Teodoro de Villa Diaz
Encyclopedia
Teodoro de Villa Diaz, more popularly known as Teddy Diaz (April 1, 1963 - August 21, 1988), was the founding guitarist
songwriter of the Filipino rock
band The Dawn
, writing their perennial hit, SALAMAT, launching The Dawn out of obscurity and into a mainstream cult following. The song SALAMAT soon became an anthem in the hearts of the Filipino culture and looks to be such to span the generations. A testament to Teddy's song writing genius. Had he lived longer he more than likely would have added to his brilliant song catalogue, touching the minds and hearts of many. At the height of his career and at the peak of The Dawn's popularity in the late 1980s, he was stabbed to death in front of his girlfriend's house by two bystanders allegedly under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
In spite of his early demise, his influence is still felt among many guitarists in the Philippines
today and he has become a legend among many Filipino musicians. The Dawn, and the Filipino music industry also consider Diaz to be the band's driving force until today. In memory of Diaz, The Dawn has recorded a song that pays tribute to him: I Stand With You.
of Sampaguita Pictures
fame; his grandfather was Pompeyo Diaz, a judge. He was a godchild of the "King of Philippine Movies", the late Fernando Poe, Jr.
Teddy Diaz was born on April Fools' Day
, and was often teased because of this. He was the first grandchild on both sides of his family. Diaz had two brothers, Carl and Loren.
, Ateneo de Manila University
. After graduating from high school, he enrolled at the University of the Philippines
as an architecture student and stayed there for three years. He transferred to the Philippine Women's University
after his third year in UP and took up music with guitar as his major.
Aside from being a musician, Diaz was also gifted with a talent in drawing. He would spend time with Fine Arts students in PWU, and would draw comic book characters and different electric guitar designs for relaxation.
, on August 21, 1988, the members of The Dawn went their separate ways and Diaz proceeded to his girlfriend's home in Quezon City
. As he was approaching the gate to the dwelling, he was accosted by two drunken men. Diaz gave them his wallet; however, one of the men, who was armed with a knife, began stabbing Diaz. Wounds on Diaz's left arm indicated that he may have tried to parry the blows, but a knife thrust to his throat caused massive bleeding, eventually leading to his death.
Teddy Diaz's murderer was apprehended by police a week later, tried in court, convicted and remanded to the custody of authorities at the New Bilibid Prison
. Members of The Dawn state that the convict had since died in incarceration.
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
songwriter of the Filipino rock
Pinoy rock
Pinoy rock, or Filipino rock, is the brand of rock music produced in the Philippines or by Filipinos. It has become as diverse as the rock music genre itself, and bands adopting this style are now further classified under more specific genres or combinations of genres like alternative rock,...
band The Dawn
The Dawn (band)
The Dawn is a Filipino rock band which first achieved commercial success during the late 1980s in the Philippines. The band broke up in 1995 with lead vocalist Jett Pangan forming another band, the Jett Pangan Group. The Dawn reunited in late 1999...
, writing their perennial hit, SALAMAT, launching The Dawn out of obscurity and into a mainstream cult following. The song SALAMAT soon became an anthem in the hearts of the Filipino culture and looks to be such to span the generations. A testament to Teddy's song writing genius. Had he lived longer he more than likely would have added to his brilliant song catalogue, touching the minds and hearts of many. At the height of his career and at the peak of The Dawn's popularity in the late 1980s, he was stabbed to death in front of his girlfriend's house by two bystanders allegedly under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
In spite of his early demise, his influence is still felt among many guitarists in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
today and he has become a legend among many Filipino musicians. The Dawn, and the Filipino music industry also consider Diaz to be the band's driving force until today. In memory of Diaz, The Dawn has recorded a song that pays tribute to him: I Stand With You.
Family
Teddy's father was the Filipino actor Vic DiazVic Díaz
Vic Díaz is a Filipino former character actor who mostly portrayed villains. He is also the father of Teddy Diaz, the founding guitarist of the Filipino Rock band The Dawn. He appeared in Jack Hill's women in prison exploitation film "The Big Bird Cage," shot in the Philippines...
of Sampaguita Pictures
Sampaguita Pictures
Sampaguita Pictures was a Philippine film production company. It was named for the Philippine National Flower, Sampaguita. The company has been long-defunct since the 1980s with Mike de Leon's classic "Batch '81" being the last film released...
fame; his grandfather was Pompeyo Diaz, a judge. He was a godchild of the "King of Philippine Movies", the late Fernando Poe, Jr.
Fernando Poe, Jr.
Ronald Allan Poe y Kelley , better known as Fernando Poe, Jr. and colloquially known as FPJ and Da King, was a Filipino actor and cultural icon. From the 1950s, Poe played steadfast film heroes who fight for the common man, which won him respect and admiration...
Teddy Diaz was born on April Fools' Day
April Fools' Day
April Fools' Day is celebrated in different countries around the world on April 1 every year. Sometimes referred to as All Fools' Day, April 1 is not a national holiday, but is widely recognized and celebrated as a day when many people play all kinds of jokes and foolishness...
, and was often teased because of this. He was the first grandchild on both sides of his family. Diaz had two brothers, Carl and Loren.
Education and talents
Teddy Diaz spent both grade school and high school in his father and grandfather's alma materAlma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
, Ateneo de Manila University
Ateneo de Manila University
The Ateneo de Manila University is a private teaching and research university run by the Society of Jesus in the Philippines. It began in 1859 when the City of Manila handed control of the Escuela Municipal de Manila in Intramuros, Manila, to the Jesuits...
. After graduating from high school, he enrolled at the University of the Philippines
University of the Philippines
The ' is the national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through Act No...
as an architecture student and stayed there for three years. He transferred to the Philippine Women's University
Philippine Women's University
The Philippine Women's University is a non-sectarian academic institution for men and women in the Philippines, founded in 1919 as the Philippine Women's College by Filipino women who envisioned a school that would prepare young women for leadership and service...
after his third year in UP and took up music with guitar as his major.
Aside from being a musician, Diaz was also gifted with a talent in drawing. He would spend time with Fine Arts students in PWU, and would draw comic book characters and different electric guitar designs for relaxation.
Death
After performing live at "Martin After Dark", a show hosted by Martin NieveraMartin Nievera
Martin Ramon Razon Nievera is a singer, songwriter, and actor. He is one of the main hosts of musical variety show ASAP on ABS-CBN-Early life:...
, on August 21, 1988, the members of The Dawn went their separate ways and Diaz proceeded to his girlfriend's home in Quezon City
Quezon City
Quezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...
. As he was approaching the gate to the dwelling, he was accosted by two drunken men. Diaz gave them his wallet; however, one of the men, who was armed with a knife, began stabbing Diaz. Wounds on Diaz's left arm indicated that he may have tried to parry the blows, but a knife thrust to his throat caused massive bleeding, eventually leading to his death.
Teddy Diaz's murderer was apprehended by police a week later, tried in court, convicted and remanded to the custody of authorities at the New Bilibid Prison
New Bilibid Prison
The New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, Philippines, is the main insular penitentiary designed to house the prison population of the Philippines. It is maintained by the Bureau of Corrections under the Philippine Department of Justice. As of October 2004, it has an inmate population of 16,747....
. Members of The Dawn state that the convict had since died in incarceration.
Influence on other artists
- Perfecto de CastroPerfecto de CastroPerfecto "Perf" de Castro is a multi-awarded Filipino musician, currently focusing on Classical and Flamenco music played on the Ten-string guitar, but perhaps best known for having been a celebrated fixture in the Philippine alternative rock scene during the 1990s...
, former guitarist of RivermayaRivermayaRivermaya is one of the most influential, critically acclaimed and significant Filipino rock band formed in 1993. They are one of the several bands who spearheads the 90s Philippine alternative rock explosion...
, was inspired to study the guitar upon seeing Teddy Diaz perform with The Dawn in a concert in 1987. - Former AfterimageAfterimage (band)Afterimage was a Filipino Alternative Rock / pop rock band who was active in the 1990s. The group disbanded after 11 years and made three studio albums. After disbanding, Wency Cornejo, the band vocalist, pursued a solo career...
guitarist and 6Cycle Mind's founding lead guitarist Chuck Isidro is also influenced by Teddy Diaz. He treasures a poster of Teddy Diaz kept in his room, which he got during his pre-teen years. - INTRoVOYS was mentored by Teddy Diaz. One of the songs, "Radio", on their 2005 release, A Brighter Day, was originally arranged by Teddy Diaz back in 1987.