Bayani Casimiro Sr.: Dancer & comedian

The showbiz career of Bayani Casimiro Sr. encompassed bodabil, stage show, cinema and television. As dancer, Bayani was billed The Fred Astaire of the Philippines and as comedian he co-starred with the biggest names in showbiz, including the great Dolphy, Comedy King, then appearing under the stage name Golay.

At age seven, he appeared onstage (bodabil) dressed as a clown. Born on July 16, 1918, in San Pablo, Laguna, Bayani’s parents were stage comedians. By the ‘30s, he was headlining major bodabil and stage productions in Manila.

During the Japanese war years in the early ’40s, when stage shows were the main source of public entertainment, Bayani co-starred with big stars like Rogelio dela Rosa and Norma Blancaflor and was paired with Jose Cris Soto, Pugo and Tugo and Dolphy.

Bayani and Niever Manuel, who he’d marry, formed a dancing team in stage shows. They had a son, Bayani Jr.

In the ‘40s and ‘50s, Bayani appeared in movies like, among others, So Long America, Maling Akala, Oh Salapi, Makabagong Pilipina, Shalimar, Vod-a-Vil, Banda Uno, mostly for LVN Pictures.

The ‘60s and ‘70s saw Bayani appearing on television, mostly sitcoms and variety shows.

One of his most memorable roles was in Burlesk Queen, directed by Celso Ad. Castillo and topbilled by Vilma Santos. Once more, Bayani donned his top hat and tails and performed onstage with Vilma.

In later years, in the ‘80s, Bayani played the father of Vic Sotto in the hugely popular sitcom Okey Ka Fairy Ko. He died on Jan. 27, 1989, at 70, less than two years into the run of Okey Ka. — RKC

Newspaper ads of Orient Theater, which topbilled Bayani along with wife Nieves Manuel and Golay (later Dolphy).