Renee “Alon” dela Rosa

Singer and Songwriter

September 24, 1959 – September 15, 2021

Renee dela Rosa, also known as ‘Alon,’ was a singer-songwriter best known for his rendition of the song “Pusong Bato.”

He was part of the Alon band known for their songs “Awit ng Pag-asa,” “Kapwa Tao,” “Ang Buhay OFW,” “Sorpresa,” and “Walang Halong Biro.”

He discovered his passion for singing when he was nine years old. Dela Rosa and his uncle would often join amateur singing contests and Alon later learned to compose his own songs.

Dela Rosa wrote the song “Pusong Bato” in 2002 that was revived by “Pilipinas Got Talent” winner Jovit Baldivino in 2012 and included in the soundtrack of the Coco Martin hit fantasy series ‘Juan dela Cruz.’

In an interview, Dela Rosa said the phenomenal success of the hit song was due to its strong connection to ordinary people. “Siguro dahil tinangkilik ng masa, pati ng bata,” he said.

“Nag-start sa YouTube ng 2010 noong nalaman ng Alpha Music na ako ang may likha ng kanta. Sabi nila, ‘Alon, i-record natin, tutal ikaw ang composer.’ Siguro sa awa ng Panginoon sa tagal ng paghihirap ko, sabi Niya siguro, ‘Alon, wag kang mainip. Bago ka man mawala sa mundo, bibigyan kita ng hit song.’”

Alon was a devotee of the Black Nazarene since 1981 and attributed the popularity of his song to a prayer he made to the image in 2011.

He passed away at the age of 61 due to respiratory complications.

In a Facebook tribute, Tinig Pinoy Radio celebrated Dela Rosa’s legacy. “Ka Renee might be gone physically, but his beautiful music and the memory of a well-loved man behind the wonderful songs will always be remembered.”

His colleague Vehnee Saturno remembered Dela Rosa as a quiet presence in the pre-pandemic gatherings of the Filipino Composers Authors and Publishers (FILSCAP). “Napakasimpleng tao,” he recalled.

In an online interview, Alon band vocalist Chier Ann Sangon paid tribute to Dela Rosa. “Kuya Renee, paano kita mapasasalamatan? Maraming-maraming salamat po dahil isa po ako sa pinagkatiwalaan ninyo, isinali ninyo ako sa bandang Alon,” she said.

“Habang naririnig ko ‘yong mga awit na nilikha ninyo at ipinawit sa akin, habang buhay ko po kayong pasasalamatan.”