Teresita Winsett Hermosa (born October 31, 1950), better known by her stage name, Tessie Tomas, is a Filipino actress, television personality and stand-up comedian. Regarded as the original "Queen of Daytime TV",[1][2] she is best known for hosting some of the most successful TV programs in the Philippines such as Teysi ng Tahanan (1991), Compañero y Compañera (1997), and sitcoms including Onli in da Pilipins (1997), and Abangan ang Susunod Na Kabanata (1991). She was the first Filipino actress to score a nomination in the Best Actress category at the International Emmy Awards for her performance in the 1989 film, A Dangerous Life.[3][4]
Tessie Tomas | |
|---|---|
| Born | Teresita Winsett Hermosa October 31, 1950 Catbalogan, Samar, Philippines |
| Nationality |  Philippines |
| Alma mater | University of the Philippines |
| Occupation(s) | Actress Television host |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Agents |
|
| Spouse | Roger Pullin |
| Children | 1 |
Early life and education
editTomas was born in Catbalogan, Samar[5] to actress and radio voice talent Laura Hermosa.[6] She has four brothers, including actor Leo Hermosa and musician Cesar Hermosa,[7] and graduated with a degree in broadcasting from the Institute of Mass Communications of the University of the Philippines.[5]
Career
editShe began doing stints as a radio voice talent at the age of 10, including at radio programs of Tiya Dely and ultimately spent a decade working in the advertising industry at several companies before becoming the first Filipino creative director of McCann Erickson.[8]
She first appeared in television through the gag show Champoy from 1981 to 1984. She was praised for her effective impersonation of then famous weather man Amado Pineda of PAGASA. She then embarked on doing live shows, notable for her performances as Meldita, a satiric portrayal of then-first lady Imelda Marcos, Loida Dimagiba and Carmeling Lawiswis. She became a resident performer at Music Museum, headlining successful shows as a standup comedy career throughout the 1990s.[8] Dubbed as the second lady of television and the "Queen of Stand-up Comedy",[9] she is cited as one of the pioneers of impersonation, famous for portraying the likes of Amanda Pineda, Miriam Defensor Santiago, Bonnie Buendia and Imelda Marcos.[8]
Tomas returned to TV as main host of the morning talk show Teysi ng Tahanan and the weekly political satire Abangan ang Susunod Na Kabanata, playing the wealthy but eccentric Barbara Tengco.[1] Separada (for which she created the screenplay), Ploning, and 100 are some of her other critically acclaimed films.[10][11] She gained further success as an actress in the 1988 film, A Dangerous Life. Her performance was met with praises from critics and viewers, earning her nominations at the International Emmy Awards and American Cable Awards.[12]
In her later years, she played several supporting roles in both film and television. She earned praises from the critics and viewers for her portrayal as the "cane-wielding" Doña Cielo Fierro in the ABS-CBN television series, Dirty Linen (2023).[13] In 2024, she played Doña Bettina Caballero in the television series FPJ's Batang Quiapo.[14]
Personal life
editTomas is married since 1994 to Roger Pullin, a marine biologist by profession and a British national. Their wedding in Manila was broadcast on Tomas' television show Teysi ng Tahanan.[15] She has one son, Robin, who is based in New York City as a fashion designer[16] and comedian.[17] Robin is her son from her previous husband, Robert P. Tomas, whom she separated with in 1979 following a seven-year relationship.[18][19] Following Pullin's retirement, Tomas also became a resident of the Isle of Man in 2018[7][20] and has two stepchildren with him. She is also a fluent Waray speaker.[5]
Accolades
editTomas is celebrated as one of the "country’s most brilliant artists"[1] and one of the greatest comedians of all time,[9] noted for her "style and distinctive approach on comedy."[2] In recognition of her contributions to the entertainment industry, she has won countless accloades including "Best Actress" at the Gawad Tanglaw Awards,[21] "Entertainer of the Year" at the Aliw Awards,[22] Creative Guild's Hall of Fame award, Best Actress at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, "Best Actress" at the QCinema International Film Festival, "Best Actress" at the Subic Bay International Film Festival[23] and several nominations from Gawad Urian Awards and American Cable Awards.[8]
Filmography
editFilm
edit- Kapitan Kidlat (1981)
- Schoolgirls (1982)
- My Only Love (1982)
- Erpat Kong Forgets (1984)
- Mendoza At Pandesal (1985)
- Napakasakit, Kuya Eddie (1986)
- Payaso (1986)
- Forward March (1987)
- A Dangerous Life (1988)
- Barbi for President (1991)
- Cordora: Lulutang Ka sa Sarili Mong Dugo (1992)
- Pempe ni Sara at Pen (1992)
- Gagay: Prinsesa ng Brownout (1993)
- Dino: Abangan ang Susunod Na (1993)
- Walang Matigas Na Pulis sa Matinik Na Misis (1994)
- Yes Darling: Walang Matigas Na Pulis... 2 (1997)
- Dahil Ba sa Kanya (1998)
- Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin (2000)
- Narinig Mo Ba Ang L8tests (2001)
- Otso-Otso Pamela-Mela-Wan (2004)
- Pinoy Blonde (2005)
- Rome & Juliet (2006)
- Ploning (2008)
- One True Love (2008)
- 100 (2008)
- Sanglaan (2009)
- The Red Shoes (2010)
- Two Funerals (2010)
- This Guy's in Love with U Mare! (2012)
- Coming Soon (2013)
- Alienasyon (2014)
- Piring (2015)
- Water Lemon (2015)
- Old Skool (2015)
- Extra Service (2017) – Lolly
- Smaller and Smaller Circles (2017) – Gilda Salceda
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Network | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980–1985 | Champoy | Amanda Pineda | ||
| 1981–1987 | Eat Bulaga! | Herself | ||
| 1991–1997 | Teysi ng Tahanan | Herself / host | ||
| 1991–1997 | Abangan ang Susunod na Kabanata | Barbara Tengco | ||
| 1997–1998 | Onli In Da Pilipins | Precious | ||
| 1998–1999 | Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako | Sonia Enriquez | ||
| 2000–2002 | Feel at Home | Herself / host | ||
| 2001 | Eto Na Ang Susunod Na Kabanata | Barbara Tengco | ||
| 2003 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Puno | Miriam Defensor Santiago | ||
| 2003–2004 | Buttercup | Erlinda | ||
| 2003–2004 | Teysi | Herself / host | ||
| 2004–2007 | Bahay Mo Ba 'To? | Baby Mulingtapang-Benoit / Anying | ||
| 2008 | Ako si Kim Samsoon | Sonia Buot | ||
| 2009–2010 | George and Cecil | Maribel Murillo | ||
| 2010 | Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla Tonyong Bayawak | Belen Dela Cruz | ||
| 2010–2011 | Noah | Sarah Perez | ||
| 2011 | Carlo J. Caparas' Bangis | Mama Mia | ||
| 2012 | Mundo Man ay Magunaw | Donya Alicia La Peña | ||
| Coffee Prince | Elizabeth "Beth" Gomez | |||
| 2013 | Kahit Nasaan Ka Man | Corazon | ||
| 2014 | Kambal Sirena | Doña Margarita "Rita" Natividad | ||
| Strawberry Lane | Margaret Jaymalin | |||
| My Destiny | Dr. Obispo | |||
| 2015 | Once Upon a Kiss | Mérida Almario | ||
| 2015–2016 | Buena Familia | Marissa Agravante | ||
| 2016 | Naku, Boss Ko! | Ms. F | ||
| 2018 | The Blood Sisters | Dr. Rosemarie "Mamita" Bermudez | ||
| 2023 | Dirty Linen | Doña Cielo Fierro | ||
| 2024 | FPJ's Batang Quiapo | Señora Bettina Caballero† |
References
edit- ^ a b c "'Home' is where Tessie's heart is". The Philippine Star. May 11, 2000. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ a b "Incredible look-alikes in showbiz". PEP.ph. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "Angel Locsin will grace the 37th International Emmy Awards in New York". PEP.ph. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "Angel gears for International Emmy awards night". ABS-CBN News. August 8, 2023. Archived from the original on August 8, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ a b c Balasbas-Gancayco, Dot Ramos (May 3, 2008). "Tessie Tomas: Her own woman now". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ Dumaual, Mario (March 16, 2021). "Veteran actress Laura Hermosa, mother of Tessie Tomas, dies at 92". ABS-CBN. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ a b Amoyo, Aster (March 22, 2022). "Tessie, balik-Pinas para ayusin ang mana". Pang-Masa (in Filipino). Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Tessie Tomas on playing the dirty donya in 'Dirty Linen'". ABS-CBN News. February 21, 2023. Archived from the original on August 8, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ a b "The greatest comedians of all time(Third of a series)". www.philstar.com. August 19, 2006. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "Tessie Tomas drinks wine before doing nude scene in "100"". PEP.ph. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
- ^ "Ploning ni Judy Ann talagang labor of love". www.philstar.com. April 30, 2008. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
- ^ Rosenberg, Howard (November 25, 1988). "The 'Dangerous Life' of Imelda and Ferdinand". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
- ^ "The pop culture renaissance of the Filipino matriarch". cnn. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
- ^ Felipe, MJ. "Why was Donya Bettina's death in 'Batang Quiapo' a traumatic experience for Tessie Tomas?". ABS-CBN. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ Lo, Ricky (April 2, 2019). "Tessie & Roger living in an island paradise". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ Gallardo, Ricky (August 5, 2018). "Life continues to be beautiful for Tessie Tomas". BusinessMirror. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
- ^ Alcantara, Carissa (April 25, 2024). "Robin Tomas, son of veteran actress Tessie Tomas, debuts as stand-up comedian". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ Lo, Ricky (October 3, 2009). "Tessie and Roger: It really takes two". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ Baylon, Khryzztine Joy (August 24, 2023). "Tessie Tomas draws inspiration from painful past for 'Dirty Linen' rape scene". PEP.ph (in Filipino). Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ Gonzalez-Ventura, Barbara (November 19, 2023). "Mondays and laughter". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ ""Honor Thy Father" wins big at Gawad Tanglaw". Yahoo News. February 16, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "Tessie Tomas binuhay si Meldita". Abante. January 30, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "Tessie Tomas at asawa babu na sa 'Pinas, sa Isla ng England at ireland na titira". The Philippine Star. August 15, 2018. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
External links
edit- Tessie Tomas at IMDb