Gloria Romero, the Eternal Virgin

“Parang santa!”

In 1954, the Dramatic Philippines was having a hard time looking for an actress for the role of Virgin Mary in Martir Sa Golgota, a Lenten offering based on the life and passion of Jesus Christ.

Gloria Romero became the unanimous choice, proving true to the words of Azucena “Mama Nene” Vera-Perez who described Gloria in an interview as having “an angelic face…parang santa!”

“Up to now,” said Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas who filed this report, “Gloria has an unblemished image, demure and dignified, and having an untainted reputation.”   

According to Celso, there was a consultation with then Archbishop Rufino Santos of Manila (the first Filipino Cardinal in 1960) who, after a check on Gloria’s personal background, approved the recommendation of the Dramatic Philippines. 

Martir Sa Golgota was first staged at the Manila Grand Opera House during the Holy Week (April 12 to 18, 1954), kicked off by a gala premiere graced by then Pres. Ramon Magsaysay who just arrived that morning from an Easter vacation in Baguio.

The first edition’s cast included Julio Gonzales Anguita who was Jesus Christ, Virgilio Hilario (husband of Armi Kuusela, the first Miss Universe 1952) as John, Lucas Paredes as Judas, Gusto Gonzales as Caiphas, Celia Diaz-Laurel as Veronica, Rita Amor as Maria Magdalena, and the stars of the play Kuwentong Kutsero (mounted by Dramatic Philippines in 1951).

Reported Celso, “Martir Sa Golgota was written by Fr. Hunter Gunthrie, S.J., and Fr. Joseph Mulry, S.J., which was translated in Tagalog by Francisco ‘Soc’ Rodrigo, music by Lucio D. San Pedro and directed by Narciso Pimentel Jr. Narciso, a pre-war and post-war film director, was the chairman of the board of judges of the first 1950 Maria Clara Awards. He’s the elder brother of the first, 1955, Tawag ng Tanghalan champion Pepe Pimentel. San Pedro was declared National Artist for Music, 1991.”

The Dramatic Philippines is a theater group founded on Feb. 2, 1943, by Pimentel, Rodrigo, Horacio Tagle, Caesar del Rosario, Jesus Paredes and other Ateneo alumni mounting only Pilipino plays, both originals as well as translations, in the historic Metropolitan Theater during the war years.

Three months later, Gloria’s starrer Dalagang Ilokana opened at the Life Theater (in Quiapo) on July 4, 1954, the same film that won for Gloria her very first FAMAS Best Actress award. Gloria reprised her role as Virgin Mary for the same passion play in the Lenten of 1955 and 1956.

In 1955 (April 4 to 10), Rudy Francisco played John and Nena Cardenas as Maria Magdalena. Pimentel and Jose Dayrit, general manager of Manila Grand Opera House, handed a check for P825.90 to Pres. Magsaysay for the Mindanao earthquake fund, representing proceeds from one of the shows.

The 1956 edition (March 26 to April 1) starred Jennings Sturgeon as Jesus Christ and two Misses Philippines (Cristina Pacheco as Veronica and Edith Nakpil as Maria Magdalena), with Johnny Monteiro and Manuel Ojeda among the supporting cast.

“Sturgeon first played Jesus Christ in Lebran’s Kalbaryo ni Hesus in 1952, with Norma Blancaflor as Virgin Mary,” wrote Celso. “He did several action movies in the ‘60s including Sa Bawat Hakbang...Panganib (1961) with Fernando Poe, Jr. Pacheco competed in the 1953 Miss Universe won by Christiane Martel of France. Nakpil was crowned 1956 Miss Philippines but forfeited her right to compete in the 1956 Miss Universe and Isabel Rodriguez competed in her place. Edith is the daughter of 1926 Carnival Queen Anita Noble and Juan Nakpil, declared National Artist for Architecture in 1973. Ojeda is the father of Marilen Ojeda, 1973 Bb. Pilipinas International and 1973 Miss International fourth runner-up.”

Rez names foundling after Sen. Grace Poe

Last Jan. 15, Rez Cortez (photo) and his wife Candy got a surprise, though belated, Christmas gift — a newly-born baby girl left at their garage.

The couple doesn‘t have an idea who the baby’s parents are, and they embrace her like their own.

‘She’s a foundling,’ said Rez who named the baby Cassandra Grace after Sen./Presidentiable Grace Poe.

Rez is a staunch supporter of both Grace and her late father FPJ.

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