Filipino rock icon Joey “Pepe” Smith was rushed to hospital in Antipolo City after he suffered a third stroke Tuesday night.
This is the third stroke for the 69-year-old musician since 2016, one of which left him with suffer minor speech impediment, reports said.
Smith was brought to the Metro Antipolo Hospital. But on Nov. 15, he was transferred to the Acute Stroke Unit of the hospital.
As of Wednesday, the doctors said that his vital signs are stable.
Smith rose to fame in the 1970s when he joined the Juan dela Cruz band, along with members Mike Hanopol and Wally Gonzales.
Some of the popular songs of the band are “No Touch,” “Kahit Na Anong Mangyari,” “Inday,” “Panahon,” and “Titser’sEnemi No.1.”
But the song “Ang Himig Natin,” which Smith reportedly wrote in a Ladies’ toilet, has become an anthem and is still being played on radio these days.
In September, the legendary icon said that he wants to retire next year.
“Naiisip ko lang. Pero kung saka-sakali hindi naman talaga nakaplano yan, kumbaga eh darating at darating yan siguro early next year. If I may, I will,” Smith said in an interview on DZMM’s Showbuzz.
Smith also shared the legacy he wants to leave.
“Yung mga kantang ginawa ko. Yung tinugtogko at ng bandang Juan dela Cruz. Siyempre kapagpinakinggan nila yan, parang bumabalik sila doon.
That’s the only connection to it,” he said.
Smith was supposed to appear in the 1st Pepe Smith Rockfest at the Amoranto Stadium on Quezon City on Saturday, Nov. 18.
Around 40 Filipino rock bands are expected to gather in the music fest.
