Mario Montenegro

Summary

Mario Montenegro (born Roger Collin Macalalag; July 25, 1928 – August 27, 1988) was a Filipino film actor best known for his heroic leading roles.

Mario Montenegro
Born
Roger Collin Macalalag

(1928-07-25)July 25, 1928
DiedAugust 27, 1988(1988-08-27) (aged 60)
OccupationActor
Years active1949–1988
SpouseLetty Alonzo
RelativesValeen Montenegro[1] (granddaughter)

Early life edit

Montenegro was born in Pagsanjan, Laguna[2]

Montenegro was a Fine Arts student at the University of the Philippines[3] upon the invasion of the Philippines by Japan during World War II. At the age of fourteen, he joined the armed resistance against the Imperial Japanese Army as a member of the Hunters ROTC guerilla unit.[2] He was only sixteen when he, along with the Hunters ROTC, participated in the famed raid on the Japanese internment camp at Los Baños, Laguna on February 23, 1945.[2] He received multiple medals for distinction before he rejoined civilian life in 1946.[2]

Film career edit

In 1949, Montenegro was cast in his first film role in the World War II drama Capas. The following year, he was cast by director Manuel Conde in his first leading role, in Apat na Alas (1950).[2]

During the 1950s, Montenegro was among the mainstays of LVN Pictures studio headed by Doña Sisang de León. He was often cast in costume dramas and action films, dabbling occasionally in comedy roles.[2] He portrayed heroic leads in such historical films as Dagohoy (1953), Lapulapu (1955), Kilabot ng Makiling (1959) and Alyas Sakay (1959). Throughout his career, Montenegro would be nominated for a total of three FAMAS acting awards, including two Best Actor nominations.[2]

As he aged, Montenegro found himself cast in character roles. Among his more notable later roles was in Mike de Leon's Itim (1976), for which he received a Best Supporting Actor nomination from the Gawad Urian.

His last movie was Madonna: Ang Babaeng Ahas, filmed in 1988, but it was released posthumously in 1991.

Death edit

Montenegro died of a heart attack on August 20, 1988, in Manila, Philippines.[2]

Legacy edit

His surviving granddaughter Valeen Montenegro is also an actress following the footsteps of his legacy.

Filmography edit

Year Title Role Notes
1949 Capas
1950 Apat Na Alas
1952 Correccional Armando
Bathaluman
Rodrigo de Villa
1953 3 Labuyo
Sa Kuwintas ng Pasakit
Makabuhay Based on the novel by M. S. Martin and S. G. Bautista (serialized in Liwayway)
Luha at Musika
Dagohoy Francisco Dagohoy
1954 Pasiya ng Langit
Dambanang Putik
1955 Lapu-Lapu Lapu-Lapu
Pilipino Kostum: No Touch!"
1956 Ilaw sa Karimlan
Ulilang Bituin
Everlasting
Medalyong Perlas Segment: "Sa Pusod ng Dagat"
Among Tunay
Higit sa Korong
1957 Walang Sugat Based on the zarzuela of the same name by Severino Reyes
Topo-Topo
Pintor Kulapol
Nasaan Ka Irog
1958 Balae
Rebelde Mario
Ay, Pepita
Casa Grande Segment: "Herederos"
Venganza
1959 Cover Girl
Amazona Teddy[4]
Kilabot sa Makiling Oscar/Kilabot Based on a novel (serialized in Liwayway)
1960 Ang Inyong Lingkod, Gloria Romero Segment: "Ang Buhay ng Tao'y Gulong ang Kabagay...."
Limang Misteryo ng Krus Segment: "Koronang Tinik"
Pagpatak ng Ulan
Ginang Hukom Segment: "Case No. 3: 'Paglipas ng Dilim'"
Gumuhong Bantayog
7 Amores Segment: "Igorot Story"
1961 Angelica
5 Yugto ng Buhay Segment: "Balatkayo"
Dalawang Kalbaryo ni Dr. Mendez
Alyas Sakay
Ito Ba ang Aking Ina? Waldo
Karugtong ng Kahapon
1962 Walang Susuko Capt. Bert Gabriel
Labanan sa Balicuatro
Apat Na Kilabot "Unang Handog" (initial offering) of LEA Productions
Thor Thor Based on the comic of the same name (serialized in Liwayway)
Jose Bandido Jose
1963 Mga Batong Hiyas
Anak, ang Iyong Ina!
Haliging Bato
Ang Asawa Kong Barat
Ang Manananggol ni Ruben
1964 Duwag ang Sumuko Based on the novel by Francisco V. Coching (serialized in Liwayway)
Lalaine Mahal Kita
1965 Operation Manila
1966 Itinakwil Man Kita
Totoy Bingi
The Passionate Strangers
Ito ang Dahilan!
Ito ang Pilipino Rene
1968 Manila, Open City
Mindanao
Liku-likong Landas
1972 Poor Little Rich Girl
1976 Itim
1977 Mga Bilanggong Birhen
1979 Isa para sa Lahat, Lahat para sa Isa
1980 4 Na Maria
1987 Pasan Ko ang Daigdig Ignacio Aboitiz, Jr.
1991 Madonna: Ang Babaeng Ahas Released posthumously

Notes edit

  1. ^ Lo, Ricky (June 21, 2018). "Valeen: I hope I'm giving justice to Montenegro name". Philstar. Retrieved Oct 8, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h CCP Encyclopedia, p. 279
  3. ^ Dolor, Danny (21 August 2011). "Mario Montenegro is Pintor Kulapol". philstar.com. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  4. ^ ""Amazona" opens today at Center". The Manila Times. The Manila Times Publishing Company, Inc. November 11, 1959. p. 5-B.

References edit

External links edit

  • Mario Montenegro at IMDb