ACTOR-DIRECTOR – From acting to directing is the career move of many a fine actor.
Read that Jeffrey Hidalgo, more of singer than actor, has joined the pool of directors of GMA’s “Wagas.”
Also with GMA are Ricky Davao, Gina Alajar, and Laurice Guillen, award-winning actors now concentrating on TV directing.
Ricky’s current assignment is “Legally Blind,” topbilled by his niece, Janine Gutierrez. Just to remind, the father of Janine, Monching Gutierrez, is the brother of Jackie Lou Blanco, Ricky’s estranged wife. Can’t say ex-wife as their marriage (civil) has yet to be annulled.
Laurice is also an esteemed movie director. Think “Salome” (topbilled by Gina A), “Tanging Yaman” (Gloria Romero), “Init sa Magdamag” (Lorna Tolentino), and “American Adobo” (all-star cast).
Come to think of it, GMA primetime king Dingdong Dantes also tried directing.
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MORE OF – Yes, actors-turned-directors.
Eddie Garcia, very versatile, from action to comedy to drama.
Think of Nora Aunor’s “Atsay” and those Tony Ferrer action flicks and comedies Eddie himself starred in.
The late Eddie Rodriguez of love-triangle fame with Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden, and Eddie as leading man…and director.
Albert Martinez of the underrated “Rosario” with Jennylyn Mercado in the title role.
Boyet de Leon, even taking over Lino Brocka in “Kislap sa Dilim” when the National Artist died in a vehicular accident.
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NORA & VILMA – Even Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos sat behind the directorial chair. Guy in the unfinished film “Greatest Performance of My Life” and Vi in a TV thriller.
Come to think of, Chanda Romero, a fine photographer, also directed a movie whose title I can’t remember.
Stage luminaries Celia Diaz Laurel directed “Ophelia at Paris” (Vilma Santos, Cocoy Laurel) while Zeneida Amador helmed (“Once Upon a Time,” shot in Spain with Cocoy and Teresa Martin).
Robert Arevalo directed the period picture “Huwad na Bayani,” winning several Urian trophies.
More as they come to mind: Bibeth Orteza, Joel Torre, Richard Gomez, Cesar Montano, Ronnie Ricketts, Zoren Legaspi, Robin Padilla, Eric Quizon.
Not to forget the great Fernando Poe Jr…actor, producer, writer, and of course director and National Artist.