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| Alicia Vergel. Image: Beverly Vergel |
It is a rarity among actors and actresses today to possess
certain versatility in the way they project themselves in the camera. Some are
good in drama, others excel in comedy, many though are simply too good-looking
to give a rousing performance. But the same could never be said of Alicia
Vergel, the screen thespian who reigned in the 50s and 60s. She was pretty as much
as she was talented and versatile as a performer. She proved her mettle in action
flicks many times over but more than held her own in a slew of drama and comedy
features, too. But among her many performances, it was her stint in the action
genre that made her the indelible and unforgettable queen of action movies. She
had such an agile physique that she didn’t need to have a double to perform
even the riskiest scenes actresses of her days dared not do. Years later, she
entered public service and kept her life literally in “action” despite the lack
of klieg and glitter that filmdom had to offer. Nevertheless, she sporadically
lent her acting prowess to a few but worthwhile pictures in the 70s and 80s.
These, she did while staying true to the vow of motherhood, rearing her
children, who themselves carved their niches in show business. Indeed, Alicia
Vergel is one, true lady for all seasons.
Early Years in Acting
Alicia Vergel started her acting career in Sampaguita
Pictures, where she had a cameo role in the Tita Duran-Pancho Magalona starrer Milagro ng Birhen ng mga Rosas, a 1949
film that depicted a real-life miraculous event in Lipa, Batangas. In 1950, she
landed a role in a “dream sequence” production number in the musical Huwag Ka Nang Magtampo. The film also
saw Paraluman, Linda Estrella, Lillian Leonardo, Maria Corazon, Lita Rio, Norma
Vales and Tessie Quintana do the routine performances.
Career Heights
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| Huling Patak ng Dugo (1950) |
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| Bernardo Carpio (1951) |
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| Berdugo ng mga Anghel (1951) |
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| Basahang Ginto (1952) |
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| Madam X (1952) |
Alicia Vergel’s star began to shine after being cast
opposite Pancho Magalona in the action flick Huling Patak ng Dugo in 1950. This was when she saw promise as a
leading-lady doubled as an action star. She eventually reigned supreme as the
country’s Queen of Action Movies, appearing opposite reel and real life
romantic partner Cesar Ramirez in such films as Bernardo Carpio (1951), Espada
(1952), Diwani (1953), Ukala (1954), and Lupang Hinirang (1955), perhaps their most unforgettable film
together.
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| MN (1954) |
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| Ukala: Ang Walang Suko (1954) |
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| Balisong (1955) |
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| Lupang Kayumanggi (1955) |
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| Mambo-Dyambo (1955) |
Vergel was also comfortable in starring with other leading
mans, including Fred Montilla in Tenyente
Ramirez (1951), Oscar Moreno in Dugong
Bughaw (1951) and Ramon Revilla in Balisong
(1955). Vergel was equally adept in drama and in comedy, as she was
at home in performing feisty and tough characters. For her dramatic outings,
she was well-received in Madam x
(1952), where her character was based on the life of a millionairess and in MN (1954), where her durability as an
actress came face to face with drama queen Carmen Rosales’ own. Her stint in
comedy, especially in the film Mambo-Jumbo
(1955) opposite Dolphy was also well-received by audience and critics alike.
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| Taong Putik (1956) |
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| Kahariang Bato (1957) |
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| Maskara (1957) |
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| The Day of the Trumpet (1957) |
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| Anak ng Lasengga (1958) |
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| Cavalry Command (1958) |
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| Obra Maestra (1958) |
Thereafter, Vergel kept herself busy as a public servant
after getting elected as barangay captain of Brgy. Santo Domingo in Quezon
City, a position she held for 22 years. She occasionally got lured from
semiretirement whenever meaty roles came her way, such as starring with her own
son Ace Vergel in the film Inay
(1977). She also lent her dramatic appeal in such tearjerkers as Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-ibig? (1987), Isusumbong Kita sa Diyos (1998) and Mundo Man Ay Magunaw (1990).
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| Kadenang Putik (1960) |
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| Inay (1977) |
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| Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-ibig? (1987) |
Career Achievements
Vergel’s career has been highlighted by many spotlights. In
a time when actresses used doubles when doing difficult stunts, Vergel insisted
on doing them on her own. She was also the only actress during her generation
to enjoy enormous popularity as an action film regular. In the awards
department, Vergel was the first actress to grab the Maria Clara Award for Best
Supporting Actress for her role in Mapuputing
Kamay (1950). She was also the first actress to win the Filipino Academy of
Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) award for Best Actress for her role in Basahang Ginto (1952).
Personal life
Alicia Vergel was born on June 7, 1927. Her real name was
Erlinda Gaerlan Asturias. She was married to screen partner Cesar Ramirez and they
had two children: Ace Vergel, who went on as the "the Bad Boy of the Philippine
Cinema” and Beverly Vergel, an actress, acting coach and director of the
ABS-CBN Center for Communication Arts, Inc. Vergel and Ramirez separated;
Vergel married another man and they had another child, Mike Vergel. She died in
1992.
Filmography
1990 Mundo man ay magunaw
1989 Bakit iisa lamang ang puso?
1988 Isusumbong kita sa Diyos
1987 Saan nagtatago ang pag-ibig?
1985 Victor Lopez Jr.
1985 Jandro Nakpil: halang ang kaluluwa
1977 Inay
1976 Tatlong kasalanan
1965 Tagani
1961 Konsiyerto ng kamatayan (segment "Noche Azul")
1960 Kadenang putik
1958 Anak ng lasengga
1958 Cavalry Command
1958 Obra Maestra (segment "Macao")
1957 Kahariang bato
1957 Maskara
1956 Taong putik
1955 Mambo-dyambo
1955 Lupang kayumanggi
1955 Balisong
1955 Kuripot
1955 Artista
1954 Aristokrata
1954 MN
1954 Eskandalosa
1954 Ukala: Ang walang suko
1953 Diwani
1952 Basahang ginto
1952 Madame X
1952 Hiram na mukha
1951 Bernardo Carpio
1950 Huling Patak ng Dugo
1950 Mapuputing kamay
1949 Milagro ng birhen ng mga rosas
1949 Teniente Ramirez
Watch Alicia Vergel in this film clip of her 1954 film MN
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