‘WALANG KUPAS’ – Living legends and treasures. Screen immortals.
Those words may well describe Gloria Romero, Eddie Garcia, and Anita Linda.
At 80-plus, they are still active in showbiz. Glo’s in GMA’s “Meant to Be.” Eddie’s in ABS-CBN’s “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.” Anita’s in the movie “Tatlong Bibe.”
Why not give them the “Walang Kupas” awards, bestowed in the early ‘80s to veteran actors and actresses, called, yes, screen immortals.
In the same age bracket, more or less, but no longer acting are Delia Razon, Lilia Dizon, Ramon Revilla Sr., Mona Lisa, Mila de Sol.
Glo and Eddie (he’s also an award-winning director) were Sampaguita contemporaries in the ‘50s. Anita was with Premiere.
“Walang Kupas” was sponsored by the cinema group At Iba Pa (no longer existing) and the Doña Josefa Edralin-Marcos Foundation (also no longer existing).
The “Walang Kupas” awardees in the early ‘80s were, as they come to mind. Rosa del Rosario, Rogelio de la Rosa, Carmen Rosales, Leopoldo Salcedo, Angel Esmeralda, Manuel Conde, Lucita Goyena, Mary Walter, Chichay, Corazon Noble, Norma Blancaflor. All of them are now shining in another world.
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SECOND TIME? – The “Walang Kupas” awards –if given sometime soon (only for the second time) should by all means include stars in their 70s.
Still active are Susan Roces, Dante Rivero, Eddie Gutierrez, Ronaldo Valdez, Perla Bautista, Luz Valdez, Marita Zobel, Robert Arevalo, Barbara Perez, Lito Legaspi, Pilita Corrales, Tommy Abuel.
Sadly, Amalia Fuentes is bedridden, felled by stroke.
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IN THEIR 60s – Should stars in their 60s be included in the “Walang Kupas” roll of honor, Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Hilda Koronel are must-include.
Also Tirso Cruz III, Boyet de Leon, Phillip Salvador, Elizabeth Oropesa, Daria Ramirez, Charo Santos, Edu Manzano, Joel Lamangan (direk is also a fine actor), Chanda Romero, Laurice Guillen.