# Mely Tagasa

Abimaela Palomo Tagasa (April 16, 1935 – March 24, 2018), better known as Mely Tagasa, was a Filipino actress, screenwriter and dubbing producer. She was widely known for playing Miss Tapia in the sitcoms Baltic & Co. (GMA) and Iskul Bukol (IBC).

## Early life and career

Tagasa was raised in La Paz, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija, Philippines. At age 9, her family moved to Manila following the end of World War II.
She was already enamored with radio. Once, she joined some friends and auditioned in a singing contest, which she won. At 17, Tagasa was playing roles on radio and set aside her college studies.

## Personal life

Tagasa had three daughters and one son. Her eldest daughter Gina Marissa Tagasa is a writer for movies and television in the Philippines.

## Filmography
### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes |
| 1974–1976 | Baltic & Co. | Liwayway Gawgaw Tapia / Miss Tapia | GMA Network | |
| 1978–1988 | Iskul Bukol | Liwayway Gawgaw Tapia / Miss Tapia | IBC | |
| 1987–1989 | Agila | Lola Belen | RPN | |
| 1989–1992 | Agila | Lola Belen | ABS-CBN | |
| 1991–1996 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Various | ABS-CBN | 10 episodes |
| 1993 | Noli Me Tangere | Hermana Sepa | ABC-5 | |
| 1995–1997 | Wansapanataym | Various | ABS-CBN | 3 episodes |
| 1997 | Esperanza | Principal | ABS-CBN | |
| 1997 | Calvento Files | | ABS-CBN | Episode: "Savage Murder of Maria Teresa Solante" |
| | !Oka Tokat | | ABS-CBN | Guest cast |
| 2002–2003 | Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw | Miling | GMA Network | |
| 2003 | Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw Pa Rin | Miling | GMA Network | |
| 2005–2006 | Daisy Siete: Ang Pitong Maria | Tiya Magda | GMA Network | |
| 2008 | Ako si Kim Samsoon | Judge | GMA Network | |

### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Film company | Note(s) |
| 1977 | Dabiana | | Seven Star Productions | |
| 1977 | Sa Piling ng Mga Sugapa | | Sining Silangan CineFilms | |
| 1978 | Sabi Barok, Lab Ko Dabiana | | Seven Star Productions | |
| 1978 | Isinilang Ko'y Hindi Ko Tunay Na Anak | | RS Film Productions | |
| 1979 | Vontes V | | Sining Silangan CineFilms | |
| 1979 | Mahal... Ginagabi Ka Na Naman | | FPJ Productions | |
| 1979 | Bokyo | | D'Wonder Films | |
| 1986 | Super Islaw and the Flying Kids | Lola Cuna | Regal Films | |
| 1986 | Payaso | | Sialina Films | |
| 1987 | No Retreat... No Surrender... Si Kumander | Honorata | FPJ Productions | |
| 1987 | Black Magic | | Seiko Films | |
| 1988 | Rosa Mistica | | Regal Films | Segment "Mga Dilaw Na Rosas ni Rosario" |
| 1988 | Wake Up Little Susie | Roda | Regal Films | |
| 1988 | Ompong Galapong: May Ulo, Walang Tapon | Miss R. Concepcion | Horizon Films | |
| 1988 | I Love You 3x a Day | Spelling bee umpire | Viva Films | |
| 1989 | Everlasting Love | | Seiko Films | |
| 1990 | Elvis and James 2 | Cher | Filmstar | |
| 1990 | Paikot-ikot | | Viva Films | |
| 1990 | Hindi Ka Na Sisikatan ng Araw: Kapag Puno Na ang Salop Part-III | | FPJ Productions | |
| 1990 | Hulihin si Nardong Toothpick | | Viva Films | |
| 1991 | Barbi for President | | FilmStar Productions Stellar Films | |
| 1991 | Tukso, Layuan Mo Ako! | | Seiko Films | |
| 1992 | Boy Recto | Ms. Ampalaya | Moviestars Production | |
| 1992 | Shake, Rattle & Roll IV | Mrs. Baltazar | Regal Films | Segment "Kapitbahay" |
| 1994 | Once Upon a Time in Manila | Salome Yu | M-Zet Productions | |
| 1994 | Suwapings | | Safari Films | |
| 1994 | Walang Matigas Na Tinapay sa Mainit Na Kape | | FPJ Productions | |
| 1994 | Abrakadabra | Miss Checheburetse | Moviestars Productions | |
| 1994 | Lab Kita, Bilib Ka Ba? | Yaya | Moviearts Films Aries Vision Productions | |
| 1995 | Run Barbi Run | Decia | Cinemax Studios | |
| 1995 | Indecent Professor | Atty. Honorata Morata | Falcon Films | |
| 1995 | Best Friends | | MAQ Productions | |
| 1995 | Ang Titser Kong Pogi | School principal | Mahogany Pictures RRJ Films | |
| 1996 | Where 'D' Girls 'R' | Auntie Pacita | Viva Films | |
| 1997 | Biyudo si Daddy, Biyuda si Mommy (She Loves Me... He Loves Me Too...) | | Star Cinema M-Zet Films | |
| 1997 | Honey, Nasa Langit Na Ba Ako? | Noel's lola | Neo Films | |
| 1998 | Sabong | | Falcon Films | |
| 1998 | Tong Tatlong Tatay Kong Pakitong Kitong | | Star Cinema | |
| 1998 | Hiling | Pura | Star Cinema | |
| 2000 | Ayos Na... ang Kasunod | | FPJ Productions Millennium Cinema | |
| 2002 | Hula Mo, Huli Ko | Lola Apols | Reflection Films | |
| 2008 | Iskul Bukol 20 Years After: The Ungasis and Escaleras Adventure | Liwayway Gawgaw Tapia / Miss Tapia | OctoArts Films | |

## Death

Under a month shy of her 83rd birthday, Tagasa died of stroke on 24 March 2018, aged 82, after being in a coma for two weeks.