Romeo Vasquez: Asia’s Best Actor
(First of three parts celebrating RW’s 23rd anniversary this month)
In the mid-’50s and early ’60s, Romeo Vasquez was known in Sampaguita Pictures as Lover Boy and Pretty Boy on-cam and off-cam. A lovable if naughty boy. He was the favorite of the studio matriarch, Doña Honrado Vera, fondly called Mommy Vera.
But he was more than a handsome face. Bobby (Ricardo Alandy Sumilang in real life, of Tayabas, Quezon) was Asia’s Best Actor at the 1958 Asian Film Festival held in Manila. He won for Ako ang Maysala!, directed by Armando Garces and produced by Sampaguita’s sister company, Vera Perez Productions. Amalia Fuentes was his leading lady.
Bobby left behind memorable Sampaguita movies, including the star-studded Sino ang Maysala?, and the acclaimed Mga Ligaw na Bulaklak, both opposite Susan Roces.
The Romeo-Amalia onscreen loveteam ended in marriage... and eventual separation. They have a daughter, Liezl Martinez, whose death devastated Bobby. It is said that Bobby never recovered from the death of Liezl until he succumbed to liver cancer last May 2.
Let’s look back with fondness — and a little sadness — at Bobby’s accompanying photos. — RKC
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