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Mona Lisa (actress)
Encyclopedia
Gloria L. Yatco, better known as Mona Lisa (born 22 June 1922) is a FAMAS award-winning Filipino
film actress. One of the most popular Filipino actresses of the 1940s, she resumed her film career in the 1970s after a two-decade long absence and remained active in the industry well into her eighties.
's Tondo
district. Her father was a sailor with the United States Navy
, and she received her schooling in the United States. She is also related to the hero José Rizal
, as he and her grandfather Isidro Mercado Yatco were first cousins.
Her film career began in 1937 after winning the Miss Luzon beauty pageant. Under the stage name
Fleur de Lis, she appeared in films entitled Ang Pagbabalik (The Return, 1938) and Giliw Ko
(My Dear, 1939), which was the first film production of LVN Pictures
. It was in Giliw Ko where she appeared wearing a swimsuit
, the first Filipino actress to do so.
By 1940, she had changed her screen name to Mona Lisa. Her popularity grew during the decade. She was frequently cast as the leading lady
opposite Fernando Poe, Sr.
They appeared together in such films as Viuda Alegre (1941), Intramuros (1947) and Sagun (1949). It was during the 1940s when she became the first Filipino film actress to engage in a torrid kissing scene (with Serafin Garcia in Tinangay ng Apoy) and swim in the nude (in Sunset Over Corregidor).
In 1950, Mona Lisa retired from acting after marrying Abelardo Guinto (a firefighter) and raised six children. She did not appear in another movie until the 1970s. Her most famous role upon her return to film was as Tonia in Insiang
(shown in the Philippines in 1975), the first Filipino film to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival
. When Insiang was shown in Cannes in 1978, the French audience laughed when her name was flashed on the screen, as it reminded them of the painting of the same name
. Lino Brocka
, the film's director, was forced to change her screen name into Gloria Guinto. Mona Lisa received the 1975 FAMAS Best Supporting Actress Award, as well as a nomination for Best Supporting Actress from the Gawad Urian
. Lisa would frequently portray maternal, and later grandmotherly roles for some of the country's leading directors. She was again cast by Brocka in Cain at Abel (1982) and in Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim
(1985). She also appeared in Mike de Leon's
Itim (1976), and in Peque Gallaga's
Oro, Plata, Mata
(1982). In 1988, Lisa was cast in a small role as a participant in the 1986 People Power Revolution in the HBO mini-series A Dangerous Life
.
In the 1990s, Lisa appeared frequently on television, most prominently on the ABS-CBN soap opera
Anna Luna. As of 2007, she was slated to co-star with Anita Linda
in an independent film
to be directed by Brilliante Mendoza.
Mona Lisa survived a stroke
in 2007, and is currently a subject of a tell-all biography
being written by her granddaughter Celine Fabie.
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
film actress. One of the most popular Filipino actresses of the 1940s, she resumed her film career in the 1970s after a two-decade long absence and remained active in the industry well into her eighties.
Biography
She was born Gloria Lerma Yatco in ManilaManila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
's Tondo
Tondo, Manila
Tondo is a district of Manila, Philippines. The locale has existed prior to the arrival of the Spanish, referred to as "Tundun" in the Laguna Copperplate Inscription. One of the most densely populated areas of land in the world, Tondo is located in the northwest portion of the city and is primarily...
district. Her father was a sailor with the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, and she received her schooling in the United States. She is also related to the hero José Rizal
José Rizal
José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda , was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot and is listed as one of the national heroes of the Philippines by...
, as he and her grandfather Isidro Mercado Yatco were first cousins.
Her film career began in 1937 after winning the Miss Luzon beauty pageant. Under the stage name
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Fleur de Lis, she appeared in films entitled Ang Pagbabalik (The Return, 1938) and Giliw Ko
Giliw Ko
Giliw Ko is a 1939 Filipino movie. A musical romance, Giliw Ko had a radio theme, and was first production of the Filipino company, LVN Pictures. It is notable for being a gift from Australia to the Filipino people to commemorate 100 years of independence...
(My Dear, 1939), which was the first film production of LVN Pictures
LVN Pictures
LVN Pictures, Inc. is one of the biggest film studios in the history of Philippine cinema and its foremost establishment in motion picture post-production until 2005...
. It was in Giliw Ko where she appeared wearing a swimsuit
Swimsuit
A swimsuit, bathing suit, or swimming costume is an item of clothing designed to be worn by men, women or children while they are engaging in a water-based activity or water sports, such as swimming, water polo, diving, surfing, water skiing, or during activities in the sun, such as sun bathing.A...
, the first Filipino actress to do so.
By 1940, she had changed her screen name to Mona Lisa. Her popularity grew during the decade. She was frequently cast as the leading lady
Leading lady
Leading lady is an informal term for the actress who plays a secondary lead or supporting role, usually a love interest, to the leading actor in a film or play. It is not usually applied to the leading actress in the performance if her character is the protagonist.A leading lady can also be an...
opposite Fernando Poe, Sr.
Fernando Poe, Sr.
Fernando Poe was a famous actor during the early cinema era in the Philippines. He was the father of the late Ronald Allan K. Poe, better known as Fernando Poe, Jr., who was also a famous actor and icon. Prior to his son's rise to fame, Poe had been known simply as 'Fernando Poe'...
They appeared together in such films as Viuda Alegre (1941), Intramuros (1947) and Sagun (1949). It was during the 1940s when she became the first Filipino film actress to engage in a torrid kissing scene (with Serafin Garcia in Tinangay ng Apoy) and swim in the nude (in Sunset Over Corregidor).
In 1950, Mona Lisa retired from acting after marrying Abelardo Guinto (a firefighter) and raised six children. She did not appear in another movie until the 1970s. Her most famous role upon her return to film was as Tonia in Insiang
Insiang
Insiang is a 1976 Filipino drama film from the late director Lino Brocka, adapted from the teleplay of the same name by Mario O'Hara , which tells of a young poverty-ridden woman who seeks revenge for those who have ruined her life. The film stars Hilda Koronel, Mona Lisa, Ruel Vernal and Rez Crotez...
(shown in the Philippines in 1975), the first Filipino film to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
. When Insiang was shown in Cannes in 1978, the French audience laughed when her name was flashed on the screen, as it reminded them of the painting of the same name
Mona Lisa
Mona Lisa is a portrait by the Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci. It is a painting in oil on a poplar panel, completed circa 1503–1519...
. Lino Brocka
Lino Brocka
Catalino Ortiz Brocka is known as one of the greatest film directors of the Philippines. Brocka was openly homosexual and many of his films incorporated LGBT themes into their often dramatic storylines....
, the film's director, was forced to change her screen name into Gloria Guinto. Mona Lisa received the 1975 FAMAS Best Supporting Actress Award, as well as a nomination for Best Supporting Actress from the Gawad Urian
Gawad Urian Awards
The Gawad Urian Awards are annual film awards in the Philippines held since 1977. It is given by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino and is currently regarded as the counterpart of the United States' New York Film Critics Circle....
. Lisa would frequently portray maternal, and later grandmotherly roles for some of the country's leading directors. She was again cast by Brocka in Cain at Abel (1982) and in Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim
Bayan Ko: My Own Country
This Is My Country is 1984 Filipino drama film directed by Lino Brocka. The film was entered into the 1984 Cannes Film Festival.-Cast:* Phillip Salvador - Turing* Gina Alajar - Luz* Carmi Martin - Carla* Claudia Zobel...
(1985). She also appeared in Mike de Leon's
Mike de Leon
Miguel Pamintuan de Leon is a noted Filipino film director, cinematographer, scripwriter and film producer. His is also known as Mike de Leon. He was born in Manila on May 24, 1947 to Manuel de Leon and Imelda Pamintuan...
Itim (1976), and in Peque Gallaga's
Peque Gallaga
Peque Gallaga is a multi-awarded Filipino filmmaker. His most significant achievement in film is "Oro, Plata, Mata", which he directed after winning a scripwriting contest sponsored by the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines...
Oro, Plata, Mata
Oro, Plata, Mata
Oro, Plata, Mata is a 1982 multi-awarded Filipino film directed by Peque Gallaga, and is considered his most significant contribution to Philippine cinema. Set in the Philippine province of Negros during World War II, it tells the story of how two haciendero families cope with the changes brought...
(1982). In 1988, Lisa was cast in a small role as a participant in the 1986 People Power Revolution in the HBO mini-series A Dangerous Life
A Dangerous Life
A Dangerous Life is a 1988 English-language Australian film about the final years of the Philippines under Ferdinand Marcos' rule, from the assassination of Benigno Aquino, Jr. in 1983 to the People Power EDSA Revolution in 1986 that ousted Marcos...
.
In the 1990s, Lisa appeared frequently on television, most prominently on the ABS-CBN soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
Anna Luna. As of 2007, she was slated to co-star with Anita Linda
Anita Linda
Anita Linda is a two-time FAMAS award-winning and Gawad Urian award-winning Filipino film actress. A romantic lead in her youth, she later gained critical acclaim for her portrayals in maternal or elderly roles...
in an independent film
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
to be directed by Brilliante Mendoza.
Mona Lisa survived a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
in 2007, and is currently a subject of a tell-all biography
Biography
A biography is a detailed description or account of someone's life. More than a list of basic facts , biography also portrays the subject's experience of those events...
being written by her granddaughter Celine Fabie.