The Philippine media industry mourned the passing of veteran film and television actress Gloria Romero last January 25 at the age of 91. Her career spanned over seventy years in the industry and she was a pivotal icon during the ‘Golden Age of Philippine Cinema’ in the 50s.
Since then, Romero has been a household name, having worked on 250 films and television shows in total. Romero had a humble beginning in the industry when she first started as a bit player for the 1944 film ‘Liwayway ng Kalayaan.’ Less than ten years later, she later on bagged her breakthrough role in the film ‘Monghita.’ She eventually rose to prominence during this period in her career being the Philippines’ highest-paid movie actress in the ‘50s and became the highest-grossing Filipino box office star of her time.
Romero’s prominence in local media was further highlighted in her 1954 movie ‘Dalagang Ilocana,’ a romantic comedy film where she portrayed a country girl from the region, rolling tobacco leaves into cigars for a living. The ‘King of Comedy,’ Dolphy also starred in the film as Romero’s comedic sidekick. Her portrayal garnered not only Romero’s first FAMAS ‘Best Actress’ award but also a first for an actress from a comedy film to win the said category.
During the 2000s Romero remained an esteemed actress and veteran with her matriarchal roles. With her heartfelt portrayal of Lola Loleng in ‘Tanging Yaman,’ where an ailing mother was caught in a property feud of her three children, Romero once again garnered acclaim as she was named ‘Best Actress’ for the 2000 Metro Manila Film Festival.
Three years later Romero also starred in the film ‘Magnifico’ alongside former child star Jiro Manio. Romero’s poignantly coursed through the emotional journey of the film which earned her ‘Best Supporting Actress’ at the 27th Gawad Urian Awards. In the same year, Romero was given a lifetime achievement award for “her contributions to Philippine cinema as an actress for more than half a century.”
Romero’s last filmographic work was back in 2018 alongside “The Greatest Filipino Actor of All Time,” Eddie Gutierrez in ‘Rainbow’s Sunset,’ a family drama that also highlighted themes within the LGBTQIA+ community.
Apart from her works on the big screen, Romero had also played pivotal roles in local television from the 1987 sitcom ‘Palibhasa Lalake,’ the 1996 drama ‘Familia Zaragosa,’ and her recent fantasy anthology back in 2017 ‘Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko.’
Truly, Romero built her career from scratch and will forever be remembered for her decades’ worth of work and achievements. In her German Moreno Walk of Fame at Eastwood City Romero was remembered as “a timeless icon whose artistry and grace illuminated countless lives,” coupled with a lighted candle and bouquet of flowers to honor her legacy in the entertainment industry. The Queen of Cinema herself will surely be celebrated for generations to come.
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