Jess Lapid at his peak

The ‘60s were the peak years of Jess Lapid, one of the top action stars of TIIP and Lea. He had no less than Gloria Romero for leading lady in Lea’s Batang Muntinglupa, which featured the young Jay Ilagan.

Jess started as extra and stuntman in the ‘50s, excellent gunslinger, fist fighter and horse rider.

He achieved stardom in Kardong Kidlat, followed by Ito Ang Lalaki, Barako, Pistolero, Black Jack, Tiagong Lundag, Operation XYZ, Killer Patrol.

Jess was still at his peak when he was fatally shot in 1968 in a nightclub.

His son Jess Jr. and nephew Lito Lapid followed in his action footsteps. Lito, now on his second term as senator, starred in the Jess Lapid filmbio in 1978.

— RKC