# Ace Vergel

Ace York Caesar Asturias Aguilar (November 20, 1954 – December 15, 2007), better known by his stage name Ace Vergel, was a Filipino actor dubbed "The Original Bad Boy of Philippine Movies". He was the son of the late film actors Alicia Vergel and César Ramírez, and brother of actress Beverly Vergel.

## Early life

He was born Ace York Caesar Asturias Aguilar in the Philippines on November 20, 1954, to parents Alicia Vergel and Cesar Ramirez. His parents were well-known stars in the 1950s.
He attended Business Management and Public Relations at Ateneo de Manila University in 1975.
He was married to Maya dela Cuesta and had a son named Alejandro King dela Cuesta Aguilar.

## Film career

Ace Vergel, being a "Child of Cinema" started in the film industry at the age of 3. His screen debut was in "Taong Putik" which starred his mother. He appeared in his first full-length movie at the age of five using his real name Ace York, where he played the friend of a giant bird in the 1959 film Anak ng Bulkan. The movie starred Fernando Poe Jr. and Edna Luna. At the age of 7, Ace dropped out of the movie scene as he reached school age.
In 1969 At the age of 15 he made a movie comeback and was paired with Nora Aunor in a musical "Nineteeners" but the chemistry didn't work and decided to bid the movie scene goodbye again. He staged his comeback in 1977 to do the film under Lino Brocka entitled "Inay" where his mother Alicia Vergel portrayed the title role. In the following year, Vergel switched from drama to action roles. His launching vehicle as an action star was in the film Noel San Miguel (Batang City Jail) in 1978. The movie gained positive reviews and made it to the box office. The movie stablished him as the newest action sensation during that time.
In 1979, Vergel starred in the miniseries Malayo Pa ang Umaga, inspired by Stevan Javellana's novel "Without Seeing the Dawn," the first Filipino novel written in English. Vergel portrayed the lead character, "Mario," an oppressed farmer, in a story set during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. The miniseries aired on Channel 9 in seven installments during the summer of 1979, with Rey Valera composing its theme song.
In 1983, Vergel took on a highly challenging role in the classic film Pieta. Portraying "Rigor," an anti-hero lacking traditional heroic qualities, he departed from his typical roles in previous films, making this character his most iconic to date.
He had the lead role in the 1996 film Seth Corteza, which was about a man who inherits turf in the criminal underworld. He wants to make changes and faces the dangers that come about as a result. The film was directed by Efren C. Piñon.
In 2003, Vergel appeared in his last film Masamang Ugat from Viva Films.

## Political views

In 1986, Vergel campaigned for the reelection of president Ferdinand Marcos in the 1986 snap election.

## Controversies

In August 2007, a warrant for arrest was issued in Caloocan for rape cases filed against him in 2000, but he was later released. He was also linked to illegal drugs, but the cases against him were dismissed.

## Death

Vergel suffered a massive heart attack and slipped into coma at The Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center, located in Santa Cruz, Manila and died at 3:17 am on December 15, 2007, at the age of 53.

## Filmography

| Year | Title | Character | Notes |
| 1959 | Anak Ng Bulkan | Bentoy | |
| 1977 | Inay | Alex | |
| 1978 | Batang City Jail | Noel San Miguel | |
| 1979 | Hoodlum Killer | - | |
| 1979 | Teritoryo Ko Ito | Jun Javier / Batang Dewey | |
| 1979 | Mahal Kong Taksil | - | |
| 1980 | Pangkat: Do or Die | - | |
| 1980 | Kanto Boy | - | |
| 1980 | Kodigo Penal: The Valderrama Case | Capt. Nilo Valderrama | |
| 1980 | Hari ng Tondo Ikaw o Ako | Bingo Ocampo | |
| 1980 | Tatak Angustia | Eric | |
| 1980 | Siga | Atty. Alex Noriega | |
| 1981 | Kapwa Simaron | - | |
| 1981 | Dirty Games | - | |
| 1981 | Ako Laban Sa Lahat | - | |
| 1981 | Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang | Mr. Delgado / Special Participation | |
| 1981 | Hantingan | - | |
| 1981 | Kamandag Ng Rehas Na Bakal | Sgt. Noel Santos | |
| 1981 | Hostage 72 Oras | - | |
| 1981 | Lukso Ng Dugo | - | |
| 1981 | Deadly Commando | - | |
| 1981 | Solid Alas | - | |
| 1982 | Mga Pambato | Tonyong Blackjack | |
| 1982 | Tres Kantos | - | |
| 1982 | Berdugo | Manuel | |
| 1982 | Annie Sabungera | Randy | |
| 1982 | Sugo | - | |
| 1982 | Waywaya | - | |
| 1982 | Ang Tapang Para Sa Lahat! | Ricardo | |
| 1982 | Zimatar | Prinsipe Akbar | |
| 1983 | Inside Job | Atty. Adolfo Guevarra | |
| 1983 | Pieta | Rigor | |
| 1983 | Kumusta Ka, Hudas? | - | |
| 1983 | Pusakal | - | |
| 1984 | Huwag Kang Papatay | - | |
| 1984 | Isang Dakot Na Lupa | Ador | |
| 1984 | Basag Ang Pula | Fernando | |
| 1984 | Tong | - | |
| 1985 | Jandro Nakpil: Halang ang Kaluluwa | Jandro Nakpil | |
| 1985 | Bomba Arienda | Roger "Bomba" Arienda | |
| 1987 | Ayokong Tumungtong Sa Lupa | - | |
| 1988 | Anak Ng Cabron | Donato Rios | |
| 1989 | Killer vs. Ninjas | - | |
| 1989 | Galit Sa Mundo | - | |
| 1990 | Higit Na Mas Matimbang Ang Dugo | Randolph (uncredited) | |
| 1991 | Sagad Hanggang Buto | Banjo | |
| 1992 | Totoy Guwapo: Alyas Kanto Boy | Totoy Castro/Totoy Guwapo | |
| 1993 | Kahit Ako'y Busabos | Giller | |
| 1996 | Seth Corteza | Seth Corteza | |
| 1996 | Ten Little Indians | Brandon Valdez | |
| 1996 | Huling Sagupaan | Samuel | |
| 1997 | Utang Ko Sa Iyo Ang Buhay Ko | Wex | |
| 1997 | Iligpit Si Victor Saraza | Victor Saraza | |
| 1997 | Jacob C.I.S. | Jacob/Gardo (Edgardo Mactan) | |
| 1998 | Sige Subukan Mo | David/Berting | |
| 1998 | Ang Joker At Ang Pistolero | Marvin / Special Participation | |
| 1998 | Abel Villarama: Armado | Abel Villarama | |
| 2000 | Katayan | - | |
| 2001 | Carta Alas: Huwag Ka Nang Humirit | Capt. Ted Cordero | |
| 2003 | Masamang Ugat | David | Last film appearance |

## Accolades

Vergel was nominated five times.
FAMAS NOMINATION
1989 Best Actor for Anak ng Cabron (1988)
1986 Best Actor for Bomba Arienda (1985)
1985 Best Actor for Basag ang Pula (1984)
1984 Best Actor for Pieta (1983)
GAWAD URIAN NOMINATION
1986 Best Actor for Bomba Arienda (1985)
In 1989, Vergel received his Best Actor awards from the Gawad Urian and PMPC Star Awards for Movies for his role in the film Anak ng Cabron.