’60s sex symbols: Divina vs. Stella

In the mid-’60s (up to the early ’70s), the reigning sex symbols were Divina Valencia and Stella Suarez.

In 1965, they were teamed up in Labanang Babae!, where Divina and Stella fought with their hands and curves. Leading men were Eddie Garcia, Robert Campos and Max Alvarado.

Then Divina was the busiest actress in town, at times making three movies at the same time. Stella, by choice, limited her big-screen appearance.

They later migrated to the US. Stella became a full-time housewife. Divina still appeared in movies and television shows, not in sexy roles but in dramatic acts where she merited good reviews.

Stella is mother to award-winning actor Richard Gomez. Divina is mother to Dranreb Belleza, child and teen actor-turned-painter. — RKC