Teodoro "Teddy" de Villa Diaz (1 April 1963 – 21 August 1988) was a Filipino musician and songwriter, best known as the founder and original guitarist of the Dawn.

[citation needed] At the height of his career, and fame, and at the peak of the Dawn's popularity in the late 1980s, he was stabbed to death in front of his girlfriend's house by two bystanders who were allegedly under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

He would spend time with Fine Arts students in PWU, and would draw comic book characters and different electric guitar designs for relaxation.

[5] Diaz, Leonor and Luna initially wanted a female vocalist but in the course of their search, Jett Pangan auditioned, got the trio's unanimous nod and the quartet started performing in clubs.

Before his death, he became friends with Francis Reyes (who later joined the band as guitarist) where they even spoke of forming a thrash metal side project with drummer JB Leonor's brother, Dennis.

Wounds on Diaz's left arm indicated that he may have tried to parry the blows, but a knife thrust to his throat caused massive bleeding, eventually leading to his death.

[9] In September 1988, Francis Reyes was asked to be one of the three guitarists who were to play Diaz's parts in the tribute concert "Salamat Teddy" at the Folk Arts Theater.

"[citation needed] In spite of his early demise, his influence is still felt among many guitarists in the Philippines today and he has become a legend among many Filipino musicians.

[10] Perfecto de Castro, former guitarist of Rivermaya, was inspired to study the guitar upon seeing Diaz perform with the Dawn at a concert in 1987.

[9] The guitars most associated with Diaz are his red Casio MG-500, his Hofner Committee archtop, and his black Maya Les Paul, which he prominently used in the Ultrastorm concert with a bow in 1987.