Sylvia Reyes La Torre-Perez de Tagle (June 4, 1933 – December 1, 2022) was a Filipino singer, actress, and radio star.[1]
Sylvia La Torre | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Sylvia Reyes La Torre June 4, 1933 |
| Died | December 1, 2022 (aged 89) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, actress, radio personality |
| Years active | 1941–2022 |
| Known for | Co-host of Oras ng Ligaya Kundiman performer |
| Spouse | Celso Perez de Tagle |
| Children | 3 |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Anna Maria Perez de Tagle (granddaughter) Sarita Pérez de Tagle (granddaughter) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Kundiman |
Early life
editLa Torre was born on June 4, 1933,[2] to director Olive La Torre and actress Leonora Reyes.[3]
Career
editSinging
editLa Torre's singing career started in 1938 at the age of five, when she entered a singing competition in Manila.[4] She also attended the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music under a scholarship and also became a frequent feature at the Manila Grand Opera House.[3]
She would gain the reputation of being the "Queen of Kundiman" for performing hundreds of songs such as "Mutya ng Pasig", "Waray-Waray" and "Maalaala Mo Kaya".[3]
She would continue to perform, even as she emigrated to the United States. In 2017, she worked with the Filipino-American Symphony Orchestra.[5]
Radio, television, and film
editLa Torre was a child actress, first appearing in the 1941 film Ang Maestra. She would feature in other films made by Sampaguita Pictures.[6]
In 1960, La Torre featured in the radio program Tuloy ang Ligaya of Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) with Lita Guttierez and Oscar Obligacion.[7][8] The radio program was made into a television program known as The Big Show which was hosted by La Torre and Obligacion. Due to the success of The Big Show. ABS-CBN would offer the two to host its noontime television show Oras ng Ligaya.[8] For this, she earned the title "First Lady of Philippine Television". She was a regular on the radio series Tang Tarang Tang and the TV sitcom of the same name, where she starred with comedians Pugo and Bentot.[9] She also starred in the film adaptation of Tang Tarang Tang and its sequel My Little Kuwan.[10]
La Torre's filmography spans until the 1990s.[5] Among her noted films are Ulila ng Bataan and Buhay Pilipino in 1952 and Nukso nang nukso in 1960.[5] She would also star in the 1988 Seiko film One Two Bato, Three Four Bapor.[3]
Personal life
editLa Torre was married to Celso Perez de Tagle, a dentist, with whom she had three children. Her granddaughter, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, is also an actress, known for appearing in Hannah Montana and Camp Rock.[8] La Torre was also a devout Roman Catholic.[4] Her family emigrated to the United States in the 1980s where she continued performing.[8]
Death
editLa Torre died in her sleep on December 1, 2022.[11]
Filmography
edit- 1941 - Ang Maestra
- 1949 - Biro ng Tadhana
- 1952 - Buhay Pilipino
- 1952 - Ulila ng Bataan
- 1952 - Gorio at Tekla
- 1953 - Munting Koronel
- 1953 - Ang Asawa Kong Americana
- 1958 - My Little Kuwan
- 1959 - Puro Utos, Puro Utos
- 1959 - Nukso ng Nukso
- 1960 - Yantok Mindoro
- 1961 - Oh Sendang
- 1962 - Tang-taran-tang
- 1963 - Sakay and Moy
- 1974 - Oh Maggie Oh
- 1978 - Chimoy at Chimay
- 1987 - Jack & Jill as Doña Estrella "Star" Bartolome
- 1989 - M&M, the Incredible Twins
- 1989 - One Two Bato, Three Four Bapor
- 1993 - Ligaw-ligawan Kasal-kasalan Bahay-bahayan
- 1997 - Biyudo Si Daddy, Biyuda Si Mommy
- 2001-2002 - Biglang Sibol, Bayang Impasibol
Discography
edit- Akala'y Totoo (Pangarap Lang Pala)
- Ako Ay Iyo - 1959
- Ako'y Kampupot - 1954
- Ako'y Lumuluha
- Ako'y Nagmamahal - 1961
- Alak (record) - 1965
- Alembong - 1958
- Alibambang
- Aling Kutsero - 1956
- Anak ni Waray - 1959
- Ano Ba - 1959
- Ang Giliw Na Ibig Ko - 1960
- Ang Dalagang Nayon
- Ang Hirap Kay' Inday
- Ang Kasing-Kasing ko
- Ang Langit Ko'y Ikaw
- Ang Paglalaba
- Ano Ba
- Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran - 1955
- Arimunding-Munding - 1953
- Asahan Mo
- Atik
- Awat na Adyang - 1961
- Ay Anong Saklap - 1960
- Ay Kalisud - 1954
- "Babalik Ka Rin"
- "Bahala Na" - 1956
- "Bahay-Kubo (Sylvia)" - 1966
- "Bakit Mo Ako Pinaluha"
- "Banahaw"
- "Basang Sisiw"
- "Basta't Mahal Kita" - 1959
- "Batanguena" - 1954
- "Binatang Kapampangan"
- "Bingwit ng Pag-ibig"
- "Binibiro Lamang Kita"
- "Biru-Biruan"
- "Bituing Marikit" - 1952
- "Buhay sa Nayon"
- "Bulaklak at Paru-Paro" - 1954
- "Carinosa"
- "Chimoy at Chimay" - 1973
- "Dadaldal-Daldal"
- "Dahil Sa Polka" - 1965
- "Dahil sa Iyo"
- "Dahil sa Polka"
- "Dalaga't Binata"
- "Dankasi'y Tuwis Ka ng Tuwis" (1962)[12]
- "Di Magtataksil"
- "Di Mahahadlangan"
- Easy Ka Lang Padre - 1956
- Etcetera...Etcetera...Etcetera... - 1966
- Ewan Ko Ba - 1962
- Fiesta - 1960
- Galawgaw - 1955
- Ginintuang Ani - 1954
- Gintong Silahis - 1954
- Golpe de Gulat - 1967
- Granada (Sylvia) - 1968
- Habang May Buhay - 1965
- Halikan Mo Ako Darling - 1959
- Halina't Magsaya
- Handang Matodas
- Hanee-Hanee
- Hanggang Langit
- Hanggang sa Mag-Umaga
- Hijo de Familia
- Hindi Basta-Basta - 1956
- Hindi Na Nagbalik
- Hirap ng Umibig
- Huwag Ka Sanang Pikon - 1962
- Ibong Sawi - 1953
- Ikaw
- Ikaw Kasi - 1956
- Ikinalulungkot Ko
- Ilang-Ilang - 1954
- Inday Palalayasin Kita
- Irog Kay Sarap
- Irog Ko
- Irog ng Buhay
- Irogm Nasaan ang Pag-ibig
- Isang Aral - 1967
- Iyung-Iyo
- Jukebox Rock
- Kalesa - 1959
- Kasalanan Ba ang Umibig
- Kasing Bango ng Pagsinta - 1954
- Katakataka
- Katimbang ng Buhay
- Katuwaan
- Kikisay-Kisay
- Kulasisi - 1954
- Kumare, Kumpadre 1952 (Sylvia La Torre & Alfred La Roza)
- Kung Akoy Iibig
- Kung Kita'y Kapiling
- Kung Nagsasayaw
- Laba-Laba-Laba
- Lalake at Lamok
- Larawan ng Pagsinta
- Lawiswis Kawayan - 1954
- Lihim Kitang Iniibig
- Luha
- Luha sa Hatinggabi
- Luha sa Kalipay - 1954
- Maalaala Mo Kaya
- Mabuti Pa
- Madaling Araw
- Magkatuwaan - 1966
- Magsaya ka't Ngumiti - 1967
- Magsayawan
- Magtiis ka Darling
- Mahal na Mahal kita
- Malaking Hirap
- Maligayang Araw
- Mamang Kartero
- Manalig ka
- Mang Teban
- Masaganang Kabukiran - 1954
- May Araw ka Rin
- Mutya ng Pasig - 1952
- Nagnakaw ng Halik - 1959
- Nakakabum - 1969
- Naman, Naman, Naman - 1970
- Nangangarap
- Nasaan
- Nasaan Ang Aking Puso - 1968
- Nasaan ang Sumpa Mo
- Nasaan Ka Irog - 1952
- No Money, No Honey - 1956
- No Touch, Filipino Kostum
- O.A.
- One, Two, Three
- Paglingap - 1953
- Paglubog ng Araw
- Pahiwatig - 1952
- Pakiusap - 1952
- Pakwan - 1959
- Pamaypay ng Maynila - 1954
- Pampahimbing - 1959
- Pandanggo sa Pag-ibig
- Pandangguhan (Sylvia) - 1954
- Parti-Lain (Sylvia) - 1961
- Paru-Paro sa Bulaklak
- Peks Man
- Phone Pal (Sylvia) - 1958
- Please Lang - 1960
- Pintasan - 1964
- Pook na Kaakit-akit
- Probinsyano (Sylvia) - 1959
- Puting Teksas - 1961
- Sa Bukid
- Sa Duyan ng Pagmamahal
- Sa Kabukiran - 1954
- Sa Libis ng Nayon
- Sa Pagpatak ng Ulan
- Salawahan
- Sampaguita
- Singsing
- Sino Man ang Nagsabi - 1965
- Sosayting Dukha (song)
- Taguan (Sylvia) - 1966
- Talusaling Polka - 1964
- Tampal - 1969
- Tampuhan
- Taradyin Pot Pot
- Tayo'y Mamasko
- Tingnan Natin
- Tinikling (Sylvia) - 1963
- Tirana Biya
- Tugtugan - 1969
- Tsimoy at Tsimay with Bobby Gonzales
- Tunay na Ligaya
- Twit Twit Twit - 1963
- Walang Kuarta
- Waray-Waray - 1954
References
edit- ^ "Sylvia La Torre is back in Manila". ABS-CBN News. November 22, 2010.
- ^ Roque, Nika (December 2, 2022). "Sylvia La Torre, Queen of Kundiman, dies at 89". GMA News.
- ^ a b c d Purnell, Kristofer (December 2, 2022). "'First Lady of Philippine Television' Sylvia La Torre dies at 89". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
- ^ a b Nepales, Ruben (March 11, 2022). "Sylvia La Torre, Philippines' Trailblazing Entertainer, from Radio to Cinema". Golden Globes. Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
- ^ a b c "First Lady of Philippine Television Sylvia La Torre Passes Away". Esquire Philippines. December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
- ^ Cua, Aric John Sy (December 3, 2022). "Sylvia La Torre, 89". The Manila Times.
- ^ De Castro, Cynthia. "The Queen of Kundiman, Sylvia La Torre: After 70 years in showbiz – Tuloy pa rin ang ligaya". Asian Journal. p. 1. Archived from the original on April 21, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
- ^ a b c d De Castro, Cynthia. "The Queen of Kundiman, Sylvia La Torre: After 70 years in showbiz – Tuloy pa rin ang ligaya". Asian Journal. p. 2. Archived from the original on March 21, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
- ^ "Showbiz personalities, nagbigay-pugay sa yumaong Sylvia La Torre". PEP. December 2, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ Gil, Baby A. (December 7, 2022). "Sylvia la Torre: Entertainment icon in every sense of the word". Philippine Star. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ Cua, Aric John Sy (December 3, 2022). "Sylvia La Torre, 89". The Manila Times.
...the Broadway actress said her grandmother [Sylvia La Torre] died at 7:02 a.m. on Thursday (American time).
- ^ Trinidad, Luis Ma. (April 7, 1962). "Twist Craze Hits Filipinos". Billboard. Manila: Billboard Publications, Inc. p. 22. Retrieved December 28, 2020.