108. 11 INFLUENTIAL KAPAMPANGAN RADIO PERSONALITIES

Radio, as a new communication medium officially came to the Philippines in 1922 when a test broadcast was made by a Mrs. Redgrave from Nichols Air Field using a 5-watt transmitter. Early broadcasting was a strictly an American affair until the 1930s when local songs and program, started to be heard from KZIB, KZRH and KZRG Stations. In this new medium, the Kapampangan voice found its place, and our kabalens who animated the airwaves became welcome presences in every home with a transistor-- disseminating news, dispensing advice, making commentaries or simply spinning music to the avid listener.

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MILA BALATBAT (Sta. Ana)

Mila Balatbat, who started her radio career at age 15, found great success by becoming a successful independent producer of programs (a‘blocktimer’) heard on DZRH, DZBB, DZAQ, DZMY,  PBS (Philippine Broadcasting Service) and Eagle Broadcasting Corp.  She was the host of such programs as “Mila Balatbat’s Radio Stars”, “Let’s Go Shopping with Mila” (DZBB, 1960-1962).

ANGELO CASTRO SR. (Tarlac)

One of the earliest peronalities to join the radio bandwagon was Angelo Ruiz Castro of Tarlac. A brother of former chief justice Fred Ruiz Castro, Angelo joined Manila Broadcasting Company at Insular Life Bldg. and was known as the “Good Time King”. In 1946, he became the chief announcer of Station KZOK. Under Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, he headed the Radio Department of the Office of the Press Secretary. Angelo’s sons, Angelo Castro Jr.(husband of June Keithley) and Naldie also became announcers

ANGELO Y. CASTRO JR. (Tarlac)

The checkered career of Angelo Y. Castro Jr. (b.6 Mar. 1945/ d. 5 Apr. 2012) includes being the anchor of ABS-CBN’s “The World Tonight” (with Loren Legarda), broadcast journalist, news manager (1986, ABS-CBN) and TV/ Film actor (Bong in “Baltic & Co,). For ANC, he hosted the travel show Las Islas Filipinas. Retired in 2009 after being diagnosed with lung cancer, he continued his anchoring duties together with Teddy Boy Locsin and Tina Monzon-Palma on ‘The World Tonight”. Married to the late TV and radio personality, June Keithley, with whom he had 2 children, Diego  and Gabriella.

BEN DAVID

The King of Over-Acting, Ben David, was born as Bienvenido Parungao, the 4th of 8 children of Enrique Parungao and Raymunda David, both Kapampangans. Baritone-voiced Ben made his presence felt with his overly dramatic signature quips: “Oh, hindeeee!”and “Hangaaal!”. He became  an announcer for DZAQin 1966, an apt host for the program ,”Ginoong Mananakot”. In 1967, he became an announcer for ABS-CBN. He produced and directed “Dear Kuya Cesar”, and disc-jockeyed for “Patrolman OA”. David also broke into the movies, debuting in “Ismol bat Teribol” , a 1957 comedy from Sampaguita Pictures. He was cast in “Da Best Show”, “Tang-Tarang-Tang”and “Buhay Artista”. His most famous character role is playing Hudas Iscariote to    the hilt.

MINDA FELICIANO (Guagua)

Arminda “Minda” Feliciano (1 June, 1931) was the daughter of Manuel Valdez Feliciano, a district engineer, and Amparo Santana of Batanes. Before she became an international jetsetter, Feliciano had a brief career with radio in 1956, specifically on DZFM. She had auditioned for a single slot with Eddie Mercado and Johnny Wilson. But big boss Koko Trinidad wanted all 3 of them, so he offered all 3 to share the Php120 a month salary. Surprisingly, all three agreed. The arrangement was great for awhile, but eventually the 3 broke up ,and Feliciano moved to DZMB.with a hefty salary of Php150 monthy, plus 30 pesos add-on talent fee. The pretty announcer then moved to the U.S., to pursue an acting career. She snagged a role in the popular TV series,”Hawaiian Eye”, of Warner Brothers. Her world trips led to a chance meeting with actor Michael Caine. The two were soon engaged, but nothing came out of their affair. Feliciano was also linked with singer Tony Bennett, but a more lasting relationship was formed  with Norman John McClintock Lonsdale, an English blue blood, whom she wed in 1997.

REY LANGIT

Reynante "Rey" Magat Langit (b. 30 Sept. 20, 1948) is known for his public service radio programs that served mostly overseas Filipino workers. With his bombastic announcing style, Langit became well-known for remaining on air for 2 straight days during the People Power revolution. The multi-awarded broadcaster was the Station Manager of the AM Radio station DWIZ 882 kHz. and vice president of Aliw Broadcasting Corporation until 2016, disrupted by a foiled senatorial bid in 2016. After over 2 decades at DWIZ, he joined  PTV as anchor of programs "Insider Exclusive Kapihan" "Kasangga Mo ang Langit" and "Balitang Tanghali". He is producer of TV and radio shows under his  Heavenly Images Productions. A son,Reyster, also became a journalist, but died of cerebral malaria while on assignment in Palawan in 2005.

CESAR NUCUM (Candaba)

The eldest of Kapampangan Aurelio and Romaman Nucum, Cesar Nucum  (15 May 1938-d. 17 May 2007) was a balut vendor and bote’t dyaryo dealer before he auditioned in Manila to become an announcer. He got a job at DZRM, only to be pirated by ABS-CBN. For his narrative program “Mga Kasaysayan sa Likod ng Langit”, he evolved thestyle of Eddie Ilarde, developing it into his signature snail-paced, monotonous delivery.Thus, “Kuya Cesar”was born., a personal used in his radio shows “Dear Kuya Cesar” and “Ikaw sa Likod ng mga Awit”. His career lasted for many decades,  halted temporarily in 1972 during Martial Law. In the many programs he hosted, Kuya Cesar gave out advice, played music, spoke in tagalog and Eglish—always in his deep, distinctive slow-paced manner.

PERRY PANGAN (Mabalacat)

The quintessential voice of Pampanga,  Fernando “Perry” Pangan. He is the seasoned voice and station manager of RW 95.1 FM that was put up in the province at the height of the lahar inundation, where he reported the most accurate information of the state of Pampanga towns. Under his helm, RW 95.1 FM rose to become one of the most respected, and most awarded radio stations in the province. In 2011, the radio station  RW 95.1 FM was selected as the country’s Best Provincial FM Radio Station. A skilled commentator and public affairs host, he heads the “Talakayan  Ngayon” with Boy Santiago and Albert Lacanlale, Son Chester Pangan became a broadcaster at the age of 19 for a rival station, GV 99.1 FM and a TV personality on Channel 3 in Angeles City, Philippines. He now hosts a morning show on radio in Winnipeg, Canada.

ORLY PUNZALAN (Minalin)

The 1960s also saw the rise of a former seminarian from Minalin as the quintessential voice of news and current events. Orly Punzalan took the bus to Manila and auditioned for DZFM as a newscaster for the Department of National Defense. He passed the auditions and got a starting salary of 30 pesos a week, working with the likes of Jose Mari Avellana, Joonee Gamboa and Tita Muñoz. Making the transition to TV, he became a booth announcer for Channel 3 where he met and married Helen Vela.

JOE TARUC (Gapan)

Gapan-born  Jose Malgapo Taruc, Jr. (b.18 Sep. 1946/d/ 30 Sep. 2017) ranks as  one of the most popular and most followed news anchor on DZRH, in which he was also the station’s senior vice president. He anchored the longest-running public affairs program “Pangunahing Balita” and  “Damdaming Bayan”, often heard interviewing high-profile politicians, including the president. Best remembered for his trailblazing role in ABS-CBN DZAQ Radyo Patrol before  Martial Law, Taruc also worked in tandem with  Dely Magpayo and Noli de Castro in a KBS morning program. from , then joined DZBB Bisig Bayan 594 (later, Super Radyo) , until his transfer in 1991 to DZRH. Taruc’s son, Jay Taruc is well-known TV documentarist.

RAFAEL YABUT (Candaba)

The most influential radio personality from radio’s golden years is Rafael “Paeng” Yabut of Candaba. Growing up in Tondo, he started as a commercial reader for blocktimer Luz Mat Castro. During the Japanese occupation, he became an announcer at Star Theater along Azcarraga. After Liberation, he became a barker for “Atomic Bomb”, a honky tonk place along Rizal Avenue.In the late 1940s, he was offered by Hal Bowie, General Manager of MBC to do a daily Tagalog program called “Tayo’y Mag-aliw”. But instead of providing entertainment, he made stinging news commentaries against certain characters in the government. His program drew not only high listenership but also friends and foes alike. By 1957, Yabut had accumulated so much pulling power at DZRH that he was urged to run for president in 1957 against Carlos P. Garcia. Instead, he endorsed Manuel Manahan, then shifted to Jose Yulo. Both lost. For his political meddling, Yabut was suspended from his broadcast work, leaving behind his high-rating programs like "Ruleta Musikal", "Tatlo Lamang", "Gumising sa Pagsikat ng Araw". His most serious brush with death was when he was ambushed by a gunman after his tirades against Philippine Charity Sweepstakes. He recuperated, joined DZFM, but by then his credibility was in tatters. After the People Power revolution, he joined DZBB, only to be assigned the graveyard shift. Not long after that, Paeng Yabut died

SOURCES:

Aniceto, Ben. Stay Tuned: The Golden Years of Philippines Radio. A Historical Perspective of Philippine Radio—its Beginnings, its Golden Years and its Suppression in Sepetmeber 1972.Atlas Publishing Co., Inc. Quezon City. © 2007

Rafael Yabut Photo: Castro, Alex R.  viewsfromthepampang.blogspot, “Pilot of the Airwaves”

Angelo Castro Jr. Photo: rappler.com

Minda Feliciano Photo: wikimedia commons

Rey Langit Photo: wikimedia commons

Cesar Numcum Photo: FB page

Perry Pangan photo: https://www.rw951.fm/about.html

 Orly Punzalan Photo:

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/publicaffairs/tunaynabuhay/507134/primera-kontrabida-ng-90s-na-si-princess-punzalan-ikukuwento-ang-kaniyang-tunay-na-buhay/story/
All others:Aniceto, Ben. Stay Tuned: The Golden Years of Philippines Radio. A Historical Perspective of Philippine Radio

33. 10 KAPAMPANGAN COMEDIANS IN PHILIPPINE SHOWBIZ

1. PATSY (Lubao) 
Pastora Mateo (b. 12 April 1916/d. 1979) was the child of Alejandro Mateo from Lubao, who worked at the Tondo market. As a youngster, Patsy was nicknamed “lapad”, in reference to her flat nose. She joined bodabil shows at an early age--when she was in Grade 2, she passed the audition to be a dancer at Savoy Theater--until her parents discovered her shenanigan. In 1939, while singing with comedienne Hanasan (Aurelia Alaldo) on stage, somebody in the audience informed her that her father had died, but like a real trouper, went on with the show. Patsy continued to entertain during the years of the Japanese Occupation. Her biggest break was when she was asked to host (with Lopito) the highly-popular singing contest, ”Tawag ng Tanghalan” that started on radio as “Purico’s Amateur Hour”. When it moved to television, it became and even bigger hit. Her film credits include : “Juan Tamad Goes To Society”, “Manananggal vs. Mangkukulam” (1960) and the hit, "Pitong Atsay" (1962), where she was part of a group of seven bungling househelps. TV kept Patsy busy in the 1970s (“Wanted: Boarder”, “Boarding House”). In all her appearances, Patsy remained true to her character—splicing Kapampangan words into her dialogues at every opportunity, speaking with that distinct “gegege” accent that became her trademark.

2. TUGAK (Guagua) 
Guagua-born Perfecto Piñon (b. 10 May 1917/d. 7 Jan. 2006) used to be a painter of movie billboards, which led him to try showbiz, naming himself as “Abe Tugak” and performing in bod-a-bil. He found a team-mate in the person of another Kapampangan comedian Pugak— and so the bald tandem of Pugak and Tugak was born. They made the rounds of theater stages with their comic antics and even did novelty records. In1954, they were topbilled in the movie “Is My Guy” with kabalens , Eddie del Mar and Rosita Noble and “Pitong Pasiklab” (1962). They were well-known for their 60s spoof movies, “Pogi Dozen” (1967), “We Only Live Wa-Is”(1968) and “Crazy 8 at Walong Dyango” (1969). When movie offers came too few, Tugak fell back on his painting skills and became a successfull painter. He put up his own Peck Piñon Art Gallery that had branches in Ali Mall in Cubao, SM North Edsa and in Makati. He moved to the U.S. with his family where he continued painting until his death.

3. PUGAK 
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, who had to shave his head to match the bald pate of Pugak. They built a reputation as a slapstick version of Pugo and Tugo, regaling audiences with their funny repartees and wisecracks. Theirs was an on-and-off partnership that was many times threated with split-ups, until Tugak called it quits in 1960. But when duty called, the two would gamely get together, albeit temporarily. Pugak went full-steam ahead as a solo comedian, and dabbled as a director. He appreared without Tugak in movies such as “Fist to Kill” (1972) and “Matang Lawin at ang Crazy 4” (1976). Perhaps, Pugak is best known for his commercial appearance in the Datu Puti Vinegar, whose scrunched-up “mukhasim” expression remains unforgettable to TV viewers.

4. BENTOT (San Simon) 
Born Arturo Vergara Medina (b.1928/d. 1986) in San Simon, Benton began his showbiz career by joining 'bodabil' shows. At age 19, he made his first movie under Sampaguita Pictures, "Maria Kafra" (1947) billed as Ben Cosca. Leading comedians then had names like Chichay, Menggay, Tolindoy, Lopito, Pugo and Tugo, so Ben decided he needed a single catchy name too. Thus, Bentot was born. He was immediately cast in the radio program, “Sebya, Mahal Kita”, along with Sylvia La Torre, Rosa Aguirre, Eddie San Jose and Pugo. He next signed up with LVN Studios in 1951, and was cast as a lackluster boxer in “In This Corner”(1957). In 1961, the San Miguel Beer sponsored "Tang-tarang-tang", a spin-off of "Sebya" started on DZRH. The plot revolved Don Mariano (Pugo), his son Badong (Leroy Salvador Jr.), his love interest Ibyang (Sylvia La Torre), daughter of Aling Charing (Rosa Aguirre) who were of humble means. Providing the foil was Bitoy (Bentot) , Don Mariano’s youngest, who became one of the most unforgettable characters from the series. He remained active through the 70s, passing away in 1986 due to heart failure. His son, Bentot Jr., attempted to carry on
his father’s legacy by joining the movies also as a comedian.

5. APENG DALDAL (San Luis) 
Born Serafin Gabriel (b. 12 Oct. 1928/d. 9 Feb. 1992) in San Luis, the young Apeng moved to Manila, and despite his skeletal built, found work as a Divisoria kargador. He next tried his hand in the bod-a-bil circuit with a comedy group called “Top Three”, that drew crowds at the Manila Opera House. His success paved the way for a TV career, with the 1961 noontime show “The Big Show”, supporting Cris de Vera, Sylvia La Torre and Oscar Obligacion. Apeng Daldal’s gift of non-stop gabbing and witty ad-libbing had audiences laughing for more, so producers cast him in his debut movie “Libis ng Baryo” (1964) with Susan Roces. This was followed by appearances in “Bandong Pugante”, “Babaing Kidlat” and the 1964 Sampaguita blockbuster “Magic Bilao” after Rosemarie and Dindo Fernando. Apeng Daldal—now regarded as an A-lister funnyman along with Chiquito and Dolphy, was rewarded with a lead role in “Maskulado”, “Tatlong Mabilis” and another comedy-fantasy film, “Baticobra at Flying Salakot”. The final decades of his life were spent working in films, TV and radio as scriptwriter ( “Ayos Lang, Pare Ko” , “Dobol Dribol), novelty singer ( "Pandanggo ng Aswang", "Hoy Mamang Kaminero") , comic (“Super Laff-In”, “Trio Los Bobos” and “Cafeteria Aroma”). He died of emphysema, and is survived by his wife Elma Modesto and 8 children.

6. CHIQUITO (Apalit) 
Augusto Valdez Pangan, in real life, (b.12 Marc.1932/d. 3 July 1997) was well-known for portraying comic characters and spoofs of Hollywood movies. He was also a dancer, politician, inventor, jockey and businessman. His parents were Manuel Pangan, a San Miguel executive and Remedios Valdez. The Pangans trace their family roots to Apalit, Pampanga, but moved to San Miguel, Bulacan and finally to Manila were “Tito” or “Gus” grew up., After a stint with bod-a-bil,, he made a leap to the movies. The characters he portrayed would become major movie icons. Aside from “Mr. Wong” (1977) there were: the caveman “Barok” (1976), “Asiong Aksaya” (a Larry Alcala cartoon character, 1977), “Mang Kepweng” (1979), “Gorio” (1979), “Estong Tutong”, “Kenkoy at Rosing”, “ Tacio” (based on a popular comic strip, 1980), “Pete Matipid”, “Django” and “Atorni Agaton” (1990).He served briefly as the Vice Mayor of Makati, and then in 1992, he ran for a seat in the Senate, but lost. His last movie before he got sick with liver cancer, was “Strict ang Parents Ko’, with Amanda Page. 

7. BEN DAVID 
The King of Over-Acting, Ben David, was born as Bienvenido Parungao, the 4th of 8 children of Enrique Parungao and Raymunda David, both Kapampangans. He grew up in Tondo and reached first year college at Manuel L. Quezon University. As a teen, he did odd jobs—from being a sidewalk vendor, messenger, post office messenger to serving the Naval Intelligence from 1949-1952. David had a deep, baritone voice which led to a job as a radio talent for DZBC soap dramas in 1959 , often assigned to voice villain roles. In 1967, he became an announcer for ABS-CBN. He produced and directed “Dear Kuya Cesar”, acted in “Operetang Putul-Putol”and disc-jockeyed for “Patrolman OA”. David also broke into the movies, debuting in “Ismol bat Teribol” , a 1957 comedy from Sampaguita Pictures. He was nominated for a Famas Best Supporting Actor for “Alamat ng Sandaigdig” (1961), adapted from a DZAQ radio serial. The horror shocker introduced the audience to David’s ‘over-the-top’ acting that became his trademark, along with lines like –“O, Hindeee!”, “Hangallll!” delivered with feelings that were more comedic than dramatic. In the 1970 “Edgar Loves Vilma” teen flick, David was heard talking in Kapampangan. 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.

8. NANETTE INVENTOR (Macabebe)
The comedienne who became nationally famous as the irreverent “Doña Buding” was a Kapampangan from Macabebe (b. 23 Jun 1954) named Agnes Nanette Inventor, or simply Nanette Inventor. Inventor was first a singer, a member of the UP Concert Chorus, who sang commercial jingles and back-up vocals, and recorded covers of international hits. In 1983, her career took an unexpected turn when she was asked to do a satirical piece on Channel 7’s “Penthouse Live” as “Dona Leonila Evaporada Viuda de Ford” or “Dona Buding.” This role catapulted her to fame, and in the next few years, Inventor staged award-winning comedy acts like “Tit for Tat” (with Maya Valdez), “Rock da Vote” and “Eh Kasi Eh Ano?”. In 1984, she sang the winning song, “Salamat Musika” of Gary Granada at the 7th Metro Pop Song Festival. This led to more solo concerts , capped by her 20th anniversary show “Fat, Fifty and Fabulous” at Greenbelt. Inventor was also seen in TV’s “Por Kilo” “Abangan ang Susunod na Kabanata”, and most recently in “Family Zoo” and “Yaman ni Lola”, a game show. Inventor has also conquered the theater stage as an actress in “The Wiz”, “Noli Me Tangere” and “Separasyon”. She provided her vocals for the song, “Kapampangan Ku”, which has become an anthem of sorts to celebrate the renaissance of Kapampangan culture.

9. JON SANTOS (Mabalacat) 
One of the country’s top stand-up comedians, impersonator and film/TV/ stage actor, Jon Santos (b. 18 Jan. 1966) is the son of Joselito Santos and Zenaida Samson Adriano. His maternal grandmother, Zenaida Samson y Garcia comes from Dau (daughter of Jose Castro Samson and Laureana Garcia. It was as an Economics student at the University of the Philippines that Jon started his impersonations, often supporting the already established Tessie Tomas and Willie Nepomuceno in campus shows. Since then, he has been impersonating and imitating people for over 19 years. Some of his best-loved characters are the classics: “Ate Vi”, “Basana Roces”, “Armida Sigyon-Makareyna”, “Sherap Espada”, “FVR”, Shawie”, “Bro. Mike Volare”, “Tita Kory”, “Sen. Juan Flavor”, “Sen. Meeryam”, “Pres. Gloring”, “Krissy Anino”, “Mommy Dionisia”, among others. Some of his hit shows include “For Voter or For Worse”, “Love in 3D”, ”101 Jojemons: The Pinoy Fower List” and "Im.Person.Nation”. Jon is married West Stewart of Canada since 2005.

10. RYZZA MAE DIZON (Angeles City) 
Ryzza Mae Dizon (born 12 June 2005) is a product of Eat Bulaga’s popular contest, Little Miss Philippines, a crown she won in 2012. Thus began her showbiz career that endeared the precocious Angeleña to an adoring public. She became a co-host of Eat Bulaga, and even had her own talk show—The Ryzza Mae Show. Her TV appearances include “Tweets for my Tweets”, “Vampire ang Daddy Ko”, “Calle Siete” and “Princess in the Palace”. She starred in box-office movies like “ My Little Bossing” (2013) with Bimby Aquino, “My Big Bossing” (2014), “Si Agimat, si Enteng Kabisote at si Ako” where she played a dwarf. Ryzza Mae is a contract artist of GMA7.

PHOTO SOURCES:
Pugak: screencap from youtube "Idol Kong Si Pugak"
Ryzza Mae Dizon: gma7network.com
Nanette Inventor: balita.com (The Overlooked Side of Nanette Inventor)
Jon Santos: Jon Santos FB page
Patsy, Apeng Daldal, Bentot, Chiquito, Ben David, Tugak: Alex Castro Collection

24. 24 LITTLE-KNOWN FACTS ABOUT ROGELIO DE LA ROSA

November 12, 2016 marks the birthday centenary of Rogelio de la Rosa (b. 1916/d. 1986)—matinee idol, politician, ambassador. This feature pays homage to Lubao’s famous son who rose to become the first King of Philippine Movies during the golden age of Philippine cinema, and the first showbiz personality to become a successful politician, and later, a much-admired diplomat.  

1. Rogelio de la Rosa’s grandfather, Francisco, was a pure Spaniard and and surveyor.  His grandmother—Francisco’s wife—was an Ilocano belle, Marciana Dariano, of Naguilian, La Union.

2. Feliciano, Rogelio’s father, is credited with donating an artesian well to the people of barrio San Jose Gumi, pre-dating Magsaysay’s practice of giving out water pumps to barrios. Feliciano was a painter, while mother Rosario, was famed as a singer.

3. The de la Rosas were the first family in Lubao to own the town’s first car.

4. The young de la Rosa was a zarzuelista, and along with his friend, Diosdado P. Macapagal, appeared in staged plays like “Sumpang Metupad”, “Atul ning Banua” and “Bayung Jerusalem”, written by playwright, Urbano Macapagal, Diosdado’s father.

5. After high school at the Lubao Institute, de la Rosa went to Far Eastern College where he earned a Liberal Arts degree. There, he became a superb athlete (intercollegiate welterweight boxing champ, member of the undefeated basketball Central Luzon basketball team) and a champion orator (Claro M. Recto Gold medallist  in Oratory).

6. Rogelio’s favorite books:  The Political Upheaval) (Schlesinger), Caesar and Christ (Will Durant), The Importance of Living (Lin Yutang) and Soviet Russia in China ( Gen. Chiang Kai-Shek). Favorite food: Pinakbet.

7. His baptismal name was “Regidor”; Rogelio de la Rosa was a screen name given to him by Jose Nepomuceno (“Father of Philippine Movies”), who directed him in  his first movie. She was paired with Bacolor-born Rosa del Rosario (Rosa Stagner, in real life) and their love team was alliteratively billed as—Rogelio de la Rosa and Rosa del Rosario.

8. At age 16, Rogelio made his first movie, “Ligaw na Bulaklak”, directed by Jose Nepomuceno. As it was a silent film, his lead actress mouthed lines in English,  while Rogelio spewed out sentences in Kapampangan. Fearing that the audience could lip-read, director Nepomuceno enrolled them in a Tagalog language course.

9. At his prime, de la Rosa stood 6 feet tall, weighed 184 pounds and had a 45 in. chest. In 1948, he had a fixed monthly salary of Php 2,000, and had  25% to. 33.3% share of net proceeds from his pictures, giving him a guaranteed annual income in the range of Php 150,000- Php 200,000, a substantial amount in those days.

  

10. The popular Rogelio de la Rosa-Carmen Rosales love tandem began with the 1939 musical, “Takipsilim”. They would appear together in 12 more films:  Lambingan, Señorita, Diwang Awit, Colegiala (1940), Panambitan, Tampuhan (1941), Camelia, Kampanang Ginto (1949), Maalaala Mo Kaya (1954), Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig, Iyong-iyo (1955), and their last movie together, Lydia (1956).

11. The actor put up his own RDR productions  with J. Amado Araneta and Placido Mapa in 1941, and produced box-office hits including: Ang Maestra, Anong Ganda Mo (1941) and Caballero (1942).

12. De la Rosa was the first Filipino actor to in a film slated for international release in 1949:  ‘Sword of the Avenger’, where he was top-billed as Ramon Delgado along with Sigrid Gurie. Produced by Eagle Films and the United Philippine Artists, it also had a Tagalog version—‘Ang Vengador’, this time, with Pacita Francisco. Shot  in Hollywood, the film was directed by Sidney Salkow,and featured the exploits of “ the swashbuckling leader of the Filipino resistance to Spanish opposition during the 19^th century”.

13. Many of the films of Rogelio de la Rosa spawned a few theme songs that became very popular:”Maalaala Mo Kaya?”, “Sarung Banggi”, “Tayo Na Sa Antipolo” and “ Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig”.

14. De la Rosa won two Best Actor awards for his movie “Higit sa Lahat”, earning the FAMAS Best Actor nod in 1955, and the Asia Film Festival Best Actor trophy in 1956, held in Hong Kong.

15. The very private Rogelio was already married when he was at the peak of his career. He was married during the Japanese Occupation to  Dolores “Lolita”  Z. Bayot of Masbate. Rogelio was  married a second time to a fellow Kapampangan actress, Carlota “Lota” Concepcion Delgado”, who was born in Camp Stotsenburg.

   

16. The de la Rosa children’s names all begin with the letter “R”:  Ramon, Rudolf,  Reynaldo, Roberto, Regidor (Rocky) and only girl, Ruby. His son with Bayot was also named Rogelio Jr.

17. In 1951, de La Rosa bought a 300 hectare property in Irisan, Baguio which  he developed into the RDR Dairy Farm. He supplied his city friends with eggs, pork, beef  and 225 quarts of milk daily, from his 150 cows imported from the U.S. Bureau of Animal Industry officials once tested their dairy milk and found it to have superior butterfat content.

18. During the Japanese Occupation, de la Rosa joined the underground resistance movement. He also volunteered to go to the war during the height of the hostilities in Korea, to help boost the morale of the U.N. forces.

19. De la Rosa’s first fling with politics was in 1957, when he ran for the Senate and won—largely on the support of his legions of fans, mostly from the masses. His most vital piece of legislation was his sponsorship of a bill that condemned the illegal appropriation of public streams and rivers by big fishpond owners. As a senator, he met with Pres. John F. Kennedy at the Oval office when the U.S. president signed the War Bill in 1962.

20. Pres. Ramon Magsaysay designated de la Rosa as his adviser on labor, agriculture and rural development. He impressed the president so much that Magsaysay even encouraged him to run for governor of Pampanga in 1955.

21. When de la Rosa ran for the Presidency as an Independent in 1961, he chose the salakot and a pair of bakya (wooden shoes) as elements of his campaign seal.His slogan was : “We shall return to Malacañang!”, in reference to his pro-“masa” (common people) approach to governance.

22. Ten days before the election, de la Rosa withdrew his presidential bid as he realized that he would split the opposition votes against the ruling re-electionist  Carlos P. Garcia. This move generated many ugly rumors: that he was paid Php 500,000 by the Macapagal camp to withdraw, plus a key cabinet position and control of the Central Bank, and that his decision had driven his wife, Lota, to drink poison and attempt suicide.  Another rumor had it that Malacañang paid de la Rosa to run to split the Luzon votes, but when he looked headed for victory in the South, the Nacionalistas were alarmed that he could actually win the presidency. De la Rosa gave way to his brother-in-law, thus paving the way for Macapagal’s victory.

23. De La Rosa served in the diplomatic corps for 18 years, starting as ambassador to  Cambodia in 1965, where he was admired even by Prince Norodom Sihanouk, He was also assigned to the Hague, Poland, and Bulgaria and Sri Lanka. During his term, he became the dean of the diplomatic corps. He retired from the Foreign Service in 1983.

24. He ran for a position in the Batasang Pambansa under the banner of KBL in 1984, but lost, amidst mounting protests against President Ferdinand Marcos. 

SOURCES:

 The Case for Rogelio de la Rosa,  Sunday Times Magazine, 23 November 1961.

 The “Untimely Withdrawal” of Roger de la Rosa, by Quijano de Manila, November 1961

 Garcia, Jessie B., A Movie Album Quizbook, Erehwon Books and Magazine, Iloilo City. December 2004. P. 107-111.

 Rogelio de la Rosa: Matinee Idol, Icon, Patriot, Gentleman. By Tonette Orejas, Philippine Daily Inquirer.p, A2-3.  13 Nov. 2016.

Doña Sisang and Filipino Movies. Philippines: Vera-Reyes, Inc. Published by A.R. Mercado Management, Inc.

Photo sources: Video 48, The Chronicle, Sunday Times Magazine,Constantino, Ronaldo, K., ed., "Memorable Tagalog Movie Ads 1946-56" Manila: Danny Dolor Publications, 1994,  Alex R. Castro Photo Collection. SPECIAL THANKS to; Michael de Leon, for photos of RDR and Lota Delado, and children.

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.