RJ Rosales passes away in Australia

Filipino-Australian RJ Rosales, who first rose to fame as an acclaimed theater actor then became a noted film and TV personality, and recording artist as an ABS-CBN talent, passed away on Sunday, December 4, in Sydney, reports said. He was 37.

The exact cause of death has not yet been determined as RJ's family requested for privacy.

In a statement, Star Magic, which handled RJ's career in the Philippines, said: "Star Magic sympathizes with RJ's family in his untimely demise. We ask everyone to pray for the eternal repose of RJ's soul."

RJ last appeared in the local showbiz scene in the 2006 Metro Manila Film Festival entry "Blue Moon," which earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination. In the years leading to that milestone feat in his local showbiz career, he had been appearing on several ABS-CBN shows, including "ASAP," "Attagirl" and "Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka."

RJ is remembered for his duet with Carol Banawa, "Together Forever," the theme song of the 2002 Star Cinema film "Forevermore."

But RJ started quite impressively as a member of the cast of the Australian production of "Miss Saigon" in 1996. Before landing his ABS-CBN contract, he worked in several theater productions in Singapore. He left the Philippines in late 2007 and returned to Australia for a revival of the Cameron Mackintosh production.

At the time of his death, he had been performing regularly at the Esplanade Theater in Singapore. With Karen Valeza