Jose Romulo (born Romulo Alib Zuño; October 11, 1931 – August 5, 2015) was a Filipino actor and one of the leading men of Philippine cinema during the 1950s. Known for his good looks, brown Filipino complexion, and acting talent, he was hailed as the first "brown Adonis" to grace the Philippine movie screen.[1]
Jose Romulo | |
|---|---|
| Born | Romulo Alib Zuño 11 October 1931 Rosario, Batangas, Philippines |
| Died | 5 August 2015 (aged 83) Parañaque City, Philippines |
| Other names | "The First Brown Adonis" |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1950s–1960s |
| Notable work | DI-13, El Jugador, Pandora, Gabi ng Lagim |
| Spouse | Lydia |
| Children | 5 |
Early life and career
editRomulo was born on October 11, 1931, in Rosario, Batangas, Philippines. Before entering the entertainment industry, he served as a police officer in his hometown.[2] He was discovered by Premiere Productions, a major film studio at the time, which signed him to a contract and developed him into one of the era's prominent leading men.[1]
Romulo quickly rose to fame for his versatility and on-screen presence, following the footsteps of actors like Leopoldo Salcedo.[1]
Film career
editJose Romulo made his breakthrough as the lead actor in DI-13, a movie based on a popular serialized komiks novel about a fictional police detective. Over the course of his career, he appeared in nearly 200 films, often playing leading roles during the 1950s.[2]
| Year | Title | Role | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Tumbador | Amigo | 1.5 |
| 1998 | Armadong Hudas | Roman Reyes | 7.2 |
| 1997 | Isinakdal Ko Ang Aking Ina | Gustavo | 7.0 |
| Eseng ng Tondo | 5.7 | ||
| 1995 | Pulis Probinsya II | Maj. Enriquez | |
| 1994 | Ikaw Lamang, Wala Nang Iba | 5.4 | |
| NBI: Epimaco Velasco, the True Story | Putik's Man | 7.4 | |
| 1993 | Gaano Kita Kamahal | Rolly's Father | |
| Manila Boy | Col. Quinzon | 7.2 | |
| Alejandro 'Diablo' Malubay | Maj. Barreto | ||
| Gascon... Bala ang Katapat Mo | 7.2 | ||
| 1992 | Warden | Daniel | |
| Andres Manambit: Angkan ng Matatapang | Chief | 5.4 | |
| Amang Capulong - Anak ng Tondo II | Maj. Valdez | ||
| Bad Boy II | Police Chief | 5.8 | |
| Alyas Lakay | |||
| 1991 | Mayor Latigo | Ka Omeng | 8.8 |
| Moro | Rashid Lucman | 6.5 | |
| Kumukulong Dugo | Col. Mirasol | ||
| Hepe: ...Isasabay Kita sa Paglubog ng Araw | Rivera | ||
| Boyong Mañalac: Hoodlum Terminator | Malapon P, Chief | 5.7 | |
| Takas sa Impiyerno | Chief | ||
| 1990 | May Isang Tsuper ng Taxi | 6.2 | |
| Huling Lalaki sa Bitayan | Tata Betoy | ||
| The Smokey Mountain | |||
| Mula Paa Hanggang Ulo | Hepe | ||
| Sa Diyos Lang Ako Susuko | 6.8 | ||
| 1989 | Binuhay Mo Ako Ngayon, Papatayin Kita Bukas! | ||
| Boots Oyson: Sa Katawan Mo ... Aagos Ang Dugo! | Amando | ||
| Pamilya Banal | Emong | 8.0 | |
| Hindi Pahuhuli ng Buhay | Kumander Acosta | 8.6 | |
| Maria Luisa Brigade: The Beginning | |||
| Alyas: Boy Life | Gusting Daga | 7.8 | |
| Tadtarin ng Bala Si Madelo | 5.3 | ||
| 1988 | Aguilar, May Oras Ka Rin | ||
| One Day, Isang Araw | 6.6 | ||
| Ang Supremo | |||
| Buy One, Take One | Police Chief | 7.0 | |
| Ex-Army | Kumander Tala | ||
| Alyas Pusa: Ang Taong May 13 Buhay | |||
| 1987 | Aguila at Falcon | ||
| Kapag Puno Na Ang Salop | 7.6 | ||
| Boy Tornado | Kid Amante's Trainer | 8.4 | |
| Sparrow Unit: The Termination Squad | 6.8 | ||
| Feliciano Luces: Alyas Kumander Toothpick, Mindanao | |||
| Balweg | Macli-ing Dulag | 1.8 | |
| Di Bale Na Lang | Emong (uncredited) | 9.3 | |
| Batas sa Aking Kamay | 6.8 | ||
| Operation: Get Victor Corpuz, the Rebel Soldier | 7.0 | ||
| 1986 | Dalagita | ||
| Payaso | 7.4 | ||
| Pepe Saclao: Public Enemy No. 1 | Pepe's elder brother | 7.4 | |
| Agaw Armas | Mang Canor | 8.7 | |
| Batang Quiapo | Major Corrales | 5.8 | |
| Anak ng Supremo | |||
| 1985 | Victor Lopez Jr. (Robinhood ng Tondo) | ||
| Sangley Point Robbery | Hepe | 6.4 | |
| Isa-Isa Lang! | Mr. Moreno | 5.6 | |
| Escort Girls | Gigi's father | ||
| Mission Order: Hulihin si ... Avelino Bagsic ang Rebelde | |||
| 1984 | Huwag Kang Papatay | Mayor Alcaraz | |
| Sigaw ng Katarungan | Badong | 7.7 | |
| Pasukuin Si Waway | 7.7 | ||
| 1983 | Lintik Lang Ang Walang Ganti | ||
| Kapag Buhay Ang Inutang | Celso | 5.0 | |
| Gamu-gamo sa Pugad Lawin | Pilo | ||
| 1982 | Daniel Bartolo ng Sapang Bato | ||
| Kumander .45 | |||
| Classified Operation | Jose Romulus | 3.6 | |
| Get My Son Dead or Alive | |||
| 1981 | Pagbabalik ng Panday | Ama ng mga Taong Lawin | 5.6 |
| Bandido sa Sapang Bato | Ka Pepeng | ||
| Ang Maestro | 6.9 | ||
| Geronimo | 5.2 | ||
| Laya | |||
| Shoot the Killer | |||
| 1980 | Ang Agila at ang Falcon | ||
| Leon ng Central Luzon | |||
| 1979 | Ang Lihim ng Guadalupe | ||
| Dobol Dribol | |||
| Isa Para sa Lahat, Lahat Para sa Isa | 8.0 | ||
| 1978 | Salonga | ||
| Mercenario | |||
| Joe Quintero | Ponso | ||
| Kumander Ulupong | |||
| Malabanan: Kilabot Hunter ng Cavite | |||
| Blood Run | |||
| Ang Lalaki... Ang Alamat... Ang Baril | 7.2 | ||
| 1977 | Bontoc | ||
| Bianong Bulag: One-Eyed Terror of Cavite | |||
| 1976 | Bongbong | Luis | |
| Mapang-akit... ang Dilim ng Gabi! | |||
| Alakdang Gubat | 4.3 | ||
| Bergado, Terror of Cavite | |||
| 1975 | Huwag Mo Akong Paandaran | ||
| Niño Valiente | |||
| Dugo at Pag-ibig sa Kapirasong Lupa | Mulong (uncredited) | 7.1 | |
| Hit and Run | Kapitan | ||
| Walang Duwag sa Kayumanggi | |||
| Dugo ng Tarikan | |||
| 1974 | South Seas | 4.8 | |
| Kill RP Nine-O | |||
| 1973 | Dugo ng Bayan | ||
| Sto. Cristo | |||
| Batang Bicol | |||
| 1972 | Superbeast | Vigo | 3.2 |
| Rio Tigre | |||
| The Hot Box | Crao | 4.7 | |
| Mga Ligaw ng Punglo | |||
| Viva Zaldo | |||
| 1971 | Asedillo | 7.6 | |
| Basta't Basketball | |||
| Adios Mi Amor | |||
| 1970 | San Diego | ||
| The Man from A.N.K.L.A. | |||
| 1969 | Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin | ||
| Ginintuang Kamay | |||
| The Gunman | |||
| Batang Matadero | |||
| 1968 | Tatak: Sacramentados | ||
| Mine Hunter | |||
| Barbaro Cristobal | |||
| Ang Mangliligpit | |||
| 1967 | Marko Asintado | ||
| Ex-Convict | |||
| Bravados | |||
| Metrocom | |||
| 1966 | Hanggang May Buhay | ||
| Estranghero sa Sapang Bato | |||
| Wanted: Johnny L | |||
| Swanie | |||
| Sarhento Aguila at ang 9 na Magigiting | |||
| Pistolero | |||
| Ang Haragan | |||
| Dakilang Balatkayo | |||
| 1965 | Lady Killer | ||
| Bandido Aguilar | |||
| Darmo Solo | |||
| Dugo sa Pantalan | |||
| Ang Mga Sandatahan | |||
| Maginoong Tulisan | |||
| 1964 | Scout Rangers | ||
| Saan Mang Sulok ng Daigdig | |||
| 9 Laban sa Lahat | |||
| 1963 | 12 Kuba | Hunchback | |
| Sigaw ng Digmaan | |||
| Sa Iyo O Sa Akin | |||
| Ang Tatay Kong Kalbo | |||
| Limang Kidlat | |||
| The Big Show | |||
| 1962 | Tatak Mondragon | ||
| Ang Nabubuhay Sa Patalim | |||
| Baliw O Martir | |||
| Sakdalista | |||
| Mapusok na Paghihiganti | |||
| 4 Valientes | |||
| 1961 | Bangkay Kaming Hahakbangan | ||
| Presinto 13: Sa Lahat ng Dako | |||
| Nagsasalitang Kalansay | |||
| Viva Caballeras | |||
| Divina, Diyosa ng Apoy | |||
| 1960 | Wala Kang Kapantay | ||
| Lintik Lang ang Walang Ganti | |||
| True Confessions | |||
| Cuatro Cantos | |||
| Viuda de Oro | |||
| Gabi ng Lagim | 6.0 | ||
| Batingaw | |||
| Materiales Fuertes | |||
| 1959 | Bigtime Berto | Berto's victim | |
| Ultimatum | |||
| 1958 | 4 na Pulubi | ||
| Bon Voyage | |||
| Mr. Basketball | |||
| Obra Maestra | |||
| Mga Liham kay Tiya Dely | |||
| 1957 | Wala Nang Luha | ||
| Familia Alvarado | |||
| Sweethearts | |||
| Bicol Express | |||
| Barumbado | |||
| 1956 | Exzur | ||
| Lalo Kitang Mahal | |||
| Prinsipe Villarba | |||
| Apat na Kasaysayang Ginto | |||
| Santa Lucia | |||
| 1955 | Dakilang Hudas | ||
| Unang Halik | |||
| El Jugador | |||
| Pandora | |||
| Ha Cha Cha | |||
| El Conde de Monte Carlo | |||
| Adventures of DI-13 | DI-13 | ||
| 1954 | Abenturera | ||
| Laging May Umaga | |||
| Paladin | 6.9 | ||
| Salabusab | |||
| 1952 | Ang Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo | Isagani | 7.3 |
Freelance work
editIn the 1960s, Romulo transitioned to freelance acting and frequently collaborated with FPJ Productions, owned by actor Fernando Poe Jr.. One of his notable performances in this period was in the film Lakay, where he took on a significant supporting role.[1]
Personal life
editJose Romulo was married to Lydia, with whom he had five children: Rey, Rizaldy, Marivic, Carmen, and Richmond. His daughter Marivic recalled her father as a generous and loving parent who often entertained his family with stories about the movie industry.[1]
Death
editOn August 5, 2015, Romulo passed away at the age of 83 due to pneumonia[3] resulting from complications of diabetes. He died at Parañaque Doctors Hospital in Parañaque City. His nephew, Nestor Cuartero, a journalist for Tempo and the Manila Bulletin, remembered him as "a gentleman of the old school" and "a true actor."[1]
Romulo's interment took place on August 9, 2015, at Loyola Memorial Park in Sucat, Parañaque City.[3]
Legacy
editJose Romulo remains a beloved figure in Philippine cinema, particularly remembered for his significant contributions during the golden age of Philippine movies. As the first "brown Adonis" on the local silver screen, he paved the way for actors who followed in his footsteps.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g "Premiere actor Jose Romulo, 83". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ a b c "Jose Romulo | Actor". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-12-17.
- ^ a b "Jose Romulo - Biography". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-12-17.