# Nida Blanca

Dorothy Guinto Jones (January 6, 1936 – November 7, 2001), known professionally as Nida Blanca, was a Filipino actress and comedian. In a career spanning five decades, she is known for her dramatic and comedic roles in film and television in the Philippines. After signing with LVN Pictures, she starred in films during the 1950s; in most of the films, she co-starred alongside Nestor de Villa. She gained further prominence in the television sitcom John en Marsha (1973–1990). Blanca was found dead at the Atlanta Centre in San Juan City on November 7, 2001.

## Biography

Born as Dorothy Guinto Jones on January 6, 1936, in then municipality of Gapan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines (then a U.S. territory) to an American soldier father of mestizo descent named John William Jones, Jr. (1916–1942) and a local Filipina mother with Tagalog roots named Inocencia Vélez Guinto (1913–2006), she appeared in her first film at age 15. Actress Delia Razon successfully urged the head of LVN Pictures, Doña Sisang de Leon to hire Blanca. She was screen tested on October 6, 1951, by LVN Pictures where she reigned as "queen" of movies for more than a decade, doing mostly comedies opposite the late Nestor de Villa. In the movies, she has played a wide range of roles from a butch lesbian to a nun. She also starred in the hit TV comedy series, John en Marsha, where she played the wife who sticks by her poor husband despite her rich mother's constant harping. In 1958, she appeared opposite her contemporary, noted singer/actress Sylvia La Torre, and Leroy Salvador, in the LVN movie Tuloy ang Ligaya.
Blanca was married twice. As divorce is not legal in the Philippines, she separated from her first husband, Victorino Torres, when their daughter Kay was two years old. She later married her second husband Roger Lawrence Strunk (1939–2007) an American singer and actor, known by his screen name Rod Lauren in Las Vegas in 1979. The couple relocated to Manila.

## Murder and aftermath

On November 7, 2001, Blanca was found murdered; beaten and stabbed 13 times in the back seat of her car in the parking lot of Atlanta Centre in Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila where she worked for the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, attending screenings and rating movies twice a week, at the time of her death.
The prime suspect was Blanca's husband Rod Strunk whom the prosecutors said had hired a hitman to kill her because Blanca had disinherited him from her will. Investigators found that Blanca had up to ₱85 million in properties, including a Greenhills, San Juan condominium worth ₱10 million and a house in California worth US$300,000. If Blanca had annulled her marriage, Strunk would get nothing. But if Blanca died before she was able to terminate her marriage, under the law, Strunk being the legal spouse would be entitled to a portion of his estranged wife's inheritance even though Blanca's will stated that all her properties would go to her daughter.
The case rested on the statements of witnesses and Philip Medel, a self-confessed killer who surrendered to PNP Task Force Marsha on November 19, 2001, and confessed that Strunk had hired him to kill Blanca. Medel recanted his testimony four days later, claiming the police had tortured him into confessing. The prosecutors said medical examinations had found no evidence to back his claim of torture.
Despite Medel's recantation, Strunk remained the prime suspect according to Philippine prosecutors, based largely on circumstantial evidence and statements of new witnesses. Strunk was in the U.S. in 2003 when he was charged with the murder of Blanca. He left the Philippines in January 2002 to visit his mother who was dying at the time and never returned. He was later arrested at his home and detained at the Sacramento County Jail after the Philippine government filed an extradition request against Strunk to stand trial in the Philippines. The U.S. court denied the extradition request and Strunk immediately was released from jail. The Philippine government had filed a second extradition case against Strunk but did not receive any official response from the United States government.
Strunk committed suicide on July 11, 2007 by jumping from a second-floor balcony of the Tracy Inn in Tracy, California where he had been staying for the previous three days.
Kaye Torres lamented in 2008 that after seven years, the criminal case is still pending trial. She stated that she is convinced Philip Medel is guilty of the crime.
Philip Medel remained the suspect and was held in jail until his death on April 7, 2010 at the age of 62. Medel died of sepsis caused by pneumonia at the Philippine General Hospital.
The pending murder case on Nida Blanca was featured in the Philippine television documentary series Case Unclosed as its sixth episode titled "Nida Blanca Murder Case."

## Legacy

The MTRCB named a conference room after her during a ceremony in 2017.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Director | Production Company |
| 1951 | Prinsipe Amante sa Rubitanya | | Lamberto V. Avellana | LVN Pictures |
| 1951 | Amor mio | | Lamberto V. Avellana | LVN Pictures |
| 1951 | Venus | | F.H Constantino, Manuel Silos | LVN Pictures |
| 1952 | Tia Loleng | | Manuel Silos | LVN Pictures |
| 1952 | Korea | | Lamberto V. Avellana | LVN Pictures |
| 1952 | Digmaan ng damdamin | | Artemio Marquez | LVN Pictures |
| 1952 | 2 sundalong kanin | | F.H Constantino | LVN Pictures |
| 1952 | Haring Solomon at Reyna Sheba | | Lamberto V. Avellana | LVN Pictures |
| 1952 | Tenyente Carlos Blanco | | Tony Arnaldo | LVN Pictures |
| 1952 | Babaeng hampaslupa | | Nemesio E. Caravana | LVN Pictures |
| 1952 | Romansa sa nayon | | Susana C. de Guzman | LVN Pictures |
| 1953 | Tumbalik na daigdig | | Tony Arnaldo | LVN Pictures |
| 1953 | Squatters | | Gregorio Fernandez | LVN Pictures |
| 1953 | Batangueña | | F.H Constantino | LVN Pictures |
| 1953 | Hijo de familia | | F.H Constantino | LVN Pictures |
| 1953 | Hiyasmin | | Lamberto V. Avellana | LVN Pictures |
| 1954 | Dalaginding | | F.H. Constantino | LVN Pictures |
| 1954 | Waray-waray | Upeng | F.H. Constantino | LVN Pictures |
| 1954 | Galawgaw | Pilar | F.H. Constantino | LVN Pictures |
| 1954 | Luneta | | F.H. Constantino | LVN Pictures |
| 1954 | Tin-edger | | Tony Arnaldo | LVN Pictures |
| 1955 | Darling ko | | F.H. Constantino | LVN Pictures |
| 1955 | Saydwok Bendor | | Lamberto V. Avellana | LVN Pictures |
| 1955 | Ang ibong Adarna | | Manuel Conde | LVN Pictures |
| 1955 | Indian pana | | Manuel Conde | LVN Pictures |
| 1955 | Ikaw kasi | | Manuel Conde | LVN Pictures |
| 1955 | Talusaling | Julieta | F.H Constantino | LVN Pictures |
| 1956 | Handang matodas | Luping | Manuel Conde | LVN Pictures |
| 1956 | Easy ka lang, padre! | | F.H Constantino | LVN Pictures |
| 1956 | Aling Kutsero | | Fred Daluz | LVN Pictures |
| 1956 | Medalyong perlas (Episode 4: Grand Finale | | | LVN Pictures |
| 1956 | Ganyan ka pala | | F.H Constantino | LVN Pictures |
| 1957 | Sebya, Mahal kita | | F.H Constantino | LVN Pictures |
| 1957 | Kahelyera | | Fred Daluz | LVN Pictures |
| 1957 | Turista | | F.H Constantino | LVN Pictures |
| 1957 | Tingnan natin | | Manuel Conde | LVN Pictures |
| 1957 | Bahala | Bella Miraflor | Manuel Conde | LVN Pictures |
| 1958 | Kastilaloy | Patring | F.H Constantino | LVN Pictures |
| 1958 | Tuloy ang ligaya | | Manuel Silos | LVN Pictures |
| 1958 | Casa Grande (Episode:Third Story) | | Manuel Conde | LVN Pictures |
| 1958 | Wala Kang Paki | | Artemio Marquez | LVN Pictures |
| 1958 | Rosalina | | Lamberto V. Avellana | LVN Pictures |
| 1958 | Anak ni Waray | | Lamberto V. Avellana | LVN Pictures |
| 1958 | Limang dalangin | | Susana C. de Guzman | LVN Pictures |
| 1959 | Baguio Fever | | F.H Constantino | LVN Pictures |
| 1959 | Tayo'y magsaya | | F.H Constantino | LVN Pictures |
| 1960 | Navy Blues | | F.H Constantino | LVN Pictures |
| 1961 | My Serenade | | F.H Constantino | LVN Pictures |
| 1961 | Bakit ka nagtampo | | Tony Santos | LVN Pictures |
| 1961 | Pitong gabi sa Paris | | Eddie Romero | Cirio H. Santiago Film Organization |
| 1961 | Walang sisihan | | Natoy B. Catindig | Dalisay Pictures |
| 1961 | Sikat na, Siga pa | | F.H Constantino | Dalisay Pictures |
| 1961 | Awat na Adyang | Adyang | Efren Reyes Sr. | Premiere Productions |
| 1962 | Jam Session | | F.H Constantino | Dalisay Pictures |
| 1962 | Gulo kung gulo | | Armando Garces | Ideal Productions |
| 1962 | Bulung-bulungan | | Susana C. de Guzman | Sampaguita Pictures |
| 1962 | Oy... Akin yata 'yan | | F. H Constantino | Dalisay Pictures |
| 1963 | Sa atin ang daigdig | | Cesar Amigo | Filipinas Productions and Premiere Productions |
| 1963 | Limbo Rock | | Susana C. de Guzman | Dalisay Pictures |
| 1963 | Ang Babaeng Sputnik | Babaeng Sputnik (Lead Role) | Efren Reyes Sr. | Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions |
| 1963 | Adiang Waray | Adiang | Abraham Cruz | Lea Productions |
| 1963 | Sosaything Tindera | | Tony Villaflor | Sampaguita Pictures and VP Pictures |
| 1963 | Away na | | Fely Villar | Ambassador Productions |
| 1963 | Asyang ng La Loma | | F.H Constantino | Dalisay Pictures |
| 1963 | Ecu tatacut! | | Abraham Cruz | First Anniversary Presentation and Lea Productions |
| 1963 | Isputnik vs Darna | | Natoy B. Catindig | Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions |
| 1963 | Naku... Yabang! | | F.H Constantino | Dalisay Pictures |
| 1963 | Yeba!!! Chi! Qui! Chai! | | F.H Constantino | Dalisay Pictures |
| 1964 | Utos ni Tale hinde Mababale | | F.H Constantino | Dalisay Pictures |
| 1964 | Bumunot ka't Lumaban | | Romy Villaflor | VP Pictures |
| 1964 | Patsamba-tsamba | | Nemesio E. Caravana | People's Pictures |
| 1964 | Everybody dance | | F.H Constantino | People's Pictures |
| 1964 | Pulis walang kaparis | | Luis San Juan | Magna East Productions |
| 1964 | Si Doray naman... | Doray | Armando De Guzman | Vitro Films |
| 1964 | Walang duwag na Bisaya | | F.H Constantino | Dalisay Pictures |
| 1964 | Mabilis... Paa at kamay | | F.H Constantino | Kayumanggi Cinema |
| 1964 | Pampatay Kaliwa at Kanan...! | | Larry Santiago | Larry Santiago Productions |
| 1964 | Pamilya Galawgaw | | F.H Constantino | Dalisay Pictures |
| 1965 | Magkapatid na Jesse at James | Jesse | F.H Constantino | Kayumanggi Cinema |
| 1965 | The Sound of Buwisit | | F.H Constantino | Kayumanggi Cinema |
| 1966 | Huwag kang sumingit | | F.H Constantino | Kayumanggi Cinema |
| 1966 | Utos Ni mayor | | Abraham Cruz, Luis San Juan | |
| 1966 | Wow na Wow!! | | F.H Constantino, Leroy Salvador | Gold Stars Production and Gold Star |
| 1966 | Adyang Batibot | Adyang Batibot | | |
| 1966 | Shake Baby Shake | | | |
| 1967 | Together Again | | F.H Constantino | Greta's Production |
| 1967 | Ayaw ni mayor | | Luis San Juan | GM Film Organization |
| 1968 | Tiririt ng maya, tiririt ng ibon | | | |
| 1969 | Goin' to a Go-Go | | | |
| 1969 | Pag-ibig masdan ang ginawa mo | | | |
| 1970 | Tulak ng bibig, kabig ng dibdib | | | |
| 1970 | Tayo'y mag up, up and away | | | |
| 1970 | Laugh Story | | | |
| 1971 | Family Planning | | | |
| 1971 | At the top | | | |
| 1971 | Laff Story | | | |
| 1971 | The Red Flag is up | | | |
| 1980 | John & Marsha'80 | Marsha | | |
| 1980 | The Quick Brown Fox | | | |
| 1981 | Familia Antik | | | |
| 1982 | My Heart Belongs to Daddy | | | |
| 1982 | Forgive and Forget | Nelly | | |
| 1982 | Dancing Master 2: Macao Connection | | | |
| 1983 | Always in my heart | Rose | | |
| 1983 | Saan darating ang umaga? | Lorrie Rodrigo | | |
| 1984 | The Best of John en Marsha sa Pelikula | Marsha | | |
| 1984 | Da Best of John & Marsha | Marsha | | |
| 1984 | Anak ni Biday vs anak ni Waray | | | |
| 1984 | Sa hirap at ginhawa | | | |
| 1985 | John & Marsha'85 | Marsha | | |
| 1985 | Public Enemy No.2: Maraming Number 2 | | | |
| 1985 | Miguelito | | | |
| 1985 | Like Father, Like Son | | | |
| 1986 | Magdusa ka! | Victoria "Toyang" Salvador | | |
| 1987 | Prinsesang gusgusin | | | |
| 1987 | Family Tree | | | |
| 1987 | Kid, huwag Kang susuko | | | |
| 1987 | Ako si Kiko, ako si Kikay | | | |
| 1988 | Ibulong mo sa Diyos | | | |
| 1988 | Guhit ng Palad | | | |
| 1988 | Sa akin pa rin ang bukas | | | |
| 1989 | Impaktita | | | |
| 1989 | Elvis & James | | | |
| 1989 | Rosenda | | | |
| 1990 | Too Young | | | |
| 1990 | Mundo man ay magunaw | | | |
| 1990 | Hot Summer | | | |
| 1990 | Pangako ng Puso | | | |
| 1991 | Darna | | | |
| 1991 | John en Marsha ngayon'91 | | | |
| 1992 | Tayong dalawa | | | |
| 1992 | Kamay Ni Cain | | | |
| 1992 | Shake Rattle & Roll IV | | | Regal Films |
| 1992 | Mahal kita, walang iba | | | |
| 1992 | Aventures of Gary Leon at Kuting | | | |
| 1993 | Ligaw-Ligawan Kasal-kasalan bahay-bahayan (Segment: Bahay-bahayan) | | | |
| 1993 | Pido Dida 3: May Kambal na | | | |
| 1993 | Humanda ka Mayor!Bahala na ang Diyos | | | |
| 1993 | Di na Natuto (Sorry na, puede ba?) | | | |
| 1994 | Pinagbiyak na Bunga-Lookalike | Dorie | Ben Feleo | Viva Films |
| 1994 | Geron Olivar | Aling Corazon | Lito Lapid | Regal Films |
| 1994 | Kadenang Bulaklak | Elsa Abolencia | Joel Lamangan | Viva Films |
| 1994 | Vampira | Nena | Joey Romero | Regal Films |
| 1994 | Deadly Brothers | | Leonardo L. Garcia | Pacific Films |
| 1995 | Ipaglaban Mo: The Movie | Magdalena | Marilou Diaz-Abaya | Star Cinema |
| 1995 | Ikaw pa... Eh love kita | Korina's aunt | Danilo Cabreira | Regal Films |
| 1995 | Hataw na | Connie Tejeros | Jose Javier Reyes | Star Cinema |
| 1996 | April Boys: Sana'y mahalin mo rin ako | Inay | Emmanuel H. Borlaza | Vicor Records and Viva Films |
| 1996 | Madrasta | Fides | Olivia M. Lamasan | Star Cinema |
| 1996 | Ang TV Movie: The Adarna Adventure | Cedes | Johnny Manahan | Star Cinema |
| 1997 | Batang PX | Cedes | Jose Javier Reyes | Star Cinema |
| 1997 | Babae | Lola Adora | Lupita Aquino-Kashiwahara | Gem Communications |
| 1997 | Minsan lang magmahal | Auring | Jose Javier Reyes | MAQ Productions |
| 1998 | Ikaw pa rin ang iibigin | Dr. Tagle | Mario J. Delos Reyes | Regal Films |
| 1998 | Mother Ignacia:Ang uliran | | Nick Deocampo | Mowelfund Film Institute |
| 1998 | Hiling | Lola Melyang | Jose Javier Reyes | Star Cinema |
| 1998 | Sana pag-ibig na | Linda Perez | Jeffrey Jeturian | Regal Films |
| 1999 | Mula sa puso: The Movie | Carmen | Wenn V. Deramas | Star Cinema |
| 1999 | Soltera | Sandra's Mother | Jerry Lopez Sineneng | Star Cinema |
| 2000 | Yakapin mo ang umaga | Pacita | Jose Javier Reyes | Regal Films |
| 2000 | Biyaheng Langit | Lola Amor | Tikoy Aguiluz | Viva Films |
| 2001 | Abakada...Ina | Matilda | Eddie Garcia | Viva Films |
| 2001 | Love text | Cielito | Rowell Santiago | GMA Films |
| 2001 | Ano bang Meron ka? | Mother Tering | Maryo J. Delos Reyes | Regal Films |
| 2002 | Kung ikaw ay isang panaginip (Last movie appearance) | Fairy | Wenn V. Deramas | Star Cinema |

### Television

| Year | Title | TV Network | Remarks |
| 1960 | The Nida-Nestor Show | ABS-CBN | |
| 1966 | Tangtarantang | ABS-CBN | |
| 1973–1990 | John en Marsha | RPN | |
| 1990–1996 | Lovingly Yours, Helen | GMA Network | |
| 1991 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | ABS-CBN | Episode: Valedictorian Medal |
| 1992 | Mana-Mana | ABS-CBN | |
| 1993 | GMA Telesine Specials | GMA Network | Episode: Tatlong Anino Ng Kahapon |
| 1993 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | ABS-CBN | Episode: Munting Bituin |
| 1993–1995 | Haybol Rambol | GMA Network | |
| 1994 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | ABS-CBN | Episode: Dancing Shoes |
| 1994–1997 | GMA True Stories | GMA Network | |
| 1996–2002 | Anna Karenina | GMA Network | |
| 1997 | Mula sa Puso | ABS-CBN | Main cast with Special Participation Carmen Buencamino |
| 1997 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | ABS-CBN | Episode: Pabango, lipstik at tsokolate |
| 1998 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | ABS-CBN | Episode: Pipa |
| 1998 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | ABS-CBN | Episode: Family Album |
| 1999 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | ABS-CBN | Episode: Forcep |
| 1999–2001 | Pwedeng Pwede | ABS-CBN | |
| 2000 | May Himala | GMA Network | |
| 2001 | Daddy Di Do Du (Last TV appearance) | GMA Network | |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Film or TV Title | Award-giving body | Category | Result |
| 1953 | Korea | 1st FAMAS Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Won |
| 1955 | Waray-waray | FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | Nominated |
| 1963 | Oy... Akin yata 'yan | FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | Nominated |
| 1964 | Naku...Yabang! | FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | Nominated |
| 1975 | Batu-bato sa Langit | 1975 Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Supporting Actress | Won |
| 1984 | Saan darating ang umaga? | FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | Nominated |
| 1986 | Miguelito | Catholic Mass Media Awards | Best Actress | Won |
| 1986 | Miguelito | PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Best Actress | Won |
| 1986 | Miguelito | Luna Awards | Best Actress | Won |
| 1986 | Miguelito | Gawad Urian Awards | Best Actress | Won |
| 1987 | Magdusa Ka | Catholic Mass Media Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Won |
| 1987 | Magdusa Ka | Star Awards for Movies | Best Supporting Actress | Won |
| 1987 | Magdusa Ka | Luna Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Won |
| 1987 | Magdusa Ka | Gawad Urian Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Won |
| 1987 | Magdusa Ka | 35th FAMAS Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Won |
| 1988 | Kid Huwag Kang Susuko | Catholic Mass Media Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Won |
| 1988 | Kid Huwag Kang Susuko | Luna Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Won |
| 1988 | Kid Huwag Kang Susuko | 36th FAMAS Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Won |
| 1988 | John en Marsha | 2nd PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Comedy Actress | Nominated |
| 1989 | Ibulong mo sa Diyos | FAMAS Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| 1990 | John en Marsha | PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Comedy Actress | Won |
| 1995 | Vampira | FAMAS Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| 1997 | --- | FAMAS Awards | Lifetime Achievement Award | Won |
| 1997 | Babae | 1997 Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Supporting Actress | Won |
| 1998 | Sana Pag-ibig Na | PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Best Actress | Won |
| 1998 | Sana Pag-ibig Na | FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | Won |
| 1999 | Sana pag-ibig na | Young Critics Circle Award | Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role | Won |
| 2000 | --- | Gawad Urian Awards | Lifetime Achievement Award | Won |
| 2002 | --- | FAP Awards | Lifetime Achievement Award (Posthumously) | Won |
| 2009 | --- | Cinema One Digital Film Festival | Cinema One Legend Award | Won |