1. BENTOT
Born Arturo Vergara Medina (b.1928/d. 1986) in San Simon,
Benton began his showbiz career in 'bodabil' shows. At age 19, he made his first
movie under Sampaguita Pictures, "Maria Kafra" (1947) billed as Ben
Cosca. He was cast in the radio program, “Sebya, Mahal Kita”, along with Sylvia
La Torre and Pugo, where h used his
screen name “Bentot” for the first time. In 1961, "Tang-tarang-tang",
a spin-off of "Sebya" started on DZRH, which became so popular , it
was turned into a TV series. His “Bitoy” character made him a household name.
He remained active through the 70s, passing away in 1986 due to heart failure. His
son, Bentot Jr.,also became a comedian.
2. MANUEL CONDE
The son of an Italian mestizo, Dionisio Urbano, and Lucia
Pabustan of San Fernando, Manuel Urbano
was born in Daet, Camarines Norte on 9
Oct. 1915. After high school in 1931, Urbano left for Manila to enroll in engineering
at Adamson University, but got sidetracked by the movies, where he worked in
production. After his studies, he joined
Marsman & Co., got married, and moonlit
with Borromeo Lou’s repertory group
using the screen name “Manuel Conde”. He
passed up an opportunity to work abroad by assisting Carlos Vander Tolosa in directing the 1939 film,”Giliw Ko”. Thus began a directing career highlighted by
“Genghis Khan”, a historical costume movie that was accepted to the prestigious
Venice Film festival in 1952, where it became a sensation. After his return, he
did more LVN hit movies and started the popular “Juan Tamad”film series. Manuel
Conde passed away at age 69 on 11 August 1985.
3. APENG DALDAL
This Kapampangan motormouth was born as Serafin Gabriel
in San Luis, Pampanga on 12 October 1928. After ditching his job as a cargador
in Divisoria, he discovered bod-a-bil, formed a comedy group called “Top Three”
which performed at the Manila Opera House. His stage success paved the way for
a TV and movie career. His non-top gabbing gave him the name “Apeng Daldal”. He was third-billed in 1964 production “Magic
Bilao” after Rosemarie and Dindo Fernando, which became a certified hit. His
next flick,”Walis ni Tenteng”, was an even bigger blockbuster. Now an A-lister, Apeng Daldal
worked nonstop on films like “Tatlong
Mabilis” (1965), “Mistiko Meets Mamaw” (1966), “The Pogi Dozen”(1967), and “Baticobra at Flying Salakot”(1974). The final
decades of his life were spent working in different capacities for TV, radio
and films. Afflicted for years with emphysema, he passed away on 9 February
1992.
4. BEN DAVID
Deep-voiced Bienvenido Parungao was the son of Enrique
Parungao and Raymunda David, both Kapampangans. He had a deep, baritone voice
which led to jobs in the budding radio
industry of the country. He made his
mark on air with his overly dramatic signature quips: “O, hindeeee!” and
“Hangaaal!”. He joined DZAQ as announcer in 1966, an apt host for the
program,”Ginoong Mananakot”. Taking on “Ben David” as a screen name, he was
cast in “Da Best Show”, “Tang-Tarang-Tang” and “Buhay Artista”. Most famous
character role: playing Hudas Iscariote to the hilt. He was nominated for a
FAMAS Best Supporting Actor for “Alamat ng Sandaigdig” (1961), adapted from a
DZAQ radio serial. On TV, David had recurring roles in “Rosemarie-Pepito Show”
and “Oras ng Ligaya”. In the 80s, David managed a male entertainment club in
Manila, until he passed away.
5. EDDIE DEL MAR
The actor best known for portraying Jose Rizal on the
silver screen was born in Candaba on 13 Oct. 1923 as Eduardo Magat, the son of Albino
Magat and Benigna Sangalang. During the war, he became a guerilla fighter. A
classmate of his, Lucas Usero, introduced him to the Veras of Sampaguita Pictures
which led to a screen test with director Gerry de Leon. Passing that, he was introduced
as “Eduardo del Mar” in "Kapilya sa May Daang Bakal" starring Oscar
Moreno and Tita Duran, where he left quite an impression. When director de Leon
began his 1951 hit movie, “Sisa”, he remembered del Mar, and cast him as
Crisostomo Ibarra. It was his 1956 film, “Ang Buhay at Pag-ibig ni Dr. Jose
Rizal” that would change his showbiz career forever. He essayed the role of the
national hero so perfectly that he won the 1956 Best Actor Award. He would make another Rizal
movie, the film adaptation of “Noli Me Tangere”, which won “FAMAS Best Film” in
1961. To showcase his versatility in portraying roles of opposing characters,
he appeared as the revolutionary hero, Bonifacio, in the 1964 epic, “Andres
Bonifacio (Ang Supremo)”. Eddie del Mar died on 8 Nov. 1986,
6. TONY FERRER
Antonio Laxa (born June 12, 1934) of Macabebe went by the
screen name “Tony Ferrer”, and earned
the reputation as the Philippine James Bond with his Agent X-44 character. The award
winning actor-director was the younger brother of Atty. Espiridion Laxa, of
Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions. Most of Ferrer’s films were action movies
including “Kilabot Sa Barilan “(1960), Suicide Commandos (1962), and “Marcong Bagsik”
(1964), and “Sabotage (1966) where he originated his Tony Falcon persona. He
also co- starred with Ramon Revilla in Nardong Putik (1972), Lito Lapid in Back
To Back (1979), and Rey Malonzo in
Deadly Fighters (1979). Ferrer was married to
Mutya ng Pilipinas Alice Crisostomo , with whom he had two kids, actress
Mutya Crisostomo and Falcon. He has a daughter with actress Imelda Ilanan,
Maricel Laxa.
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7. DICK ISRAEL
The movie villain that you love to hate from the ‘70s to
the 2000’s, as Ricardo Vizcarra Michaca (b. 10 Dec. 1958),
the son of a Spanish father and Kapampangan mother from Porac. As Dick Israel, he found his groove as a
kontrabida who made life miserable for many movie heroes and heroines. He was most active in the 1980s nd 90s where
he was either a terrorist, gangster, rapist, sidekick, gunman, mercenary, or a
cold-blooded killer in such movies as Misson: Terrorize Panay, Magno Barumbado (1980), Pepeng Shotgum (1981), Sumuko Ka Na, Ronquillo (1983), Dongalo Massacre (1986),
Asiong Salonga: Hari ng Tondo , Tapos na ang Lahi Mo, Hadji Djakiri, Anak ni
Baby Ama (1990), Alyas Pogi , Shabu Distributor (1991), The Vizconde Massacre Story (God Help
Us!) (1993) and Boy Golden (2013). In later years, he appeared in telenovelas in
father and character roles. He was last seen in Channel 2’s “Kung Ako’y Iiwan
Mo” in 2012. The multi-awarded Israel passed away unexpectedly on 11 Oct. 2016,
months after his house was burned. A week later, wife Marilyn tragically passed
away too.
8. COCO MARTIN
Rodel Pacheco Nacianceno (b. 1 Nov. 1981), traces his
roots from Lubao, where his father comes from. His screen name, Coco Martin, was
borrowed from the surname of ex-Menudo Ricky Martin who was already a famous
singer then. While he waited for movie roles, he worked as a waiter. He was planning
to work abroad when he was cast in “Masahista”, a gay-themed indie movie that
won international acclaim. For his performance, he was given the2006 Young
Critics Circle Best Actor Award. Martin became associated with indie films, like
“Kinatay”, which gave him a FAMAS nomination for Best Actor. He found wide popularity
with his hit TV series “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin” (2011), and “Walang Hanggan”
(2012), for which he was called the "Prince of Philippine TV Series".
In 2015, Martin starred in the TV
version of Fernando Poe Jr.'s film “Ang Probinsyano”. The
TV series became a monster hit and continues to this day.
9, 10. PUGAK and TUGAK
Pugak was born in 1924 as Conrado Piring and was the
other half of the well-known comedy team “Pugak and Tugak” in the 1950s-1960s.
Tugak was played by Perfecto Piñon, from Guagua (b. 10 May 1917) who had to
shave his head to match the bald pate of Pugak. Together, they were known for
their 60s slapstick movie spoofs, “Pogi Dozen” (1967),
“We Only Live Wa-Is”(1968) and “Crazy 8 at Walong Dyango” (1969). Theirs was an on-and-off partnership that was
many times threated with split-ups, until Tugak called it quits in 1960. Pugak
went full-steam ahead as a solo comedian, and dabbled as a director. Pugak is
best remembered for his “mukhasim” appearance in the Datu Puti Vinegar,“ 80s commercial.
Tugak, on the other hand, became a successfull painter. As Peck Piñon , he had galleries
all ver Manila.He moved to the U.S. with his family where he continued painting
until his death on 7 Jan. 2006.
11. DANTE RIVERO
The actor formerly known as Luisito Ramos Meyer Jr. was born
in 1946, in Floridablanca town. His American mestizo looks were good enough for
the movies and in 1966, became an actor. His performance in the 1969 film, “Adriana”
gave him a FAMAS Best Actor nomination. LEA Productions signed him up in the
film adaptation of Mars Ravelo’s popular comic serial ”Wanted: Perfect Mother”.
With Boots Anson Roa as his leading lady, and with Lino Brocka directing,
Rivero rose to the occasion and bagged another FAMAS nomination for his
performance. Another LEA opus, “Villa Miranda” earned him his 3rd
FAMAS nomination. Rivera also dabbled in teevison in his later years and appeared
in many ABS-CBN telenovelas. He was also seen in the 1018 indie film, “Kung Paano
Hinihintay ang Dapithapon" (2018), where he gave another sterling performance as
an aged man in the twilight of his years.
12. ROI VINZON
Roi Vinzon traces his roots to the David family of Mexico.
Christened as Mark Angelo Vinzon (b. 20 Sep, 1953), he took the screen name Roi
Vinzon and became a film actor kown for his many action and villain roles like
Lucas Abelardo, Adan Lazaro, Baby Paterno, Jesus Salonga alyas Boy Indian,
Antonio Cuervo - Police: Walang Pinipili Ang Batas, Kapitan Tumba: The Capt.
Jose Huevos Story and Sunugin si Antero Castro. He also took on the role of Retired General Armando Soriano
in the controversial drama. “My Husband's Lover”. Still active on TV and indie
films, Vizon keeps a homestead in Mexico.
