Tributes Pour In for “Fanman” Monchet Diokno Olives as the Media and Art Industries Mourn His Passing

Tuesday was a sad day for the entertainment, creative, and lifestyle industry as Monchet Diokno Olives, fondly known as the “Fanman,” passed away unexpectedly.

Monchet built a long and notable career with ABS-CBN, becoming a familiar name in the Philippine entertainment and lifestyle scene. In recent years, he also devoted his time to his family ventures, including Casa Mercedes and Monchet y Compania.

A former ABS-CBN executive, Monchet’s career with the network brought him to San Francisco, where he became the pioneering head of ABS-CBN International and spent more than a decade based in the Bay Area. Upon returning to Manila, he took on the role of Senior Vice President and Head of the Cable Channels and Print Media Group.

METRO was also fortunate to have witnessed Monchet’s kindness and brilliance firsthand. Beyond his notable contributions to the entertainment and lifestyle industry, he also left a lasting mark on the METRO team and the people he worked with.

Among the things Monchet became known for were his iconic fans from Casa Mercedes. The abanico collection features bold statements and Filipino humor, making each piece a distinct expression of contemporary Filipino style and culture.

As the industry mourns his passing, family, friends, and former colleagues have shared their tributes to Monchet Diokno Olives, remembering the brilliance, warmth, and lasting legacy of a man whose presence touched many lives.

ArteFino also shared a tribute for Monchet Diokno Olives through an Instagram Story, offering their prayers and remembering the late “Fanman” with a heartfelt message.

“Rest in peace, dear Monchet. You will be missed by all of us,” ArteFino wrote.

Founded in 2017 by Cedie Vargas, Marimel Francisco, Maritess Pineda, Mita Rufino, and Susie Quiros, ArteFino is a movement that celebrates Filipino artisans, creativity, and craftsmanship while promoting a proudly Filipino lifestyle and preserving the country’s rich cultural heritage.

Joanna Preysler, co-owner and gallerist of Provenance Art Gallery and MODO founder, also expressed her sadness over the passing of Monchet Diokno Olives, remembering his presence, impeccable sartorial style, flair, iconic fans, and larger-than-life personality.

“You were always the first to come to any of our events & always supported us: from Tint to Othello to Provenance, from Greenbelt to Rockwell to Magallanes, and were always so generous with your encouragement,” she wrote.

Joanna also expressed her heartfelt sympathy for Monchet’s wife, Margie, saying her heart aches for the family during this difficult time. She ended her tribute by sharing her gratitude for the person Monchet was—honest, warm, and hilarious.

“For having the heart that allowed others to be themselves around you,” Joanna ended.

The Manila Boat Club also paid tribute to Monchet Diokno Olives, remembering him as a dear member and longtime patron of the historic club.

Founded in 1895, the Manila Boat Club is the oldest existing club in Manila. During its early years, the club was situated along Manila Bay in what is now Roxas Boulevard.

According to the club, Monchet’s viewing will be held from September 30 to October 1, with the club president attending on October 1 to represent the organization.

“Monchet has been a tremendous supporter, mentor and friend of the Club for many years and this is a great loss. Monchet will be sorely missed,” the club wrote.

Filipino art researcher and author Matthew Lopez also penned a heartfelt tribute to the late Monchet Diokno Olives, recalling how the former media executive supported him as he was starting his career in the watch industry.

“He even mentioned me in his column when I was still finding my way. More than watches, he taught me about becoming a better gentleman — about style, art, culture, collecting and simply appreciating the finer things in life,” he said.

Describing Monchet, Matthew said the late media executive was the epitome of a bon vivant—a modern-day Renaissance man who was “culture, curious, stylish, and, above all, kind.”

Matthew concluded his tribute by offering his prayers for Monchet’s family, especially his wife, Margie, as they navigate the unexpected loss of the beloved icon.

Sharing a photo dating back to 2017, veteran writer Philip Cu-Unjieng paid tribute to Monchet, whom he described as a dear friend and business partner whose professional and personal relationship began in the early 2000s.

“What most may not know is that he was the one who engineered my working at ABS’ Cable Channels and Print Media Group back in 2002. In fact, it was ABS Publishing back then, with Thelma San Juan running the subsidiary,” he added. 

Philip then highlighted Monchet’s one-of-a-kind personality and talent, reflecting on how much his presence meant to the people around him and saying that the world would be far more mundane without Monchet and his unique gifts.

One of the Philippines’ top fashion designers, Rajo Laurel, mourned the passing of his dear friend and “brother and twin,” Monchet Diokno Olives.

“My heart is broken. I’m going to miss you so much, my dear, dear friend,” Rajo wrote in an Instagram post.

The designer also expressed his gratitude for the lessons Monchet taught him, the memories they shared, and, above all, the friendship they built over the years. “I will forever be grateful that our paths crossed,” he concluded.

EIC on the Move host and Metro Society Editor-in-Chief Raul Manzano paid tribute to Monchet Diokno Olives through an Instagram post, reminiscing about the many good times and memorable moments they shared.

Reflecting on Monchet’s untimely passing, Raul recalled their connection beyond their professional relationship, as Monchet was also his former boss at ABS-CBN and became family through his marriage to Raul’s cousin, Margie Manzano.

To conclude his tribute, Raul wrote, “It was a privilege to call you ‘primo.’ Always stylish, you graced the pages of Metro Society with an effortless sense of je ne sais quoi that will be deeply missed. Rest in peace, Monchet.”

Watercolor and calligraphy artist and wedding planner Reena Gabriel of The Bride’s Maids & Co. paid tribute to Monchet Diokno Olives, expressing her gratitude for their eight-year friendship and for having him as her “design dad.”

“Thank you for the inspiration, for the nuggets of wisdom, for the laughs, for the impromptu recipe sharing, for the blunt truths. Thank you for the trust, for the freedom and creative reign you’ve given me,” she wrote.

Reena also promised to continue working with Casa Mercedes, one of Monchet’s collaborators, and carry on the creative work she believed he would have wanted her to pursue—a testament to the lasting impact he had not only as her mentor and “design dad,” but also on many creatives in the Philippine industry.

“I’ll miss you, Monchet. Sorely. The world will truly be a little less FANtastic without you in it.”

TernoCon, which had worked with Monchet Diokno Olives on several campaigns, also shared a tribute to the late “Fanman.”

“Maraming salamat Monchet Olives Jose Ramon Diokno Olives Casa Mercedes for all the beautiful fans and memories you’ve contributed to Ternocon,” they wrote.

TernoCon is a mentoring, making, and design competition centered on the traditional Filipino terno, bringing together regional designers and culminating in a fashion and cultural showcase. 

For Tesoro’s Philippine Handicrafts, Monchet Diokno Olives helped give the traditional abanico a distinct personality, reimagining the once demure Maria Clara accessory through his creative vision.

The heritage retail brand, which previously collaborated with Monchet’s Casa Mercedes, traces its roots to the 1950s. Through the decades, Tesoro’s and Casa Mercedes shared a commitment to preserving Filipino craftsmanship and supporting the communities whose skills and artistry bring these creations to life.

“We will miss Monchet at Disenyo at Talento. We will miss seeing what he brings to the table, hearing his stories, and sharing in the laughter that so often accompanied his visits. His absence will be felt by all of us at Tesoros and by the many people whose lives he touched,” they shared.

Tesoro’s also extended its sympathies to Monchet’s family and the entire Casa Mercedes community as they mourn his passing.

Lead photos from @monchetthefanman