Gines Francisco Soriano (July 6, 1928 – February 21, 2004), known professionally as Nestor de Villa, was a Filipino actor frequently cast in musical films. He was a gifted dancer, often paired with frequent on-screen partner Nida Blanca in both movies and television. His dancing talent led some people to call him the "Fred Astaire of the Philippines", though the same moniker had also been given to Bayani Casimiro.

Nestor de Villa
Born
Gines Francisco Soriano

(1928-07-06)July 6, 1928
DiedFebruary 21, 2004(2004-02-21) (aged 75)
Other namesGines
Occupation(s)Actor and dancer
Years active1951–2004
SpouseMarilu Cacho
Children4
RelativesPaul Soriano (grandson)[1]
Toni Gonzaga (granddaughter-in-law)

Early life and later career

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De Villa was born Gines Francisco Soriano on July 6, 1928, in then municipality of Cabanatuan in the province of Nueva Ecija. He was a pre-medical student when he was signed by LVN Pictures. His father was disappointed by his decision to become an actor, and the two became estranged. However, they were reconciled by LVN President Doña Sisang de Leon, who arranged to have de Villa's father secretly attend one of his movie premieres.[2]

He made his first movie with LVN, Amor-Mio (My Love), in 1951. The following year, he teamed up with another LVN contract star, Nida Blanca, for Romansa sa Nayon.[3] The film's success popularized the Nestor-Nida "love team", though in real-life, de Villa would marry Marilu Cacho Soriano from the wealthy and socially prominent Cacho family.

He remained at LVN until 1961, when the studio discontinued making films. He then transferred to Sampaguita Pictures where in 1962 he made his Sampaguita debut in Tugtuging Bukid (Farm Music), together with Gloria Romero. In the 1960s, he was nominated three times for the FAMAS Best Actor award—for Mga Yapak ng Walang Bakas (1962); Naku Yabang (1964); and Siete Dolores (1968). De Villa and Blanca also appeared together on an ABS-CBN television show, The Nida-Nestor Show.[3]

In the 1980s, de Villa made his screen comeback when he was again paired with Blanca in two movies for Viva Films: Forgive and Forget, which also starred Sharon Cuneta and William Martinez and Saan Darating Ang Umaga? (Where Will the Morning Come), a family drama co-starring Maricel Soriano, Nida Blanca and Jaypee de Guzman.

He was posthumously inducted to the Philippines Eastwood City Walk Of Fame in December 2005.

Personal life

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He was married to Marilu Cacho, has three sons and daughters-in-law, Jeric and Marissa, Gicky and Malu, Joby and Cindy. His only daughter Karel is married to Toti Belda. His grandson Paul Soriano is a son of Jeric, and is also a TV and commercial director.

Death

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De Villa remained active in films until his death of complications arising from hepatobiliary cancer on February 21, 2004.[3]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Production
1951 Amor Mio LVN Pictures
1952 Tenyente Carlos Blanco LVN Pictures
Dimas LVN Pictures
Dalawang Sundalong Kanin LVN Pictures
Haring Solomon at Reyna Sheba LVN Pictures
Romansa sa Nayon LVN Pictures
Rodrigo de Villa LVN Pictures
Tenyente Carlos Blanco LVN Pictures
1953 Tumbalik na Daigdig LVN Pictures
Hijo de Familia LVN Pictures
Squatters LVN Pictures
Dalawang Pag-Ibig LVN Pictures
Hiyasmin LVN Pictures
1954 Waray-Waray LVN Pictures
Tin-edyer LVN Pictures
Luneta LVN Pictures
Singsing Na Tanso LVN Pictures
1955 Darling Ko LVN Pictures
1 2 3 LVN Pictures
Ang Ibong Adarna LVN Pictures
Dalagang Taring LVN Pictures
Talusaling LVN Pictures
Ikaw Kasi LVN Pictures
1956 Handang Matodas LVN Pictures
Easy Ka Lang Padre! LVN Pictures
Medalyong Perlas LVN Pictures
Big Shot LVN Pictures
Ganyan Ka Pala LVN Pictures
Bahala Na! LVN Pictures
Aling Kutsero LVN Pictures
1957 Sebya, Mahal Kita LVN Pictures
Kalyehera LVN Pictures
Krisalis LVN Pictures
Turista LVN Pictures
Tignan Natin LVN Pictures
1958 Villa Milagrosa LVN Pictures
Austerity Love LVN Pictures
Casa Grande LVN Pictures
Wala Kang Paki LVN Pictures
Mga Anak ni Waray LVN Pictures
Bayanihan LVN Pictures
1959 Ang Langit Ko'y Ikaw LVN Pictures
Baguio Fever LVN Pictures
Chinita LVN Pictures
Surrender - Hell! Cory Film Corporation
Limang Punglo[4] LVN Pictures
Tayo'y Magsaya LVN Pictures
1960 Unos sa Laot LVN Pictures
Dahlia LVN Pictures
Kung Ako'y Mahal Ko LVN Pictures
Pitong Gabi sa Paris C.S.F.O. Production
Sandakot na Alabok People's Pictures
Lawiswis Kawayan Sampaguita Pictures
My Serenade Sampaguita Pictures
Anino ng Kahapon Sampaguita Pictures
Bakit Ka Nagtampo Sampaguita Pictures
Wala Kang Kapantay Sampaguita Pictures
1961 Nagbabagang Lupa C. Santiago Film Organization
Walang Sisihan Sampaguita Pictures
Mga Yapak na Walang Bakas Sampaguita Pictures
1962 Tugtuging Bukid Sampaguita Pictures
Sikat Na, Siga Pa! Sampaguita Pictures
Oy... Akin Yata Yan! Sampaguita Pictures
Jam Session Sampaguita Pictures
Magtiis Ka Darling Sampaguita Pictures
1963 Adonis Abril Larry Santiago Productions
Limbo Rock Sampaguita Pictures
Asyang Ng La Loma Sampaguita Pictures
Ang Bukas ay Akin Sampaguita Pictures
Naku, Yabang! Sampaguita Pictures
1964 Ginintuang Ani Dalisay Pictures
Yeba Chiquicha Sampaguita Pictures
Si Doray Naman... Sampaguita Pictures
1965 Utos ni Tale Hindi Mababale Sampaguita Pictures
Everybody Dance Sampaguita Pictures
1966 Sound of Bwisit Sampaguita Pictures
Mabilis Paa't Kamay Sampaguita Pictures
Huwag Kang Sumingit Sampaguita Pictures
Familia Galawgaw Sampaguita Pictures
Espiya Contra Espiya Sampaguita Pictures
1967 Wow na Wow! Gold Star Productions
1968 Siete Dolores Sampaguita Pictures
1975 Siya'y Umalis, Siya'y Dumating Mirick Films International
1982 Mother Dear Regal Films
Forgive and Forget Viva Films
Cross My Heart Viva Films
1983 Saan Darating Ang Umaga? Viva Films
1984 Anak ni Waray, Anak ni Biday Regal Films
1985 Hindi Nahahati ang Langit Vanguard Films
Like Father, Like Son Viva Films
1986 Paglingon sa Kinabukasan Christian Light Foundation
1987 Prinsipeng Gusgusin Regal Films
1993 Ligaw-Ligawan, Kasal-Kasalan, Bahay-Bahayan Regal Films
2002 Forevermore (Last movie appearance) Star Cinema

Television

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Year Title Role Network
1960–1964 The Nida-Nestor Show ABS-CBN
1994 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Dancing Shoes
2001–2002 Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan Gov. Federico Bustamante
2001–2002 Biglang Sibol, Bayang Impasibol Noel GMA Network

Notes

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  1. ^ "Jeric & Paul Soriano on Nestor de Villa, advertising, film, love & faith". The Philippine STAR.
  2. ^ Mercado, Monina (1977). Doña Sisang and Filipino Movies. Philippines: Vera-Reyes, Inc. p. 41.
  3. ^ a b c "Remembering Nestor". Philstar.com. February 26, 2004.
  4. ^ "LVN has 4 releases on December sked". The Manila Times. The Manila Times Publishing Company, Inc. November 11, 1959. p. 7-B. It cast Nestor de Villa in an action role after his successes in comedy and drama vehicles.
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