Sofia Moran

Soledad (Sol, Solly) Ballon Magdaluyo (born March 11, 1945), better known by her screen name Sofia Moran, is a Filipina Actress, Singer and Record Artist, credited with over 50 Filipino and International films. The Philippine actress began her film career in the Philippines in 1967 shortly after Joseph Estrada, then the country's biggest box-office draw and action star, discovered her in Manila during a Talent Showcase. She was then known with her birth name, Soledad Ballon who was born in Nabua, Camarines Sur in the province of Bicol. Joseph Estrada, who later was elected as the 13th President of the Philippines [1], with his agents, named her Sofia Moran and inevitably became dubbed the Sophia Loren of the Philippine cinema due to her sophistication, beauty, class, and one of the most in demand and sexiest leading ladies in the movie/film industry during this period.[2]

Career 
Sofia was immediately featured in Valiente Brothers, starring Joseph Estrada, Jess Lapid, and Jun Aristorenas, the biggest action stars in the country in 1968, and famously Directed by Augusto Buenaventura.  

Sofia Moran made remarkable 54 movies between 1967 and 1974, sharing and starring next to the biggest leading male movie stars in the business to include Fernando Poe Jr., Tony Ferrer, Eddie Garcia, Zaldy Zschornak, Vic Vargas and Bernard Bonin [3]

Her most memorable films were  Sofia starred in many of the Philippines historical movie classics, notably 7 Infantes de Lara (1973) as Princess Gismenia, with legendary co-star and award-winning filmmaker, Manuel Conde.

During the 1970s up until her migration to the United States (Las Vegas), Sofia was busy with her Live performances in Manila entertainment venues, such as the legendary Victoria Peak, as well as within the islands in the Philippines, Southeast Asia and major cities in Japan (Tokyo, Osaka). Her Live performances were compared to Ann-Margret and Cher productions shows in Las Vegas.

In 1971 an internationally acclaimed genre film Women in Cages (U.S.), Sofia Moran starred with Pam Grier in this cult movie directed by Gerry de Leon, and produced by, now Oscar legend and winner, Roger Corman. Women in Cages was one of the most successful independent films ever released, and was prominently featured in the Planet Terror portion of the 2007 film Grindhouse directed by Quentin Tarantino

In August 2007, Grindhouse Director Quentin Tarantino said of the film, "I'm a huge, huge fan of Gerry de Leon.... the film Women in Cages is just harsh, harsh, harsh," he said, and described the final shot as one of "devastating despair." [4] Sofia generated critical international reviews from her role as Theresa in Women in Cages  and was nominated as Best Actress in a Supporting Role during the Manila Film Festival [5]

Personal life

Retirement 
Soledad (Ballon) Magdaluyo famously known in Philippine Show Business from 1967 - 1974 as Sofia Moran, resides with her husband Dante Magdaluyo between her hometown of Nabua, Camarines Sur, Bicol and Manila, Philippines Sol's husband Dante A. Magdaluyo passed away in Camarines Sur on February 24, 2019.

Civic, philanthropic and religious enagagement 
Sofia has been very active with philanthropic work at Holy Cross Catholic Church in her hometown of Nabua and the Catholic Women's League based in Naga City

As the President of the Patron Saint of Nabua, Nuestra Senora de Angustia. Soledad is the main donor, benefactor and sponsor of its Fiesta of Nuestra Senora de Angustia every year in May

References 
[1] Presidency of Joseph Estrada

[2] Pelikula, ATBP April 2015/Philippine Sex Symbols

[3] Sofia Moran Filmography

[4]  Women in Cages 1971

[5] Playpen / Women in Cages; 1971 Manila Film Festival

External links 
Sofia Moran on IMDb

Filmography 
The Magic Fighters 1974

Napahiya ka, 'No? 1974

Dial 717 1974

No Tears for the Brave 1974

Kingpin 1973

Siete Infantes de Lara as Princesa Gismenia  1973

I Shall Return 1973

Karateka Boxer 1973

Los compadres 1972

Secret Witness 1972

Bandolera 1972

Walang impiyerno sa Matatapang 1972

Parehas ang Laban 1972

The Smugglers 1972

Batwoman and Robin as Catwoman 1972

Sigaw ng Katarungan 1971

San Cristobal 1971

Women in Cages as Theresa (uncredited) 1971

Ang mga Palaban 1971

Playpen 1971

Castigo 1971

Inday 1971

Huwag kang makiapid 1971

Sophia 1971

Arkong Bato 1971

Isla de Amor 1971

Pigilin mo ang Umaga 1970

Baligtaran 1970

Marupok 1970

Blue Boy 1970

San Diego 1970

Target, Hongkong 1969

Musmos na mandirigma 1969

Franco Negro 1969

Palos Fights Back! 1969

Ronquillo Brothers 1969

Kalinga 1969

Seven Deadly Roses 1969

Ang ninong kong Nazareno 1969

Liquidation Squad 1969

Dolpe de Gulat 1969

Magnificent Karatista 1968

Agents wen Manong 1968

Cuadro de Jack 1968

Dambana ng Kagitingan 1968

Daredevil 1968

Giyera patani 1968

Kapwa walang panginoon 1968

Leon Guerrero: Laban sa 7 Kilabot 1968

Palos Strikes Again 1968

Quinto de Alas 1968

The Magnificent Zorro 1968

Tigre Gitano 1968

Valiente Brothers 1968

Walang Hari sa Batas 1967

Baril at Rosaryo 1967

Buhay Marino 1967

Eagle Commandos 1967

Kidlat Meets Gringo 1967

Magnificent Bandit 1967

Pambihirang Tatlo 1967

Roman Montalan 1967

Pambihirang Pito 1967

Alamid 1967

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