MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) Dondi Ledesma, a versatile bass player considered by peers as one of the country’s best, died of heart failure at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Makati Medical Center.

He was 50.

The favorite bassist of Joey “Pepe” Smith and a member of Wally Gonzalez’s current band, Ledesma reportedly complained of wobbly legs upon waking up in the morning of January 9.

He was rushed to the Makati hospital where he had been confined till his death.

Drummer Chris Messer, a close friend and band mate, said MRI tests had revealed tumors in Ledesma’s lung and spinal cord.

Ledesma was a heavy smoker.

Long admired by colleagues in the industry as well as fans because he played the bass guitar like a lead instrument, Ledesma has recorded at least 10 solo albums on his own independent label.

He has also contributed his skills as a session musician in a number of important recordings, including two albums by the popular Pinoy folk-rock group Asin.

“He was a brilliant composer and all-around musician,” Messer told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by phone. “Playing with him was such an amazing experience.”

"He's my comrade-in-arms. He was supposed to play in my forthcoming album. I'll miss the guy," said guitarist Jun Lopito, who with Ledesma helped record Smith's first and only solo album to date, "Idiosyncracies."

Ledesma’s remains will be taken to the Loyola Memorial Chapels in Guadalupe, Makati Wednesday morning.