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.