Gloria Borrego Galla was born in 1933 in Denver Colorado, to a hardworking Filipino, Pedro Galla, and an American woman, Mary Borrego. Her elementary education was spent in Mabini Elementary School and she graduated from Riverview High School in Mabini, Pangasinan.
Because her uncle, Nario Rosales, was Chief Editor at Sampaguita Studios, it was easy for Ms Galla to visit the movie sets. She started out her career as an "extra" in Sampaguita Pictures, before being noticed in Kasintahan sa Pangarap (1951), starring Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran. For 1951, more bit roles followed in Bernardo Carpio, starring real-life couple Cesar Ramirez and Alicia Vergel; in Dugong Bughaw, with Norma Vales and Tessie Martinez; and Rebecca. Finally, in her fifth movie, Ramon Selga (starring Lilian Leonardo and Pancho Magalona), she got a speaking part as a nurse.
Appearing as the daughter of Ramirez and Vergel in Madame X (1952), producers introduced Ms Galla with a new, more dramatic name: "Gloria Romero." She got her first memorable role in Palasig (1952) opposite heartthrob Cesar Ramirez, but it was her lead role in Monghita (1952), opposite Oscar Moreno that cemented her bankability and popularity. In 1953, she played the daughter of Carmen Rosales in May Umaga Pang Darating. Ms Romero played against many leading men: opposite Ramon Revilla in Apat na Taga (1953); opposite Fred Montilla in Recuerdo (1953); opposite Pancho Magalona in Musikong Bumbong (1954); opposite Ric Rodrigo and Luis Gonzales in Pilya (1954), and opposite Dolphy in Dalagang Ilocana (1954), for which she won the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts & Sciences (FAMAS) Best Actress award.
She also made Vacacionista (1956), Pitong Pagsisisi (1959), and Lupa sa Lupa (1960) opposite Luis Gonzales. Ms Romero tried a formula by appearing as characters popularized in comic strips: Her first two attempts, Mister Kasintahan (1953) and Kurdapya (1954), were so successful she immediately made Mariposa (1955) and Miss Tilapia (1956), where she played the original Pacifica Falayfay. Afterwards, Ms Romero ventured into the dramatic format again, with Artista (1955), Teresa (1956), opposite her popular love-team partner Luis Gonzales; Ikaw ang Aking Buhay (1959), plus remakes of pre-war musical movies like Pagdating ng Takipsilim (1956), Colegiala (1957) and Paru-parong Bukid (1957). All these blockbusters made her Queen of Philippine Movies (her closest rival was Nida Blanca), and Sampaguita Pictures renewed her contract for another 8 years-- making her the studio's longest exclusive star. She made some 30 movies with her frequent screen partner, Luis Gonzales.
She has appeared on the long-running television sitcom Palibhasa Lalake (1991), as well as the short-lived Fifty Carats, O Di Ba? (1993) with three other veteran actresses. She also joined the soaps Familia Zaragosa (1995), Labs ko si Babes (2000), Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan (2001), and Sana'y Wala ng Wakas (2003). Two of her most recent outings have been in horror films: Bahay ni Lola 2 (2005) and Shake, Rattle and Roll 2k5 (2005), reminiscent of the way veteran Hollywood actresses were popularly cast in horror films in their elderly age in the 1960s, such as Joan Crawford with Trog (1970). She also made films for other studios, like Pitong Gabi sa Hongkong (1966); Kaibigan Ko ang Sto Niño (1967); Haydee (1966), with Hilda Koronel; Lumuha Pati Mga Anghel (1971), with Eddie Garcia and Ronaldo Valdez; Sakada (1976), directed by Behn Cervantes, costarring Pancho Magalona, Rosa Rosal, Hilda Koronel and Bembol Roco; and, Bakit May Putik ang mga Bulaklak? (1979) with Lorna Tolentino and Rosemarie Gil.
Ms Romero received the FAMAS Best Actress award for Dalagang Ilocana (1954), Best Supporting Actress for Nagbabagang Luha (1988) and Best Actress for Tanging Yaman (2000). She also received a Best Supporting Actress award from the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) for Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-Ibig? (1987), and again FAP gave her Best Actress honor for her film Tanging Yaman (2000). She received nominations from FAMAS for her films Ikaw ang Aking Buhay (1959), Condemned (1984) and Bilangin Ang Bituin sa Langit (1989). At the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino awarding (Gawad Urian Award s), she received the 2001 Best Actress award for Tanging Yaman (2000) and the 2004 Best Supporting Actress award for Magnifico (2003). Furthermore, the Gawad Urian, the FAP and the CineManila International Film Festival have honored her with individual Lifetime Achievement Awards, between 2001 and 2004.
She married actor Juancho Gutierrez after they met during a movie. Her daughter Maritess Gtuierrez joined showbiz briefly before marrying and settling in the US. After her divorce from the husband, Maritess with the son Chris Qutierrez Balbin who also joined the movies came back to the Philippines. She convinced her mother to reconcile with her father Juancho until his death in 2002.
Awards:
Gawad Urian Best Supporting Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktres)
for: Magnifico (2003)
Gawad Urian Best Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangunahing Aktres)
for: Tanging yaman (2000)
Gawad Lifetime Achievement Award
FAP Best Supporting Actress
for: Saan nagtatago ang pag-ibig (1987)
FAP Best Actress
for: Tanging yaman (2000)
FAP Lifetime Achievement Award
Famas Best Actress
for: Dalagang Ilocana (1954)
Famas Best Supporting Actress
for: Nagbabagang luha (1988)
Best Actress
for: Tanging yaman (2000)
Famas Lifetime Achievement Award 2004
Film Credits:
# Crossroads (2008) (post-production)
... aka Sangandaan (Philippines: Tagalog title)
# Bahay kubo: A pinoy mano po! (2007) .... Ida
... aka Bahay kubo (Philippines: Tagalog title: short title)
# "Komiks" .... Lola Maria (3 episodes, 2006-2007)
- Pedro Penduko at ang mga Engkantao (2007) TV episode .... Lola Maria
- Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko (2006) TV episode .... Lola Maria
- Momay (2006) TV episode
# M.O.N.A.Y (Misteyks obda neyson adres Yata) ni Mr. Shooli (2007)
... aka M.O.N.A.Y ni Mr. Shooli, Ang (Philippines: Tagalog title)
# "Star Magic Presents" .... Lola Caring (1 episode, 2006)
- Tender Loving Care (2006) TV episode .... Lola Caring
# "Crazy for You" (2006) TV series (unknown episodes)
# Moments of Love (2006) .... Lola Rosa
# Tulay (2006)
# I Wanna Be Happy (2006)
# Shake, Rattle and Roll 2k5 (2005)
# Bahay ni Lola 2 (2005) .... Amelia
# Let the Love Begin (2005) .... Lola
# Beautiful Life (2004) (as Ms. Gloria Romero) .... Magda Nuñez
# Annie B. (2004)
... aka Annie B: Bida ng ukay-uka, bongga siya day (Philippines: Tagalog title: long title)
# "Sana'y wala ng wakas" (2003) TV series .... Doña Valeria Valencia
# Magnifico (2003) (as Ms. Gloria Romero) .... Lola Magda
# Spirit Warriors: The Shortcut (2003) .... Lola Tunying
... aka Spirit Warriors 2: The Short Cut (Philippines: English title: festival title)
# "OK Fine Whatever" (2003) TV series .... Lola Barbie
... aka OK Fine! Oh Yes! (Philippines: English title: third season title)
... aka OK Fine! To ang gusto nyo! (Philippines: Tagalog title: second season title)
# Singsing ni Lola (2002) .... Lola
# I Think I'm in Love (2002) .... Amor
# Cass & Cary: Who Wants to Be a Billionaire? (2002) .... Doña Gracia
... aka Cass & Cary (Philippines: English title: short title)
# Bahay ni Lola (2001)
# American Adobo (2001) .... Gerry's Mom
# Bakit 'di totohanin (2001)
# Narinig mo na ba ang l8est? (2001)
# "Sa dulo ng walang hanggan" (2001) TV series .... Carmela Estocapio
# Tanging yaman (2000) .... Loleng
... aka A Change of Heart (Philippines: English title)
# Daddy O! Baby O! (2000) .... Brenda
# "Labs ko si babes" (2000) TV series
# Dahil may isang ikaw (1999)
# Scorpio Nights 2 (1999)
# Maldita (1999)
# Do Re Mi (1997)
# Takot ako sa darling ko (1997) (as Ms. Gloria Romero)
# Rubberman (1996) .... Minerva
# Misis kong hoodlum, Ang (1996)
# Araw-araw, gabi-gabi (1995)
# "Familia Zaragoza" (1995) TV series
# Ikaw pa, mahal kita (1995)
... aka Ikaw pa.. e love kita (Philippines: Tagalog title: alternative transliteration)
# Sana dalawa ang puso ko (1995)
# Forever (1994)
# Sana'y laging magkapiling (1994)
# Pulis patola (1993)
# Ayaw ko ng mangarap (1993) .... Azul
# Kadenang bulaklak (1993)
# Bakit labis kitang mahal (1992)
# Alabang Girls (1992)
# "50 Karats" (1992) TV series
# Kislap sa dilim (1991) .... Adela
# My Other Woman (1991)
# Dinampot ka lang sa putik (1991)
# "Palibhasa lalake" (1991) TV series
# Joey Boy Munti, 15 anyos ka sa Muntilupa (1991)
# Kapag langit ang humatol (1990) .... Dona Octavia Villaruel
# I Have 3 Eggs (1990)
# Tayo na sa dilim (1990)
# Kahit isumpa mo ako (1990)
# Bakit ikaw pa rin? (1990)
# Oras-oras, araw-araw (1989)
# Huwag kang hahalik sa diablo (1989) .... Lucia
# Lady L (1989)
# Si Aida, si Lorna, o si Fe (1989)
# Bilangin mo ang bituin sa langit (1989)
... aka Bilangin ang mga bituin sa langit (Philippines: Tagalog title)
# Kung maibabalik ko lang (1989)
# Impaktita (1989)
# Sandakot na bala (1988)
# Mirror, Mirror on the Wall (1988)
# Nagbabagang luha (1988)
# Nasaan ka inay (1988) .... Isabel
# Lord, bakit ako pa? (1988) .... Bering
# Alabok sa ulap (1987)
... aka Alabok sa lupa (Philippines: English title)
# Saan nagtatago ang pag-ibig (1987)
# Payaso (1986)
... aka The Clown (literal English title)
# Once Upon a Time (1986) .... Reyna Kamkam
# Miguelito, ang batang rebelde (1985)
... aka Miguelito (Philippines: Tagalog title: short title)
# Hindi nahahati ang langit (1985)
# Kay dali ng kahapon, ang bagal ng bukas (1985)
... aka Kay dali ng kahapon, ang bagal ng umaga (Philippines: English title)
# Kwento ni Lola Basyang, Mga (1985) .... Reyna (segment "Sleeping Beauty")
... aka Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang (Philippines: Tagalog title)
# Bulaklak ng City Jail (1984)
... aka Flowers of the City Jail (International: English title)
# Condemned (1984)
# Anak ni Waray, anak ni Biday (1984)
... aka Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday (Philippines: Tagalog title)
# Teenage Marriage (1984)
# Dear Mama (1984)
# Kung mahawi man ang ulap (1984)
# Sinner or Saint (1984)
# To Mama with Love (1983)
# Mother Dear (1982)
# Kasal? (1980)
# Nasa lupa ang langit at imperyno (1978)
# Daigdig ng lagim (1976)
# Sakada (1976)
... aka The Tenants (Philippines: English title)
# Karugtong ang kahapon (1975)
# Happy Days Are Here Again (1975/I)
# Lipad, Darna, lipad! (1973) .... Impakta, or Miss Luna
... aka Fly, Darna, Fly! (Philippines: English title: literal title)
# Anak ng aswang (1973)
# Just Married, Do Not Disturb (1972)
# My Blue Hawaii (1972)
... aka Blue Hawaii (Philippines: English title)
# Daluyong! (1971) .... Czarina Revilla
# Haydee (1970)
... aka Haydee the Brown Girl and the White Idol (Philippines: English title: long title)
# Pinagbuklod ng langit (1969) .... Imelda Marcos
... aka Heaven's Fate (International: English title)
# Atorni Agaton: Abogado de kampanilya (1969)
# Kamatayan ko ang ibigin ka (1968)
# Liku-likong landas (1968)
# Hinango kita sa lusak (1967)
# Anong ganda mo! (1967)
# Kaibigan kong Sto. Niño (1967) .... Marta
# Iginuhit ng Tadhana: The Ferdinand E. Marcos Story (1965) .... Imelda Marcos
# Rollerboys (1965)
# Alaala ng lumipas (1965)
# Hamon sa kampeon (1965)
# Fighting Waray sa Ilocos (1964)
# Jukebox Jamboree (1964)
# Show of Shows (1964)
# Sinisinta kita (1963)
# Esperanza at Caridad (1963) .... Esperanza
# Haliging bato (1963)
# Anak, ang iyong ina! (1963) .... Leticia
# Anak ng Diyos, Mga (1962)
# Tugtuging bukid (1962)
# Apat na yugto ng buhay (1961)
# Hami-hanimun (1961)
# Alyas Sakay (1961)
# Lawiswis kawayan (1961)
# Lupa sa lupa (1960)
# Vicky (1959)
# Wedding Bells (1959)
# Pitong pagsisisi (1959)
# Ikaw ang aking buhay (1959)
# Bakit may putik ang bulaklak (1959)
# Kasintahan sa pangarap (1959)
# Alaalang banal (1958)
... aka Sacred Memory (Philippines: English title: literal title)
# Reyna ng Vicks, Mga (1958)
... aka The Queens of Vicks (Philippines: English title)
# Beloved (1958)
# Kuwento ni Lola Basyang, Mga (1958)
... aka Mga kwento ni Lola Basyang (Philippines: Tagalog title)
# Hongkong Holiday (1957)
# Colegiala (1957)
# Sino ang maysala (1957)
# Miss Tilapya (1956)
... aka Miss Tilapya (Philippines: English title)
# Pagdating ng takipslim (1956)
# Teresa (1956) .... Teresa
# Vacacionista (1956)
# Mariposa (1955)
# Artista (1955)
# Hindi basta basta (1955)
# Hootsy kootsy (1955)
# Bim, Bam, Bum (1955)
# Kurdapya (1955)
# Despatsadora (1955)
# Dalagang Ilocana (1954)
# Pilya (1954)
# Anak sa panalangin (1954)
# Biyenang hindi tumatawa (1954)
# May umaga pang darating (1953)
# Apat na taga (1953)
... aka 4 na taga (Philippines: Tagalog title)
# Cofradia (1953) .... Lead role
# Mister Kasintahan (1953)
# Recuerdo (1953)
# Madame X (1952/I)
# Palasig (1952)
# Siklab sa Batangas (1952)
# Tres muskiteros (1951)
... aka 3 muskiteros (Philippines: Tagalog title: literal title)
... aka Three Musketeers (Philippines: English title: literal title)
# Bakasyonista (????)
# Pitong gabi sa Hong Kong (????)
Researched by:
Cathy
Tags:
entertainment, Philippine movie actors , Philippine movie actresses Gloria Romero
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