The decade of the 60s saw the emergence of two underrated action stars--- Roberto Gonzalez, dubbed hari ng karate (or karate king) and Bernard Belleza, another Pinoy James Bond.
Roberto Gonzales was launched in 1967 via Hari ng Karate, where he popularized karate, a form of Japanese martial arts. A reel and real-life karateka (karate practitioner) expert, Gonzalez soon doing movies where he indulged mostly in karate scenes in such movies as Digmaan sa Karate (1967) and Bertong Karate (1967).
Bernard Belleza, on the other hand, was another martial arts expert who was introduced into the movie world in the mold of James Bond (Belleza married then sex siren Divina Valencia and had a son named Dranreb). Considered as B-movie actors (not in the category of then established action greats as FPJ, Joseph Estrada, Zaldy Zshornack, Jess Lapid and Romeo Vasquez), Gonzales and Belleza however, managed to curve a name for themselves in the local movie scene. Both actors appeared in various action movies showing their skills and expertise in self-defense and martial arts.
"Bertong Karate" (1967)-Stars Roberto Gonzalez, Liberty Ilagan and Rolando Gonzalez/ with Eddie Torrente/ Directed by Solano Gaudite
"Pambihirang Pito" (1967) - Stars Roberto Gonzalez, Sofia Moran, Marissa Delgado and Rolando Gonzalez/ Directed by Romy Villaflor
"Master Fighter" (1967) - with Roberto Gonzalez and Liberty Ilagan/ with Johnny Monteiro, Eddie Torrente, Anna Ledesma/ Directed by Solano Gaudite
"Chaku Judo Aikido O Karate" (1968) - Stars Roberto Gonzalez, Josephine Garcia and Rolando Gonzales/ with Dante varona, Protacio Dee, Martin Marfil/ Directed by R.G.
"Hari ng Slums" (1968)- Stars Roberto Gonzalez, Elvie Gonzales, Stella Suarez, Eddie Torrente, Tony Villar and Rolando Gonzalez/ Directed by Solano Gaudite
"Habang Ako'ng Batas" (1971) - Stars Roberto Gonzalez, Jules King, Aurora Salve, Renato Robles, Omar Boy Camar, Ernie Ortega and Rolando Gonzalez/ Directed by Solano Gaudite
"Kontra Hari" (1971) - Stars Roberto Gonzalez, Pilar Pilapil, Romy Diaz and Rosanna Ortiz/ with Omr Boy Camar, Jose Vergara, Ben Perez/ Directed by Solano Gaudite
"Sa Kamay ng Tatlong Takas" (1971)- Stars Roberto Gonzalez, Dante Varona, Romy Diaz and Yvonne/ Directed by Flor Bien
"Alexander Bilis" (1967) - Stars Bernard Belleza, Lucita Soriano, Peggy Williams, Cora Valdez, Doris Dee and Verna Gaston/ Directed by Ben Feleo
"We Only Live Wais" (1968) - Stars Bernard Belleza, Tugak, Pugak, Pabo, Toto, Ponga, Tintoy, Joseph Polk, Pepot and Jerry Pons & Cachupoy/ Story and screenplay by Celso Ad Castillo/ Directed by Luis San Juan
"Honey and West" (1968) - Stars Bernard Belleza and Shirley Gorospe/ with Joe Garcia, Ruben Ramos/ Directed by Ben Feleo
solano guadite was my grandfather. he directed several of the movies roberto gonzalez appeared in. sadly, i have just returned home from his funeral.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting all of this old pictures of my Father Roberto Gonzalez.
ReplyDeleteJust came home from his wake. He died Last thursday. Feb 5,2009 at the age of 66.
Hi! Can you email me as to the details of your father's death. I admired your dad and oe of the finest action stars of the 60s. Condolence!
ReplyDeleteisang movie niya back in the 70's meron ako"ACTION FORCE" kasama niya sina eddie garcia at jun aristorenas.
ReplyDeleteI watch all the 1960's pinoy action flicks when I was six years old at that time my favorites like Fernando Poe Jr Joseph Estrada Jess Lapid Bernard Bonnin Roberto Gonzalez and other action greats of the era in Philippine movie history.Thanks!!From:Wayne
DeleteHe was born in 1945 in Manila Filipino actor martial artist and athlete noted for its skills in karate and hapkido he is a B-movie action hero has siblings Rolando Gonzalez and Magna Gonzalez are both actors and actresses played in action movies during the 1960's and 1970's era died in 2009 at the age of 66 in Manila due to heart attack his career lost his home and her wife Rina Imperial
ReplyDeletenow based in Los Angeles with his family and remarried to American..remains a legendary action stars of all time.Yhanks!!!From:Wayne
The stuntman of Bernard belleza in the movie daredevil, motor kid and kilabot sa Luzon and two other movies which Bernard belleza is the actor. My dad was the double or stuntman of Bernard belleza. I like to request if it's possible to watch the movie or if the film still exist I'm wondering if we could have a copy of it coz Id like to surprise my dad and it would be really great to have that.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe stuntman of Bernard belleza in the movie daredevil, motor kid and kilabot sa Luzon and two other movies which Bernard belleza is the actor. My dad was the double or stuntman of Bernard belleza. I like to request if it's possible to watch the movie or if the film still exist I'm wondering if we could have a copy of it coz Id like to surprise my dad and it would be really great to have that.
ReplyDeleteFrom: Manuel "king" Garcia Jr.
The stuntman of Bernard belleza in the movie daredevil, motor kid and kilabot sa Luzon and two other movies which Bernard belleza is the actor. My dad was the double or stuntman of Bernard belleza. I like to request if it's possible to watch the movie or if the film still exist I'm wondering if we could have a copy of it coz Id like to surprise my dad and it would be really great to have that.
ReplyDeleteFrom: Manuel "king" Garcia Jr.