Manila, Philippines – Amalia Fuentes, the former Movie Queen of Philippine cinema, passed away on Saturday (05 October) at the age of 79. This was confirmed by her nephew, former child star Niño Muhlach, in an Instagram post.
Fuentes’ granddaughter, Alyanna Martinez, also announced the late actress’ demise via her own post.
“It is with great sadness that I together with my siblings Alfonso and Alissa, inform you that our Grandmother, Amalia Amador Muhlach has taken her last breath this morning in the Philippines,” she wrote.
This was confirmed by her nephew, former child star Niño Muhlach, in an Instagram post.
Fuentes’ granddaughter, Alyanna Martinez, also announced the late actress’ demise via her own post.
“It is with great sadness that I together with my siblings Alfonso and Alissa, inform you that our Grandmother, Amalia Amador Muhlach has taken her last breath this morning in the Philippines,” she wrote.
According to Muhlach, Fuentes succumbed to cardiac arrest at 4 a.m.
“Dinala po siya sa St. Luke’s Medical Center] nung three [or] four days ago. Tapos nagkaroon na siya ng multiple organ failure, tapos lagi siyang nagse-seizure,” Muhlach told DZMM in describing Fuentes’ final days. (She was brought to St. Luke’s Medical Center either three or four days ago, then she had multiple organ failure and she always had seizures.)
Muhlach added that the veteran actress was “paralyzed” and “bed-ridden” over the past four years.
Details of the actress’ wake would later be announced, Muhlach added.
Dubbed as the “Elizabeth Taylor of the Philippines” for her striking resemblance with the legendary Hollywood actress, Fuentes achieved leading lady status as she starred in various films for Sampaguita Pictures during the late ’50s to ‘60s.
Fuentes won the Famas best actress award for her role in “Ibulong mo sa Hangin” in 1967, and the 1973 Manila Film Festival best actress award for “Pag-Ibig Mo Buhay Ko!”
The screen legend was married twice, first to her love-team partner, actor Romeo “Bobby” Vasquez, from 1965 to 1969. Their union bore a daughter, Anna Lisa or Liezl, who later married actor Albert Martinez.
Liezl passed away in 2015 from breast cancer, aged 47. Vasquez died two years later after his daughter.
Fuentes’ second marriage was to American businessman Joey Stevens. However, the union did not last as the two later separated. The couple adopted a son during their time together. Stevens died in 2012.
(Reposted via Inquirer.net)
Movie Confidential, July 1956
Literary Song-Movie Magazine, March 1, 1958
Movie World, May-June 1959
Songs and Stars Pictorial, June 1962
She was called "Miss Number One" when she burst the silver screen in 1956. Together with Mr.Number One, they were introduced in the movie, "Lydia," topbilled by Carmen Rosales and Rogelio de la Rosa. Their screen names were finally revealed in "Rodora" as Amalia Fuentes and Juancho Gutierrez. One of those early gimmicks or 'publicity stunts' being launched by movie studios to pump up interest among fans.
Literary Song Movie Magazine/ 1956
(click images to enlarge)
Left- "Lydia" (1956)- Stars Carmen Rosales, Rogelio dela Rosa, Paraluman/ Introducing Miss Number One and Mr. Number One/ Directed by Armando Garces
Right- "Senorita" (1956)- Stars Gloria Romero, Ric Rodrigo/co-starring Miss Number One and Mr. Number Two/ Directed by Tony Cayado
Left- "Rodora" (1956)- Stars Paraluman, Van de Leon/ co-starring Amalia Fuentes and Juancho Gutierrez/ Directed by Mar S. Torres
Right- "Inang Mahal" (1956)- Stars Van De Leon, Amalia Fuentes, Juancho Gutierrez, Rosa Mia/ Directed by Octavio Silos
Amalia Fuentes, dubbed the "Elizabeth Taylor of the Philippines," was another prized talent of Sampaguita Pictures. She was launched into full stardom together with Juancho Gutierrez in 1956 in the film, Movie Fan. As a young star, she starred in such memorable movies like Pretty Boy (1957); Amy, Susie and Tessie (1960); Estela Mondragon (1960); Dayukdok (1961) and Amaliang Mali-Mali (1962). She was often paired with then reel and real life partner, suave and debonair Romeo Vasquez, (see another post for the Amalia-Romeo starrers), from which she bore a child named Anna Liza or Liezl (Liezl is now happily married to actor Albert Martinez). During her entire career, she was nominated 5 times by the FAMAS and was awarded the 1966 FAMAS Best Actress in Gerry de Leon’s Ibulong Mo sa Hangin.
See Amalia Fuente- Romeo Vasquez Starrers
"Movie Fan" (1956) with Juancho Gutierrez
"Bituing Marikit" (1957) with Dolphy and Juancho Gutierrez
"Baby Bubut" (1958) with Juancho Gutierrez
"Baby Face" (1959) with Jose Mari
"Amy, Susie and Tessie" (1960) with Susan Roces and Tessie Agana
"Estela Mondragon" (1960) with the great Carmen Rosales
"Dayukdok" (1961) with Carmen Rosales and Luis Gonzales
"Tulisan" (1962) with Susan Roces
"Amaliang Mali-Mali" (1962) with Luis Gonzales
"Siyam na Langit" (1962) with Eddie Gutierrez
"Ang Senyorito at ang Atsay" (1963) with Juancho Gutierrez
"Ang Sangano at ang Colegiala' (1963) with Joseph Estrada
"3 Musketeras" (1964) with Bernard Bonnin
"Walang Hanggan!" (1964) with FPJ
"Mga Daliring Ginto" (1964) with Joseph Estrada
"Magandang Bituin" (1964) with Eddie Fernandez
"Dream Girl" (1965)
"Kulay Dugo ang Gabi" (1965)- A film by Gerry De Leon
"Oro Blanco" (1965) with Bernard Bonnin
"Ibulong Mo sa Hangin" (1966)
"Baril at Rosaryo" (1967) with FPJ
"The More I See You" (1967) with Eddie Mesa
