MANILA, Philippines — Veteran and legendary actress Mona Lisa (1922- 2019) passed away on Sunday afternoon (August 7). She was 97.
The news of Mona Lisa's passing was confirmed by her daughter Vangie Bocobo, where according to her, her Mom died peacefully at home, without experiencing pain.
Born in Tondo on June 22, 1922, Mona Lisa (Gloria Lerma Yatco in real life) started her acting career appearing in bit roles. In 1939, using the name Fleur de Lis, she made history when she became the first actress to wear a bathing suit on the big screen. The movie "Giliw Ko" was LVN Pictures' initial film presentation where Mona Lisa played a supporting role. It topbilled Mila del Sol, Fernando Poe, Sr. and Ely Ramos under the direction of Carlos Vander Tolosa.
Image above- From the book, "Mona Lisa, A Portrait (From the Memoirs of a Grandmother" by Celine Beatrice Fabie
LVN Pictures was established in 1939 by three friends--- Doña Narcisa "Sisang" Buencamino de Leon, Carmen Villongco and Eleuterio Navoa, whose initials spelled the name of the company. Their first movie, Giliw Ko, a musical starring Ely Ramos, Fernando Poe, Sr., Mila del Sol and Fleur de Lis (later renamed Mona Lisa) was a sensational box-office hit. However, its succeeding films did not fare well at the tills and in order to save the company, Doña Sisang had to buy out the other stockholders.
Giliw Ko, directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa, is one of the five existing pre-war movies available.
"Giliw Ko" (1939)
LVN Pictures
Release Date: July 29, 1939/
Metropolitan Theater
and August 1-10, 1939/ Grand Theater
Director Carlos Vander Tolosa
Cast Ely Ramos, Fernando Poe, Mila del Sol, Fleur de Lis, Ben Rubio, Precioso Palma, Cecilio Joaquin
"Dilim at Liwanag" (1940)
Atic Inc and X-otic Production
Release Date: March 19-27, 1940/ Grand Theater
Director Eduardo de Castro
Cast Lucita Goyena, Fernando Poe, Ben Rubio, Mona Lisa,
"Tinangay ng Apoy" (1940)
X'Otic Films, Inc.
Release Date September 24- 29, 1940/ Fox
Story Hilaria Labog
Direction Tor Villano
Cast Serafin Garcia, Mona Lisa, Amanding Montes, Prima Vera, Armando Cris, Sonia Reyes, Juanito Lazaga, Pugo & Togo
"Paraluman"
X'otic Films, Inc.
Release Date February 12-19, 1941/ Grand
Story Susana de Guzman
Direction Tor Villano
Cast Fernando Poe, Paraluman, Mona Lisa, Salvador Zaragoza, Amanding Montes, Manuel Eloriaga, Jose Troni, Lina Rosales, Martina Jimenez
"Ang Viuda Alegre" (1941)
X-otic Films Inc.
Release Date: July 31- August 7, 1941/
Times Theater
Music Franz Lehar
In Charge of Production Eduardo de Castro
Director Enrique H. Davila
Cast Lucita Goyena, Fernando Poe, Serafin Garcia, Mona Lisa, Lupe Velasco, Jose Troni, Sonia Reyes, Rosario Ong, Manuel Eloriaga, R. Centenera, Antonia Santos, S. Zaragosa, Juanito
"Intramuros" (1946)
(The Rape of a City)
ABG Productions
Release Date August 11- September 5, 1946/ Illusion
Original Screenplay T.D. Agcaoili
Music/ Orchestration Lucio San Pedro
Produced and Directed by Fernando Poe
Cast Fernando Poe, Mona Lisa, Gregorio Ticman, Zony Quizon/ Introducing Flora Mirasol/ Also Starring Rogelio Nite, Rosa Mia, Jose Sanchez, Davao Santiago, Oscar del Rosario, Tugak, Pugak, Bruno de Romero, Alicia Pastoral
"Kalbario ng Isang Ina" (1946)
Palaris Films
Release Date November 11- 24, 1946/ Illusion
Story and Direction Tor Villano
Cast Mona Lisa, Teddy Benavidez, Rosa Mia/ Also Starring Rogelio Nite, Alfredo de Lara, Lupe Velasco, Quirino Austria, Azucena del Valle/ Featuring Tugak and Pugak
"Bisig ng Batas" (1947)
McLaurin Brothers
Release Date: May 1947
Director Jorge de Santos
Cast Mona Lisa, Ricardo Brillantes, Pacita del Rio, Fernando Royo, Rosa Mia, Vicente Ocampo, Jose Luz Bernardo, Luis Vizconde, Isa Rino
"Hanggang Langit" (1947)
Kayumanggi Pictures
Release Date June 12- 26, 1947/ Dalisay
Direction Paquito Bolero
Cast Leopoldo Salcedo, Mona Lisa, Ricardo Brillantes, Engracio Ibarra, Vicente Ocampo, Rosa Mia, Chipopoy, Jose Camia, Bella Flor, Berting (Wonder Boy) Labra
"Pag-ibig at Patalim" (1948)
GLM Prodyctions
Release Date June 14- 22, 1948/ Boulevard
Music Ray Alinsod
Direction Ernesto C. Lopez
Cast Teddy Benavidez, Mona Lisa, Amparo Aquino, Salvador Zaragosa, Luis Vizconde
"Sunset Over Corregidor (Krus ng Digma)"
X'OTIC Productions
Release Date: December 8, 1948/
Times
Direction Carlos Vander TolosaCast Linda Estrella, Teddy Benavidez, Mona Lisa, Fernando Royo, Bimbo Danao, Rosa Aguirre, Cris de Vera
"Matimtiman (Babaeng Silangan)"
Pangilinan Productions
Release Date: April 8- 13, 1948/
DalisayStory Fred SantosDirection Fil M. PaculanCast Mona Lisa, Fred Santos, Gil de Leon, Aurora Dizon, Tolindoy, Amelia Saginsin, Ric Carlos, Sonia de Gracia
"Sagur"
X'otic
Release Date: June 9- 19, 1949/
Life
Direction Mar I. Esmeralda
Cast Fernando Poe, Mona Lisa, Fernando Royo, Luningning, Bimbo Danao, Armando Cris, Cris de Vera
"Batang Lansangan"
Milagrosa Pictures, Inc.
Release Date: April 3- 11, 1948/ Dalisay
Story R.L. Brillantes
Photography Jesus Nepomuceno
Music S.S. Suarez
In charge of Production Atty. Pascual C. GarciaDirection Jorge de Santos
Cast Ricardo Brillantes, Mona Lisa, Fernando Royo, Pacita del Rio/ Also Starring Vicente Ocampo, Jose Luz Bernardo, Isa Rinio, Ric Bustamante, Ben Cosca, Juanito Guinto, Tony Cruz, Francisco Carel and the Mga Batang Lansangan
"Siyudad sa Ilalim ng Lupa" (1949)
X'Otic Films
(Made by Movietec)
Release Date April 21, 1949/ Life
Story Fausto Gonzales
Arranger Luis Calasanz
Music Josefino Cenizal
Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa
Cast Mona Lisa, Fernando Royo, Luningning, Bimbo Danao/ Also Starring Perla Soliman, Armando Cris, Cris de Vera/ Co-starring Jose Troni, Totoy Torrente, Oscar Obligacion, Matty Torres, Manuel barbeyto, Pedro Faustino, Julio Gonzales/ Introducing Carol Varga
"The 13th Sultan" (1949)
X-Otic Productions
(Made by Movietec)
Release Date September 23- 28, 1949/ Times
Direction Eduardo de Castro
Cast Fernando Poe, Luningning, Fernando Royo, Mona Lisa, Bimbo Danao, Carol Varga, Gil de Leon, Cris de Vera/ Featuring Berting Labra (the 'Sabu' of the Philippines)
"Buhay Alamang (Paglukso'y Patay)" (1952)
Lebran Productions
Release Date September 2, 1952/ Life
Direction Enrique Moreno (Eddie Romero)
Cast Fred Montilla, Anita Linda, Mona Lisa, Tito Arevalo
"Ulila ng Bataan" (1952)
Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date September 22- October 1, 1952/ Life
Direction Armando Garces
Cast Tessie Agana, Mona Lisa, Sylvia La Torre, Boy Alano/ Introducing Ramon Revilla/ with Precy Ortega, Totoy Torrente, Martin Marfil, Jose de Villa, Ben Medina, Olive La Torre, Batotoy, Aring Bautista, Horacio Morelos, Jose Salameda, Ric Flores
"Insiang" (1976)
Cinemanila Corporation
1976 Filipino Film Festival
Release Date December 25, 1976
Screenplay Mario O'Hara, Lamberto Antonio
Film Editor Augusto Salvador
Cinematography Conrado Baltazar
Music Minda D. Azarcon
Executive Producer Ruby Tiong Tan
Direction Lino Brocka
Cast Hilda Koronel (in the title role), Mona Lisa, Rez Cortez, Marlon Ramirez and Ruel Vernal
FILM REVIEW
by Mario A. Hernando
Originally published at The Philippines Daily Express/ December 31, 1976
Re-published at The URIAN Antholgy 1970-79
---to read, click images to enlarge---
"Itim" (1977)
Cinema Artists Philippines
Release Date January 14, 1977
Screenplay Doy del Mundo, Gil Quito
Cinematography Ely Cruz, Rody Lacap
Production Designer Mel Chionglo
Editing Ike Jarlego, Jr.
Sound Ramon Reyes, Sebastian Sayson, Luis Reyes
Music Max Jocson
Producer Severino Manotok/ Cinema Artists Philippines
Director Mike de Leon
Cast Tommy Abuel, Mario Montenegro, Mona Lisa and Introducing Charo Santos/ Also Starring Moody Diaz, Sarah Joaquin and Susan Valdez
FILM REVIEW by Pio de Castro III
Originally published at The Times Journal, January 18, 1977
Re-published at The URIAN Anthology 1970-77
---to read, click images to enlarge---
"Mananayaw" (`1978)
Emperor Films International, Inc.
Release Date May 14, 1978
Story and Screenplay Jose Dalisay, Jr.
Cinematography Jose Batac, Jr.
Film Editor Segundo Ramos
Music George Canseco
Direction Lino Brocka
Cast Chanda Romero, Phillip Salvador and Marissa Delgado/ Also Starring Mona Lisa, Ben Rubio, Rene Hawkins, Joey Luna/ with the special participation of Alicia Alonzo, Fritz Infante
(Synopsis) Letty (Chanda Romero), a sex model in a supper club “fashion drama”, is the kept woman of Ramon Vergara (Ben Rubio), a politician. He is enamoured with her naive amorality and rewards her with ample favors. Dindo (Phillip Salvador), her partner in the act, is a dreamer who hopes to become big as a legitimate fashion model. His unaffected ways are soothing and precious to Letty.
Ramon sets up Letty in a furnished apartment. His wife, Carina (Mona Lisa), expresses her disgust but allows his indiscretions as long as they remain as temporary arrangements. However, Ramon falls deeply in love with Letty and wants to have a child by her. Letty begins to feel the pressure. She does not want to become pregnant.
She leaves the supper club and showers her affection on Dindo, who, it appears, is also in love with her. Ramon discovers the affair and throws out Letty. She is forced to live with Dindo in his small apartment. But Dindo is the practical type and aspires for a higher standard of living. The two soon realize that they cannot live together. Letty goes back to the supper club and dials Ramon. She is now agreeing to his demands — and to his macho domination.
Source: Lino Brocka: The Artist and His Times
"Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak" (1978)
V.S. Film Co., Inc.
Release Date July 14, 1978
Story Celso Ad Castillo, Ruben Arthur Nicdao
Screenplay Celso Ad Castillo, Ishko Lopez, Lando Perez Jacob
Cinematography Romeo Vitug
Some scenes photographed by Ricardo Remias
Music George Canseco
Direction Celso Ad Castillo
Cast Vilma Santos, Bembol Roco/ Also Starring Robert Talabis, Joonee Gamboa, Angie Ferro, Olivia O' Hara, Mona Lisa, Mario Escudero, Fred Panopio, Adul de Leon and Lito Anzures/ Co-starring Miniong Alvarez, Andres Centenera, Carpi Asturias, Filing Cudia, Yolanda Luna, Mervin Samson, Dolores Pobre/ Special cameo appearance of Jennifer Cortes and Diomedes Maturan
FILM REVIEW:
"Pagputi: Birds of Omen"
by Joel David
Lifted from Unitas Millennial Traversals/ 2015
Part 1- Traversals Within Cinema
---to read, click images to enlarge---
"Atsay" (1978)
Ian Film Productions
Release Date December 25, 1978
The 4th Metro Manila Film Festival Entry
Direction Eddie Garcia
Cast Nora Aunor (in the title role), Ronald Corveau, Armida Siguion- Reyna/ Also Starring Roldan Aquino, Renato Robles, Mona Lisa, Angie Ferro, Bella Flores, Nenita Jana, Roma Roces and Amy Austria/ Introducing Baby Herrera
Eddie Garcia directs Nora Aunor in "Atsay" (1978)
"Risa Jones: Showgirl!" (1979)
Melrose Productions
Release Date August 3, 1979
Theme Song- "Simbolo," sung by Yoly Sasis
Story Cloyd Robinson and Ruben Arthur Nicdao
Cinematography Rudy Dino
"Tanikala" (1980)
Cine Pilipinas
Release Date Febraury 29, 1980
Serialized in Pioneer Komiks Magazine
Story Pablo S. Gomez
Screenplay Edgardo M. Reyes
Director of Photography Manuel R. Abaya
Sound Amang Sanchez
Music Michael Nelson
Associate Producer Gregg de Guzman
Executive Producer Rafael Roxas Abaya
Direction Marilou Diaz- Abaya
Cast Susan Roces, Romeo Vasquez, Eddie Garcia and Miss Rita Gomez/ Also Starring Mona Lisa, Joonee Gamboa, Francisco 'Koko' Trinidad, Lily Miraflor
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"MONA LISA: THE VILLAIN IS NOW MOTHER"
by Elsie Kalaw Santos
Celebrity Magazine, April 30, 1980
---to read, click images to enlarge---
