Remembering departed stars

Archiving is poor in the movies, but worse in television. Copies of some old movies at least still exist. Unfortunately, we can’t say the same for TV. Most of us therefore have forgotten the TV stars of old – especially those who have moved on to the other world ahead of us. Today, let us remember those talented individuals who made significant contributions to television before returning to their Creator.

Lopito – The original male co-host of Tawag ng Tanghalan, he died at the peak of his career in 1966.

Joey Lardizabal – Hosted The Morning Show in ABS-CBN Channel 3 up to the time he died of cancer in 1969.

Chito Feliciano – He pioneered in dance shows via Dancetime With Chito in the early ‘60s on Channel 7. He died in a helicopter crash in the early ‘70s.

Vic Pacia – A mainstay of Oras ng Ligaya, he also dabbled in films as an actor (Sampaguita Pictures). Pacia died in a car crash in 1973 while driving in Laguna.

Eddie Peregrina – A jukebox king, he hosted The Eddie-Nora Show with Nora Aunor on Channel 9 in the late ‘60s.

Ronald Remy – A former Premiere Productions contract star who made a lot of films for international release, he appeared as Rosa Rosal’s husband in ‘Yan ang Misis Ko and later hosted the Sunday noontime game show (Lucky 13 among them) on Channel 13.

Nanding Flores – The original Mr. Baltic when the comic strip Baltic & Co. was made into a series on Channel 7. The show was still at its peak in 1975 when he died. He was replaced by Prospero Luna.

Doro de los Ojos – Known for his dilated eyes that gave him his showbiz screen name, he hosted the early afternoon variety show Everyday Holiday on ABS-CBN up to the late ‘60s. He died in 1981.

Pugo – A veteran of stage shows, he did several successful comedies for LVN before he ventured into television where he starred in Tangtarangtang (which later became Si Tatang Kasi), Wanted: Boarders, Alright, Okay, My Son, My Son and also as replacement of Lopito in Tawag ng Tanghalan. Dolphy so respected Pugo that when the mentor died in 1978, he cut short his US vacation to attend the wake. Dolphy also had Pugo’s coffin replaced with a more expensive one – something more fit for the original King of Comedy, which Pugo was in the ‘50s and ‘60s.

Patsy – She passed on to the other world about half a year after the death of Pugo, who was her Tawag ng Tanghalan co-host and screen husband in Wanted: Boarders and My Son, My Son.

Tony Santos, Sr. – A great character actor from LVN, he directed Oras ng Ligaya and several sitcoms for the old ABS-CBN. He also hosted Mr. Public Service and appeared as Dindo Fernando’s brother in Flordeluna.

Dindo Fernando – A member of Sampaguita’s Star 66, he metamorphosed into a fine actor and leading man on the big screen. On TV, he was best known as Major Leo Alicante, Flordeluna’s father. With Tony Santos, Sr., he also did the Dindo-Tony Show.

Virgilio Garcia – The father of Kristine Garcia, he played sweetheart and later husband to Dulce Lukban in Tindahan sa Nayon.

Teroy de Guzman – A mainstay of Magandang Tanghali, he was also part of the early ‘80s comedy show, Mah-Ta-Tu in the old BBC-2.

Mitos Villarreal – One of the most sought-after TV directors for musicals, dramas (Salamism) and special events, she was also part of the singing trio Lemons Three (along with Nikki Ross and Angie de la Cruz) in Your Evening With Pilita.

Jose Mari Velez – The most popular newscaster during the pre-martial law years (The Big News on Channel 5), he developed a loyal following because of his credibility, excellent delivery of the news and yes, debonair looks.

Tange – An original cast member of Super Laugh-In, he was the funny houseboy in Wanted: Boarders and My Son, My Son.

Rosa Aguirre – A product of stage and the movies, she was Aling Charing in Tangtarangtang.

Apeng Daldal – Famous for his protruding teeth, he was a mainstay of several sitcoms – among them, Tindahan sa Nayon and was part of Super Laugh-In.

Cachupoy – A mainstay of Magandang Tanghali, he also starred in Sa Kabukiran and later in Sitak ni Jack.

Elvira Manahan – A legendary beauty, she hosted Two for the Road, first as a nightly for the pre-martial law ABS-CBN and later as a weekly for GMA-7. As most of us still recall, Ms. Manahan was murdered in her Forbes Park home in October 1986.

Bobby Ledesma – Host and producer of Student Canteen and Discorama.

Jay Ilagan – A matinee idol, he hosted Stop, Look & Listen and starred in My Son, My Son and Goin’ Bananas. He died in a motorcycle accident in 1992.

Ading Fernando – He was the top director of comedy programs until his death in 1984. On screen, he was Daddy Groovy in Duplex.

Chichay – From vaudeville, she did comedies in films but became a big name on TV in The Nida-Nestor Show and other comedy programs. She was also Mrs. Milyonarya.

Julie Vega – A big, big child star, she died of a mysterious ailment at the peak of her career on May 6, 1985 while Anna Liza was still at the top of the ratings chart.

Bentot – The eternal child of Tangtarangtang, he played the Tatang in a failed revival of the series in 1982.

Bayani Casimiro – Noted for his tap dancing, he hosted Tayo’y Mag-Hapi-Hapi with Jean Lopez and was a mainstay of Okay Ka, Fairy Ko until his death.

Leroy Salvador – A fine director and actor on TV and in the movies, he will always be remembered as Badong of Tangtarangtang.

Helen Vela – The queen of Sunday afternoon TV, she was sob sister to everyone in Lovingly Yours. She also hosted Suerte sa Siete and Student Canteen and later became a newscaster. She died on Valentine’s Day of 1992.

Bert Marcelo – A most beloved TV personality, he was Prinsipe Abante and host of the popular talent search Tanghalan ng Kampeon. "Kaka" was also in demand as host of special events like the FAMAS and Urian.

Louie Beltran – A respected print and broadcast journalist, he was the fearless host of the pre-martial law Straight from the Shoulder, which had a successful revival on GMA 7 after EDSA I.

Pancho Magalona – A top leading man, he was also successful on TV as the star of Pancho Loves Tita and as host of Magandang Tanghali.

Charito Solis – The empress of drama on the big screen, she also reigned as queen of TV drama in The Charito Solis Show and Obra Maestra. Later, she dabbled in comedy via Okay Ka, Fairy Ko and 50 Carats.

Panchito – The sidekick of Dolphy, he later also made several TV projects away from the shadow of the King of Comedy.

Eddie Rodriguez – The King of Drama before Christopher de Leon, he had his own drama series on TV: Sanyugto, Quiapo, etc.

Bobby Gonzales – Host of the noontime show Bigay-Hilig, he was also part of The Other Side of Alma on MBS-4.

Maria Teresa Carlson – She may have done only one TV show (Chicks to Chicks), but her "Si Ikaw, si Ako" dialogues will always be remembered by viewers. She leaped to her death on Nov. 18, 2001.

Chuchi – From vaudeville, she moved to TV via Pancho Loves Tita and later Chicks to Chicks.

Rod Navarro – The original king of commercials, he replaced Patsy as host of Tawag ng Tanghalan which later became Tuklas during martial law.

Inday Badiday – We are still mourning the loss of the original Queen of Intrigues. Her show Heart to Heart is still being aired every Sunday on GMA 7.

Nida Blanca – A queen of Philippine movies, she also became the queen of comedy via The Nida-Nestor Show, Wala Kang Paki, John & Marsha, Mana-Mana ‘Yan, etc. It‘s her second death anniversary on Nov. 7.