Gloria Romero (actress)
Gloria Romero (; born Gloria Galla; December 16, 1933) is a Filipina actress appearing in film and television. Her career spans 60 years and includes award-winning performances in the films "Tanging Yaman" (FAMAS Best Actress 2001), "Nagbabagang Luha" (FAMAS Best Supporting Actress 1989) and 1955's "Dalagang Ilocana". She is the first recipient of the lifetime achievement award from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). Early life. Gloria Galla was born in Denver, Colorado, U.S. to a Filipino father, Pedro Galla, and a Spanish-American mother, Mary Borrego Miller. She attended school in Mabini , Pangasinan, Philippines. Her brother Tito Galla (1938–1979), was also an actor. Gloria Galla married Juancho Gutiérrez after they met during a film; they had one child, a daughter, Maritess. Career in film acting. Her very first movie as an extra was "Ang Bahay sa Lumang Gulod" under Premiere Productions. She was introduced by her uncle, Nario Rosales, who was Chief Editor of Sampaguita Studios to Sampaguita Pictures. She initially portrayed the daughter of real-life couple Cesar Ramirez and Alicia Vergel, in "Madame X" (1952), and producers introduced her with a stage name "Gloria Romero". Romero got her first lead  role in "Monghita" (1952) opposite Oscar Moreno. Afterward, Romero constantly topbilled box office hit films. She was often paired with Luis Gonzales in a loveteam. In 1969, the pair starred as Ferdinand Marcos and Imelda Marcos in the movie "". Romero received her first major acting award in Filipino Academy of Motion Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) as Best Actress for her role in "Dalagang Ilocana" (1954). In 2000, she starred in "Tanging Yaman" as the matriarch who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Television career. After a long run as a movie star she also appeared on TV. She is cast  in the television sitcom "Palibhasa Lalake" as the drunkard landlady Tita Minerva, and other sitcom such as "Richard Loves Lucy" and "OK Fine Whatever!" as Lola Barbie. She also appeared in "Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan" as Lola Carmela, "Familia Zaragoza" as Donya Amparo Zaragoza, and "Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas" as Donya Valeria Valencia. On April 4, 2008, she was cast with Eddie Garcia in an episode for the drama anthology "Maalaala Mo Kaya" and received a nomination for the role. She appeared on the primetime drama series, "May Bukas Pa", in which she played "Aling Soledad". Romero guested in  the shows 30th chapter ("Greed"). Birthday TV special. In December 2008, ABS-CBN broadcast a tribute to her 75th birthday in ASAP, with guests including Dolphy, Susan Roces, German Moreno, Roderick Paulate, Gina Pareño, Christopher de Leon, Lorna Tolentino, Tirso Cruz III, Ricky Davao, Cherry Pie Picache and among others. Transfer to GMA Network. On February 11, 2011, Romero transferred to GMA Network after being with ABS-CBN for more than 20 years. She starred in her first teledrama on GMA titled "Munting Heredera" (previously titled "Cassandra"). Honors and recognitions. She received a star in a Philippine walk of fame  located at Eastwood City in Libis. In 2007, she was included in Yes! magazines 100 Most Beautiful Stars in the category "Staying Power" and the magazines 100 Most Beautiful Stars for 2009 issue in the category "The Venerable". In 2005, she was one of the 31 women awarded with PAMA-AS Gintong Bai Award at Malacañan Palace, by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. She became the first recipient of the lifetime achievement award from the 1st MTRCB (Movies and Television Review and Classification Board) Award held September 4, 2009, in Gateway Cinema in Quezon City. On October 18, 2009, at the  57th FAMAS, she was awarded the Huwarang Bituin ng FAMAS Award (FAMAS' Model Movie Star), for her durability as a movie personality. She was honored as a "Gawad Parangal sa mga Ginintuang Bituin ng Pelikulang Pilipino" at La Consolacion College, Manila on March 15, 2010, in celebration of the National Women's Month. On the 8th Golden Screen Awards held last April 2, 2011, Romero was awarded and named one of the 13 "Movie Icons of Our Time". Mother Lily Monteverde of Regal Entertainment presented the Movie Icons of Our Time plaque to her. Filmography. In 59 years in the  industry, Romero made nearly 200 films and TV shows for different studios and networks, including Sampaguita Pictures, LVN, Lea Production, Regal Films, GMA Films, and Star Cinema as well as Independent films. Awards. GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards TV Awards Lifetime Achievement Awards