# Ronaldo Valdez

Ronald James Dulaca Gibbs (November 27, 1947 – December 17, 2023), popularly known by his screen name Ronaldo Valdez (Tagalog:), was a Filipino actor whose career spanned almost five decades.

## Career

Valdez started his earlier career as a leading man and was known for portraying paternal roles and antagonists in both TV and film.
Valdez was discovered by Dolphy at a neighborhood basketball court while he was searching for a new actor to pair with Susan Roces in the 1966 film Pepe En Pilar. His first major break came in the 1969 movie The Mad Doctor of Blood Island.
Valdez subsequently did many films in the 1970s and 1980s, where he gained popularity playing important father roles and rich father figures. He continued to be cast in this role in the 1990s and 2000s, most notably in TV dramas such as Mula sa Puso (1997–1999), Ang Munting Paraiso (1999–2002) and Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan (2001–2003), and the romantic comedy movie Labs Kita... Okey Ka Lang? (1998). To later generations, he was known for starring in TV series such as Los Bastardos (2018–2019) and 2 Good 2 Be True (2022), and films such as The Mistress (2012), All You Need Is Pag-ibig (2015) and Seven Sundays (2017). He also guest-hosted several television programs such as SOP Rules, Nuts Entertainment, Eat Bulaga!, Kakasa Ka Ba sa Grade 5?, Power of 10, All Star K! and Sunday All Stars.
In 2017, Valdez was selected by KFC to become the first Filipino Colonel after appearing in a viral comedic audition video for the role alongside Leo Martinez and Pen Medina.
His last two films that he was part of, GG (Good Game): The Movie (co-starring Donny Pangilinan, Maricel Laxa, Baron Geisler & Gold Aceron) and Itutumba Ka ng Tatay Ko (top-billed by his son Janno Gibbs in his directorial debut and starring Xia Vigor and Jeric Raval), were both posthumously released on January 24, 2024.

## Personal life

Valdez was married to Maria Fe Ilagan with whom they had two children, Janno and Melissa, who are both actors. He is also related to the Ilagan clan through his father-in-law Gerardo De Leon, Maria Fe's father, among whom are actors Jay Ilagan, Robert Arevalo and wife Barbara Perez, and Kenneth Ilagan, and to cousin Angelo Castro Jr. and wife June Keithley, and nephew Mondo Castro through his uncle, the former Chief Justice Fred Ruiz Castro.
In 2022, Valdez underwent surgery for prostate cancer.

## Death

Valdez died at the age of 76 on December 17, 2023, in Quezon City. The Daily Tribune, citing police investigators, reported that he had died from a gunshot wound to the head, although the Quezon City Police District said it was waiting for the results of laboratory testing to be released. Authorities later confirmed that a .45 caliber pistol with an empty magazine was found near Valdez’s body. He was discovered by his driver in his room at his home in New Manila and was rushed to hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
Following his death, three police officers were fired after graphic footage taken by first responders of the immediate aftermath of Valdez being found shot was leaked online. The Quezon City government ordered an investigation into the leak while Valdez's manager Jamela Santos threatened legal action against those responsible. Three civilians who also uploaded the footage on social media were also charged for cybercrime offenses and breaches of privacy laws. On January 16, 2024, the Quezon City Police District apologized to Valdez's family over the footage and subsequent leak.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Company |
| 1966 | Pepe en Pilar | | RVQ Productions |
| 1969 | The Mad Doctor of Blood Island | Carlos Lopez | Hemisphere Pictures |
| 1971 | Lumuluha Pati Mga Anghel | | Lea Productions |
| 1971 | Lilet | Dr. Edgar Leynes | Velarde & Associates Productions, Inc. |
| 1974 | Kung Bakit Dugo ang Kulay ng Gabi | | AA Productions |
| 1974 | Fe, Esperanza, Caridad | Ronaldo / Satan | Premiere Productions |
| 1974 | Daigdig ng Sindak at Lagim | | MVN Cinema |
| 1974 | Dalawa ang Nagdalantao sa Akin | | Rosas Productions |
| 1975 | Banaue: Stairway to the Sky | Aruk | NV Productions |
| 1975 | Sa Ibabaw ng Lahat | | Gloria Diaz Productions |
| 1975 | Niño Valiente | | L.V. Productions |
| 1975 | Langit, Lupa at Impiyerno (Pandemonium) | | Emperor Films International |
| 1975 | Ang Pag-ibig Ko'y Huwag Mong Sukatin | | Lea Productions |
| 1976 | Hindi Kami Damong Ligaw | | Lyra Ventures |
| 1976 | Tatlong Kasalanan | | Sampaguita Pictures |
| 1976 | Magsikap: Kayod sa Araw, Kayod sa Gabi | | Regal Films |
| 1976 | Kung Bakit May Ulap ang Mukha ng Buwan | | Archipelago Films Inc. |
| 1976 | Mapang-akit... ang Dilim ng Gabi | | LM Film Productions |
| 1977 | Electrika Kasi, Eh! | | Alleluia Pictures, Inc. |
| 1977 | Ang Diwata | | GPS Productions |
| 1977 | Hagkan Mo ang Dugo sa Kamay ni Venus | | Celoro Films |
| 1977 | Pang Adults Lamang | | Emperor Films International |
| 1977 | Babae... Ngayon at Kailanman | | Melros Production |
| 1978 | Iwasan: Kabaret | | Regal Films |
| 1978 | Sari-Saring Ibong Kulasisi | | Zap Film Productions |
| 1979 | Iskandalo! | | Regal Films |
| 1979 | Ikaw... at ang Gabi | | Diosa Productions |
| 1981 | Karma | Eric | Sining Silangan Productions |
| 1981 | Mahinhin vs Mahinhin | Peter | Sine Silangan |
| 1982 | Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan? | Eric | Viva Films |
| 1983 | Palabra de Honor | | Viva Films |
| 1984 | May Daga sa Labas ng Lungga | Ador/Adora the Adorable | Essex Films |
| 1985 | Lalakwe | Eric Verbo | Essex Films |
| 1986 | Napakasakit, Kuya Eddie | Mello | Special People |
| 1987 | Bunsong Kerubin | Carding / Carling | Regal Films |
| 1987 | Walang Karugtong ang Nakaraan | Mel | Viva Films |
| 1989 | Huwag Kang Hahalik sa Diablo | Satan | Regal Films |
| 1990 | Bad Boy | Ninong Rustico | Viva Films |
| 1991 | Sa Kabila ng Lahat | Mayor Ventura Velasco | Viva Films |
| 1993 | Ronquillo: Tubong Cavite, Laking Tondo | Cesar Moreno | Star Cinema Regal Films |
| 1993 | May Minamahal | Cenon Fernandez | Star Cinema Regal Films |
| 1995 | Campus Girls | Ramon | Viva Films |
| 1995 | Ipaglaban Mo! The Movie | Rosendo de Castro | Star Cinema |
| 1995 | I Love You Sabado!!! | Juan’s father | Viva Films |
| 1995 | The Flor Contemplacion Story | Atty. Romeo Capulong | Viva Films |
| 1995 | The Grepor Butch Belgica Story | Don Porfirio Belgica | Viva Films |
| 1995 | Karanasan: The Claudia Zobel Story | | Venus Films |
| 1996 | Tubusin Mo ng Bala ang Puso Ko | Alfredo | OctoArts Films |
| 1996 | Virgin People 2 | Ama | Four Aces Films |
| 1996 | Cedie | Earl of Dorincourt | Star Cinema |
| 1996 | Isla (The Young Version) | | Four Aces Films |
| 1998 | Labs Kita... Okey Ka Lang? | Kanor | Star Cinema |
| 1998 | Armadong Hudas | Miguel Reyes / Don Leo Segovia | OctoArts Films GMA Films |
| 1999 | Tik Tak Toys, My Kolokotoys | Don Martin | Star Cinema |
| 1999 | Oo Na, Mahal Na Kung Mahal | Tito Paul | Star Cinema |
| 2003 | Till There Was You | Alfonso Robles | Star Cinema |
| 2006 | Sukob | Fred | Star Cinema |
| 2008 | When Love Begins | Leo Caballero | Star Cinema Viva Films |
| 2010 | Rosario | The priest | Cinemabuhay International Studio 5 |
| 2011 | Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow | Donald | Regal Films |
| 2012 | The Mistress | Frederico "Rico" Torres Sr. | Star Cinema |
| 2013 | My Lady Boss | Carlos Strella | Regal Films GMA Pictures |
| 2015 | All You Need Is Pag-Ibig | Jaime | Star Cinema |
| 2016 | Girlfriend for Hire | Bernard "Abuelito" Stanford | Viva Films |
| 2017 | Seven Sundays | Brgy. Capt. Manuel Bonifacio | Star Cinema |
| 2018 | I Love You, Hater | Cesar | Star Cinema |
| 2018 | Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles | Antonio Montenegro | APT Entertainment CCM Film Productions M-Zet Productions |
| 2021 | Mang Jose | Super Lapu-Lapu | Viva Films |
| 2023 | Ikaw at Ako | | Viva Films |
| 2024 | Itutumba Ka ng Tatay Ko | | Viva Films |
| 2024 | GG (Good Game): The Movie | | MediaQuest |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Network |
| 1983 | BLU: Bernardo, Lorenzo, Ulysses | | City2 Television |
| 1997–1999 | Mula sa Puso | Benjamin | ABS-CBN |
| 1998 | Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako | Recurring Role | ABS-CBN |
| 1999–2002 | Ang Munting Paraiso | Martin Dionisio | ABS-CBN |
| 2001–2003 | Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan | Don Teodoro / Miguel Crisostomo | ABS-CBN |
| 2002–2003 | Bituin | Amante Montesilverio | ABS-CBN |
| 2004 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Upuan | Rene Cayetano | ABS-CBN |
| 2004 | Marinara | Don Juan Miguel | GMA Network |
| 2005–2006 | Sugo | Arando | GMA Network |
| 2005–2007 | Bahay Mo Ba 'To? | Nene Mulingtapang / Unyo | GMA Network |
| 2007 | Asian Treasures | Ulysses Agoncillo / Plaridel | GMA Network |
| 2007–2008 | Carlo J. Caparas' Kamandag | Don Pepe | GMA Network |
| 2008 | Full House | Lorenzo Lazatin | GMA Network |
| 2008 | My Girl | Gregory "Greg" Abueva | ABS-CBN |
| 2008–2009 | I Love Betty La Fea | Hermes Tingson | ABS-CBN |
| 2009 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Bisikleta | Lolo Uge | ABS-CBN |
| 2009–2010 | Full House | Lorenzo Lazatin | GMA Network |
| 2010 | Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo | Rustico "Supremo" Crisanto | ABS-CBN |
| 2011 | Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin | Gen. Jaime Sebastiano | ABS-CBN |
| 2011 | 100 Days to Heaven | Attorney Galileo "Leo" Fonacier | ABS-CBN |
| 2011–2012 | Glamorosa | Don Manolo Herrera / Lolo Rambo | TV5 |
| 2012 | Dahil sa Pag-ibig | Don Ramon Velasco | ABS-CBN |
| 2012–2013 | Ina, Kapatid, Anak | Zacharias "Lolo Zach" Apolinario | ABS-CBN |
| 2013 | Kahit Nasaan Ka Man | Lolo Tino Gomez | GMA Network |
| 2013 | Wansapanataym: Sako Lantern | Santa Claus | ABS-CBN |
| 2014 | Ikaw Lamang | Don Maximo Salazar | ABS-CBN |
| 2015 | Healing Hearts | Benjie | GMA Network |
| 2015 | Pasión de Amor | Don Bernardo Elizondo | ABS-CBN |
| 2015 | FPJ's Ang Probinsyano | Leonardo Demetrio / Conrado "Ninong" Villegas | ABS-CBN |
| 2015 | Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal | Himself/lucky player | ABS-CBN |
| 2016 | My Super D | Don Ramoncito "Ramon" Zulueta | ABS-CBN |
| 2016 | Magpahanggang Wakas | Antonio "Tony" Sandoval | ABS-CBN |
| 2017 | Meant to Be | Enrico "Ric" Villaroman | GMA Network |
| 2018–2019 | Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Los Bastardos | Don Roman Cardinal | ABS-CBN |
| 2021 | John en Ellen | Don Lucky | TV5 |
| 2022 | 2 Good 2 Be True | Sebastian Hugo "Lolo Sir" Agcaoili | Kapamilya Channel / A2Z / TV5 |

## Awards and nominations

Ronaldo Valdez was one of the few actors who have won all four of the major awards in the Philippines for the same work. He joined the exclusive Grand Slam club in 1994, when he won the Best Supporting Actor awards in the Film Academy of the Philippines Awards, FAMAS Awards, Gawad Urian, and the Star Awards for his role in May Minamahal.
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| 1994 | Film Academy of the Philippines Awards | Best Supporting Actor | May Minamahal | Won |
| 1994 | Gawad Urian | Best Supporting Actor | May Minamahal | Won |
| 1994 | FAMAS Awards | Best Supporting Actor | May Minamahal | Won |
| 1994 | Star Awards for Movies | Best Supporting Actor | May Minamahal | Won |
| 1997 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Supporting Actor | Nasaan ang Puso? | Won |
| 2013 | 27th Star Awards for TV | Best Drama Supporting Actor | Ina Kapatid Anak | Nominated |
| 2014 | 28th Star Awards for TV | Best Drama Supporting Actor | Ikaw Lamang | Nominated |
| 2015 | Golden Screen TV Awards | Helen Vela Lifetime Achievement Award for Drama | — | Won |