BOLD STARS OF THE 80s #9: MYRNA CASTILLO

Myrna Castillo, a pretty fifteen year-old resident of Tondo, was discovered by controversial talent manager, the late Rey dela Cruz in 1980 out of frustration when his prized talent, Rio Locsin bolted out from his custody to live with boyfriend Al Tantay. The young Castillo, being groomed initially as Rio Locsin II, was introduced to the public as Cinderella type, coming from a very poor family. She was given a starring role in her first movie, Ito ang Babae. More of her on the two magazine articles below.

Panorama Magazine/ July 20, 1980


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Celebrity Magazine/ August 31, 1980

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Left- "Ito ang Babae" (1980)- Stars Charito Solis and Myrna Castillo/ with Denis Roldan, Romy Diaz, Johnny Wilson & Gil Guerrero/ Directed by Armando Garces

Right- Pag-ibig Ko, Hatiin Ninyo" (1980)- Stars Lloyd Samartino, Myrna Castilo, Liza Lorena, Ric Rodrigo, Eddie Garcia, Marissa Delgado, Nick Romano, Joonee Gamboa, Roi Vinzon and Orlando Nadres/ Directed by Maryo J. delos Reyes

"Basagulero ang Lover Ko" (1981)- Stars Jess Lapid. Jr. and Myrna Castillo/ with Victor Bravo, Vic Varrion, Val Iglesia, Rey Sagum and Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia/ Directed by Tito Sagum

Left- "Legs Katawan Babae" (1981)- Stars Sonny Parsons, Mike Respall, Bernie Fineza, Joji Garcia, Mon Picazo and Myrna Castillo/ Directed by Tony Ferrer

Right- "Batikan" (1981)- Stars Jess Lapid, Jr. and Myrna Castilo/ with Victor Bravo, Lucita Soriano and Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia/ Directed by Tito C. Sanchez

"Karding" (1982)- Stars Vic Vargas, Gina Alajar, Myrna Castillo, Richard Romualdez and Jess Lapid, Jr./ Directed by Tito Sanchez

"Virgin People" (1983)- Stars Janet Bordon, Myrna Castillo, Pepsi paloma and Ernie Garcia/ Directed by Celso Ad Castillo

"Materyales Fuertes" (1986)- Stars Myrna Castillo, Mishelle Zobel and Lola/ with George Estregan, Dick Israel, Mark Joseph, Bobby Benitez & Toots Papa/ Directed by Tata Esteban




"When Good Girls Go Wrong" (1987)- Stars Maria Isabel Lopez, Myrna Castillo, Mishelle Zobel and Isadora/ with Daniel Fernando, Bobby Benitez, Ronald Nepomuceno/ Directed by Ruben Abalos

BOLD STARS OF THE 80s # 7: THE CONTROVERSIAL MARIA ISABEL LOPEZ

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Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon (1983)- Stars Hilda Koronel, Dindo Fernando, Lorna Tolentino, Jay Ilagan and Anthony Castelo/ Introducing Maria Isabel Lopez/Directed by Romy Suzara

For her final question, she was asked by a judge, the late actress Ms. Rita Gomez—if she was still a virgin at that time and she replied by asking back, "Will it make me win the crown if I said yes?" The contestant, Maria Isabel Lopez, was proclaimed the 1982 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe. Lopez, one of the most vocal, articulate, liberated and controversial celebrity figures, was almost disqualified from representing the Philippines in the Miss Universe Pageant for being a former Gerard Peter model. She did not win the title but went on to become a most sought after actress in the 80s.

Ms. Lopez, who hails from Cagayan de Oro, made her grand entrance to the movie world in 1983 on her launching film, Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon. It’s a big movie with a big cast headed by Hilda Koronel, Dindo Fernando, Lorna Tolentino, Anthony Castelo and Jay Ilagan. The following year, she made a daring career move by appearing in a very controversial movie directed by Celso Ad Castillo. Isla, A ECP production, installed Ms. Lopez as the new bold star. There’s no turning back from thereon.

Left- Isla (1984)- Stars Maria Isabel Lopez/ Directed by Celso Ad Castillo

Right- Working Girls (1984)- Stars Hilda Koronel, Rio Locsin Chanda Romero, Carmi Martin, Maria Isabel Lopez, Baby Delgado and Gina Pareno/Directed by Ishmael Bernal

Left- Hubo sa Dilim (1985)- Stars Maria Isabel Lopez, Chanda Romero, Michael de Mesa, Lito Gruet, Isadora, Tony Carrion, Jaime Fabregas/ Directed by Tata Esteban

Right- Escort Girls (1985)- Stars Amy Austria, Ann Villegas, Liz Alindogan, Jacklyn Jose, Armi Quintana, Vicky Varga and Maria Isabel Lopez/Directed by Tony Cruz

Left- Hello Lover, Goodbye Friend (1985)- Stars Dindo Fernando, Romeo Vasquez, Alma Moreno, Lorna Tolentino, Maria Isabel Lopez and Alona Alegre/ Directed by Ma. Lourdes Salvador

Right- Heartache City (1985)- Stars Chanda Romero, Barbara Luna, Ma. Isabel Lopez, Lyka Ugarte, Liz Alindogan and Tanya Gomez/ with Tommy Abuel and Ronaldo Valdez/Directed by Danny Zialcita

Unang Gabi (1986)- Stars Maria Isabel Lopez, Vida Verde, George Estregan, Cristina Crisol and Orestes Ojeda/ Directed by Anthony Taylor

Silip (1986)- Stars Maria Isabel Lopez and Sarsi Emmanuelle/
Directed by Elwood Perez

Left- Kapirasong Dangal (1986)- Stars Maria Isabel Lopez, Raoul Aragonn, Dick Israel, Tani Cinco, Gino Antonio, Emily Loren, Mina Mirasol and Dante Rivero/ Directed by Nilo Saez Right- Isang Kumot Tatlong Unan (1986)- Stars Jun Aristorenas, Paquito Diaz and Maria Isabel Lopez/Directed by Jose 'Pepe' Wenceslao

Huwag Pamarisan: Kulasisi (1986)- Stars Maria Isabel Lopez, Anna Marie Gutierrez, Raoul Aragonn, Jun Santiago, Tani Cinco, Emil Sandoval, Ursula Marquez, Maureen Mauricio/Directed by Nilo Saez

Hayok (1986)- Stars Maria Isabel Lopez, George Estregan, Susan Bautista, Manny Luna, Albert Eugenio, Maureen Mauricio/Directed by Anthony Taylor

Dingding Lang ang Pagitan (1986)- Stars Maria Isabel Lopez, Olivia Ortiz, Orestes Ojeda, Albert Eugenio/ Directed by Ruben S. Abalos

Left- Bakit Naglaho ang Magdamag (1986)- Stars Maria Isabel Lopez, Manny Luna, Ike Lozada, Lucita Soriano/Introducing Theresa Morena/ Directed by Ronnie San Juan

Right- Mga Nakaw na Sandali (1986)- Stars Maria Isabel Lopez, Al Tantay, Liz Alindogan, Ronaldo Valdez and Stella Suarez, Jr./Directed by Nilo Saez

BOLD STARS OF THE 80s # 5: THE MUDDLED CASE OF STELLA STRADA

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Left- Kirot (1983)- Stars Dennis Roldan, Edgar Mande, and Stella Strada/ with Raoul Aragon, Perla Bautista, Joonee Gamboa, Dexter Doria/ Directed by Arsenio 'Boots' Bautista

Right- Angkinin Mo Ako (1983)- Stars Celia Rodriguez, Ernie Garcia, Orestes Ojeda, Greggy Liwag, Edgar Mande and Stella Strada/ Directed by Mauro Gia Samonte

Stella Strada started her movie career in a very high note in 1983 in Seiko Films’ Kirot. She was Seiko’s top honcho Robbie Tan’s prized contract star. She was making one blockbuster movie after another. Movies like Puri, Angkinin Mo Ako, Hanguin Mo Ako sa Putik, Kriminal and Sex Education were all sensational hits.

In the latter part of her life, Stella’s movie career took a nosedive as less and less film offers came her way, as she decided not to do any bold movies. She became so depressed that she was reportedly went into drugs. She even hired a new manager to supervise her career. On December 28, 1984, she committed suicide together with her confidant. Both were found hanged. The sad story shocked the whole movie industry. Her death has been shrouded with mystery as police authorities were trying to piece the evidences together. You can read all the details below.

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December 29, 1984/ Times Journal/
BOLD STAR STELLA STRADA TESTED FOR DRUGS, HANGS SELF/ DWINDLING OFFERS DEPRESSED HER

Despondency and drugs may have led bold star Stella Strada to take her own life yesterday morning. Strada apparently hanged herself inside her bedroom with Rene, an old friend whose full identity remained unknown to the police. She was known to have been resorting to illegal drugs in periods of depression. She is known to have attempted suicide several times by slashing her wrists. Police investigators raised the possibility that Strada and Rene were high on drugs when they committed suicide. They said the bodies will be autopsied for traces of drugs in their system but the results of the autopsy may not be available until after the New Year holidays.

Emma Ordinario, a housemaid, found Strada, Suzette Bishop in real life, and Rene hanging from nylon cords. Police said Ordinario knocked at the door to wake up Strada but no one answered. After a few minutes of banging on the door with no response from the actress, the housemaid decided to use a duplicate key. Strada’s neighbors at 327 Jose Abad Santos st., San Juan, then heard the screams of the hysterical Ordinario. Rthe police recovered an unsigned suicide note which read: “Mommy, walang nagmamahal sa akin at walang nakakaintindi ditto. Mahal ko kayong lahat. Isang bagay lang ang hinihiling ko. Pakisunog ninyo lahat ng gamit ko at walang ititira.” Ordinario confirmed that the note was in the actress’ own handwriting.

Strada was reported to have been depressed lately because of dwindling movie offers. It was reported that after her successful films like Angkinin Mo Ako, Kirot, and Puri, she became a born-again Christian and decided not to accept any more bold roles. The offers dwindled after that. Ernie Garcia, who co-starred with her in Angkinin Mo Ako said Strada was a loner. He said that during their shooting of the film, Strada covered her arms with bandages, apparently because she had cut her wrists in one of several suicide tries. “I hate to say this,” Garcia said, “but I think she had suicidal tendencies. Too bad because she was a very talented actress.”

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December 30, 1984/ Times Journal/
COPS MUDDLE STRADA CASE

Police investigators yesterday went to town with their theories on the deaths of bold star Stella Strada and her makeup artist that ranged from the bizarre to the ridiculous. So much so that many sympathizers of the bold star were openly wondering if the investigators are not deliberately muddling the investigation “to keep the limelight on them, for a while, at least.” One such theory holds that Strada and her makeup man, identified as Rene Mas, a 26-year-old native of Zamboanga who was residing at Road 29, Cogeo subdivision, Antipolo was a case of murder-suicide. Some investigators were quoted by media men as saying Strada and Mas did not die together--- they died one after another, thus suggesting that one killed the other before committing suicide.
Another theory holds that Mas was, in fact, not just as “alalay” or confidant of Strada but a “live-in” lover. The investigators who suggested this took note of stories that even the father of Strada objected to such a relationship to a point that last Wednesday, he went to Strada’s apartment and scolded her for it. This may have caused despondency for both Strada and Mas that eventually led them to commit suicide, the investigators with this theory said. While the common belief now is that Strada and Mas committed suicide--- they were found hanging by nylon cords inside Strada’s apartment in San Juan--- investigators refused to confirm or deny this theory. They have also reportedly refused to show to Strada’s and Mas’ relatives the “suicide note” purportedly written by Strada before her death. The note was not signed but Strada’s maid confirmed it was written in the bold star’s own penmanship.
There are also reports that Strada left behind a tape recorder of her inner thoughts, frustrations and her goodbye to relatives. The tape is now reportedly in the keeping of Strada’s relatives but the police refused to confirm or deny this too.

Meanwhile, bits of stories about Strada’s unhappy childhood surfaced yesterday from people who claimed to have known her way back. All the stories confirmed speculations that her sad life, her addiction to drug and craving for love that was never satisfied led her to take her own life. One such story, said that she was sexually abused at the tender age of 9 and that she apparently has never shaken off the trauma. Another had it that she was in and out of jail on vagrancy charges. Still another was that she was really hooked on drugs that at one time, she was arrested and policemen found a syringe in her bag along with some drugs. Tell-tale scars on her arms seemed to bear the “drug use” stories.
But most of those who worked closely with her in the movies spoke highly of her and her talent for acting. One of them was Perla Bautista who played the role of Strada’s mother in her first and last films. “Mabait siya at malambing. Para sa akin, she was a misunderstood kid. Simple lang ang gusto niya at wala siyang kibo kung bago ka lang niyang kakilala. Matahimik at sof-spoken siya,” Bautista said. The first movie they made together was filmed for two weeks in Jalajala, a town by the Laguna lake. “Nakilala ko si Stella nang husto roon, pati na si Rene,” she recalled. (Rene is the same Rene Mas who committed suicide with Strada). “Malapit si Stella kay Rene pero sa aking palagay, hindi niya boyfriend ito. Hindi at ease si Stella with other people, lalo na sa crowd. Kung may mga taong hindi niya kilala, kumakapit siya sa braso ni Rene dahil parang security blanket niya ito.” Bautista believes Rene is just a close cofidant of the bold star. “Natural lang sa mga artista na magkaroon ng someone na at ease sila. Naniniwal si Stella na hindi siya mahal ng mga taong nakapaligid sa kanya. At si Rene lang siguro ang nag-uunawa sa kanya,” she said. When Strada was making Matamis ang Nakaw na Tubig in Lucena City with Perla, the actress was quite open with her screen mother. “Naging makuwento na siya sa akin,” Bautista said. Dahil homebody nga siya, naglilibang siya sa Betamax sa kuwarto niya. Sabi niya nga sa akin, nagsasawa na nga raw siyang manood ng Betamax at nag-aalaga na lamang ng mga pets sa bahay. May aso siyang mahal niya, may mga pusa at goldfish pa yata. She kept her emotions a lot to herself. I had still to see her to really let go then, “Bautista said. According to Bautista, Strada wanted to give up bold roles and try her hand at serious acting. “Siguro kayak o na.” Iyan ang sinasabi niya noon at nagtatanong nga siya ng mga pointers sa akin at napapansin ko she was really serious to make good at acting. Optimistic naman siya sa pagtanggap ng tao sa kanya bilang isang serious actress.” When they made Kirot, Strada had no boyfriend, Bautista said. “Pero close siya kay Edgar (Mande) dahil pareho silang matahimik.” Still two years later when they were in Lucena for that last film, Strada confided to Bautista some intimate things. “But nothing about boys in particular, she now recalls.

Left- Kirot (1983)- Stars Dennis Roldan, Edgar Mande, and Stella Strada/ with Raoul Aragon, Perla Bautista, Joonee Gamboa, Dexter Doria/ Directed by Arsenio 'Boots' Bautista

Right- Inside Job (1983)- Stars Rudy Fernandez, Ace Vergel, Anna Marin, Stella Strada, Corrie Henson/ Directed byBebong Osorio

Left- Hanguin Mo ako sa Putik (1984)- Stars Stella Strada

Right- Sex Education (1984)- Stars Edgar Mande, Rey 'PJ' Abellana, Lito Pimentel, Greggy Liwag and Stella Strada/ with Melinda Mendez, Manjo del Mundo/ Directed by Mike Relon Makiling

Kriminal (1984)- Stars Rudy Fernandez, Stella Strada, Eddie Garcia, Tommy Abuel, Donna Villa, Rowena Ruiz/ Directed by Mike Relon Makiling

Puri (1984)- Stars Dennis Roldan, Leonardo Urso, Jose Hipolito, Tani Cinco and Stella Strada Directed by Elwood Perez