Ricky, Rose & Pepito: Young love triangle

In the late ’60s, Sampaguita and its sister company VP Pictures, regularly churned out light romantic comedies topbilled by the young love triangle of Ricky Belmonte, Rosemarie Sonora and Pepito Rodriguez. One of them is VP Pictures’ Ikaw Ay Akin, Ako Ay sa Iyo.

Rose and Pepito belonged to Stars ’66 along with Gina Pareño, Ramil Rodriguez, Blanca Gomez, Bert Leroy Jr., Shirley Moreno and the late Dindo Fernando, Edgar Salcedo and Loretta Marquez. Ricky joined the movies a few years later.

Rose and Ricky became man and wife, bearing three children: Renzo, Sheryl and Patrick Cruz. Rose is a longtime California resident. Pepito remains a bachelor.

Ricky later became a top sex symbol. He was directed by Lino Brocka, Elwood Perez, Joey Gosiengfiao, Celso Ad. Castillo. He died a few years back.  — RKC