Tessie Agana starrer: Searching for ‘Roberta’

In the history of Sampaguita Pictures, the Tessie Agana starrer Roberta holds a very special place. Shot and shown in 1951, Roberta literally built the studio from the ashes. A destructive fire razed Sampaguita to the ground, burning already finished films and expensive studio equipment.

The management of Sampaguita decided to cast child star Tessie Agana in a popular illustrated novel in Tagalog Klasiks, Roberta is written by Mars Ravelo and Elpidio Torres. It was filmed on the totally burned studio, showing Tessie and a younger brother played by Boy Alano begging and scrounging for food.

Critic Mario Hernando, writing for this paper, called Roberta one of 30 iconic Filipino films.

Roberta broke box-office records, hyped ‘The motion picture that will tear your heart to pieces!’

Sadly, no copy of Roberta is available. Lilibeth Vera-Perez Nakpil, who takes care of the studio archive, has been searching high and low for a copy to no avail. Although Sampaguita owns Roberta, Lilibeth is willing to pay a good price for a copy.

What remains of Roberta are ads and stills, some of which Remember When? is printing.

Tessie starred in other Sampaguita movies, among them, Prinsesa at Pulubi, Rebecca, Munting Kolonel, Anghel ng Pag-ibig, Ulila ng Bataan and Kerubin.

Tessie is based in the US with her large family. One of her sons is a Jesuit priest. — RKC