FAMOUS – Last May 22, TEMPO entertainment editor Bro. Nestor Cuartero wrote in Trailer on the distinct Batangas accent, “Ala eh,” spoken in the ABS-CBN soap “A Love to Last.” He named a number of Batangueños/Batangueñas, both native and transplanted.
Highspeed follows the example of Trailer and enumerates Bicolanos/Bicolanas. They were born in Bicol; lived and studied in the region; or trace their roots to any of its provinces (Camarines Sur/Norte, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Masbate).
Let’s start with famous sons and daughter of Bicol, in no particular order: Eddie Garcia, Nora Aunor, Amalia Fuentes, Dina Bonnevie, Robin Padilla, Ronnie Rickets, Aga Muhalch, Imelda Papin, Mother Lily Monteverde, Elizabeth Oropesa.
Nora and Ronnie Rickets are from Iriga, Eddie from Juban (Sorsogon).
Dina studied in Legaspi (St. Agnes, branch of St. Scholastica).
Aga (and the other Muhlachs) trace their roots to Goa (Camarines Sur).
Robin’s father and brother served as Camarines Norte governor.
Imelda Papin was years back vice governor of Camarines Sur.
The mother of Mother Lily was from Sorsogon.
Oropesa is the beauty from Guinobatan, Albay.
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MORE, MORE – High speed enumerates more and more stars from Bicol.
Ruby Regala, Rosanna Ortiz, and Rossana Marquez are from Polangui, noted for lovely ladies…. and priests.
Sampaguita’s Honrado-Vera-Perez clan is from Albay.
Bembol Roco is from Naga, related to the late Sen. Raul Roco.
Also from Naga are the athletic Dee brothers, AJ and Enchong.
The father of Boots Anson-Roa Rodrigo, Oscar Moreno, was from Oas, Albay.
Celia Rodriguez is from Irosin, Sorsogon.
Heart Evangelista is some kind of adopted daughter of Bicol as her husband, Sen. Chiz Escudero, is from Sorsogon.
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MEDIA – Let’s forget for a while Bicol movie stars, and focus on media.
Native Bicolanos are Dindo Balares, Butch Roldan, Isah Red, Salve Asis, and of course, the Ramos sisters: Ethel, Len, and Chit. Also Ambet Nabus, Ricky Lee.
Ricky Lo is “adopted Bicolano” as he studied in a prestigious Chinese school in Albay, Tabaco Pei Ching School.
Ricky’s really from Las Navas, Northern Samar.
My assistant, Rodelio “Nonoy” Deuda is from Masbate.