Joey Paras, an actor and playwright best known for his roles in the films Last Supper Number 3 and Bekikang: Ang Nanay Kong Beki, has died. He was 45.

His family confirmed the news in a statement on Facebook on Sunday night, October 29. 

“To all of our family and friends, we are saddened to announce that our Tito Joey Paras, passed away and joined our Creator this afternoon, October 29, 2023 at 5:40pm. Unfortunately his heart wasn't able to recover anymore,” the post read.

“Currently, his remains is still at the hospital's morgue. We need to settle his hospital bills for us to take him home. Our family is knocking at your kind and generous heart to help us raise a fund to cover his hospital bills. Kindly PM us immediate family for the bank details. Funeral arrangements will be announced further,” the post added.

Back in 2020, Joey opened up about his health condition in an interview with PUSH, saying it was the main reason why he decided to temporarily step away from showbiz.

“Actually, maraming factors [kung bakit ako nawala]. Una dito, nagkasakit ako sa puso, di ba? Dahil nagkasakit ako sa puso marami akong offers na hindi ginawa. Hindi na ako nagteleserye kaya siguro hindi na nila ako nakikita masyado," he explained. 

"Kung gumawa man ako ng pelikula, mga indie, hindi siya inire-release ng maraming sinehan. Tsaka ano na rin, ang dami kong hinindian kasi nagpahinga talaga ako – health reasons,” he added. 

“Hindi talaga siya healthy kapag pinush ko na magpatuloy ako. Pero once in a while, gumagawa ako tapos nagtuturo ako ng (acting) workshop every week, may sarili akong grupo. Tapos siguro ito na rin yung taon na gusto ko ring lumihis ng konti mula sa ginagawa ko dati, gusto ko namang maging filmmaker," he continued. 

At the time, Joey said he had a CRT-D, which is a special device for heart failure patients who are already at high risk for sudden cardiac death, according to Boston Scientific.

“Para siyang pacemaker. Kasi yung heart ko, na-angioplasty ako, na-angiogram, nakitang may bara at tinanggal yung bara,” Joey said.

“After a year ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko so nilagyan na ako ng machine. So for one year and a half meron na akong device. Binubuhay ako nung device,” he added. 

“2016 yung angioplasty. 2018 nung nilagyan ako ng device. So ngayon, lumalaban lang ako.”

READ:EXCLUSIVE: Actor comedian Joey Paras nag-slow down sa showbiz dahil sa heart condition

Joey first rose to fame for his role as Wilson Nanawa in the indie comedy Last Supper No. 3, which won best film at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival in 2009. The role also earned him a Best Actor nod at the Gawad Urian Awards and New Movie Actor of the Year at the Star Awards for Movie in 2010.

In addition to portraying Wilson, Joey also played the lead role in the 2013 film Bekikang: Ang Nanay Kong Beki, alongside Tirso Cruz III and Tom Rodriguez. 

His other credits include roles in films Sisterakas (2012), Momzillas (2013), Born Beautiful (2019), and Ayuda Babes (2021), and shows like Dahil May Isang Ikaw (2009), Kahit Puso’y Masugatan (2012), and FlordeLiza (2015).

Born Joseph Estrada Paras, Joey was also a screenwriter and a playwright who wrote and directed such films as the 2012 indie horror flick Hantu and Wala na Bang Ibang Title? in 2014. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication arts from the University of Santo Tomas in 1998.

During his interview with PUSH, Joey expressed his desire to continue doing what he loves — acting — despite his heart condition.

“Hindi ko puwedeng iwan itong pag-arte. Bread and butter ko ‘to, so kung may mga teleserye, sige lang kung kaya ng health kasi nga puyatan din ‘di ba at hindi ko puwedeng ngaragin yung sarili ko,” he said.