Japanese, Pinoy stars’ romance

In a 1956 issue of Movie Confidential, writer Evencia Farol recalled the romance between Japanese actress Shirley Yamaguchi and Pinoy actor Rodolfo Ruiz. She wrote that 10 years ago, in the mid-’40s, Shirley and Rodolfo met in Tokyo, where they fell in love.

Rodolfo, already a popular actor when he joined the Merchants Marine, was stationed in Japan. He was then touted as the heir of the title of the late Rudy Concepcion, Idolong Kayumanggi. Some of Rodolfo’s films included Paraiso opposite Rosa del Rosario, Babalik Ka Rin with Arsenia Francisco, Kundiman with Fely Vallejo.

Shirley was a noted actress in Japan and would later appear on Broadway shows and Hollywood films.

Farol wrote in Movie Confidential that Shirley ‘succumbed to the virile charm’ of Rodolfo, just as many Filipina fans did. But then the Japanese actress had affairs with Filipino playboys, dating a millionaire/businessman in the US.

It was a whirlwind romance, ‘chrysanthemum days in Tokyo,’ which led to the altar. But it was a short-lived marriage. Rodolfo came to Manila to make a few more movies, while Shirley, as earlier noted, appeared on Broadway and Hollywood. One of her films was Japanese War Bride, shown in February 1952 at the State Theater in downtown Manila.

The 1956 Movie Confidential article on Shirley, reminiscing on her romance with Rodolfo, came about when the Japanese actress visited Manila that year.

Among the VIPs Shirley met were businessmen, movie executives and stars. Not one of them was her ex-husband Rodolfo. — RKC