# Rene Requiestas

Renato Licup Requiestas (January 22, 1957 – July 24, 1993), professionally known as Rene Requiestas (Tagalog:), was a Filipino actor, comedian and politician. Requiestas was one of the top Filipino comedians of the late 1980s up to the early 1990s. Requiestas was known for his sidekick roles alongside other comedy actors such as Joey de Leon and his pairing with Kris Aquino in romantic comedies, as well as his distinctive gaunt, toothless appearance.

## Career
### Acting career

Requiestas' early appearances in films consisted of small incidental roles in dramas such as Ikaw Ay Akin in 1978 and Pabling in 1981. From 1987 to 1988, he was a cast member of the stage play WIS: Walang Ibig Sabihin (lit. 'No Meaning') at the Manila Metropolitan Theater, with critic Mike Feria noting his inclination to ad-lib. He would later receive supporting roles in comedy films beginning with Sheman: Mistress of the Universe in September 1988. His performance in Smith & Wesson as the bumbling villain named Don Johnson Waks was praised by critic Lav Diaz, who considered him to have a natural talent in comedy.
Maricel Soriano, who collaborated with Requiestas in the film Leon at Tigre (lit. 'Lion and Tiger'), expressed that unlike other lead actors she worked with in comedies, he was usually quiet and by himself on the set. Requiestas once remarked that the films he does is largely for his mother, stating that "She is already old and [I] need to be sure that everything is for her. I don't want her to experience anymore hardships at her age."
After Requiestas' death in July 1993, critic Mario E. Bautista expressed regret that Requiestas was unable to star in a single good film in his career in spite of his comedic talents.

### Political career

In 1991, Requiestas filed his candidacy for Councilor of Taguig's 2nd (lone) district under the Party ticket of Dr. Loida Labao of Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) for the 1992 elections and later won. He proclaimed on July 4, 1992 after almost 4 weeks of canvassing of the votes, he place 2 out of 46 other candidates and garnered 20,909 votes and he sworn as Councilor of Taguig on July 6, 1992 until his death on July 24, 1993.

## Personal life

In 1989, Requiestas expressed his wish to attend college in order to set an example for his siblings. Later that year, Requiestas adopted a daughter and named her Darren Krisnee, taken from his and Kris Aquino's names. She was born on November 11, 1989, to Requiestas' distant relatives, but due to their difficulty in raising numerous children, Requiestas decided to adopt the child as his own.

## Death

Requiestas died on July 24, 1993, at the age of 36 due to tuberculosis, liver and lung failures and complications brought about by alcohol abuse and smoking. He was initially buried in Manila Memorial Park – Sucat in Parañaque and was later transferred to Cainta Public Cemetery in Cainta, Rizal.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Note(s) | Ref(s). |
| 1978 | Ikaw Ay Akin | | | Ref(s). |
| 1979 | Salawahan | Dimples | | |
| 1981 | Pabling | | | |
| 1988 | Sheman: Mistress of the Universe | Stallone | | |
| 1988 | I Love You 3x a Day | Janitor | | |
| 1988 | Smith & Wesson | Don Johnson Waks | | |
| 1988 | Kumander Anting-Anting | | | |
| 1989 | Starzan: Shouting Star of the Jungle | Cheetaeh | | |
| 1989 | Mars Ravelo's Bondying: The Little Big Boy | Rene | |
| 1989 | Barbi: Maid in the Philippines | G.I. Joe | | |
| 1989 | Long Ranger & Tonton: Shooting Stars of the West | Tonton Gutierrez | | |
| 1989 | Starzan II: The Coming of the Star Son | Cheeta-eh | | |
| 1989 | Aso't Pusa | Boboy | | |
| 1989 | Elvis and James: The Living Legends! (Buhay Pa... Mukhang Alamat Na!) | James Dacuycoy | | |
| 1989 | SuperMouse and the Robo-Rats | Doro | | |
| 1989 | Gawa Na ang Bala para sa Akin | Rene | | |
| 1989 | Romeo Loves Juliet (But Their Families Hate Each Other) | Himself | | |
| 1990 | Starzan III: The Jungle Triangle | Cheeta-eh | | |
| 1990 | Last Two Minutes | Himself | Cameo | |
| 1990 | Small, Medium, Large | Pol | | |
| 1990 | Elvis and James 2 | James Dacuycoy | | |
| 1990 | Ganda Babae, Ganda Lalake | Ututino Camote | | |
| 1990 | Little and Big Weapon | Sgt. Sam Flower | | |
| 1990 | Michael and Madonna | Michael Jackstone | | |
| 1990 | Pido Dida: Sabay Tayo | Pido | | |
| 1990 | Samson & Goliath | Goliath | | |
| 1990 | Si Prinsipe Abante at ang Lihim ng Ibong Adarna | Prinsipe Amante | | |
| 1991 | Cheeta-eh, Ganda Lalake? | Cheeta-eh | | |
| 1991 | Alyas Batman en Robin | Joker | | |
| 1991 | Pido Dida 2: Kasal Na | Pido | | |
| 1991 | Luv Ko si Ma'am | Felix | | |
| 1991 | Anak ni Janice | Facundo | | |
| 1992 | The Return of Long Ranger & Tonton: How the West Was Wrong | Tonton Gutierrez | | |
| 1992 | Leon at Tigre | Leon Manzano | | |
| 1992 | First Time: Like a Virgin | Father | | |
| 1992 | Big Ambulance: Call for Emergency | PJ | | |
| 1992 | The Good, the Bad & the Ugly | Nardo | | |
| 1992 | Takbo... Talon... Tili!!! | Kiko | "Mga Laruan nina Kiko, Tito at Toto" segment | |
| 1993 | Hulihin: Probinsyanong Mandurukot | Syano | | |
| 1993 | Pido Dida 3: May Kambal Na | Pido | Posthumously released | |
| 1993 | Michael & Madonna 2 | Michael Jackstone | Posthumously released | |

### Television

| Title | Role | Year | Network |
| U.F.O.: Urbano, Felissa & Others | Unknown | 1985–1989 | Unknown |
| Sic O'Clock News | Cast Member | 1987–1989 | IBC-13 |
| Mother | Unknown | 1987–1993 | Studio Presents (produced by Regal Television) |
| Regal Shockers | Unknown | 1988–1993 | Unknown |
| Lovingly Yours, Helen | Unknown | 1988 | Unknown |
| Coney Reyes on Camera | Unknown | 1989 | Unknown |
| Bhoy | Lead Role | 1989–1991 | PTV-4 |
| Sa Linggo nAPO Sila | Unknown | 1990–1993 | ABS-CBN |
| GMA Presents: Alice | Unknown | 1990 | GMA Network |
| Palibhasa Lalake | Adonis | 1990 | ABS-CBN |
| Pandakekoks | Unknown | 1990–1992 | Unknown |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya his last TV appearance | Himself | 1991–1993 | ABS-CBN |
| Tunay Na Buhay aired posthumously 20 years after his death in 1993 | Himself | 2013 | GMA Network |
| Sabado Badoo posthumous cameo stock footage | Unknown | 2015 | GMA Network |

## Awards

| Year | Award-giving body | Category | Movie | Result |
| 1991 | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Box-Office King | Pido Dida: Sabay Tayo | Won |