NO MORE ‘QUEENDOM’ – There are writers who describe the likes of Judy Ann Santos, Bea Alonzo, Angel Locsin, and Toni Gonzaga as movie queens. While they are popular actresses, they aren’t considered movie queens.
Why? The reason is simple.
Starting in the early 2000s there was no more “queendom,” as cinema was replaced by television. And to date the small screen still rules showbiz. The popularity of an actress is measured by TV impact. Add to that the offers to be an endorser of this and that product or service, shown on television and seen in print billboards.
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THE LAST OF – Megastar Sharon Cuneta and Diamond Star Maricel Soriano of the ‘80s were the last of the movie queens.
Sharon no longer appears in movies, but is seen regularly on TV. Maricel is inactive.
This is not to say that there were no big stars in the ‘80s. Think Dina Bonnevie, Snooky Serna, Vina Morales, but they didn’t reach the popularity of Sharon and Maricel.
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OTHER MOVIE QUEENS – While at it, Highspeed recalls the movie queens of decades past.
‘40s – Carmen Rosales and Rosa del Rosario.
‘50s – Gloria Romero and Nida Blanca.
‘60s – Susan Roces and Amalia Fuentes.
‘70s – Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos.
And as earlier noted, Sharon and Maricel of the ‘80s.
Again, this is not to say that there were no other big stars in decades past.
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BIG STARS – In the past, think of Norma Blancaflor, Mila del Sol, Paraluman of the ‘40s.
In the ‘50s: Charito Solis, Anita Linda, Lolita Rodriguez, Rita Gomez, Delia Razon, Lilia Dizon, Marlene Dauden, Leila Morena, Olivia Cenizal.
In the ‘60s – Perla Bautista, Shirley Gorospe, Lani Oteyza, Liberty Ilagan, Maritz Zobel, Rosemarie Sonora, Gina Pareño, Loretta Marquez.
In the ‘70s – Hilda Koronel, Alma Moreno, Lorna Tolentino, Gina Alajar, Elizabeth Orpesa, Amy Austria, Gloria Diaz, Pilar Pilapil, Boots Anson-Roa.
Even much earlier – in the ‘20s and ‘30s, the big stars included Lucita Goyena, Elsa Oria, Yolanda Marquez, Mary Walter, Mona Lisa, Fely Vallejo, Rosario Moreno.
At that time, Rosa del Rosario was already a big star.