# John Regala

John Paul Guido Regala Scherrer (September 12, 1967 – June 3, 2023), better known by his screen name John Regala, was a Filipino actor and environmentalist. He gained notoriety in the entertainment industry as a member of the 1986 television show That's Entertainment, and went on to play well-known antagonist roles in action movies and teleseries in the 1990s. He was sometimes unofficially tagged as the "Bad Boy" of Philippine action films along with fellow action stars like Robin Padilla and the late Ace Vergel.
Regala was one of the most gifted Filipino actors and most controversial actors in local showbusiness. In 1994, he was nominated for 'Best Supporting Actor' at the Gawad Urian Awards for his performance in The Fatima Buen Story. In 2011, he won 'Best Supporting Actor' at the 37th Metro Manila Film Festival for the film Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story.
Regala is best known for his portrayals in Alyas Baby Face, Primitivo Ebok Ala: Kalaban Mortal ni Baby Ama, The Vizconde Massacre: God, Help Us! and Batas Ko Ay Bala.

## Career

Although he forayed in supporting or lead roles in Action or Crime flicks he was notably cast in Crime flicks in the 1990s such as Kunin Mo ang Ulo ni Ismael (1989) of Seiko Films and The Fatima Buen Story (1994) as an Anti Hero.

### Mainstream success and hiatus

Regala entered showbusiness in the mid-1980s, becoming a member of That's Entertainment.
Regala became an action star in his first action film Boy Kristiano (1989). He then portrayed a villain role in the film Isa-Isahin ko Kayo (1990) alongside Ronnie Ricketts. He has also collaborated with action star Jeric Raval when he played the lead role as Marcial "Baby" Ama (Regala's late uncle) in the true to life action-drama film Primitivo Ebok Ala: Kalaban Mortal ni Baby Ama (1992). He played his role as Kris Aquino's rapist-killer in the true-to-life crime drama film The Vizconde Massacre: God Help Us (1993).

### Return to acting

Regala returned to showbusiness and worked with Mart Escudero in the horror-comedy-thriller film Remington and the Curse of the Zombadings (2011). One of his most notable works was with his best friend Gov. ER Ejercito for the award-winning 2011 Metro Manila Film Festival Filipino action film Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story (2011) while Regala himself won the best supporting actor award. He has also worked with JC de Vera and Oyo Sotto for the TV drama series Valiente of TV5 (2012). He was once again made famous on ABS-CBN when he worked with Kim Chiu and Maja Salvador in Ina, Kapatid, Anak (2013), and with Coco Martin in the action-fantasy drama TV series Juan dela Cruz (2013) and FPJ's Ang Probinsyano (2016).

## Personal life

Regala was the son of the late former character actor Mel Francisco and the late former actress Ruby Regala. His showbiz career stalled due to heavy drug abuse. Later, he went to drug rehabilitation center and became a born again Christian and eventually became a Christian minister. After some years of his life, he decided to become a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo. He later converted to Members Church of God International but went back to Iglesia ni Cristo in 2015. Regala became an environmentalist and worked as the president and CEO of Project Green Evolution, Inc., which produces the Water Bonsai Organic Root Grower.

## Illness and death

In August 2020, Regala was hospitalized for cirrhosis of the liver. He died on June 3, 2023, from cardiac arrest brought on by liver and kidney complications.

## Awards

| Year | Award-giving Body | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
| 1994 | Gawad Urian Award | Best Supporting Actor | The Fatima Buen Story | Nominated | |
| 2011 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Supporting Actor | Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story | Won | |

## Filmography
### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Network |
| 2017 | Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho | Himself | GMA Network |
| 2016 | Ang Probinsyano | Congressman Randolph Subito | ABS-CBN |
| 2016 | Ang Panday | David | TV5 |
| 2015 | Tonight with Arnold Clavio | Himself / Guest | GMA News TV |
| 2014 | Hawak Kamay | Leonardo Salonga | ABS-CBN |
| 2014 | Beki Boxer | Dalmacio | TV5 |
| 2014 | Dyesebel | Badong Manansala | ABS-CBN |
| 2013 | Tunay na Buhay | Himself | GMA Network |
| 2013 | Juan dela Cruz | Agor | ABS-CBN |
| 2013 | Ina, Kapatid, Anak | Emilio "Mio" Buenaventura | ABS-CBN |
| 2013 | Little Champ | Black Jack (voice) | ABS-CBN |
| 2012 | Valiente | Peping | TV5 |
| 2008 | Pieta | Miguel Alcona | ABS-CBN |
| 2008 | Joaquin Bordado | Cefiro | GMA Network |
| 2007 | Impostora | Mando | GMA Network |
| 2006 | Captain Barbell | Mayor Lazaro | GMA Network |
| 2005–2006 | Mga Anghel na Walang Langit | Harieto "Harry" Lopez | ABS-CBN |
| 2005 | Encantadia | Apitong | GMA Network |
| 2005 | Ang Mahiwagang Baul: "Ang Alamat ng Kawayan" | Sultan Kayan | GMA Network |
| 1987 | Salot: "Buong Mundo... Kaaway Ko" | | GMA Network |
| 1986–1988 | That's Entertainment | Himself | GMA Network |

### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Film |
| 2019 | OFW: The Movie | Tatay Mando | Last film appearance |
| 2016 | Tiniente Gimo | Gimo | KIB Productions, RMS Productions and Viva Films |
| 2015 | One Day, Isang Araw, I Saw Nakakita | | Yebahdabadoo Productions |
| 2015 | Chain Mail | Alan | |
| 2014 | Muslim Magnum .357: To Serve and Protect | Rasheed Abdul-Salam | Scenema Concept International and Viva Films |
| 2012 | El Presidente | Padre Agustin | Scenema Concept International, CMB Films and Viva Films |
| 2011 | Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story | Carlos "Totoy Golem" Capistrano | Viva Films |
| 2011 | The Road | Town police chief | GMA Films |
| 2011 | Remington and the Curse of the Zombadings | Ed | |
| 2009 | Kinatay | Sarge | |
| 2006 | Ligalig | | CM Films Productions |
| 2004 | Animal | Jako | World Arts Cinema |
| 2001 | Pilak | | Sunlight Films |
| 2001 | Total Aikido | | |
| 2001 | Parehas ang Laban | Brix Vergado | Emerald Films |
| 2001 | Dudurugin Ko Pati Buto Mo | | |
| 2000 | Col. Elmer Jamias: Barako ng Maynila | Bertin Andal | Millennium Films Productions |
| 1999 | Kahit Ako'y Tupang Itim, May Langit Din | Jun | El Niño Films |
| 1999 | Anino | Victor Velez | |
| 1999 | Type Kita... Walang Kokontra! | Vernon | Star Cinema |
| 1998 | Notoryus | | Star Cinema |
| 1998 | Squala | Jimbo | Viva Films |
| 1998 | Lucio San Miguel: Walang Kaluluwa | Lucio San Miguel | El Niño Films |
| 1997 | Askal (Asong Kalye) | | El Niño Films |
| 1997 | Utang Ko sa Iyo ang Buhay Ko | | IAM Productions |
| 1997 | Bobby Barbers: Parak | Jacinto | Viva Films and PS Films Productions |
| 1997 | Saturnino Archangel, Asal Demonyo | Saturnino Archangel | GP Films |
| 1997 | Pards 2 | | Sunlight Films |
| 1997 | Si Mokong, si Astig, at si Gamol | | Viva Films |
| 1996 | Labanang Lalaki | Rex Robledo | Premiere Entertainment Productions |
| 1996 | Batang Estero | | FLT Films International |
| 1996 | Batas Ko Ay Bala | Ringgo | Megavision Films |
| 1996 | Moises Arcanghel: Sa Guhit ng Bala | | Regal Films |
| 1996 | Sa Iyo ang Langit, sa Akin ang Lupa | | El Niño Films |
| 1996 | Hindi Lahat ng Ahas Ay nasa Gubat | | Classic Films |
| 1995 | Cesar Hudas | Cesar | El Niño Films |
| 1995 | Bukas Bibitayin si Itay | Elmo | Star Cinema Films Productions and El Niño Films |
| 1995 | Pamilya Valderama | Sonny Valderama | Seiko Films and PS Films Productions |
| 1995 | Kana | | El Niño Films |
| 1994 | Pards | | Sunlight Films |
| 1994 | Lipa "Arandia" Massacre: Lord, Deliver Us from Evil | The Killer / Gener | Viva Films and Golden Lion Films |
| 1994 | The Fatima Buen Story | Leslie Baron | Regal Films |
| 1994 | The Maggie dela Riva Story: God... Why Me? | Basílio Pineda, Jr. | Viva Films, Golden Lion Films |
| 1994 | Angel Cremenal | Angel | El Niño Films |
| 1994 | Tony Bagyo: Daig Pa ang Asong Ulol | Tony | Seiko Films |
| 1994 | Nandito Ako | Randy | Moviestars Production |
| 1993 | Pambato | Arnold Alcantara | EDL Production |
| 1993 | Sgt. Lando Liwanag: Vengador (Batas ng Api) | Lando Liwanag | Jade Star Films |
| 1993 | Kapatid Ko si Hudas | Rando | Eureka Films |
| 1992 | Tondo: Libingan ng Mga Siga | Willy Cuevas | Moviestars Production |
| 1992 | Totoy Buang: Mad Killer ng Maynila | Totoy | OctoArts Films |
| 1992 | The Vizconde Massacre: God, Help Us! | Jake | Regal Films and Golden Lion Films |
| 1992 | Jerry Marasigan, WPD | Winston | Seiko Films |
| 1992 | Primitivo Ebok Ala: Kalaban Mortal ni Baby Ama | Marcial "Baby" Ama | OctoArts Films |
| 1991 | Bukas... Tatakpan Ka ng Dyaryo! | | Seiko Films |
| 1991 | Amok: Patrolman 2 | Daniel Magtanggol | El Niño Films |
| 1991 | Boyong Mañalac: Hoodlum Terminator | Vargas | Viva Films |
| 1991 | Don Pepe | Don Pepe | El Niño Films |
| 1991 | Lintik Lang ang Walang Ganti! | | Seiko Films |
| 1990 | Iputok Mo... Dadapa Ako! (Hard to Die) | | OctoArts Films and MZet Films Productions |
| 1990 | Alyas Baby Face | | Seiko Films |
| 1990 | Huling Lalaki sa Bitayan | Julio | El Niño Films |
| 1990 | Iisa-isahin Ko Kayo! | | Harvest International Films |
| 1990 | Jabidah Massacre | | Viva Films |
| 1990 | Kristobal: Tinik sa Korona | | Seiko Films |
| 1990 | Kasalanan ang Buhayin Ka | Mateo Valdez | Seiko Films |
| 1990 | "Ako ang Batas" -Gen. Tomas Karingal | Young Tomas Karingal | Seiko Films |
| 1990 | Kunin Mo ang Ulo ni Ismael | | Seiko Films |
| 1989 | Ang Bukas Ay Akin | | Seiko Films |
| 1989 | Wanted: Pamilya Banal | Jude Banal | FPJ Productions |
| 1989 | Boy Kristyano | Boy Kristyano | El Niño Films |
| 1989 | Babayaran Mo ng Dugo | | Seiko Films |
| 1989 | Ipaglalaban Ko! | | Seiko Films |
| 1989 | Lihim ng Golden Buddha | | Seiko Films |
| 1989 | Target... Central Luzon Bank Robbery | | Seiko Films |
| 1989 | Walang Panginoon | | Seiko Films |
| 1988 | Langit at Lupa | | Seiko Films |
| 1988 | Arturo Lualhati | | |
| 1987 | Bloody Mary: The Movie | | Aeon Films |
| 1987 | Balandra Crossing | | |
| 1986 | The Life Story of Julie Vega | Joey | HPC Films |
| 1986 | Kamandag ng Kris | | |
| 1985 | Bagets Gang | | |