UNUSUAL FEAT OF GLORIA ROMERO

By | December 1, 2020

Trivia:

Ex Movie Queen Gloria Romero holds the distinction of Philippine Cinema’s oldest actress who remains active to this date. She was born on Dec. 16, 1933. Remarkably, she currently enacts the title role of the TV series under GMA-7 Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, an unmatched accomplishment among her colleagues.

To begin with, Gloria grew up in Pangasinan, the daughter of Pinoy father Pedro Galla and American-Spanish mom named Mary Borreco. In her early teen years, Gloria first appeared in flicks in minor assignments produced by Premiere Productions.

Subsequently, the famous late big boss of Sampaguita Pictures Dr. Jose saw potentials in Gloria. After she inked a contract handed her major roles prior to her first dramatic starrer in Monghita, followed by other tear-jerking movies like May Umaga Pang Darating.

 Then Dr. Perez opted to give Gloria a chance to banner a straight comedy pic Dalagang Ilocana which not only ushered in her the feat of first actress who garnered FAMAS best actress award in comic role. Gloria gained the tag Box Office Queen, out of blockbuster movies Kurdapya, Despatsadora, Hong kong Holiday and Bim Bam Bum, among others.  Thus, Gloria was tagged Movie Queen in the’50s.

Despite her marital plunge with the late actor Juancho Gutierrez who sired Gloria their only daughter Maritess Gutierrez, the closing shop of Sampaguita Pictures, independent movie producers got Gloria in lead roles amid the rise of young actresses then. Even in TV programs starred not only in drama stuffs but also as host of several variety boob tube programs.

Not surprising that through the years, aside from acting awards Gloria had received honors from different organizations. FAMAS named Gloria Huwarang Bituin for durability,  Gawad Parangal sa Ginintuang Bituin by La Consolacion College,  Golden Screen Award body chose her Movie Icon of Our Time. And once, beauty-wise, in Miss Philippines events, she placed runner up title Miss Visayas.

My personal experience with Gloria occurred in the late ‘50s during my high school graduation at the University of the East. For it happened the batch of graduates included her sibling the late Tito Galla. Gloria graced the event at the height of her fame. All eyes were focused at Gloria. So after the rites, she was mobbed by the crowds.

When I turned movie journalist, in my interview with Gloria I fondly recalled to her that incident. Gloria asked my impression on Tito who had joined showbiz also. As what his classmates related then, Tito’s likeable ways impressed all of us.

Second time we bumped into each other, Gloria congratulated me when told I was the pro of Amalia Fuentes and Nida Blanca.  On Amalia, Gloria divulged  their closness. At times,  Amalia would open up her problems to her  for an advice.

In the case of Nida, albeit a rival in the movie queen throne then, Gloria admired Nida’s frank and truthful nature. Up to Nida’s demise, Gloria sustained friendship with her, much more so, the due starred in the blockbuster film Waray-Waray vs Manang Biday.

Angel Locsin in the news Anew

Once again, Angel Locsin shares the spotlight on the viral body shaming thrown to her by the division of Department of Education in Occidental Mindoro. A teacher included Angel in the obese list. Out of it, her irate followers it’s an unacceptable insult coming from Department of Education.

Although Angel has kept her cool, the Department of Education instantly apologized to her, admitted its fault. But clarified it does not tolerate nor condone any act of body shaming or bullying. For that’s not part of its self-learning module (SLM) developed and quality assured by the Department of Education Central Office. Yet Angel does not agree on the move to revoke the teacher’s contract out of  it.

As her confidant asserted, Angel fully concentrates on her new TV service program which emphasizes on all out assistance to the victims of calamities and the COVID-19 pandemic. She calibrates to that job for her inborn humanitarian passion. 

Sam and Catriona: Romance to end in Marriage?

What’s the latest on Sam Milby and Miss Universe Catriona Gray? A reliable source quoted him to say these words, “She’s my number one priority and the love of my life. I hope our relationships will be for keeps. I’ve not felt this before.”

At any rate, Sam browses the truth that right now Catriona’s fully occupied with many obligations that to offer marriage would be untimely. Currently, she also hosts  the Sunday Noontime show under TV-5. On the other side, Sam banners the TV drama series Ang sa Iyo ay Akin, with Jodi Sta. Maria and Iza Calzado.

Billy’s Vital Role in Sarah, Matteo’s  Path 

Did you know that Billly Crawford has emoted off screen a vital role in Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli’s affair? Matteo pleaded Billy to be the go-between in courting Sarah. Sans resentment, Billy nodded.

Through Billy’s compelling revelation on how loving ,sincere Matteo as a person, Sarah eventually reciprocated Matteo’s love. Later, Sarah and Matteo  had acknowledged  Billy as their Cupid who led to their marital knots.

Currently, Billy pushed the two to join him under TV-5. As it was, Billy was among the first Kapamilya stars to transfer to TV-5. He convinced Matteo to be the judge of its singing tilt Masked  Pilipinas with Aga Muhlach, Cristine Reyes and Kim Molina while Sarah consented her The Next One concert be a part of Sunday night nigh show Onstage aired by TV-5 too.

Marco Praises Sis Michelle

Actor Marco Gumabao is all praises for his sister Miss Universe Philippines 2020 runner up Michelle Gumabao. On the issue she’s unhappy, against Rabiya Mateo winning the title, Michelle in contrast voiced out. “I’m happy for Rabiya. Let’s give her a chance to prove she deserves the crown.”

Marco commented to a writer that’s a fact for Michelle’s not judgmental. “Imagine, that was her last chance to compete in beauty contests due to age limit. Yet she’s satisfied to be in top five. The more I admire my sibling.”

Whatever, Michelle’s followers contemplate she would shine better in modeling, showbiz or athletic world.

Blind Item:

An insider at the set of a TV series expectedly has been the cause of a gossip. She scattered the rumor that the lead stars are on a romantic fling. Allegedly, she witnessed the pretty actress and the hunk actor off cameras kissing each other on the lips, an evident of a real love affair.

When informed about it, the actor was in a guffaw, with no confirmation if it’s true. However, on the other side, the actress got enraged, calling the rumor untrue and maleficent. Yet others blabber-mouthed said it’s a mere act of protection for she’s still in a relationships with another guy. Which is which?

Spicy Items:

Did you know Philippines and Colombia fell into another controversy within the Miss Universe beauty pageant? Remember when Pia Wurtzbach won the Miss Universe title, host Steve Harvey at first wrongly announced Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutuerrez was the winner. This triggered a furor in both camps.

Just recently, as one of the judges in the recent Miss Universe Colombia, Pinay Miss Universe Catriona Gray was a victim of intrigue. She was introduced by the host as Catriona Garay, with insinuation she’s actually an Australian. Catriona took it calmly. But Natalie Ackermann, the president, national director of the pageant apologized to Catriona for the error. You see, it’s an aftermath when bashers threw out words the purpose was to get even with the Philippines.

Contrary to allegation that couple Carmina Villaroel and Zoren Legaspi got mad to learn their daughter Cassy and singer Darren Espanto are lovers, the duo quashed if off. A colleague related that two confirmed Darren is a best friend of their son Mavy and truly a nice person. But he doesn’t court Cassy, knowing she’s still too young. So that’s it.

Colleague Linda Rapadas relayed the news that Senator Tito Sotto plans to rename one of the major streets in Quezon City Fernando Poe Jr. It’s not specified which particular place. Hope it materializes.

Who says GMA-7 totally neglects Bianca Umali? In fact, she plays the lead role in the forthcoming TV drama The Legal Wives and the special episode of the top rated weekly real life series Wish Ko Lang.