Internationally-renowned martial arts action star, former bodybuilder and Arnis Grandmaster Roland Dantes passed away 1:52am, March 16, 2009, at age 69.

He died of heart and multiple organ failure arising from complications due to gout (metabolic arthritis). He was rushed to the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City, but was pronounced DOA (dead on arrival).

According to his nephew, rapper Chris Dantes, his uncle Roland, or Rolando Tangco Pintoy Dantes in real life, was able to attend a gathering of Arnis Grandmasters and Masters from different parts of the world the night before his passing.

After a Holy Mass at the Marian Memorial Chapel in Marcos Highway, Antipolo City, he was laid to rest at the Heaven�s Gate Memorial Park, also in Antipolo City, at 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 23