110. 10 KAPAMPANGAN MOVIE ACTRESSES AND THEIR ORIGINAL NAMES, part II

1. ROSA DEL ROSARIO

The pre-war Queen of the Philippine Movies was born in Bacolor (b. 15 Dec. 1919) as Rosa Stagner, the daughter of Agustina Del Rosario and American Frank Stagner. Her discovery was purely accidental. Rosa accompanied a foreign film director to Malayan Motion Pictures who was looking to work with a local  movie production  outfit. The wife of the owner of Malayan —Mrs. Jose Nepomuceno—saw her and convinced her husband to cast her in “Ligaw na Bulaklak”. She took her mother’s surname and was billed as Rosa del Rosario. Thus began her long, and successful career.  She starred with the major leading men of her time, but she is best known for her role as “Darna”, a comics super heroine created by Mars Ravelo that was made into a movie in 1951, and directed by Fernando Poe Sr.

2. LILIA DIZON

Born in 1931 as Claire Strauss, the only child of German-Jew Abraham Strauss with Kapampangan  Regina Dizon, Lilia Dizon began her showbiz career at age 15 as a singer at Lotus Theater. She was discovered for the movies by writer-director Susana de Guzman and was cast in her first lead role in  “Kaaway ng Babae,” (1948). At 17, she married director Gil de Leon, sixteen years her senior. She made her mark portraying strong woman roles in movies like “Sandra Wong,” “Kandilerong Pilak” (Asia’s Best Actress award in 1954), and "Bathaluman” with Mario Montenegro. After her 18 year-marriage ended, Lilia left for the U.S. in 1966 to join her father in California. She resurfaced in 1974 as the reel-and-real life mother of Christopher de Leon in the award-winning Brocka film, “Tinimbang Ka, Nguni’t Kulang”.

3. CHERIE GIL

Evangeline Rose Gil Eigenmann (b. 21 Jun. 1963), known in the movie world as  Cherie Gil was born to a showbiz family. Her mother, Rosemarie Gil, comes from the old Spanish family of Gils who settled in Porac. Cherie's father is 60s matinee idol, Eddie Mesa. She started her  career as actress-singer at age 9. As a singer, she scored a hit song with “(I Love You) Boy”, later covered by the Nailclippers. In films, she may be best known as Lavinia Arguelles in “Bituing Walang Ningning” (1985), Sharon Cuneta’s tormentor. She often appears as a movie villainess and still makes appearances in TV soaps, movies and in reality TV programs.

4. HILDA KORONEL

Born in Plaridel, Angeles City (b. 17 Jan. 1957) to Marina Higum and David Reid, Hilda was launched at age 13 in the movie “Haydee” (1970). Her acting skills were honed by renowned director Lino Brocka who transformed the teen sensation into to an actress of international repute. She was the youngest recipient of the FAMAS Best Supporting Actress award when she won for “Santiago” that same year. She took Cannes by storm with her intense portrayal of a daughter scorned in the 1975 movie, "Insiang". Formerly married to actor Jay Ilagan, Koronel now resides in the U.S.with second husband Ralph Moore.

5. LIZA LORENA

The Kapampangan actress who rose to stardom via a beauty pageant was born Elizabeth Ann Jolene Winsett y Luciano (b. 31 Oct. 1949) to American George Winsett and Magaleña, Josefina Luciano. She had been the first runner-up in the 1966 Bb. Pilipinas. This paved the way for movie offers. Nepomuceno Productions gave her a screen test, which she passed. She was cast as Esperanza in a major film headlined by  Charito Solis and Ric Rodrigo.  As Liza Lorena, she appeared in the critically acclaimed ”Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak” (1967),  the first Philippine movie in color by De Luxe. Her career spans 4 decades, with more than 185 movies and television shows to her credit. Her son with Eddie Gutierrez,Ton-Ton Gutierrez, is also an actor.

6. LYDIA MONTAÑEZ

Tatiana Korionoff (b. 1933) was the daughter of Russian Victor Paul Korionoff and Marcelina Simbulan of Arayat, Her father had fled his country at the height of Bolshevik revolution. From China, Korionoff  moved to the Philippines where, in 1926,  he found work as an engineer at the Arayat Sugar Central. He married the 18-year old Simbulan and settled in Arayat permanently. Tatiana was the eldest girl in a brood of 9. She was discovered for the movies by Leopoldo Salcedo. She took the screen name Lydia Montanez from her foster aunt named Lydia, and Montanez--from the mountain town where she was born. Lydia became a contract star for Fernando Poe Sr.'s Royal Productions, doing movies like "Lihim ni Bathala"."Maria Bonita", "Isinanlang Pagibig" and "Mona Lisa".

7. ALMA MORENO

Moreno (b. 25 May 1959) was the child of Frank Laxamana of Macabebe, with Jean Moreno. Named Vanessa (or Venesa) Moreno Laxamana, she shortened her name to Alma Moreno for her first movie, ”Urduja”. Her first starring role was in Ishmael Bernal’s “Ligaw na Bulaklak” Part 2 (1976), which turned her into a star. For portraying sexy, Lolita-type girls on screen, she was dubbed the  "Sex Goddess of Philippine Movies" of the 1970s-80s. Other noteworthy films: ” Eva Fonda, 16” (1976), “ City After Dark”(1980), and “Mga Bilanggong Birhen”. On TV, she was famous for her dance moves in The Other Side of Alma and LoveliNess.  She had relationships and children with Rudy Fernandez and  Dolphy. Moreno was also previously married  to Joey Marquez and Sultan Fahad Salic of Marawi. 

8. ROSITA NOBLE

The bedimpled Rosita Costenoble (b. 1934)  was the  first-born of  German immigrant, Herman von Costenoble, who a married local girl from Floridablanca, Maria Panlaqui. In 1951, at age 17, she was cast in the epic movie “Sta. Cristina”, under Premiere Productions. Before long, she became one of the hottest stars on the silver screen, known for her costumed action movies like “Ibong Adarna”, “Siete Infantes de Lara” and “Prinsipe Amante”.  She had the distinction of being the first leading lady to be paired with an up-and-coming young star—Fernando Poe Jr.—in “Anak ni Palaris” (1955). Rosita married Turkish-Filipino Antonio Basmayor Tani from Albay, with whom she had 5 children.

9. PATSY

The loveable, laughable Patsy Patsotsay was born (b. 12 Apr. 1916) as Pastora Mateo. Her father hails from Lubao. She started as a bodabil song-and-dance girl who performed alongside such veterans as Katy de la Cruz, Tugo, Pugo and Amanding Montes. Patsy was also part of the celebrated group of seven bungling househelps ( with Aruray, Chichay, Menggay, Elizabeth Ramsey, Dely Atay-Atayan, Metring David) in the blockbuster movie “Pitong Atsay” (1962). But she is perhaps most well-known as a co-host (with Lopito) of the greatest talent search in Philippine TV history--Tawag ng Tanghalan.

10. ROSA ROSAL

Florence Danon y Lansang  (b. 16 Oct. 1931) of  Sta. Rita, Pampanga, was discovered by film producer Luis Nolasco and was introduced in “ Fort Santiago” (1946). She became an  LVN Pictures star, most famous for her role as a vamp with the heart of gold in the award-winning “Anak Dalita” (1956) directed by Lamberto Avellana. Other notable movies: "Sonny Boy" (1955) for which she won a FAMAS Best Actress award), "Badjao"(1956) and "Biyaya ng Lupa" (1959) .Rosal is also well-known for her charitable and humanitarian  work with “Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko”, and the Red Cross. For her selfless efforts, she received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service. Married to Walter Gayda with whom she has a daughter,  Toni Rose.

109. 12 KAPAMPANGAN MOVIE ACTORS AND THEIR ORIGINAL NAMES

As an actor’s name, Ronald Kookooritchkin seems a tad too long, so the artista wannabe shortened it and became Ronald Remy. Meanwhile, Augusto Valdes Pangan wanted to be a comedian, but his name was anything but funny, so he became known  as “Chiquito”.  In more recent times, the career of aspiring actor Richard Faulkerson Jr  was going nowhere until the studio changed his name to Alden Richards.  See what a name change can do!  Let’s take a look at the original names of Kapampangan movie stars, before they became famous!

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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 3^rd 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.

20. 10 GREAT KAPAMPANGAN ACTRESSES OF THE 1950s

1. ROSA DEL ROSARIO (Bacolor).  The pre-war Queen of the Philippine Movies was born in Bacolor, Pampanga on 15 December 1919 as Rosa Stagner, the daughter of Agustina Del Rosario and American Frank Stagner. Her discovery was accidental. A foreign film director dropped by the Stagner’s place to inquire about Malayan Motion Pictures, a leading Philippine cinema company at that time. Rosa volunteered to take the American to meet Malayan counder and director Jose Nepomuceno—who ended up casting her in “Ligaw na Bulaklak”, her first movie. She assumed her mother’s surname and was billed as Rosa del Rosario.

Rosa became a sought after star, partnered alongside top actors like kabalen Rogelio dela Rosa and Leopoldo Salcedo. Her movies include the zarzuela-based Walang Sugat (1939), Kundiman ng Luha (1950) and historical bio-flick, Tandang Sora, which she considers her favorite. But she is best remembered for being the country’s first Darna, when she starred in Mars Ravelo’s “Darna" (vs. Cristina Aragon's "Valentina”), directed by Fernando Poe Sr. Rosa also became one of the early Filipinos to break into Hollywood, appeared in “Anna and the King of Siam” in 1939 (to be redone as the musical “The King and I”), as one of the king’s wives. She was also in the “The Border Bandits” and “The American Guerrila”.

Rosa settled in California with husband, John Samit, and two daughters, Geraldine and Teresa. She lived to see the Darna role she originated, immortalized as a blockbuster TV serial, as a musical and even as a ballet show. Rosa del Rosario passed away on 4 February 2006, in Modesto, California, age 87.

2. YOLANDA MARQUEZ (Macabebe). The Fil-Mexican beauty, Yolanda Marquez, who made a name for herself both in Philippine showbiz and later, in Manila's high society, was born to Kapampangan lawyer, Generoso Hernandez of Macabebe and a Mexican mother, Marina in San Francisco, California on 1 January 1920. At age 14, she opted to return to the Philippines, where she met her aunt, Rosario H. Paganiban, a former Miss Pampanga and wife of the famed director, Vicente Salumbides.

It was Rosario who helped her niece start a movie career, beginning with “Milagro ng Nazareno” from Parlatone Films, where she co-starred with Angel Esmeralda (Nepomuceno). It was an unprecedented success and Yolanda was on her way. She just made 9 film appearances in 2 decades, but those were enough to propel her to national fame. Add to that her talk-of-the-town American ways—she was the first Filipina actress to don shorts and slacks on the celluloid screen, considered daring in those times.

Her career though, was put on hold by the War. In 1944, she met a basketball star from La Salle, Leo Prieto (later a PBA Commissioner), whom she married. Post-War, now known as Mary Prieto, she joined the Manila Theater Guild and appeared in such productions as Auntie Mame and Teahouse of the August Moon. In the '60s, Prieto modeled with the famous Karilagan that included Conchitina Sevilla, Joji Felix Velarde and Gloria Romero, in various fashion shows abroad. She later joined the personality development school.John Robert Powers, where she taught the art of social graces and style.

The Prietos settled in Makati and stayed together for 65 years until Leo’s death. The widow continued to be active, writing her biographical book, “No Regrets” in 2009. She succumbed to complications due to pneumonia on 11 June 2010, leaving behind her children, Leo Jr., Mike, Marylou, Tony and a host of grandchildren.

3. LOTA DELGADO (Angeles). The charming Sampaguita contract star who became the wife of movie’s golden boy, Rogelio de la Rosa was born in Camp Stotsenburg on 19 May 1921 to parents Luis Delgado and Caridad Concepcion. Carlota or Lottie, showed no inclination to the performing arts. In fact, she had started out as a secretary at Marsman office, but in one company event that she had to attend, she was introduced to Pedro Vera, Sampaguita Pictures’s big boss, who encouraged her to enter the movies. Lottie politely declined; she was given employment anyway at Sampaguita , where she caught the attention of Kapampangan director Gregorio Fernandez and Rogelio de la Rosa who convinced her to do a screen test. She registered so well on the screen that she was quickly renamed Lota Delgado--and cast in the 1938 film, “Magsasampaguita”, alongside Corazon Noble and Rogelio de la Rosa.

 Lota was kept busy at the start of the 40s decade. In 1941, she made a movie with Rogelio de la Rosa yet again--“Tarhata” and as her career bloomed, so did their love. The couple got married on 20 September 1942 and would raise six children: 5 boys (Ramon, Rudolph, Reynaldo, Roberto, Rocky) and 1 girl (Ruby). When Rogelio decided to revive his RDR Productions, he convinced Lota to stage a comeback with him as her leading man in the 1951 movie, “Irisan”.

 Rogelio would make bigger news when, in 1961, he decided to join the presidential race. Had he not withdrawn his candidacy to give way to his brother-in-law Diosdado Macapagal, Lota Degado could have been a First Lady! She would outlive Rogelio (who died in 1986), for over two decades in the company of her children. none of whom entered showbiz. Lota passed away of undisclosed causes on 28 April 2009.

4. ROSA ROSAL (Sta. Rita).The famous 50s contravida was born as Florence Danon y Lansang on 16 October 1931. Her French-Egyptian father, Julio Danon, was already in his 50s when he met 18 year old Gloria Lansang from Sta. Rita. Before she was 5, Florence lost her father; her mother remarried, this time to Ruperto del Barrio, of Sta. Cruz, Manila, with whom she had 3 daughters and 2 sons. Florence went to school at Araullo High, but had to quit when World War II came.

After the war, Florence was employed at the National Chest Center under Dr. Sixto Francisco. On one of her walks back home, she chanced upon a film shooting. A caster signed up the exotic gawker, and included her in a group scene, even meriting a brief close-up. Her fleeting exposure was noticed by producer Luis Nolasco who offered her a role in the 1946 film, “Fort Santiago”. The next year, the sixteener played a sexy villain in the blockbuster “Kamagong”, opposite Leopoldo Salcedo. Florence gained her screen name in one banquet for a visiting Hollywood producer. The tables featured floral centerpieces of gardenias (rosal) and roses, and when Florence picked up a ‘rosal’, Luis Nolasco saw the similarity and gave her the name—Rosa Rosal.

Her star soared when she was named “Queen of the Philippine Movies” title in 1948. LVN Studios, under Dña Sisang de Leon pirated her from the Nolasco Brothers with a fat paycheck, a house and a car. It turned out to be a good move for Rosa, as she landed the lead in the historic movie “Anak Dalita”, a love story between a Korean war veteran and a prostitute, directed by Lamberto Avellana. It was named as Best Film in the 1956 Asian Film Festival in Hongkong, while Rosa Rosal earned a presidential citation from Ramon Magsaysay. The next year, Rosa did “Badjao”, a story about a Tausug princess and her marriage to a pearl diver, which went on to win 4 major awards in Tokyo. In the classic “Biyaya ng Lupa”, she was a farmer’s widow coping with her husband’s murder and a daughter’s rape. She was totally made unglamorous for this part, a far cry from her sultry vixen image. In 1976, Rosa reprised her role as an oppressed sugar plantation worker in the controversial movie, “Sakada”. 

She would also dabble in TV, as a sitcom actress (“Yan ang Misis Ko”, with Ronald Remy) and as a public service host (“Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko”, “Damayan”). These appearances spotlighted her work for Red Cross, which began in 1950—when she saw a dying young girl revived to life at the Philippine General Hospital after a blood transfusion. She called for the improvement of Red Cross facilities, organized blood letting drives, and went on mercy missions even during the height of Martial Law and People Power Revolution. For her selfless public service, she was honored with the prestigious  1999 Magsaysay Award. Rosa Rosal has an only daughter, Toni Rose Gayda, with American Walter Gayda. This “vamp with a heart of gold” is among the most admired and most accomplished Filipinas in the country today.

5. LETTY ALONSO (Lubao). Letty was born as Leticia Arrastia y Johnson in 1932, the daughter of Esteban Arrastia y Salgado and Rosalia Johnson y Espinosa. Esteban’s father, Valentin, was a Basque from Spain who had settled in Lubao to seek his fortune. There, he met and married local girl and together, they established various businesses from their vast land holdings that would make them as one of Lubao’s influential and affluent families. The Arrastia women earned quite a reputation for their mestiza beauty, validated early on with the election of Juanita—Esteban’s older sister—as 1926 Pampanga Carnival Queen. Letty’s cousin, Beatriz, would become the mother of international socialite and former wife of Julio Iglesias--Isabel Preyler.

At age 18, Letty caught the eye of Dña Narcisa ‘Sisang’ de Leon of LVN Pictures Inc., who convinced her to be an actress. Her first movie role was in “Bohemyo” (1951), a villainess who intrudes in the love affair of Delia Razon and Mario Montenegro--her future husband. So effective was her portrayal that she would be typecast as the perennial ‘kontrabida’ in her next movies: “Señorito” (with Manuel Conde), “Tatlong Labuyo” (again with Mario and Delia) and the romantic comedy “Batangueña” (with Jaime dela Rosa) all completed in 1953.

Letty would also be chosen as an endorser for products like Cortal and Camay Soap, “the soap of beautiful women”. After their marriage, Letty retired from the movies to raise her children. A daughter, Honeylet, was a model and occasional film actress in the early ‘80s. Honeylet’s own daughter, Valeen Montenegro Vicente, is also a budding actress today.

6. LYDIA MONTAÑEZ (Arayat). One of the most exotic faces of Philippine cinema in the 1950s, owing to her Russian-Kapampangan lineage was Lydia Montañez, born on 28 April 1933, to Victor Pavlov Korionoff and Marcelina Lising Simbulan of Arayat. Victor escaped the bloody Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 and found himself in the Philippines where he was employed first at the Kabankalan Sugar Central in Negros, and then assigned at the Arayat Sugar Central in 1926 as plant engineer.

Victor built a large 2-storey house for his family, complete with a swimming pool and a bathroom with a flush toilet—a first in Arayat. Eldest daughter Tatiana (“Tanya or Tani”) attended local schools in where she learned to sing and play the guitar. She eventually became a teacher after her studies at Arayat Institute. Tanya never considered herself beautiful; in fact, when she joined a local beauty search—the Cinderella Contest—she placed a dismal 26th. But this paved the way for her showbiz career.

Fernando Poe Sr. of Royal Pictures renamed her as Lydia Montemayor , signed her up and gave her small roles. But it was the Benito Brothers Productions who turned her into a full-fledged star. Re-christened Lydia Montañez—Lydia, in honor of her foster aunt, and Montañez, from the mountain town of her birth--she was launched in “Irog, Paalam” (1951) with top matinee idol Leopoldo Salcedo as her leading man. It was a huge box office hit. Their team-up would be repeated in “La Roca Trinidad”, produced by Salcedo himself.

On 2 April 1952, Lydia married Medardo Aquino, and gave birth to her first child, Nanette Ma. Socorro. She was followed by Medardo Jr., Agapito, Anatole, Maria Yasmine, Remegio, Katrina Grace and Gerardo. Even as a young mother, she would continue to make more movies in the first half of the 1950s, until she decided to leave showbiz behind in favor of family. Lydia, who has reverted back to her original name Tanya, is settled with her husband in California.

7. ROSITA NOBLE (Lubao). Rosita Noble, she with her trademark dimples, was born in 1934 in Floridablanca, then, a flourishing sugar town. She was the first-born of a German immigrant, Herman von Costenoble, who a married local girl—and his lavandera (washerwoman), Maria Panlaqui. Despite the objection of relatives, their love defied all odds. The young Rosita went to Del Carmen Elementary School, a local grade school near the Pampanga Sugar Mills (PASUMIL). The growing family then settled in Lubao where Costenoble had sugar cane fields. During the war, her father was killed in an ambush by the Japanese army that had invaded the province.

As to how she got into the movies, we have no account, but at age 17, she was cast in the epic 1951 movie “Sta. Cristina”, under Premiere Productions. More assignments followed : “Bahay na Tisa” and “Taga-Ilog”, “Kalbaryo ni Hesus”, another movie with a religious theme. Her star was at its brightest in 1954, making a record of six movies. But it was in 1955 that she made waves in the movie adaptation of “Torpe”, a Mars Ravelo story serialized in Hiwaga Komiks. Her performance alongside Carlos Padilla Jr. earned her a FAMAS Best Actress nomination.

As the 50s ended, she moved to Sampaguita Pictures, then a rising production outfit, making a few more movies before calling it quits. She married Antonio Basmayor, a Turkish-Filipino, with whom she had 5 children: Valentine, Antonio,Christine, Mary Rose and Herbert. In 1984, with her showbiz years behind her, Rosita and her family moved to the U.S. and has not been back since. The Costenobles spent 57 beautiful years together, until Antonio’s death at the age of 85 in 2008.

 8. GRACITA DOMINGUEZ (Mabalacat). Gracita Dominguez comes from an old-time family from Mabalacat which counts a hero (Lt. Emilio Dominguez, a Katipunero) among its members. She, too, was launched as a new heroine of Philippine movies as the—“bagong tuklas ni Manuel Conde”. Conde had produced and starred in the 1950 epic, “Genghis Khan” which took Venice Film festival by storm two years later. Before this, Gracita had done occasional bod-a-bil shows, and so it was really hitting the big time when she was introduced in “Siete Infantes de Lara”, a costume movie by Carlos “Botong” Francisco.

A year later, the young ingenue was launched to full stardom, in Fortune Productions “Hiwaga ng Langit”, followed in 1952 appearance in Carlos Vander Tolosa’s “Kalbaryo ni Hesus”, that featured American actor, Jennings Sturgeon, as Jesus Christ. Despite these films, Gracita did not quite make the A-list of bankable movie actresses. She continued performing in stage and opera shows where she met Rodolfo Quizon—Dolphy, today's King of Philippine Comedy. Despite opposition from Gracita's parents, she became Dolphy’s wife. When the kids came along—Manny, Freddie, Edgar, Sahlee and Rollie—she decided to quit showbiz altogether to devote her time to her family, while Dolphy worked abroad as a comedian in Hong Kong. Gracita and Dolphy separated in 1963. They, however, remained in good terms for the rest of her life. She passed away in 2007 after a long illness.

9. LILIA DIZON. Today, Lilia Dizon is known as the mother of actors Christopher, Pinky and Lara Melissa de Leon. But, she too, had her time in the spotlight, known  for portraying strong bombshell beauties on the silver screen. She was born in 1931 as Claire Strauss, the only child of German-Jew Abraham Strauss with Kapampangan  Regina Dizon.

At age 15, she started performing at the Lotus Theater as a singer. The next year, she was discovered for the movies by writer-director Susana de Guzman. Her first lead role as Lilia Dizon was in the 1948 film, “Kaaway ng Babae,” where she had to act like a man. At 17, she married director Gil de Leon, sixteen years her senior. She made her mark portraying strong woman roles in movies like “Sandra Wong,” “Kandilerong Pilak” (Asia’s Best Actress award in 1954), and "Bathaluman” with Mario Montenegro. After her 18 year-marriage ended, Lilia left for the U.S. in 1966 to join her father in California. After Gil’s death, she married Antonio Abad, a match that produced 2 children, Antoinette and Corrie.

She would resurface in 1974 to appear with son Christopher in the award-winning Brocka film, “Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang” which would catapult her son to fame. Now divorced, she is back to being Claire Strauss and is a doting grandma to fifteen grandchildren.

 10. TESSIE AGANA (Tarlac). Before there was Vilma, Snooky, Janice, Matet, Aiza, and Ryzza Mae, there was the original child wonder of the 50s, who, with just one film, saved a leading production company from bankruptcy, while stealing the hearts of millions of movie fans. Maria Teresa Rigotti Agana, born on 16 May 1942, was the child of movie star Linda Estrella and Dr. Adriano Agcaoili Agana, an obstetrician-gynecologist from Tarlac, Tarlac.

Wed in 1941, they immediately had their first child, Tessie, while a second daughter, Cynthia, would tragically die just 12 days she was born. Much love was thus lavished Tessie, but with a famous artista for a mother, Tessie got used to the limelight very early on. At age 5, her mother allowed her to audition for the Vera-Perezes of Sampaguita Pictures. Tessie impressed Dr. Jose Perez with her ability to cry on cue and soon she was cast in several movies, her first two with Pancho Magalona.

No sooner had she started when Sampaguita Pictures was razed by a fire, leaving the studio in jeopardy. The tearjerker novel, “Roberto” by Mars Ravelo, came at the right time. Cast in the lead role was 11 year old Tessie. When “Roberta” was shown at the Life Theater, it became a monster hit, breaking all existing box-office records—and helping rebuild the studio. Tessie. Thus, became the first child superstar of Philippine movies. A succession of films from 1951-1953 followed : "Ang Prinsesa at ang Pulubi”, “Anghel ng Pag-ibig”   , “Rebecca”, “Munting Kerubin” and a Shirley Temple rip-off , “Munting Koronel”.

Like all child stars, Tessie had to go through the awkward stage. After 1954, she did just one film—“Baril o Araro?” In their desire to give Tessie a “normal life”, the family migrated to the United States in 1957. Tessie enrolled in a foreign language course and graduated from De Paul University in Indiana. She would come back to the Philippines at 18, to do the popular “Amy, Susie and Tessie” with Amalia Fuentes and Susan Roces. But eventually, the reluctant star opted to return to the U.S. , where in 1962, she would meet and marry Dr. Rodolfo L. Jao .The Jaos would raise a big family of 9 children—all grown-ups with families and careers of their own: Marita, Radmar, Rodger, Roderick, Michelle, Mylene, Rodolfo Jr., Rodney and Rodell. Tessie and her family are settled in Valparaiso, Indiana today.

16. 14 VINTAGE FILMS WITH KAPAMPANGAN THEMES

Long before the triumphs of recent films with distinct Kapampangan themes like Brillante Mendoza’s “Kaleldo” (Summer Heat, 2006) ,Jason Paul Laxamana’s “Magkakabaung” (The Coffin Maker, 2014),  Bor Ocampo’s “Dayang Asu” (Dog Nation, 2015) and Carlo Enciso Catu’s “ARI: My Life with a King” (2015), there were a few  films that dealt with matters of Kapampangan interest. Here are a few of them from the post-war era to the 1980s period:

The Golden Years:Memorable Tagalog Ads, 1946-56.
from the collection of Danny Dolor.

1. CAPAS (1949)
Plot: An action picture set during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. The story centers around characters that survived the infamous 'Death March' in Bataan, and ended up in a concentration camp in Tarlac, Camp O'Donell.

Cast:  Leopoldo Salcedo, Celia Flor, Teody Belarmino, Inday Jalandoni, Nela Alvarez, Tony Santos Sr., Jose Cris Soto, Oscar Obligacion

Directed by: Dr. Gregorio Fernandez

The Golden Years: Memorable Tagalog Ads, 1946-56.
from the collection of Danny Dolor.

2. CANDABA (1950).

Plot: Action-drama film about agrarian conflict in a Huk-infested Pampanga town.

Cast: Tessie Quintana, Teody Belarmino, Tony Santos, Lila Luna

Directed by: Dr. Gregorio Fernandez

The Golden Years: Memorable Tagalog Ads, 1946-56.
from the collection of Danny Dolor.

3. HUK SA BAGONG PAMUMUHAY (1953)

Plot: Based on the DZFM radio drama serial and produced by LVN Pictures to aid the government's propaganda effort against the spread of communism in the country. It is the story of Carding, the anti-Japanese guerrilla turned Huk when his family's land is taken over by the greedy landlord.

Cast: Jose Padilla Jr., Celia Flor, Leroy Salvador Jr., Joseph de Cordova

Directed by: Lamberto V. Avellana

Picture: VIDEO 48http://video48.blogspot.com

4. MARIANG SINUKUAN (1955)

Plot: An LVN fantasy-romance picture based on the age-old legend of the mysterious Arayat maiden, Mariang Sinukuan of Arayat, who is pursued by a mortal.

Cast: Mario Montenegro, Cecila Lopez, Milagros Naval

Directed by: Richard Abelardo

The Golden Years: Memorable Tagalog Ads, 1946-56.
from the collection of Danny Dolor.

5. PAMPANGGENYA (1956)

Plot: A professor teaches a Kapampangan lady lilting “Mekeni”melodies in a comedy-drama that will captivate your hearts.

Cast: Rogelio de la Rosa, Luis Gonzales, Linda Estrella, Barbara Perez, Dolphy

Directed by: Jose de Villa

6. MEKENI, ABE (1959)

Plot: A Kapampangan, a Batangueño and a Visayan throw in the riots in this romantic comedy.

Cast: Zsaldy Zshornack, Lauro Delgado, lani Oteyza, Chiquito

Directed by: Nemesio E. Caravana

Source: www.video48.blogspot.com

7. MEKENI’S GOLD (1969)

Plot: The title is taken from the movie western, “McKenna’s Gold”, starring Gregory Peck and Omar Sharif. This spoof comedy centers on the search for the elusive “Mekeni’s Gold”.

Cast: Dolphy, Panchito, Rod Navarro, Verna Gaston, Rosanna Marquez

Directed by: Luis San Juan

Pix of Ramon Revilla: www.waytofamous.com

8. LEON NG CENTRAL LUZON (1980)

Plot: A an action-packed biopic of military man, Major Diosdado De Leon, who actively defended the region from NPA attacks.

Cast: Ramon Revilla, Boots Anson-Roa, Rez Cortez

Directed by: Leonardo Garcia

Source: www.pelikulatabp.blogspot.com

9. KUMANDER ALIBASBAS (1981)

Plot: Based on the true-to-life story of Cesario Manarang, no. 3 man in the Huk hierarchy, from Concepcion, Tarlac.

Cast: Joseph Estrada, Perla Bautista, Suzette Ranillo, Paquito Diaz, Dave Brodette

Directed by: Augusto “Totoy” Buenaventura

10. PEDRING TARUC (1982)

Plot: Biopic of the Huk leader, Pedro Taruc. The showing of this movie was bocked by the Marcos regime,citing that no outlaw should be made into a hero for a film.

Cast: Joseph Estrada, Ronaldo Valdez

Directed by: Augusto “Totoy” Buenaventura

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym-b2xl1QMg

Apr 13, 2015 - Uploaded by tarptart

11. KILABOT NG PAMPANGA (1984)

Plot: Agrarian unrest, exploitation of peasants by greedy landlords.

Cast: Alex de Leon, Laarni Enriquez, Nina Sara, Charlie Davao, Myra Manibog, zandro Zamora, Nick Romano

Directed by: Dante Pangilinan

Source: www.pinterest.com

12. VIRGIN FOREST (1985)

Plot: The movie is set during the Philippine Republic. Macabebe soldiers are trying to capture Aguinaldo. Alfonisto and Chayong are caught up in this pursuit and in a love triangle. In the end, Aguinaldo is captured and the Macabebe soldiers are killed.

Cast: Sarsi Emmanuel, Miguel Rodriguez

Directed by: Peque Gallaga

13. MARUSO, ROBIN HOOD NG ANGELES (1987)

Plot: Romeo Maruso, the notorious burglar of Angeles City, robs the rich to help the poor. Always eluding the authorities, the slippery Maruso always left clues of his crime like unwashed plates and food leftovers—as he always ate in the home he broke into.  

Cast: Lito Lapid, George Estregan, Angela Perez, Charlie Davao, Romy Diaz

Directed by: Augusto “Totoy”  Buenaventura

14. KUMANDER DANTE (1988)

Plot: Biopic of Bernabe Buscayno, leader and founder of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Cast: Philip Salvador, Laarni Enriquez, Paquito Diaz

Directed by: Ben Yalung

EXTRA:

www.movieposter.com, "Huk", 1956

HUK (1956)

Plot: This U.S.-made movie tells of an American’s return to the Philippines to sell his dead father's plantation, which he soon discovers, has been overrun by Huks,  one of whom was the rebel leader who killed his father. One of the characters in the movie bears a distinct Kapampangan surname, Major Balatbat (which  means “assault’ or ‘attack’), played by Filipino actor, Teddy Benavidez.

Cast: George Montgomery, Mona Freeman, Cindy Rogers, John Baer, Teddy Benavidez, Ben Perez Directed by: John Barnwell