Von Serna with a cobra as ‘ally’

The ’60s saw the emergence of Spanish and American mestizos in showbiz, among them Von Serna, Bernard Bonnin, Eddie Gutierrez, Robert Campos, Bob Soler, Jose Mari, Ronald Remy, Dante Rivero, Lou Salvador Jr., Ross Rival, Willie Sotelo and Romano Castellvi.

Von played the title role in Tiagong Ulupong in the 1964, an action-fantasy movie where many fellow mestizos supported in. His ‘ally’ was a cobra, coming to his rescue every so often during risky situations.

One of the many guest stars in Tiagong Ulupong was Mila Ocampo, his sweetheart and later wife offscreen. Snooky Serna is their daughter.

US-based actress Anna Gonzalez is Von’s sister. — RKC