An Asian Journal
Magazine
4
The Asian Journal N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY F E b R uA RY 1 7 , 20 1 7
On the PEP Front
People, Events, Places BoBBy T. yalong SHOW business, with all of its fascinating celluloid and compelling temptation, had constantly enticed numerous latent screen and movie hopefuls to its irresistible allure optimistically embarking on a successful and thriving career coupled with the grandiosity of fame and the luxuriousness of fortune. Enumerable white collar job potentials and promising possibilities had been abandoned only to powerlessly succumb to the lure of show business and merely consented to be clutched by its influence, carried away by its flow, manipulated by its authoritative honchos, and be helplessly “eaten” by its ultra-repulsive system faultlessly concealed behind a glamorous and glittery façade. For nothing remains longlasting as permanence is constantly something we all strive for… and so is one’s status in the celluloid world. Like stars in the firmament, screen celebrities also fade and lose their luster after having failed to maintain that electrifying magnetism throughout their career. Just like the world’s major production and prominent entertainment source that is Hollywood, its Philippine counterpart had enormously created big name celebrities in the field of cinema, theater, media, and recording. Their supremacy could either span for decades or dismally short-lived. In a blink of an eye, a celebrity’s reigning career could either instantly fade or gradually disappear. Aside from old age, death, and self-imposed hiatus or retirement, a celebrity could inevitably fade into obscurity due to weakened popularity brought about by unsuccessful box-office returns, diminishing mass adoration, escalating public scandal or bad personal reputation, unprofessionalism, negative feedbacks regarding attitude towards work and co-workers, and a lot more that directly or indirectly affect his or her status.
EMPLOYMENT
Where have all these stars gone? Philippine movie stars of the 50s and 60s who have kept their luster consistently dazzling and had unrelentingly shown supremacy in the business after more than 6 decades of film and television appearances are Eddie Garcia, Gloria Romero, Perla Bautista, Gloria Sevilla, Caridad Sanchez, Divina Valencia, Susan Roces, Marissa Delgado, and Gina Pareno, just to name a few. Among the most endeared singer-performers, only Asia’s Queen of Songs, Pilita Corrales, remains visibly active and has impressively maintained her curvaceous figure that catapulted her, with her unparalleled singing style, to stardom. The toasts of the Philippine entertainment arena during the last few decades could just be around whiling their time and taking that much-needed breather. Others couldn’t resist the itch from showbiz bite that made them come out from hiatus and occasionally hog the spotlight. Although majority have migrated across the globe and have chosen to live privately away from the madding crowd and public’s prying eyes. This writer couldn’t have been luckier having personally encountered some of the most sought-after celebrities of yesteryears. These are just former luminaries that I came across this side of the earth. Carina Afable A popular television, radio, and movie personality during the 60s, Carina (who happens to be Ryan Agoncillo’s aunt, he is the son of Carina’s brother, Chito), is still actively performing in shows and private parties across the US. I personally met her last October 26, 2016 in an event I directed in Las Vegas where she was a special performer. Still aptly endowed with her toothy smile, youthful mannerism, and remarkable voice, Carina never fails to impress her audience…as if it was only yesterday when I saw her perform last in the popular TV show, Seeing Stars with Joe Quirino, where she was a regular guest. Having married young and divorced
TV director Raul Silos where she had four children, Carina married American Leonard Bell who bore her a son…and remarried with Samuel Grey after Bell’s death. Edna Diaz One of the most sought-after actresses in the mid-70s was dark-eyed Edna Diaz who could brag having made about 30 movies in her brief 5-year showbiz stint. A former Miss Philippines Pageant alumna, she entered show business after being convinced by Director Celso Ad Castillo. A regular leading lady to then hunk actor Orestes Ojeda (who were both my celebrity guests together with Rez Cortez in my hometown’s 1976 annual Santacruzan), the curvilinear Bicolana chose to live in Jackson, New Jersey after being married to a Eucharistic Minister, Deacon Rene Perez, with whom she has two children, now both professionals. Marianne Dela Riva – Another Bicolana lured to try showbusiness was frail and demure-looking after being discovered by Fashion Guru Pitoy Moreno at 16. Marianne effortlessly gained fame via her 1977 daily classic drama television series, “Gulong Ng Palad.” Her angelic face instrumentally landed bigger breaks… as favorite leading lady of Action King Ronnie Poe, Jr. and other major action stars of the 80s that rewardingly paid off with a 1975 FAMAS Best Supporting Actress trophy for “Krimen: Kayo Ang Humatol.” Currently married to Dr. Oscar Ortiz (after a failed initial marriage to her reel-andreal partner Ronald Corveau) the couple lives in their posh residence along the shores of Toms River, New Jersey. Beth Tamayo Innately gifted with a refreshing face perfectly laced with her innately beguiling smile, Beth was once one of Philippine show business’s busiest leading ladies to both action and dramatic actors. In the midst of her thriving career Beth hastily left the country due to an aggravating issue threatening her life. She opted to migrate in NYC and tried to cope up with the asphalt jungle’s fast-phased lifestyle. After having had settled
EMPLOYMENT
Beth Tamayo
Carina Afable
Danny Ramos
Leonardo Litton
Marianne Dela Riva
Roel Gueco aka Philip Henson
Toffee Calma
Edna Diaz
Laurence Mendres aka Anton Bernardo
comfortably in the Big Apple surrounded with newfound friends Beth decided to move to San Francisco last year and found herself more accustomed to the Bay Area’s mode of life. Incidentally, there was a time when the so-called blue film or sexy movies were the paramount box-office winners that left critically acclaimed counterparts by miles behind. Movie authorities believe that actors in this genre are short-lived… and there could be some truth to it after having seen a great number of them retired earlier than predicted. Others successfully defied the “curse” and prolonged their careers after shifting to drama,
comedy, or action. Gardo Verzosa (Mennen Peter Torres in real life) is a concrete exponent of such actors in the league. Leandro Baldemor (born Jeffrie Baldemor) is another but although he was considered “Heir” to the throne vacated by Gardo, Leandro was simultaneously doing drama and comedy on TV, and singing outside of his mother studio… that simply freed him from the stigma of sexy movies. I came into face-to-face contact with a handful of them that brought me to high spirits with the way things are going for these former skin-flick players. Here are just a few that I have personally known.
EMPLOYMENT
SERVICES
Leonardo Litton Born Joel Villar Werner in Nueva Ecija, Joel was discovered by famous celebrity hairdresser Tony Galvez and was tied down by Seiko Films into a four-year contract with “Burlesk King” as his launching movie. The succeeding bold-themed projects gave him the sudden rise to unprecedented recognition that made him one of Seiko’s most prized jewels. A Japan sojourn change his life when he met a returning overseas worker on his flight back home that made him decide to abandon showbiz and settled down. Now NY-based, (in Queens, specifically), with two kids, Joel lives contentedly with his Continued on Page 5