BEST ACTRESSES – Years back, Highspeed and S mag, then published by Aster Amoyo and edited by Joseph Gonzales, conducted polls as to who were the best actors and actresses of the ‘70s and ‘80s.
As expected, Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos topped the polls. The other actresses who figured prominently in the polls were, not surprisingly, Hilda Koronel, Lorna Tolentino, Gina Alajar, Amy Austria, Sharon Cuneta, Maricel Soriano, Snooky Serna, Dina Bonnevie, Pilar Pilapil, Cherie Gil, Chanda Romero, Elizabeth Oropesa, Jaclyn Jose, Cherry Pie Picache.
Then, Nora and Vilma dominated all the awards rites of Urian, Stars, Academy (Luna), FAMAS, and Metro Manila Film Festival.
But Lorna, Sharon, and Elizabeth also won the grandslam awards. Sharon for “Madrasta,” Lorna for “Narito ang Puso Ko,” and Elizabeth for “Bulaklak ng Maynila.”
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BEST ACTORS – Who were the best actors in the Highspeed and S mag polls, circa the ‘70s and ‘80s.
Leading the list were Boyet de Leon and the late Jay Ilagan.
Then came Phillip Salvador, Bembol Roco, the late Rudy Fernandez, Dindo Fernando, and Ace Vergel, Richard Gomez, Aga Muhlach, Gabby Concepcion, Joel Torre, Dante Rivero, Albert Martinez, Cesar Montano.
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DIRECTORS AND MENTORS – The stars of the ‘70s and ‘80s were lucky as they had excellent directors…and mentors.
Think of the late Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal (both National Artists), Laurice Guillen, Joel Lamangan, Joel Reyes, Maryo J. de los Reyes, Lupita Aquino Kashiwahara, Mel Chionglo. Not to forget Marilou Diaz Abaya, Mario O’Hara, Celso Ad. Castillo, Gil Portes, and Danny Zialcita – all in another world.
(Guess updated polls are in order. Actors and actresses from the ‘90s up to today.)