Ramon Zamora
Encyclopedia
Ramon Zamora was a Filipino film actor
best known for his leading roles in local martial arts
films and action movies of the 1970s. He was popularly dubbed as the "Bruce Lee
of the Philippines".
. He persevered in the bodabil
circuit, performing regularly at the Clover Theater and the Manila Grand Opera House. He also was a member of the Festival Dancers, a dance troupe which performed international tours regularly.
From his stage performances, he was contracted in 1969 to star as a mainstay of the ABS-CBN
gag show Super Laff-In
. Zamora's most popular stock character in the show was a military-clad figure that bore an unmistakable physical resemblance to Adolf Hitler
, who spoke in bastardized German and spouted catchphrases such as "Isprakenheit". The role won him the "Best Actor Citizen's Award for Television".
character Pedro Penduko
in the 1973 Celso Ad Castillo fantasy film Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig ni Pedro Penduko. The resulting success of the film boosted Zamora's popularity, and he soon became one of the top box-office draws in Philippine cinema in the 1970s.
Zamora was especially popular for a string of locally-produced martial arts films that emerged following the international success of Bruce Lee. Patterning his film persona around a Bruce Lee-type with a comedic twist, Zamora starred in such films as Shadow of the Dragon (1973), Cobra at Lawin (1973), Game of Death (1974), Return of the Dragon (1977), and Bruce Liit (1978).
Then he played his villain role as Edu Manzano
's right hand man to Lito Lapid in an action packed movie Hindi Palulupig (1989)
, Ang Pagbabalik ni Pedro Penduko. At the time of his death from a heart attack in his Antipolo City
home, Zamora had completed one last film that had yet to be released, Ataul for Rent.
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
best known for his leading roles in local martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
films and action movies of the 1970s. He was popularly dubbed as the "Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
of the Philippines".
Early career
Zamora was born in San Juan, Rizal. He began his entertainment career in 1953 as a stuntman and dancer for LVN PicturesLVN 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...
. He persevered in the bodabil
Bodabil
Bodabil was a popular genre of entertainment in the Philippines from the 1910s until the mid-1960s. For decades, it competed with film, radio and television as the dominant form of Filipino mass entertainment. It peaked in popularity during the Japanese occupation in the Philippines from 1941 to 1945...
circuit, performing regularly at the Clover Theater and the Manila Grand Opera House. He also was a member of the Festival Dancers, a dance troupe which performed international tours regularly.
From his stage performances, he was contracted in 1969 to star as a mainstay of the ABS-CBN
ABS-CBN
ABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
gag show Super Laff-In
Super Laff-In
Super Laff-In is a comedy gag show on ABS-CBN from and GMA Network . The 1996-1999 season re-airs on the Kapamilya Channel.-1969-1972:* Ramon Zamora†* Mitch Valdes * June Keithley...
. Zamora's most popular stock character in the show was a military-clad figure that bore an unmistakable physical resemblance to Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
, who spoke in bastardized German and spouted catchphrases such as "Isprakenheit". The role won him the "Best Actor Citizen's Award for Television".
Film star
When Super Laff-In's network ABS-CBN was closed upon the declaration of martial law in 1972, Zamora shifted gears and focused on a film career. He starred as the durable komiksKomiks
Comics in the Philippines were partially inspired by American mainstream comic strips and comic books during the early 20th century, particularly after World War II, the medium became widespread and popular throughout the country, though its popularity has subsided somewhat with the advent of...
character Pedro Penduko
Pedro Penduko
Pedro Penduko is a Filipino comic book character styled as a folk hero or superhero, created by Francisco V. Coching and debuted on Liwayway Magazine....
in the 1973 Celso Ad Castillo fantasy film Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig ni Pedro Penduko. The resulting success of the film boosted Zamora's popularity, and he soon became one of the top box-office draws in Philippine cinema in the 1970s.
Zamora was especially popular for a string of locally-produced martial arts films that emerged following the international success of Bruce Lee. Patterning his film persona around a Bruce Lee-type with a comedic twist, Zamora starred in such films as Shadow of the Dragon (1973), Cobra at Lawin (1973), Game of Death (1974), Return of the Dragon (1977), and Bruce Liit (1978).
Then he played his villain role as Edu Manzano
Edu Manzano
-Television:*Unang Hirit *Family Feud: The Showdown Edition *Asar Talo Lahat Panalo! *Pilipinas Game Ka na Ba? *1 Vs...
's right hand man to Lito Lapid in an action packed movie Hindi Palulupig (1989)
Later years
By the 1980s, Zamora's career as a leading man petered out, and he returned to guest-starring in television programs, often in his "Hitler" guise. He also portrayed character roles in films, including one in the 1994 update of the Pedro Penduko saga now starring Janno GibbsJanno Gibbs
Janno Ronaldo Gibbs is a Filipino singer and actor–comedian. He is a regular host of GMA Network television shows SOP Rules , Nuts Entertainment, Eat Bulaga, Kakasa Ka Ba Sa Grade 5?, and Power of 10 . He played as Geron Agular in Codename: Asero...
, Ang Pagbabalik ni Pedro Penduko. At the time of his death from a heart attack in his Antipolo City
Antipolo City
Antipolo is a city in the Philippines located in the province of Rizal; about 25 kilometers east of Manila. It is the largest city in the Calabarzon Region in terms of population...
home, Zamora had completed one last film that had yet to be released, Ataul for Rent.
Movies
- Ataul: For Rent (2007) .... Chairman Tando
- M.O.N.A.Y (Misteyks obda neyson adres Yata) ni Mr. Shooli (2007)
- MMK: Shades (Tatay Landro).... (2006)
- Lisensyadong kamao (2005) .... Pedring
- Pelukang itim: Agimat ko ito for victory again (2005)
- Pistolero (2002)
- Eva, lason kay Adan (2002)
- Eksperto Ako Ang Sasagupa (2001)
- Buhay Man Ang Kapalit (2001)
- Sgt. Isaias Marcos... Bawat hakbang panganib (2000)
- Isang lahi, isang dugo sa lupang pangako (2000) .... Arula
- Basta Tricycle Driver... Sweet Lover (2000)
- Pedro Penduko, Episode II: The Return of the Comeback (2000) .... Maguayan
- Aguinaldo (1993)
- Hindi Palulupig (1992) .... Ramon
- Eh kasi bata (1991) .... Frank Chavit
- Dudurugin Kita Ng Bala Ko (1991)
- Jabidah Massacre (1990)
- My Darling Domestic (The Greytest Iskeyp) (1989)
- Me and Ninja Liit (1988) .... Papang Sang
- Damong makamandag (1988)
- Lorenzo Ruiz the Saint (1988)
- Vengeance Squad (1987) .... Special Participation
- The Rookies and the Mighty Kids (1987)
- Bukas ng Sabado agi Buka Sa Sabitan (1986)
- Death Raiders (1984)
- Dalmacio Armas (1983)
- Ang Tapang para sa lahat! (1982) .... Joaquin
- Snake Dragon Connection (1980)
- Ahas sa Pugad Lawin (1979)
- Bruce liit (1978)
- Ang Hari at ang Alas (1978)
- Dragon, Lizard, Boxer (1977)
- The Interceptors (1977)
- Peter Pandesal (1977) .... Pete
- They Call Him Chop-suey (1975) .... Chop-suey
- Return of the Dragon (1974/I)
- Landas ng Hari (1973) with Franco Rivero, Rhodora Silva & Lirio Vital (aka Way of the Dragon)
- Ang Mahiwagang daigdig ni Pedro Penduko (1973) .... Pedro Penduko
- Dobol trobol (1973/August 2011)
Television
- Maging Sino Ka ManMaging Sino Ka ManMaging Sino Ka Man was a critically acclaimed Filipino primetime drama series that premiered on ABS-CBN on October 9, 2006...
(2006) .... Simon - Da Adventures of Pedro PendukoDa Adventures of Pedro PendukoDa Adventures of Pedro Penduko is the third and fourth season of the Filipino fantasy TV series Komiks. The third season began airing in the Philippines on September 9, 2006 and currently airs on Saturday evenings on the ABS-CBN network in the Philippines.Unlike the stories in the first two seasons...
(2006) .... Father Ben - Super Laff-InSuper Laff-InSuper Laff-In is a comedy gag show on ABS-CBN from and GMA Network . The 1996-1999 season re-airs on the Kapamilya Channel.-1969-1972:* Ramon Zamora†* Mitch Valdes * June Keithley...
(1970s) .... himself