Let's take a trip down memory lane sa 'Tunay Na Buhay' ng “Reyna ng Pelikulang Pilipino” na si Ms. Gloria Romero.
One of the most respected actresses in Philippine entertainment industry was born on December 16, 1933 in Denver, Colorado from a Filipino father and American mother.
Her family vacationed for a year in Pangasinan, Philippines. When they were about to go home, World War II broke out.
After the war, her family didn't return to the U.S. She remembered her teacher said she won't be able to graduate to which she replied, “It doesn't matter po. I'm going to be in the movies. I want to be a movie star.”
Gloria was fond of watching movie shoots, and that paved her way to show business. She started as an extra in the 1952 film 'Bernardo Carpio' but was introduced as “Gloria Romero” in 'Madam X.'
Boots Rodrigo revealed that Gloria was first paired with her father Oscar Moreno who was also a contract star of Sampaguita Pictures. According to her dad, Gloria was a promising actress.
Showbiz expert Lhar Santiago noted, “Gloria Romero was big, and when you say big, siya 'yung superstar. [In the] 50's [and] 60's, talagang era iyan ni Gloria Romero.”
According to Sampaguita Pictures General Manager Benny Tarnate, she was, “Sikat na sikat na. Her contract was 10,000 PHP per picture.”
Tony Mabesa said she first saw Gloria in the 1952 film 'Palasig.' He noted, “Ganda ng acting niya, marami siyang pinaghuhugutan. She's what you call a 'natural actress,' [and] she's not a technique actress.”
Luz Valdez remembered she was then a fan of hers when she asked for a photo and received it with an autograph “Love, Gloria Romero.” She reacted, “Para na akong nasa langit. Sabi ko ang bait nito.”
She married then matinee idol Juancho Gutierrez with whom she has a daughter named Maritess.
The veteran actress boasted, “The first [person] na nag-endorse ng Coca-Cola after the war [was American general Douglas] MacArthur. After [him], I came next.”
She has been in the industry for several decades already. Her secret to longevity was revealed by Boots, “Sa palagay ko, mahal niya ang industriya at sabi niya, 'Ito lang ang alam kong gawin at gusto kong maperpekto ito. Kaya hanggang kailangan ako ng industriya at ng audience, hanggang merong dumarating na offers, hanggang kaya ng kalusugan ko, hindi ako titigil.'”
Ms. Gloria told 'Tunay Na Buhay' host Rhea Santos, “Just be loving, be forgiving, huwag masyadong mayabang. Cool [ka] lang. Chill.”
In an article by the late showbiz columnist Ricky Lo in 2013, the writer quoted an updated excerpt from 'Gloria in Excelsis' wherein the showbiz legend talked about retirement.
Miss Gloria said, “Retirement did cross my mind after I got married. After all, I had already been in showbiz for 10 years. But Doc Perez told me that as long as I still wanted to work, I could go on.
“I still had an 18-year contract with Sampaguita at that time. I knew that Amalia (Fuentes) and Susan (Roces) were waiting on the side and I knew that they deserved a break. Para sa akin, contented na ako doon sa 10 years kong pagiging artista.
She continues to inspire even young generations by portraying the magical fairy and caring grandmother Lola Goreng in the children's fantasy series 'Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko.'