Alicia, Cesar as 'Indians'

Reel and real life couple Alicia Vergel and Cesar Ramirez teamed up in a number of Sampaguita movies, including 1953’s Ukala, where they played ‘Indians’ on Philippine setting. Ukala — with Cesar in the title role — is action-romance, the lead stars clad in what passed for ‘Indian’ costumes.

Alicia and Cesar co-starred in other Sampaguita films like Bernardo Carpio, Diwani, Espada, Diwang Kayumanggi and MN.

While billed as ‘action queen,’ Alicia also excelled in dramas, the first FAMAS Best Actress awardee for Basahang Ginto (1952).     — RKC