May he rest in peace,” reiterated the Batangueña singer.