How Gloria Romero saved my life - STAR BYTES by Butch Francisco

Gloria Romero just saved my life by winning best actress in the recently-concluded Metro Manila Film Festival. Now, I can live again – thanks to this much – respected actress.

It all started quite harmlessly. In one episode of Startalk (I think it was during my birthday), I was asked to comment on the line-up of movies competing in the Metro Filmfest. I said it was the best in years and that my bet for best actress was Gloria Romero (for Tanging Yaman). I also added rather foolishly - that if she didn’t win, I’d jump from the top of the newly-built GMA network center. That time, I had only seen Tanging Yaman, but I was confident that Gloria Romero was unbeatable in the lead actress category.

A week later, Regal Films submitted Jose Javier Reyes Sugatang Puso to the Film Ratings Board and as I watched Lorna Tolentino’s compelling performance in this film. I saw my life slowly flashing before me – very much like what happens to the person who is about to die. It was only then that I realized that Gloria Romero had stiff competition in Lorna Tolentino.

In the FRB Christmas party held at the Urdaneta Village residence of Monique Villonco, Armida Siguion Reyna – upon seeing me – immediately said, "O, matatalo daw si Gloria Romero." Gloria Romero, of course, was also Armida’s bet for best actress (she said so in her column in People’s Journal). She was just teasing me about this stupid threat I made in Startalk.

For a moment there, I turned pale. I said to myself, what if Gloria Romero lost? Gosh, I’d be dead meat. And I could no longer take back what I already said on national TV. People would surely taunt me to death.

For more than a week, I tried to figure out how to go around this problem I inflicted on myself. I said I would jump, so jump. I would – if I had to. Initially, I thought of just jumping up and down on top of the new Channel 7 building. But that would be cowardice. I’d still die if I did that – most likely out of shame.

Bungee-jumping was another option. I’ve done that before and maybe I could do it again. Then I also thought of jumping from the top of the GMA building with a safety net waiting right below me. That was option no. 2.

Finally, I thought of the best way to solve the problem – pray fervently to God for Gloria Romero to win. It worked. And it turned out that I was not the only one praying for her victory. Many others were doing the same. No – not necessarily because they wanted to save my life, but because they truly love Gloria Romero, who is among the most beloved personalities in local show business.

* * *

It was really about time Gloria Romero won another acting award. In her 50 years in the entertainment profession, she’s only had four acting awards in her collection prior to winning best actress in this ongoing filmfest.

In the 1954 FAMAS Awards, she won for her comic role in Dalagang Ilocana. The next time she won another award was after 33 years - when she was adjudged best supporting actress (for Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-ibig?) in the 1987 Star Awards for movies.

The year after, she tied (in the same category) with former rival Nida Blanca in the Film Academy Awards. Nida won for Kid Huwag Kang Susuko, while Gloria was honored for her neurotic mother role in Nagbabagang Luha.

Then, there was the best comedy actress trophy she won in the 1988 Star Awards for TV for playing the alcoholic Minerva Chavez in Palibhasa Lalake.

And now, Gloria Romero is best actress once again and my prediction is that she’ll score a grand-slam in the coming awards season this summer.

* * *

One of Gloria Romero’s early well-wishers the morning after her triumphant night was Nida Blanca. Like Ms. Romero, Nida also had her "second coming" - and this was about 15 years ago.

Ms. Blanca was actually among the set of winners in the very first FAMAS Awards in 1952. She won best supporting actress for Korea. But she never had a best actress trophy until three decades later. All the best actress awards were for television (CAT and PATAS). In the first Metro Manila Film Festival in 1975, she was again among the acting winners. But this was for best supporting actress (for Batu-Bato sa Langit).

In 1983, everyone thought she’d finally have her best actress award for Saan Darating ang Umaga. But she lost to Vilma Santos in Urian, to Charito Solis in the FAMAS to Vivian Velez in the FAP Awards.

Two years later, Nida was cast in the lead role in Miguelito: Ang Batang Rebelde. Among the secondary players here was Gloria Romero who didn’t mind playing support to her ex-rival. Nida won four best actress trophies in this Lino Brocka masterpiece. The following year, she scored a grand-slam as best supporting in Magdusa Ka.

And now, the same thing is happening to Gloria Romero, who – as I’ve said – seems to be well on her way to scoring a grand-slam in the coming awards derbies.

But I’m no longer threatening to jump anymore. No, not even from the top of a table – if this doesn’t happen.

I’ve already learned my lesson. And I’m telling you, I learned it the hard way.