Mario Montenegro: The Brown Adonis as mighty Thor

(Editor’s Note: Remember When? is celebrating its 24th anniversary this year. Featuring the author’s prized collection. RW predated by almost 20 years a radio program using the same title. That’s for the record.)

In the ‘50s, Mario Montenegro was billed the Brown Adonis. He with the brown skin, handsome face and well-sculpted physique.

Mario played heroic roles, including Prinsipe Tenoso, Rodrigo de Villa, Lapu-Lapu and Dagohoy.

When the legendary Viking, the mighty Thor, was made into a movie by People’s Pictures in 1957, the only choice for the role was, but of course, Mario Montenegro. Mario was Prince Thor who saved the kingdom of the Vikings from the invaders, the Tartars.

Mario’s mother, Daisy Collin, was French, but he got the brown skin from his father, Gerardo Macalalag, of Pagsanjan, Laguna. He took up fine arts at the University of the Philippines, where the future National Artist Carlos ‘Botong’ Francisco was one of his mentors. Mario’s paintings were influenced by Botong, who became his good friend.

During World War II, Mario joined at 14 the Hunters ROTC Guerillas and assisted in the liberation of the Los Baños concentration camp internees. He received eight medals and awards for valor in the military service.

On-cam and off, Mario Montenegro was a hero.— RKC