by Ronald Constantino
AROSE BY – What’s in a name? As they say: A rose by any other name will smell just as sweet.
Ara Mina was, for a while, known as Danica Gomez.
Only much later, when they were already adults, did Snooky Serna and Rosemarie Sonora used their family names. Same with Empress Schuck.
Charice Pempengco is now Jake Zyrus and Aiza Seguerra dropped Aiza in favor of Ice. They changed more than their names… but that’s another story.
•
NAME DROPPERS – From way back, stars have been dropping (changing) names.
Mona Lisa used to be Fleur De Lis. But in “Insiang” she was billed Gloria Guinto (her real name) as the French audience would find Mona Lisa unusual.
Danilo Montes was initially billed “Ang Bituing Walang Pangalan” and then Roy Da Silva.
Mina De Gracia – Paraluman.
Ric Rodrigo – Ricardo Montes.
Dolphy – Golay.
From Manfred Romero he became Allan Paule, as suggested by Lino Brocka, who directed his first film, “Macho Dancer.”
The other “Macho Dancer,” could not possibly use his real name, Cesar Ramirez, the namesake of the action-drama actor of the ‘50s and ‘60s.
Luis Gonzales was called “Palengke” in jest as his family name was Mercado.
