ROMEO VASQUEZ, 78

May 3, 2017--- Veteran actor Romeo "Bobby" Vasquez, Ricardo Sumilang in real life, passed away in Los Angeles on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila). He was 78. 

Vasquez, a popular actor in his time, starred in many unforgettable and memorable movies with former wife, Amalia Fuentes, whose screen tandem was one of the most loved, closely followed and successful love teams in the history of Philippine cinema. The two appeared in such hits as “Ako’y Iyong-Iyo” (1963); “Ang Mahal Ko’y Ikaw” (1963); “Sa Muling Pagkikita” (1963); “Sapagka’t Ikaw a Akin” (1965); “Ikaw ang Gabi at ang Awit” (1966), among others. 

He was also known for his work in "Sino ang Maysala?" (1957), “Ako ang Maysala” (1958), where he won the Golden Harvest Award for best actor; "Isinakdal ko ang aking ama" (1960), "Dugo sa aking kamay" (1961) and "Maruja" (1967), where he was paired with another movie icon, Susan Roces.

Vasquez was married to actress Amalia Fuentes, mother of late actress Liezl Martinez.

Liezl has three children with actor Albert Martinez - Alyanna, Alfonso and Alyssa. "Reunited now in heaven with Mama on her 32nd wedding anniversary #LoloBobby," Alyanna shared in an Instagram post. 

Romeo Vasquez started in the movies as an extra. In his first movie exposure, all he did was to pass in front of the camera and that was all. He appeared in small and bit roles in seven more movies before he got his first big break in the movie Lydia in 1956 where he played the role of a younger brother of Amalia Fuentes. He was introduced and launched together with Susan Roces also that year in the movie Miss Tilapia. In 1957, Romeo gave a superb performance in Sino ang Maysala? which paved the way for his first starring role in Pretty Boy. He capped this with an award-winning performance in the movie, Ako ang Maysala in 1958. He won the Golden Harvest Award for Best Actor.

Trivia: When he was just starting, Romeo was told to report to the studio with two suits and six polo shirts. Just new in the field and didn’t have any suit, he went to his friends to borrow. Feeling very proud because he thought he would get a big role as he was asked to bring 2 suits and 6 polo shirts. It turned out that he would be pushed into the swimming pool by Lolita Rodriguez, the lead actress. But even he was all wet, his spirit was not dampened. He climbed out the pool still liking the job.

Source- Movie World Magazine/
March 1963

See Romeo Vasquez- Early Movie Career- 50s to 60s
See Romeo Vasquez- Amalia Fuentes Starrers
See Romeo Vasquez on a brink of death-October 4, 1967

Lydia (1956)- Stars Carmen Rosales, Rogelio dela Rosa, Paraluman/ with Amalia Fuentes and Romeo Vasquez (uncredited)/Directed by Armando Garces

Miss Tilapia (1956)- Stars Gloria Romero, Ric Rodrigo/ Introducing Susan Roces and Romeo Vasquez/ Directed by Mar S. Torres

Ismol Bat Teribol (1957)- Stars Luis Gonzales, Amalia Fuentes, Nelly Baylon, Romeo Vasquez, Tony Marzan, Boy Planas/ Directed by Jose de Villa

Sino ang Maysala (1957)- Stars Rogelio de la Rosa, Gloria Romero, Paraluman, Ric Rodrigo, Lolita Rodriguez, Luis Gonzales, Rosa Mia, Susan Roces and Romeo Vasquez/ Directed by Armando Garces

Mga Anak ng Diyos (1957)- Stars Gloria Romero, Rita Gomez, Lolita Rodriguez, Van de Leon, Juancho Gutierrez, Susan Roces, Rosa Mia, Romeo Vasquez, Tony Marzan/ Directed by Mar S. Torres, Armando Garces and Conrado Conde

Pretty Boy (1957)- Stars Romeo Vasquez, Van de Leon, Amalia Fuentes, Rosa Mia, Rod Navarro, Zeny Zabala/ Directed by Armando Garces

Mga Ligaw na Bulaklak (1957)- Stars Susan Roces, Romeo Vasquez, Daisy Romualdez, Tony Marzan, Eddie Garcia and introducing Marlene Dauden/Directed by Tony Cayado

Prinsesa Gusgusin (1957)- Stars Susan Roces, Romeo Vasquez, Tito Galla, Nelly Baylon, Bella Flores, Zeny Zabala, Rod Navarro/ Directed byCarlos Vander Tolosa

Ate Barbara (1957)- Stars Romeo Vasquez, Barbara Perez, Panchito Alba, Precy Ortega, Meldy Corrales, Venchito Galvez/ Diected by Octavio Silos

Ako ang Maysala (1958)- Stars Amalia Fuentes, Romeo Vasquez, Rosa Mia and Van de Leon/ Directed by Armando Garces