Other Starlets, Stars and Movies

Other Starlets, Stars and Movies

This page contains an assortment of information about other bold actresses, actors and movies.

Lesbian Scenes

In addition to the lesbian scenes shown on the pages for Barbara Benitez, Didith RomeroMaria Isabel Lopez and Myrna Castillo, there were two great girl-on-girl scenes in When Good Girls Go Wrong (1987, Avon Cortez, Dianne, Isadora):

    

as well as a hot scene from Island of Desire (1987, actresses unknown):

     

 

Bold Actors

Although this website is dedicated to the beautiful bold Pinays from the 80’s, there would have been few bold films without  accompanying actors. Here are a few of the bold men:

George Estregan

George was one of, if not the, most famous and accomplished dramatic lead actors of the era. Born in 1939, he was a three time FAMAS award winner. He starred in over 170 action and drama movies between 1963 and 1988. Several hardcore “Pene” videos surfaced in the 80’s showing him having sex with various actresses he costarred with.

  

Often these were hardcore clips of actual scenes from his movie. Explicit footage was cut out of the film before it was released in theaters. George was in his mid to late 40’s during the bold 80’s, and some of the actresses were younger than his own daughter, but his public image was never tarnished by these explicit videos. He died from bone cancer in 1988 at the age of 48, and still remains a popular Filipino movie icon from the 70’s and 80’s.

Mark Joseph

Known during the 80’s as the “Pene King”, Mark Joseph (real name, Ricardo Sarzuello) was the boldest leading actor of the era. After unsuccessfully trying to break into movies as a leading man, only to languish on the sidelines, he accepted an offer to appear in the bold film Babasagin. “I used that as a stepping stone,” he recounted in an interview years later. “I did bold roles because I wanted to make a name for myself.”  Over the next four years, he starred in dozens of bold movies, among them, Silip (1985), Bold Star (1986), Black Diary (1986), Kiri (1986), and Hudas (1987). He actually had sex with his leading ladies in the films, although these “Pene” shots were edited out for theatrical release. He later explained that they had sex on camera because the realism would “make a good film.” Although he kept his personal life private, he was happily married, with children, during his reign as “Pene King.”

  

Joseph switched to action films in 1990 with moderate success. In 1991, he began producing his own films, but lost money and left the entertainment business.  He studied chiropractic in the U.S. at the University of the Art of Healing in California from 1992-1995, then returned to the Philippines, where he was a licensed chiropractor in Quezon City. He also sold medical equipment.

Daniel Fernando

Daniel wasn’t a prolific “Pene” film star like George and Mark, but is mentioned because he starred in two of the most famous Philippine bold films from the 80’s. He began his four-decade-long acting career costarring with Anna Marie Gutierrez in the sizzling erotic classic, Scorpio Nights when he was 23. His next major role was in Macho Dancer (1988), in which he played a gay dancer in Manila gay bars. The film’s frank depiction of homosexuality, prostitution, and sex caused the Filipino government to censor it heavily, but like many bold Pinay movies, uncensored versions later surfaced. Daniel transitioned from film to television in 1998, and also began a career in politics. He is currently Vice Governor of the Province of Bulacan.

  

Talent Agents

Rey dela Cruz

A self-proclaimed “star builder,” Rey dela Cruz was one of the most controversial Filipino movie figures of the 80’s. A Doctor of Optometry turned movie talent agent, dela Cruz achieved notorious success by finding beautiful, impoverished young Filipinas and building them into bold actresses. In spotting potential stars, he intentionally avoided “beauty queens and middle-class women,” instead looking for poor, “ordinary persons because they’ll be sincere and persevering.” His discoveries included Lampel Cojuangco, Myrna Castillo, Sarsi Emmanuelle, Pepsi Paloma, Coca Nicolas, and Myra Manibog, among others. Accused in the media of being a glorified pimp, dela Cruz at one point was charged in court for the exploitation of minors, since some of his starlets were significantly underage –Pepsi was barely thirteen when he signed her to the bold film Brown Emmanuelle– but he was never convicted. See-True, a then-popular TV talk show that mostly featured film personalities, identified him as their most controversial guest.

His reputation was made more infamous when Pepsi was found dead in 1985 of an apparent suicide. In a 1986 interview, dela Cruz stated, “I don’t understand why people take my controversial status against me. I provide a living for my discoveries, I give the masses the entertainment they want, and I make a living in the process.” In 1987, dela Cruz was shot to death in the optical clinic where he lived. His murder was never solved.

Stella Strada

Stella Strada

Stella Strada, born Suzette Bishop, had a challenging youth. Her mother reportedly died while she was young, and her father was absent during much of her childhood. She had no permanent home, was sexually molested at the age of nine, and was in and out of jail on vagrancy charges.

When she was 16, Robbie Tan, then head of Seiko Films, discovered her. That year, she debuted as Stella Strada, the sexy star of the 1983 bold movie Kirot. The film was a box office hit and was followed by a string of other successful bold movies with her as the star.

In 1984, Stella became a born again Christian and stopped doing bold films. Acting offers dwindled. She became depressed and began using drugs. Ernie Garcia, who co-starred with her in Angkinin Mo Ako, said she become suicidal: during their shooting of the film, Strada covered her arms with bandages, apparently because she had cut her wrists in one of several suicide attempts.

On December 28, 1984, she committed suicide together with her confidant and make-up artist, Rene Mas. The two hung themselves in her bedroom in San Juan. A suicide note was found in Stella’s handwriting.

She earned a posthumous URIAN citation for Best Actress for the movie Puri. Like Pepsi Paloma, her beautiful flame was extinguished much too early.

Sarsi Emmanuelle

Sarsi Emmanuelle

Sarsi Emmanuelle was a popular bold actresses of the 80’s. Born Maria Jennifer Obregon Mitchell, she studied in Catholic school and had a good family upbringing in Manila. However, her parents separated during her teenage years, and she discovered her wild side. She began a relationship with a much older man, and took work as a go-go dancer in several Manila beerhouses. When she was 20, she was discovered by Rey dela Cruz, her mother’s optometrist who was also a movie talent scout. “Rey approached me and asked me if I wanted to join showbiz,” Sarsi later related. “I thought there was no harm in trying so I took the opportunity.” Dela Cruz gave her the screen name Sarsi Emmanuelle, and she became part of a popular trio -along with Pepsi Paloma and Coca Nicolas– nicknamed by del Cruz as the “softdrink beauties.” In a short time, Sarsi went from earning just P3,000 a month dancing, to an asking price of P300, 000 per film at the peak of her success.

Her movie debut was in the film Brown Emmanuel in 1982. A string of bold films followed, all of which were commercial successes, and some of which were critically acclaimed as well. In 1984 she was nominated for the Gawad URIAN Best Actress award for her role in Tikoy Aguiluz’s movie, Boatman.

In the 1990s, Sarsi disappeared from the limelight. “I wanted to live a normal life again -that’s why I left showbiz,” Sarsi said in an interview years later. “I wanted to be able to do ordinary things again like shopping or riding a jeepney without creating a commotion.” She invested her acting money in several business attempts, none of which were successful. She was last reported living a simple life as a cashier for a booth in a carnival fairground (perya).

Pepsi Paloma

Pepsi Paloma

 

Pepsi Paloma’s story is both tragic and, after all these years, still shrouded in suspicion and mystery. Her real name was Belia Smith. She was the daughter of Lydia Duenas, a Filipina from Borac, Northern Samar, and Kenneth Smith, an American postal worker who left when Delia and her three sisters were still young. She blossomed into a beautiful girl, and at the age of thirteen, Delia’s mother brought her to talent scout Tita Ester, who introduced her to talent manager Rey dela Cruz. Dela Cruz changed Delia’s name to Pepsi Paloma, and she became one of his “softdrink beauties” -a trio of bold stars that also included Sarsi Emmanuelle and Cola Nicolas. At the age of thirteen, she was given a starring role in her first bold film, Brown Emmanuelle (1981). Despite her age, she appeared nude on screen and engaged in softcore straight and lesbian sex.

In 1982, she stared in two more bold movies: Krus sa bawat punglo and The Victim. While promoting one of her movies that year, she met actors Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon and comedian Richie D’Horsie. Allegedly the three drugged her in a bar and then gang raped her in a hotel room. Pepsi went to the authorities and the accusations made headlines. If convicted, Sotto, de Leon and D’Horsie would have faced the death penalty. But Senator Tito Sotto, the younger brother of Vic, intervened. He went to see Pepsi and allegedly coerced her into signing an affidavit that dropped the rape complaint. He did this by “placing a pistol on the table in front of her,” according to an Inquirer reporter who investigated what happened.

Pepsi continued her movie career, starring in number of bold movies over the next few years, including Suicide Mama (1983), Naked Island (1984), Matukso kaya ang anghel? (1984), Snake Sisters (1984), and Room 69 (1985).

But her life ended tragically when, at the age of seventeen, she was found dead in her apartment, hanging in her closet with a “three-inch thick and 36-inch long cotton sash” tied around her neck. Police concluded that she committed suicide due to financial problems, citing a diary found in her apartment. Her manager at the time, Babette Corcuerra, disputed the police report, stating that Pepsi “was earning well” and that she was “fully booked for dance performances.” In addition, Pepsi had just concluded performing the “Pepsi Paloma Show” in beerhouses around Metro Manila, and had three pending film offers from various producers. The validity of the diary was never established, and Corcuerra’s implication was that Pepsi was murdered.

Questions remain over Pepsi’s sad death, but one thing is certain: her vibrant life ended much too early.

 

Olivia Ortiz

Olivia Ortiz

There isn’t much information available about voluptuous Olivia. She had a gorgeous face and body, and was an actress from 1984-1989. Among her bold movies were Babasagin (1985), Bold Star (1986) and Dingding lang ang pagitan (1986). If you have information about this beautiful actress, please drop me an email: timothy@bold80spinays.com

  

Farrah Floro

Farrah Floro

Farrah began her acting career in Ang walang malay in 1986. She never achieved the level of fame as did many of her costars, and only appeared in a few other movies:

  • Akin ka ngayong gabi (1987)
  • Ang anino ni Asedillo (1988)
  • Paradise Hell (1989)
  • Akin Kayong Lahat Kung Pwede Lang (unknown)

She did some smoldering “Pene” scenes, which, though cut from her movies, later surfaced.

    

If you have information about her, please drop me an email: timothy@bold80spinays.com

Cristina Crisol

Cristina Crisol

The daughter of a retired US Navy serviceman and a Puerto Rican/Filipina mother, Cristina (Jean Elizabeth May in real life) always dreamed of being a movie star while she was growing up in Olongapo. When one of her friends told her about a film scout, she applied immediately. Upon seeing her striking beauty, the talent scout asked her to be a bold star in the movies, an offer she quickly accepted.

     

Her fame was brief, and after appearing in about 10 or 12 movies, among them Kikirut-Kirot, Uhaw na Uhaw, Di mahilom ang Sugat and Paraisong Gubat, she fell in love and turned her back on what was then a very good career. Cristina became a sexy dancer after leaving acting. As a star attraction at Manila gentleman’s clubs, she at one point earned over P10,000 a night in pay and tips.

Cristina resurfaced in 2008 in GMA’s Wish Ko Lang, a Channel 7 multi- awarded TV program. She has four children from different relationships and is now living a simple life in Masantol, Pampanga with her husband, a construction worker, and two kids. She has no regrets about her life as a sexy star except not saving more money and not finishing her studies.

Coca Nicolas

Coca Nicolas

Famously known as one of the “Softdrink Beauties” (along with Sarsi Emmanuelle and Pepsi Paloma), Coca was discovered by talent manager Rey dela Cruz and starred in a string of hit films. During this time, Coca, whose real name was Johnnalee Hickins, enjoyed a lavish lifestyle as a bankable actress, with box office hits like Snake Sisters (1984), Naked Island (1984) and Kalapating Musmos (1985).

Excessive vice lead to her addiction to the drug Mogadon. When the Bold Era passed, her film career deteriorated. She took work as an entertainer in Japan, where she turned to alcohol abuse and heavy smoking. Eventually she returned to the Philippines, but she had squandered her savings. She lost her house, and is now battling lung disease from her past chain smoking. Coca said she regrets not putting aside money for her future during her glory days as a bold star.

Barbara Benitez

Barbara Benitez

Barbara’s real name was Angelita Aguas. Her slender figure, babyface and beautiful smile captured the interest of Regal Films producer Mother Lily and director Marilou Diaz-Abaya, who gave her the screen name Barbara Benitez. Her short bold career was launched in the 1985 movie, Sensual, in which Barbara engaged in softcore sex with both men and women. Her second and last movie was Climax, after which she disappeared from the public eye.

     

Little is known about Barbara’s life after her short acting career except that she was happily married to Roberto Edwin Gonzalez Francisco, with whom she had eight children. She and her family were living in Tahanan Village, Parañaque City. She resurfaced briefly in 2006 with a public plea for help in locating her husband after he went missing when returning from filing a burglary report at the police station.

Anna Marie Gutierrez

Anna Marie Gutierrez

 

Born in 1964, Anna Marie began her acting career at the age of fifteen in the family comedy movie Dolphy’s Angels (1980). Over the next three years, she appeared in over twenty films. Her signature short hair and cute, girl-next-door looks made her a standout.

 

When she was 18, she began to star in mature movies such as Harot and Dagta. Her comely face was matched by a slender, beautiful body and gravity defying breasts.

It was the bold film Scorpio Nights in 1985 that catapulted her to full stardom. Considered by many to be a classic of Philippine cinema, and perhaps the most erotic of all the 80’s Bold era films, Scorpio Nights was first released uncut in a limited run at the Manila Film Center in 1985, where it shocked viewers. Although its wide theatrical release was censored, the uncut version was later released on DVD.  Anna Marie went on to star in numerous other bold films such as Takaw Tukso, Climax, Unfaithful Wife, and Di Mahilom ang Sugat. She stopped acting in 1988, but her impact on Philippines bold movies will never be forgotten.

     

Rumor has it that she married a wealthy businessman before relocating to the United States. She was a former office manager for a surgical doctor in a New York hospital. Now divorced, she is a homemaker in Westchester,  NY, where she has one daughter.

Here is a preview of one of the most famous scenes from Scorpio Nights. Daniel Fernando has sex with Anna Marie, who pretends to be sleeping: