Gloria Sevilla: Queen of Visayan Movies

Tuesday, 22nd May 2012

Gloria Sevilla: Queen of Visayan Movies

Not many locals today are aware of the richness of the film history in the Visayas and Mindanao . During the golden period of Cebu Film Industry in the 1950s, one Cebuano name emerged as the “Reyna ng Pelikulang Bisaya” or the Queen of Visayan Movies – Gloria Sevilla.

*image sourced from Famas Gabi ng Parangal

Hailing from the island of Bantayan , Gloria Sevilla was a daughter of a Cebu merchant. She starred in movies like Ang Mga Anak Intawn (Pity the Children), Rosas Pandan, and Mapait ang Balaod (Law is Harsh) to mention a few. She was often paired with Mat Ranillo, Jr. (who is also recognized as the “King of Visayan Movies”) and they were a very popular and sought after tandem at the height of their careers. They became a “love team” on- and off-cam.

Eventually, the couple went mainstream and continued their legacy of being outstanding actors. Gloria starred in many Tagalog pictures. In 1969, she was awarded Best Actress in the FAMAS and in the 16th Asian Film Festival. She was also part of the acclaimed Minsa’y Isang Gamu-gamu (Once a Moth) wherein Philippine Superstar Nora Aunor was the lead cast. Gloria still occasionally appears in movies, television drama and comedy series, and others.

Until today, Sevilla remains to be an icon not only to Visayan and Cebuano Film Industry, but also to the Philippine film scene as well. And when Visayan films will come to rise again, moviegoers and filmmakers will keep looking back at how Gloria Sevilla reigned.

21 Feb 09 | Tags: gloria sevilla cebuano actress, Gloria Sevilla Queen of Visayan Movies
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4 Responses to “Gloria Sevilla: Queen of Visayan Movies”

susan montecillo | May 4th, 2010 at 3:54 am

Greetings Tita Gloria Sevilla! For many years I’ve been trying to reach you but unable to do so. Yet tonight I’ve been lucky ’cause I found your site. Indeed you’re the undisputed Queen of Visayan Movies but I’m also sure that you remember my late father, FRED MONTECILLO, your co-starring actor between 1950-1954, appearing in such movies as INAHAN, MAGDALENA, BUGASMAIS, etc. At his untimely death in 6/20/54, I was just 4 and my only brother Fredo, 3 years old. Then Mommy Trining passed away in 1984, followed by Fredo in 1992, thus leaving me as the sole survivor.My mother told me that You & Matt Ranillo were the Godparents of my only brother during his baptism. I’m now a mother to 4 sons & a grandmom to 5 kids. My utmost interest now is to ask for your help in obtaining copies of the films mentioned above. These filmms would be the precious legacy of my family. Thanking you in advance for whatever possitive outcome of this quest. My business/home address: 66 B. Aranas St. Cebu City, 6000, Philippines. My contact nos.: (032)2623647; cell: +6309173223519. More power to your films & God bless you always. Your help would be most welcome & appreciated. Sincerely, Susan a. Montecillo
aurea loretta r. tojong | May 11th, 2010 at 3:32 pm

Ms.Goria,

Greetings!
My dad, Eddie Tojong was able to tell me years ago about how he came to know you during those times when my lola, mrs. Aurea “auring” Tojong, used to produce visayan films way back 50-60′s with you as one of lola’s actress. Im am presently in quezon city with my kids since 2008 when i became a single parent. I would love to talk or see you. Recently my dad encourage me to get in touch with you. He is 74 yo already and he loves to talk about those times when they are still into production. Would like to seek your advise or rather your help since a very young gay director promised to groom and “alaga” my kids esp my 20 yr old son and my 17 and 9 yrs old daaughters. Since lola is not around anymore, i am not yet used to the ways of showbiz. Would just want my kids to be developed in acting just what lola auring used to do for others.I do understand that you are a busy person as i have monitored since my kids are undergoing workshop at abs-cbn this summer.
Would it be possible for me and the kids to see you anytime at your convenience. This is the only way i can get in touch with you. My mobile phone is 09067016166 and 09238939133.
Thank you you so much for you time, Ms.Gloria.
Respectfully,
Aurea Loretta “ALORE” Tojong
gloria palacio reyes | September 8th, 2010 at 7:19 pm

Tita gloria,

Greetings!
I’m sure, you really knew my dad well,Mario Palacio.He had told me plenty of stories before he went back to the u.s. in the year 2003 of june after his bday, and in the month of september in the same year he died.He claimed that your family was close to him and even to my half brod ferdie,to whom one ot your daughter nadia, if i’m not mistaken,was once stayed in his place.I am my dad’s eldest daughter from his original and first wife in pardo. Well, just want to meet you personally and to your family. As of now, i’m here in manila, quezon city working at newsupdate as columnist writer and managing editor.If you don’t mind, please contact me at this telephone #’s 227-7823 or 419-1845 or in my cp # 09306069622. hope and pray to see or hear from you soon, coz’ mommy lolita bituin, told me also stories about you.
Thank you very much and GODBLESS! you and your family always.

Sincerely yours,
Gloria Palacio Reyes
Mohmad | February 11th, 2012 at 3:09 pm

Sue: Sobrang hslase yun ah, not to mention ang gastos pa! I read somewhere na even if your card was issued overseas, you can book online provided you fill in a local address. Haven’t tried that though…mcd: Hi! Sorry, but I’m not with Cebu Pacific, so I wouldn’t really know

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