THE FAMOUS PADILLAs OF PHILIPPINE CINEMA

SERIES ON THE “GIANTS” NO. 4:
ANG PAMOSONG PADILLA SA PELIKULANG PILIPINO

By Ross F. Celino, Jr.

Source: Jingle Extra Hot Movie Entertainment Magazine
No. 11, April 20, 1981

Ang pamilya Padilla ay isa sa may pinakamalaking ambag ng talino – at kisig – sa pelikulang Pilipino. Hindi lamang bilang mga hinahangaang artista kundi maging sa pamamahala at pagsusulat ng kasaysayang pampelikula at pagpo-prodyus din nito. Ano nga ba ang Pelikulang Pilipino kung hindi masasambit ang mga pangalang Carlos (Leleng) Padilla, Sr., Jose (Pempe) Padilla, Jr., Consuelo (Ateng) Osorio, Maria Clara Ruiz at ang mga kapatid nilang sina Roy Padilla, Mariano Padilla, Amado Cortez, Pilar Padilla, Cristina Aragon, Angie at Oscar Padilla at ang mga second generation na Padilla na kinabibilangan nina Carlos (Sonny) Padilla, Jr. at ng kanyang mga kapatid na sina Delia Dolor (Erlinda O’Padilla ang isa niyang screen name), Lani O. Padilla at Nonny Padilla.

At ang mga pinsan nilang sina Mel Francisco, Rudy at Merle Fernandez, Bella Lopez, Bebong Osorio, Cora Varona (Cora Santos at other times) at ang mga in-laws ng mga Padilla na sina Arsenia Francisco, Gloria Sevilla at direktor Yoyong Fernandez.

Aba, star!!!

What is Philippine movies without mentioning this great and talented clan who, for more that five decades, since the early 1930’s, had graced the silver screen with their charms, charisma, pulchritude, machochism and all that jazz…Siyempre bahagi sila ng isang makulay at makasaysayang daigdig ng aninong gumagalaw at karapat-dapat lamang ang pagbibigay sa kanila ng kaukulang pansin at tribute tulad nito…

JOSE PADILLA, SR.: ANG UGAT

Kung mayroon mang Padilla na hinahangaan at sinasamba ng balana ngayon, iyon ay dahil sakanilang ugat, ang kanilang puno na dili’t iba kundi ang Kgg. JOSE PADILLA, SR., tatlong beses na naging deputado ng unang distrito ng Bulacan mula noong 1922, 1925 hanggang 1928. Sa sumunod na halalan noong 1931, lumaban sa pagka-gobernador ang makisig na deputado at ito’y nanalong walang kalaban. Landslide, ika nga. Soon, he ran for senator but he lost. On the next election, he again ran for governor of his province and won the second time around.

“Kung mahal ng tao ang aming papa,” pagtatapat ni Ateng (Osorio) tungkol sa kanilang ugat, “this could be because he was a very humble man. Very compassionate and always ready to help the poor, the less fortunate. Ito ang mga outstanding traits ng aming angkan,” dagdag pa ni Ateng, “kung kaya’t kaming mga anak ay nagmana rin ng ugaling ito. “Papa was very much against the acting career of both Leleng and Pempe,” Ateng went on to say, “and when he could not stop them, he, too, became an artista. Maniwala ka, naging artista na rin sila, pati na ang mama ko,” pangiting winika ni Ateng. “Of course, yong mga character roles ang kanilang ginampanan,” she continued.

“It was also Papa who encouraged Pempe to join the Tokyo Oriental Boxing Federation in 1931 where he won in the Jr. Featherweight Division. Leleng could not join Pempe at that time because he was busy doing “Lilies of Benguet.” But towards 1932 at the Olympics held in Los Angeles, USA, both Leleng and Pempe represented the Philippines and again in the 1936 Olympics held in Berlin, Germany.

“Ang maganda nito,” patuloy pa ni Ateng sa kanyang pagsasalaysay, “dapat sanang manalo si Pempe sa kanyang division. Nakapasok na siya sa quarter finals at tinalo na niya ang champion ng European countries and everybody was cheering for Padilla of the Philippines. But it was the Hungarian boxer who won over Pempe and this brought about boos and cat calls from the gallery. But Papa who was all the while with Pempe and Leleng went up the stage to pacify the crowd. The decision of the referees prevailed.

“After this, Pempe turned professional boxer. He won in one of the two fights he ever joined and lost in another and soon he concentrated on the movies from then on,” Ateng further revealed.

“But Papa was really a nice guy. He did not receive his salaries as provincial executive and even as a representative of the First District of Bulacan. He was also a hardworking man, something we are all proud of, kaya hindi dapat pagtakhan kung kami man ay nagmana rin sa kanyang sipag, tiyaga and his renowned humility and compassion for the poor,” dagdag pa ni Ateng.

CONSUELO (ATENG) OSORIO: ANG DIREKTORA

Panganay si Ateng kaya ito ang tawag ng lahat sa kanya bilang paggalang at pagbibigay ng nararapat sa kinauukulan. At ito pa rin ang bansag sa kanya ng lahat. Mama Ateng. Lola Ateng. Aling Ateng. Or just plain Ateng.

Nag-artista muna si Ateng sa pelikulang “Asahar at Kabaong” kung saan niya ginampanan ang papel ng ina ni Pempe at kabituin nila sina Rosa del Rosario at Angelita Rumba Rey. This was in 1937. Nguni’t dahil mahilig ito sa pagsusulat ay nauwi ang kanyang interes at talino sa pagsulat ng mga screenplays at pagdirihe ng mga pelikula.

Una niyang pinamahalaan ang “Dalagang Luksa” which was supposed to have been the directorial assignment of Leleng but for one reason or another, he resigned. But he recommended his sister Ateng to take over and that was the start of her directorial career. This pic did very well and this was soon followed by more lachrymal pictures: “Dolores”, “Pagsuyo” for Sampaguita Pictures, “Magmamani!” but then the war broke out.

Immediately after Liberation, Ateng directed “Bakya Mo Neneng” for Premiere Productions which up to now is still unsurpassed having been shown for 26 days with an averagetake of not less than P10,000 a day when orchestra tickets were at P1.20 only. Ito pa rind aw ang kauna-unahang pelikulang Tagalog, pagkatapos ng giyera, na ipinalabas sa Malacañang sa kahilingan na rin mismo ng Unang Ginang noon na si Mrs. Trinidad de Leon-Roxas, intrigued she must have been over what made the picture click and be played continuously as it did.

After working in the movies for so long since 1937, lumipat ang beauty ni Ateng sa telebisyon at ditto nakatulong siya ni Mitos Villareal sa mga programang pinamahalaan nito: “Salamisim”, “Panagimpan”, “An Evening with Pilita”, “Oh, Rosemarie!”, “Aawitan Kita”, “That Young Image”, “Ang Biyenan Kong Mangkukulam” at marami pang iba. There was even a time when Ateng was doing 6 shows a day in different channels and stations.

Ngayon, paminsan-minsan na lamang sumusulat si Ateng. Still strong and able at 74 (she was born Sept. 1, 1907), dumating na marahil sa kanya ang pagkasawa – or is it fulfillment already?—sa naging bahagi ng kanyang buhay ang daigdig ng pelikula.

Though she did not receive any award for her pictures, except the Lou Salvador Memorial Award from FAMAS two years ago, Ateng is nonetheless very happy that whoeverhad worked with her had invariably become her friends – Armida Siguion-Reyna, Mitos Villareal, Jeanne Young, Susan Roces down the line.

“But if you ask me what made me very happy and fulfilled, it was when I saw the three faces of my son, Bebong, arranged in a triangle, in front of the Welfareville when he made the picture, “Boys Town”, as a child star. Iyon ang pinakamaligayang sandali sa aking buhay,” reminisced Ateng.

MARIA CLARA RUIZ, LELENG AT PEMPE: ANG MGA PRE-WAR LUMINARIES

Halos magkasabay pumasok sa pag-aartista ang tatlong magkakapatid na MARIA CLARA RUIZ (named after their mother, Clarita Ruiz), CARLOS PADILLA, SR. at JOSE PADILLA, JR. bago magka-digma noong early 1930’s. Palibhasa’y iilan lamang ang mga artista noon, kung kaya’t there were some pictures wherein the Padilla brothers had their sister, Maria Clara Ruiz, as their leading lady and love interest.

Matuk mo ito, Manay! Di parang incest, di ba? But it happened.

Hindi nagtagal ay sumakabilang-buhay si Maria Clara Ruiz. Marahil ayaw Niya ang ganito nguni’t nagpatuloy pa rin sina Leleng at Pempe sa kanilang ‘madugong’ pakikipagsapalaran sa puting tabing. Naging idolo ng mga kababaihan si Pempe. At ganoon din si Leleng, but of course….

Tulad ng mga De la Rosa brothers na sina Rogelio (na ngayon ay isa nang Ambassador sa Hague) at Jaime (isa nang TV host sa pang-umagang TV program), ang mga Padilla brothers ay tipong pang-romansa at kinagigiliwan ng mga babae (wala pa noon ang mga third sex, ang mga swards o kahit na mayroon na ay hindi nagpapabuko at naglaladlad ng kanilang mga saya) at natural, kinaiinggitan ng kapwa nila lalaki. Dahil pamoso nga ang mga ito – lalo na si Pempe – sa pagiging deadly sa mga ‘chicks’. Malupit, ika nga, at talaga po naming machung-macho nu’ng kapanahunan niya. Hitsura ng mga nagmamacho-machohan diyan. Ngmga de-bigote’s mahihilig sa paghuhubad diyan beside Leleng and Pempe.

Suwabe ang kanilang pagka-macho. Hindi pilit, hindi sinasadya. Sadyang nagmumula sa loob. From within and not from without. Natural. Spontaneous and really oozing with sex. Palibhasa’y tunay na Pilipino kung pagmamasdan sa tipo, sa ugali, sa tindig, di tulad noon na ang karamihan sa mga artista ay mestisuhin at may halong dugong-banyaga. Nguni’t ang mga Padilla ay puro, tunay na tunay at talaga po naming Pilipinung-Pilipino.

Between the two, Pempe lasted longer than Leleng. This was because Leleng was a victim of heart attack that had paralyzed him for eleven (11) agonizing years from the waist down. He died in the early part of 1963.

Samantalang si Pempe ay nagpatuloy umani ng katakut-takot na tagumpay hindi lamang bilang Pinakamahusay na Bituing Lalaki ng FAMAS kundi pati na rin sa unang Maria Clara Awards sa pagtataguyod ng The Manila Times Publishing Co. at maging sa Asia Film Festival where he won the Best Actor Award in 1952.

Bukod ditto, masasabing isa ring institusyon si Pempe sa pelikulang local. Naging bida siya sa pelikula sa loob ng mahigit na tatlong dekada mula noong 1936 up to the early 60’s. At naging character actor na lamang siya – but still with star billing – sa sumunod na taon hanggang sa kanyang pagkaratay sa banig ng karamdaman. Binawian siya ng buhay noon June 19, 1979.

All the while, Jose Padilla, Jr. blazed through the screen as the swashbuckling, romantic hero; nakaipon siya ng libu-libong (or is millions?) tagahanga at tagasubaybay. Sa mga baong henerasyon na walang kamuwang-muwang samga pangyayari noon sa daigdig ng pelikula, si pempe ay maitatapat kay Christopher de Leon at present times. Or better yet, with Fernando Poe, Jr. who came ahead of Chris. Na bukod sa talagang matalino at makisig ay deadly din sa mga ‘chicks’.

Kaya nga ba’t naging in-demand din si Pempe. Nakakapagdikta siya – tulad ng mga artista ngayon – ng kanyang presyo. There was even a time in local cinema that he was the confirmed highest paid actor. Siya lamang marahil sa mga naging artista natin na kapag bumili ng kotse ay iba-ibang modelo. Buick, Pontiac, Chevy. Laging dalawang magkapareho, magkakulay. Kung Chevy, okey, dalawang Chevy ang bibilhin. Parehong kulay. Pareho ang make. At lagging magkasunod sa kanyang mga lakad.

Matuk mo itis, Manay! May style, di ba? Sino sa artista natin ang may ganitong style at gimmick? Wiz, Manay, wiz. At ito pa:

During lunch breaks, Pempe would excuse himself from his director and motor all the way from his shooting (kesehoda kung sa Bulacan ito) to Lipa, Batangas for just a – hold your breath – karera ng gagamba! Say! Opo, karera lamang ng gagamba ang kanyang dadayuhin sa Batangas at kung ten thou lamang ang dala-dala niya ay masasabing chicken feed ito!

At that time, one kilo of pork and beef was only P1.25, o P1.28 kung magtaas ang mga tindera sa palengke. At ang bigas, Nene, mga P.80 lamang isang salop! One ganta, take note, hindi isang litro tulad ngayon.

But Pempe was like that, playful with his money. Na parang laruan lamang. And yet, though already a big star, he never showed he wanted star treatment or priority of privileges and favors. Hindi baleng langawin siya sa shooting! He never complained. This was one good trait he had.

Contrary to earlier reports, Pempe died a rich man with honor and among friends. Who sez one can never be a hero in his own hometown? When Pempe died, he was mourned by his own townmates who came en masse to his funeral. Even the mayor of Plaridel, Bulacan, Mayor Amado Buhain, supervised the ceremonies for Pempe at the town hall. It was a sight to see how a town hero so loved and respected by his own people was mourned and esteemed! And yet, people were quick to say that he died a pauper. Pempe never begged. He didn’t have to. The Padillas are neither very rich nor very poor. Well-to-do, yes. But not poor.

ROY AT NANING: THE OTHER BROTHERS

ROY PADILLA and NANING PADILLA are brothers who made good in their line of work. Roy is a labor leader, the first Asian to be elected Chairman of the International Union of Mine Workers. Because of this, he became an adopted son of Larap, Camarines Norte where he was practically forced to run as town mayor. When finally he acquiesced, he won by the biggest majority ever recorded in the town history. Not contented with this, he was again asked to run as vice governor of Camarines Norte which he won uncontested.

So you see, Roy followed the footsteps of his illustrious father, Gov. Jose Padilla. As a Padilla, he didn’t entirely turn his back on showbiz. He produced under the banner of Champion Films and even directed a movie, “Marcelino Pan Y Vino”. At another time, he was also a technician at the old Premiere Productions where he was elected president of the union of workers.

Roy was also a Commissioner of the Social Security System who was appointed by President Marcos and whose appointment was by-passed by Congress but who was again reappointed by the President himself.

Brother Mariano, on the other hand, was first an assistant director and soon a full-fledged director of Dayang-Dayang Productions owned by Amado Cortez, another brother. When this folded up, Naning put up his own Padilla Film Arts which specializes in commercial ads. Now it is one of the biggest in the business.

ARSENIA FRANCISCO, GREGORIO FERNANDEZ AT GLORIA SEVILLA: THE IN-LAWS

When we mentioned the Padillas of Philippine movies, hindi natin maiiwasan na hindi banggitin sina DR. GREGORIO FERNANDEZ, bayaw; ARSENIA FRANCISCO at GLORIA SEVILLA, asawa at hipag.

Si direktor Yoyong, bago namahala sa pelikula ay isa munang dentista at character actor. Kadalasan, kontrabida ang papel niya sa mga pelikula nina Rogelio de la Rosa, ng kanyang mga bayaw na sina Leleng at Pempe at ganoon din sa mga pelikula nina Mary Walter, Rosa del Rosario at iba pa. Mahusay na character ang papa nina Merle at Rudy Fernandez at ni Bella Lopez.

Paano ito nadawit sa mga Padilla? Ang kanyang asawa na si Paz ay isang tunay na Padilla, kapatid nina Ateng, Maria Clara Ruiz, Pempe at Leleng. As a result, mayroon tayo ngayong isang Rudy Fernandez, ang idolo ng mga kababaihan. At bago ito, sina Merle Fernandez at Bella Lopez noong early 1960’s.

As a director, Gregorio Fernandez was awarded by the FAMAS for his work in LVN Pictures’ “Higit Sa Lahat”, a Rogelio de la Rosa-Emma Alegre starrer. Not only was he cited by the FAMAS but also by the Asian Film Festival in 1954 when this same picture romped away with the Best Picture Award. That was also the year Pres. Ramon Magsaysay presented director Fernandez with a presidential plaque for his unique contribution in placing the Philippines in the acetate map among Asian countries.

Si Seniang (Arsenia Francisco po lamang) naman ay isa ring maluningning na pangalan sa pinilakang tabing bago magkadigma at maging sa panahon ng Liberation ng Maynila. Dating Bb. Liwayway Magazine si Seniang at ito umano ang nakaakit kay Pempe kung kaya’t hindi nagtagal, nagkaisang dibdib ang dalawa. Pilipinang-Pilipina kasi si Seniang, maging sa ugali at ganoon din sa ganda.

Hindi nagkasundo ang mag-asawa nguni’t patuloy pa ring gumawa ng pelikula ang dalawa. The most memorable of all was the original “Gulong ng Palad” in 1949 which they starred in after some years of estrangement and the picture was an attempt at reconciliation but to no avail. The pic made thousands at the tills considering that it was produced at no less than sixty thousand pesos only. Parang talent fee lamang ngayon ng pangkaraniwang artista, di ba, misis?

But “Gulong ng Palad” was a big, big box-office hit that once more the Pempe-Seniang loveteam became the favorite. “Gulong….” Was soon followed by “Ginto sa Lusak” and many more and though separated, they remained good friends till the end.

Naging aktibo rin sa pagganap si Seniang. And in one of her later pictures, “Huwag Mo Akong Limutin” for People’s Pictures under the helm of Manong Gerry de Leon, she won the FAMAS Best Supporting Actress in 1960. This was one picture considered at the time as a bold picture not only visually but more so in theme: that of an adulteress, the role delineated by Seniang. Not long after this, she died of cancer.

Bagama’t ibang apelyido itong si Gloria Sevilla, masasabi na ring Padilla na ito. Asawang legal ni Amado Cortez na Padilla rin (take note: kasal sa simbahang Katoliko sa Kamuning) at siyempre kabilang na rin siya sa dakilang angkan ng Padilla.

Naging Reyna ng Pelikulang Bisaya si Glo nung kapanahunan niya at nang ito’y lumuwas ng Maynila upang makipagsapalaran sa Tagalog movies, naging isa ring dramatic actress ito na wala ring kapantay. Nanalo si Glo ng Best Supporting Actress ng FAMAS noong 1962 sa sensitibong pagganap niya sa “Madugong Paghihiganti” at dalawang beses pa ring nanalo ng Best Actress ng FAMAS sa mga pelikulang Bisaya, una sa “Badlis sa Kinabuhi”, at pangalawa sa “Gimingaw Ako”, na pinamahalaan ng kanyang asawang si Amado Cortez.

Bukod ditto, si Glo ay marami na ring kontribusyon sa daigdig ng pelikula. Ang kanyang mga anak sa una niyang asawa, ang nasirang Matt Ranillo, Jr., ay nagbibigay ningning din sa pelikulang Pilipino.

But as Amado’s wife, Glo had produced several motion pictures and TV programs under the Cortez-Ranillo banner with such pics as “Darling, Buntis Ka Na Naman” with Nora Aunor and Mat Ranillo III, “Mangkukulam Ang Aking Biyenan”, “Mommy Ko Si Mayor” and soon “Tama Na, Mommy”, all under the direction of Amado Cortez.

Anupa’t ang team-up na Amado-Gloria ay masasabing pagsasama ng talino, sipag, tiyaga at kisig na maaaring sundan ng kanilang anak na si Charina (Ina kung tawagin) sa paglaki nito at balaking pumasok sa pag-aartista. Kahit kanino siya magmana – sa mga Padilla o sa mga Ranillo – ay tiyak na wala siyang ikabig-itulak. Parehong magandang lahi!

THE OTHER PADILLAs

Kabilang sa the other Padillas sina AMADO CORTEZ (Arsenio Padilla ang tunay niyang pangalan), PILAR PADILLA, CRISTINA ARAGON (Violeta Padilla in real life) at kapatid nitong sina ANGIE at OSCAR. At siyempre pa, nariyan si BOB PADILLA. Sina PILAR at ESTRELLA, ina ni MEL FRANCISCO, ay magkapatid hindi lamang sa ama kundi pati na rin sa ina. At si Amado ay iba rin.

Sa mga ito, aktibo hanggang kamakailan si Amado (until he migrated to the States with his wife, Gloria Sevilla not long ago) at Bob Padilla. Si Madz ay hindi lamang artista. Isa rin itong politico tulad ng kanilang papa. Madz was elected QC councilor before the advent of Martial Law. Isa ring prodyuser-direktor. Natatandaan pa ba ninyo ang Filmmakers, Inc. at ang kanilang “Pantalan 13”, “5 Anino Ni Bathala”, “Takdang Sandali” at iba pa?

As an actor, Madz won the FAMAS Best Supporting Actor in 1971 for his role in Virgo Films’ “Bakit Ako Pa?” – the same picture Rita Gomez garnered her second Best Actress trophy. Earlier, Madz was also nominated by the FAMAS for Best Actor for “Pantalan 13” produced by his own film firm and directed by him.

Bob Padilla, on the other hand, still finds time doing bit and character roles for the movies. Artista pa rin ito’t hindi basta maiiwan ang pelikula. Padilla yata ito!

Bob’s last film assignment was in FPJ Productions’ “…At Muling Nagbaga ang Lupa” where he played one of the boys, ika nga. Ito raw ay upang hindi niya basta makalimutan ang pelikula na talagang nagka-ugat na sa kanyang katauhan. Alalahanin natin na kabilang si Bob sa mga Padilla, ang pamosong pamilya sa pelikula.

Samantala sina Pilar Padilla, Cristina Aragon at Angie Padilla ay tumigil na nang husto sa paglabas sa pelikula. At least sinubukan nila umano ang daigdig ng aninong gumagalaw at nang nalaman na nila ang pasikut-sikot ditto ay alam na nila what is good for them.

Apparently, they believe in the dictum that enough’s enough. Or that a few Padillas in the business would already suffice. Tutal nariyan na nga naman si Rudy at siya na ang magtataguyod sa kanilang pangalan. And Rudy is doing tremendously well in continuing the good and gamous name ablaze on the movie horizon.

Cristina was a femme fatale in her days. Siya yaong Valentina sa “Darna” ni Rosa del Rosario. And she fitted well into the role like a pair of gloves. Bukod sa talagang sexy ay mapang-akit itong si Cristina na bagay na bagay talaga sa role ni Valentina. After this, she appeared in some so-so pictures and then left the scene as fast as she came in.

Ganito ang nangyari rin sa kanyang nakababatang kapatid na si Angie (Angeles) Padilla. In fact, Angie appeared only in a few pictures, busy as she was then with her studies at the UST, where she was a classmate of this writer in one or two subjects.

At si Pilar, para sa kanya, ay isa ring mahusay na kontrabida sa pelikula. Yaong gumamit ng kanyang feminine charms at pulchritude ay sapat na upang mabangenge ang bidang lalaki at makalimutan pansamantla ang bidang babae. Ganun…

And Pilar was a good actress in her days even without really trying. Ito ay tanda na naman na siya’y isang Padilla. Totoo at berdadera. Mahusay gumanap. Mahusay magdala ng papel, kahit pang-kontrabida lamang. At least, Pilar made people grit their teeth and clench their fists for being wicked the way she was on screen then. A homewrecker, a husband snatcher down the line.

CARLOS PADILLA, JR. AT MGA KAPATID, ANAK

Hindi kumpleto ang mga Padilla kung wala ang mga second generation. Ang mga anak na naturingan. Kabilang ditto ang magkakapatid na SONNY (Carlos Padilla, Jr.), LANI O, DELIA DOLOR (sometimes Erlinda Padilla) at si NONNY PADILLA.

Sina Sonny at Nonny ay nagsimulang child actors sa bakuran ng Premiere Productions pagkatapos ng Liberation. Sila yaong gumanap na batang Leleng at Pempe sa pelikula. O kaya’y kanilang mga anak. But it was Sonny who went on with his movie career, samantalang si Nonny ay maagang nag-retire. Marahil mas gusto niya ang magkaroon ng simpleng buhay kaysa buhay sa pelikula.

Si Delia Dolor (sometimes she used Erlinda O’Padilla for her screen name) naman ay nag-bida na rin sa pelikula. Magugunita na leading lady siya ni Fernando Poe, Jr. sa pelikulang “Diegong Akyat” ng RTG Films. Lumabas din siya, kasama si Joseph Estrada, sa JE Productions, sa “Patria Adorada”, sa “Tapang Brothers” ng Pacific Films at sa “Currimao” ng Ilocandia Productions kung saan niya nakasama ang utol niyang si Sonny.

Bago naging artista si Delia (Ma. Angela Padilla ang tunay niyang pangalan) ay sumali muna ito sa taunang Bb. Pilipinas Contest noong 1966 at pinalad siyang maging isa sa mga finalists. Dito nagwagi si Clarinda Soriano, ang Bb. Pilipinas Universe, at naging first runner-up naman niya si Liza Lorena na dating kilala sa pangalang Elizabeth Winsett Luciano.

Si Sonny, sa kabilang banda, ay naging bida na rin sa pelikula. Hindi lamang sa Premiere-People’s Productions kundi pati na rin sa LVN Pictures at sa mga independents noon. Tulad ng FPJ Productions, sa LSP, JE at Ilocandia Productions.

One of his most memorable films was “Currimao” of Ilocandia Productions where he did not only star in but also directed. His sister, Delia Dolor, was also featured in the movie. Aside from this, Sonny also did a scintillating performance in FPJ Productions’ “Asedillo” where he played the role of a PC soldier responsible for apprehending the outlaw. This was under the helm of Celso Ad. Castillo before the birth of the Messiah. For this role, Sonny won a FAMAS nomination for Best Supporting Actor in 1971 but eventually lost out to Eddie Garcia.

When Sonny thought that he had no more chance in the movies – age was catching up with him already – he decided to branch out elsewhere. Fortunately for him, coming as he does from a family of boxers and pugilists – his father Leleng was a 1936 Olympic participant in boxing and his uncle Pempe was a medalist in the Oriental Boxing Federation in Tokyo in 1931 – Sonny became a professional referee without any difficulty. Boxing fans perhaps still remember Sonny as the one who officiated in the now famous “Thrilla in Manila” some scant years back when Muhammad Ali retained his world heavyweight champion title against challenger Joe Frazier. So good and unbiased Sonny must have been in that fight that he was soon accepted as a member of good standing in the American Professional Referee Association. His latest officiating was the controversial (if a big letdown?) championship bout between Roberto Duran of Panama and Sugar Ray Leonard of the United States which was halted on the 8^th round because of the champion’s failing condition.

Sonny is now an American resident and will soon take his citizenship a few years from now. Reportedly, he is doing very well there and has totally forsaken – and expectedly shaken off? – whatever stardust he might have had in his system.

Again, Sonny is running true to form as a Padilla since they are exponents and lovers of professional boxing – if not busy actingin films – that they are. And surely there has to be someone among them to perpetuate their name and tradition in this field.

MEL, BEBONG, CORA: MGA PAMANGKIN

Ang mga ina nina MEL FRANCISCO (Estrella Padilla), BEBONG OSORIO (Consuelo “Ateng” Padilla) at CORA VARONA, kung minsan ay ginagamit niya ang Santos (Maria Clara Ruiz), ay mga Padilla rin kung iisipin. Ang kanilang mga ina ay kapatid nina Leleng, Pempe, Paz at Roy. Si Mel (Adolfo Scheerer, Jr.) ay naging bida na rin sa mga pelikula tulad ng Oriental Motion Pictures’ “Mission Order 707” with Ruby Regala; Stagecoach Productions’ “Saranggani” and Victorino-Romero Productions’ “Vice Squad” with Maggie de la Riva as his leading lady and in some Mirick Films productions and other companies.

Matatandaan na si Mel ay naging masugid na alagad ni James bond sa pelikula at karamihan sa kanyang nilabasan noong mga mid-60’s ay pawang James Bondish. You know, spy thrillers na hitik na hitik sa mga ‘chicks’. Tatak ng mga Padilla na naman, di ba?

Ngayon ay isa nang businessman si Mel at paminsan-minsan na lamang ito lumalabas sa pelikula. At ito ay kapag nasusumpungan lamang niya. Otherwise, he is contented with his present life. Less conflicts, less controversies daw…

Si Cora Varona naman ay isa ring starlet sa pelikula. At karamihan sa kanyang naging roles ay yaong estudyante, kaibigan ng bidang babae o pinsan kaya nito. But being an ambitious girl, she must have dreamed of bigger things – the reason she went in and out of the movies several times. At one time, she was Cora Santos. At another, she was Cora Varona after a short hiatus.

But Fate had a different design for Cora. She died in 1971 at a tender age, leaving a dream unfulfilled. Tragic enough that she was young as she was then, she had yet to have her big break in the movies.

But then that is showbiz for you…Kaya nga ba’t dalawa ang mukha ng maskara sa showbiz. Isang masaya’t isang malungkot. But still the show must go on.

For his part, Bebong Osorio is still very much around. Though he started out as a child actor (Bebong used to portray the young Efren Reyes, Sr.), he rose to character roles as he grew up. His most memorable film as a child was in “Boys Town” where he played a waif. Now he’s more involved as an associate director not only in movies but also in television.

Marami na ring kompanya ang pinaglingkuran ni Bebong. Nagkaroon na rin siya ng pagkakataon sa Lea Productions, sa Mirick Films, sa CG Film Productions,sa NV Compound where he is one of the mainstays, FPJ and Rosas Productions. And he proved to be a hardworking, dedicated worker. Again, this is another trademark of the Padillas.

So far, okey ang lahat ngayon kay Bebong. Walang problema. May trabaho. Busy kung minsan but there is always time for fun and good times. Just like any normal, hardworking young man.

RUDY FERNANDEZ: AT SA KANYANG MGA KAMAY INIHABILIN ANG LAHAT….

Bagama’t sina MERLE, BELLA at RUDY ay nagtataglay ng ibang family name, kabilang rin sila sa angkan ng Padilla. Ang kanilang yumaong ina, si Paz, ay Padilla rin at kapatid nina Ateng, Leleng, Pempe at Maria Clara Ruiz. Bukod tanging si Rudy na lamang ang natitirang aktibo sa pelikula. Kaya nga ba’t nasa kanyang mga balikat ang pagtataguyod sa pamosong pangalan ng mga Padilla at siyempre pa, ng mga Fernandez.

Bago sumikat si Rudy, nauna muna ang kanyang mga kapatid na sina Bella at Merle. Bella (Belle Lopez) was a starlet at LVN Studios at the time Mila Ocampo, Perla Bautista, Lourdes Medel, Bernard Bonnin, Luz Valdez, Robert Campos, Chona Sandoval, Marita Zobel, Lou Salvador and their ilk were starting out to make names for themselves in tinseltown. Si Bella ay yaong isa sa mga hopefuls sa LVN at natigil lamang ito sa pag-aartista nang inakala niya na walang mangyayari sa kanya sa pelikula. So back to her studies.

Then Merle came in. She made a loud bang with her coming, reigning as she did then as the screen’s foremost sex symbol, second only to none. Merle was the first bold star who dictated her asking price. She was the first bold star who kept a battery of publicity (men and women) around her.

She came in style and others tried to imitate her but nobody dared come within her vicinity. Merle is the one and only when it came to purring pussycat roles.

Mula noong 1967 hanggang 1971, bumandila ang pangalang Merle Fernandez. Namukod. Natangi. At least sa kanyang department as the country’s No. 1 Sex Symbol. Among her most memorable films were “Uhaw”, “Hayok”, and “Busog” which made a millionaire out of the producer, young businessman, Ruben Abalos of Adroit Films.

Then Estrella Pictures, FPJ Productions’ sister company, availed of Merle’s services and charms and she was cast as the scheming Rizza in “Durando”, opposite Andy Poe. Needless to say, the pic established Merle Fernandez as the First Citizen of Tomatoland.

Then came Rudy Fernandez, the current heart throb of many lonely hearts. His coming was not much of a bang. In fact, naghintay muna siya ng kaunting panahong pinamulaklakan ng pagtitiyaga, pagpapakasakit at paghihirap. But in the end, Rudy came out the victor. Now he’s one of the few-in-demand, most sought-after action stars of the country.

It was in MBM Pictures’ “Bitayin Si Baby Ama” where Rudy made people recognize his potential as an actor of the first order. Hindi lamang bilang aktor kundi bilang isang box office drawer na matatawag ngayong one of the bankable stars of Philippine movies. Na ang ibig sabihin nito, basta pelikula ni Rudy Fernandez ay puwede nang iutang sa bangko. Dahil sa maaasahan nga ito sa takilya.

Lalong tumingkad ang pangalang Rudy Fernandez nang ito’y nai-link sa isa pang maluningning na pangalan sa pelikulang lokal na si Alma Moreno. Naging maganda ang kanilang team hindi lamang sa pelikula kundi maging sa tunay na buhay. Ang totoo nga ay nagkaroon din ng ugnayan ang dalawa at nagkaroon pa nga sila ng isang anak na si Mark Anthony. Ngayon, split na muna ang dalawa at si Rudy ay nag-iisa ngayon sa kanyang magarang bahay sa White Plains, Quezon City.

Meanwhile, Rudy’s movie career is continuously riding high and as the years go by ay lalong naging established actor itong poging anak ng nasirang direktor na si Yoyong Fernandez. Kunsabagay, hindi dapat pagtakhan ito. Nasa kanyang dugo ang dugo ng mga Padilla, isa sa mga pangunahing angkan sa pelikulang Pilipino. At nasa dugo pa rin niya ang dugo ng mga Fernandez na tulad ng mga Padilla ay may talino’t kakayahan ding taglay. Hindi yata basta direktor ang kanyang ama. And of course, there is also big sister Merle who had influenced his life to a great extent. Ang totoo, paboritong kapatid ni Merle si Rudy and the feeling, it is mentioned, is mutual.

Samantala, Rudy is kept busy with his numerous movie assignments from different companies. Katatapos lamang niya ang “Death Row” ng GP Films; ang
”Pepeng Shotgun”; ang “Laya” ng Luismar Productions sa pamamahagi ng CG Films at ditto, nakatambal niya ang award-winning actress na si Amy Austria. Mayroon pa rin siyang tinanggap na offer sa Mirick Films, sa Lea Productions, sa Emperor Films, sa Baby Pascual and Associates, atbp. All these buttress the fact that Rudy is certainly going great guns insofar as his movie career is concerned.

To him goes the credit of having paired with practically all the big names of current day cinema, from Alma Moreno to Rio Locsin; from Cherie Gil to Amy Austria; from Lorna Tolentino to Jean Saburit; from Julie-Ann Fortich to Pia Moran; from Gina Alajar to Charo Santos and to just everyone who’s making waves in Philippine movies.

At that, Rudy Fernandez can well be the star, nay, as the actor to contend with. In fact, he almost romped away with the FAMAS Best Actor Award for his brilliant portrayal of the title role in “Star?” of Agrix Films but lost out by a mere point to Mat Ranillo III in 1978. And again, the following year, 1979, Rudy was once more a strong contender for the same category but lost out eventually to Fernando Poe, Jr. by a few votes.

Would 1980 be a lucky year for Rudy Fernandez? Would he be blessed and can he recoup lost grounds in the next coming awards night to be held in May this year for performances in the year past?

“Kung mangyayari ito,” pagtatapat ni Rudy, “I would perhaps be the happiest person on earth. Kasi nga, pangarap ko na ang magka-award, to prove that I was not wrong in the choice of my profession. Lalo pa nga kung iisiping I come from the Padilla and Fernandez clans na pawang mga premyado rin naman nung kapanahunan nila.

“Isa pa,” dugtong ni Rudy, “ako na lang yata – so far – ang aktibo sa aming angkan. Kaya’t nasa akin ang responsibilidad na ipagpatuloy ang pag-aartista. It’s hard, you know, to continue and maintain a family tradition, lalo na’t ang mga Padilla – at siyempre ang mga Fernandez – ay kilala rin at mayroon nang sariling pangalan. This is my job and I want to go on with it for as long as there are people who trust me, for as long as there are people who believe in me,” pagwawakas ni Rudy sa kanyang paglalahad.

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