Hashtag member Franco dies in drowning incident

A MEMBER OF It’s Showtime boy group Hashtags drowned in Davao Occidental last Saturday.

Franco Hernandez’s death was confirmed by ABS-CBN News’ MJ Felipe via his talent agency, Cornerstone Entertainment.

Police said that Hernandez, 26, was on his way back to North Lamidan, Don Marcelino town together with his girlfriend and another member of Hashtags when a strong wave hit their motorised banca (boat) causing him and his girlfriend to fall off. People operating the banca were able to pull the two back into the boat, but Hernandez was already unconscious.

He was brought to a clinic in Malita town, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Tom Doromal, another Hashtags member, was with Hernandez on the boat.

Hernandez’s fans were quick to react to the sad news, resulting in his name being the most talked-about topic on Twitter.

Vice Ganda, Gretchen Ho and Kim Chiu were among the celebrities who expressed their grief.

Hernandez, whose full name is Franco Miguel Hernandez Lumanlan, joined Hashtags this February, and was introduced as the ‘Hataw Heartthrob’ among the new members.

He told the show: “We promise to do our best because of this kind of opportunity.” Hernandez described himself as ‘fun-loving and adaptable’ on his online profile.