Celia Rodriguez: A study in contradiction

(Second of three parts)

In 1966, Celia Rodriguez won her second FAMAS Best Supporting Actress – this time for Eddie Romero’s Passionate Strangers, which was shot entirely in the director’s hometown of Dumaguete City.

Passionate Strangers also won for Romero the awards for Best Screenplay and Best Director. The film, unfortunately, failed to annex the Best Picture prize into its loot – prompting the feisty Celia Rodriguez to criticize the board’s decision and, in one private party, called the FAMAS members a bunch of nincompoops. "I actually said that in a private conversation, except that people started quoting me," says Celia, recalling this controversial episode in her life.

With two acting trophies to her name, Celia had already established herself as a competent actress, but – at the same – time was also fast gaining a reputation for her sharp and tart remarks toward the local film industry. "My biggest mistake was that I expected everyone to be like me. I didn’t want to conform to the standards set by the movie business. But when I entered the movies, there was already so much mediocrity," she cried out in sheer exasperation.

To escape the humdrum showbiz scene, she fled to Europe and modeled in Rome for Emilio Pucci whom she met when the famous Italian designer staged a fashion show in Manila that required the participation of local models – among them, Celia Rodriguez.

Oh, how this world-famous designer adored her! "Chechilia," he would tease her in his thick Italian accent, "I can’t recognize your back from you front!"

At the peak of her modeling career, Celia at 5’6" only weighed 99 lbs – and "and without breasts," she laughs, "because I only started growing them when I began having children."

When she felt she already had enough of Europe, Celia returned to the Philippines to resume her acting career. It was Mike Velarde (now of El Shaddai fame) who gave her the chance to make a spectacular comeback in the movies. Velarde, who is also from Bicol like Celia, had suddenly come into money and wanted to produce a movie. Never mind that he was a geodetic engineer by profession and probably didn’t know the first thing about moviemaking.

Since Velarde wanted only the best, Celia got no less than Gerry de Leon as director and Pierre Salas as writer. The result was Lilet, a mystery drama that was shot in three long months ("We worked everyday," cried out Celia) and had used enough raw materials to make four movies. The effort was worth it though because it won for Celia her FAMAS Best Actress trophy.

Lilet may have put her back on track in the movies, but it also spawned malicious rumors about a romance between Celia and Velarde. "But that is not true!" Celia flatly denies this piece of gossip that had been hounding her the past three decades. "If there was any truth to that, I would have admitted it. He would have been a feather in my cap-considering his popularity. But it’s not true," she insists. To that, we say Amen. Or as Mike Velarde would say it, "Ehmen!"

Lilet and the subsequent Best Actress trophy she got for it actually inspired Celia to finally take the business of acting seriously.

But even if she – was brimming with enthusiasm and energy – not to mention talent – Celia didn’t necessary get all the plum roles for actresses. Given the general quality of our scripts, she sometimes had to do films which she describes as "lemons." But give her credit for always rising above even the most inferior materials. Among those who did Valentina (from Cristina Aragon down to Cherie Gil), her portrayal of the Medussa-inspired character is the most memorable. Actually, it is one of her favorite roles – along with Lilet, of course.

Among the local actresses, she is one of the very few who has managed to cross over the different types of movie genres – from drama, horror, comedy and even sex. In one film – Macho Gigelo – she even played a transvestite.

Below is the filmography of Celia Rodriguez.

Student Canteen – Premiere Productions/Director(D): Pablo Santiago/Co-stars: Corazon Rivas, Pequito Toledo.

Shirley My Darling – Premiere/D. Gerardo de Leon/Co-stars Zaldy Zshornack, Shirley Gorospe, Eddie Mesa.

Pagsikat ng Araw – Premiere.

Viuda de Oro – Premiere.

Konsiyerto ng Kamatayan – Premiere/Co-star: Edna Luna.

Kulay Dugo ang Gabi – People’s Production/D: Gerardo de Leon.

Passionate Strangers – D: Eddie Romero/Co-star Oscar Keesee.

Lilet – Velarde & Associates/D: Gerardo de Leon/Co-stars: Ronaldo Valdez, Vic Silayan, Paraluman, Tita Munoz, Loti Salvador, Jr.

Lipad, Darna, Lipad! – THP-Sine Pilipino Prod./D: Emmanuel Burlaza/co-stars. Vilma Santos, Gloria Romero, Liza Lorena.

Super Gee – NV Prod.D: Armando Garces/Co-star: Nora Aunor.

Zoom, Zoom, Superman! – Co-stars Ariel Ureta, Rita Gomez.

Bawal: Asawa Mo, Asawa Ko – D: Elwood Perez/Co-stars: Vic Vargas, Ricky Belmonte, Orestes Ojeda.

Si Popeye Atbp – Co-star: Ariel Ureta.

Sunugin ang Samar – Sine Pilipino/D: Joey Gosiengfiao/Co-stars: Ramon Revilla, Pilar Pilapil, Aurora Pijuan.

La Paloma – Juan de la Cruz Prod./D: Joey Gosiengfiao/Co-stars: Orestes Ojeda, Mona Lisa, Vina Cansino.

Huwag Tularan, Pito ang Asawa Ko – D: Ishmael Bernal.

Sumigaw Ka Hanggang Ibig Mo – Mirick Prod./D: Nilo Suez/Co-stars: Boots Anson Roa, Dante Rivero, Eddie Garcia.

Oh, Margie, Oh!– VL Prod./D: Raul Silos/Co-stars: Margie Moran, Sylvia la Torre, Victor Laurel, Celia Diaz Laurel.

Napahiya Ka, No? – Filmmaster Int’l/D: Jose Santos/Co-stars: Gina Pareño, Sofia Moran, Bentot, Philip Gamboa.

Ibigay Mo sa Akin ang Langit – Andryrose Prod./D: Romeo Galang/co-stars: Christopher de Leon, Hilda Koronel, Lotis Key, Annabelle Rama.

Lulubog, Lilitaw sa Ilalim ng Tulay – D: Joey Gosiengfiao/Co-stars: Amalia Fuentes, Niño Muhlach.

Darna, Kuno – D. Luciano Carlos/Co-star: Dolphy.

Lumakad Ka, Gabi – D: Marcelino Navarro/Co-stars: Eddie Gutierrez/Chona Castillo

Karugtong ng Kahapon – Roma Films/D: Fely Crisostomo/Co-stars: Vilma Santos, Gloria Romero, Edgar Mortiz.

Sapagka’t Kami’y Mga Misis Lamang – Rosas Prod./D: Felicing Constantino/Co-stars: Susan Roces, Nora Aunor, Chichay/Phillip Salvador.

Si Elekrika Kasi – D: Danilo Cabreira/Co-star Trixia Gomez.

Walang Bakas na Naiwan – Lea Prod./D: Jun Gallardo/Co-stars: Dante Rivero, Eddie Garcia, Vivian Velez.

Bawa’t Himaymay ng Aking Laman – D: Nilo Saez/Co-stars: George Estregan, Dindo Fernando.

Mga Anghel ni Satanas – Agrix/I George rowe.

Star? – D: George Rowe/Co-star Eddie Garcia.

Maligno – Co-stars: Susan Roces Dante Rivero.

Mga Paru-Parong Ligaw – D: Nestor Arsenal/Co-stars: Carmen Ronda/Barbara Luna.

Co-ed – D: Mike Accion/Co-star Vilma Santos.

Mga Kalapati sa Dewey Blvd. – D: Emmanuel Borlaza/Co-stars: Alona Alegre, Barbara Luna.

Triponia – Co-stars: Ricky Belmonte, Barbara Luna.

Bomba Star – D: Joey Gosiengfiao/Co-star: Alma Moreno.

Basta Kabit, May Sabit – JPM Prod./D. Luciano Carlos/Co-stars: Eddie Gutierrez, Vivian Velez, Trixia Gomez.

Iligpit si Pretty Boy – Co-star: Rudy Fernandez.

Mahal Kong Taksil – Agrix/D: Emmanuel Borlaza/Co-star: Julie Ann Fortich.

Aguila – Bancom Audiovision/D: Eddie Romero/Co-stars: Fernando Poe, Jr. Amalia fuentes/Charo Santos, Elizabeth Oropesa.

Darna at Ding – D: J. Erastheo Navoa/Co-stars: Vilma Santos, Nino Muhlach.

Bubot na Bayabas – D: Pablo Gomez/Co-stars: Cherie Gil, Rita Gomez.

Katorse – Regal Films/D: Joey Gosiengfiao/Co-stars: Dina Bonnevie/Gabby Concepcion/Alfie Anido.

Ano ang Ginawang Babae sa Ibon? – Eldee Films/D: Ruben Arthur Nicdao/Co-stars: Alma Moreno, Gina Alajar, Pia Moran.

Angela Markado – Four Seasons Films/D: Lino Brocka/Co-star: Hilda Koronel.

Underage – Regal Films/Joey Gosiengfiao/Co-stars: Dina Bonnevie Maricel Soriano, Snooky Serna.

Macho Gigolo – D: Marilou Abaya/Co-star: Lito Lapid.

Showbiz Scandal – GP Films/D: George Rowe/Co-stars: Lloyd Samartino, Sandy Andolong.

Anak – Regal Films/D: Mel Chionglo/Co-star: Dina Bonnevie.

Palengke Queen – D: Arman Reyes/Co-stars: Nora Aunor, Mat Ranillo III.

14, Going Steady – Regal Films/D: Joey Gosiengfiao/Co-stars: Gretchen Barretto, Nadia Montenegro.

Bulaklak ng City – Cehrubim Films/D: Mario O’Hara/Co-star, Nora Aunor. (To be concluded)