Rudy Fernandez (actor)

Rodolfo Valentino Padilla Fernandez[4] (March 3, 1952 – June 7, 2008),[1] better known as Rudy Fernandez or Daboy, was a Filipino actor and producer. He came to prominence as an action star in Philippine cinema during the 1980s up to the early 1990s.

Rudy Fernandez
Born
Rodolfo Valentino Padilla Fernandez

(1952-03-03)March 3, 1952
Tondo, Manila, Philippines[1]
DiedJune 7, 2008(2008-06-07) (aged 56)
Quezon City, Philippines
Resting placeThe Heritage Park, Taguig, Metro Manila
Other namesDaboy
Occupation(s)Actor, producer
Years active1970–2008
Political partyLaban ng Demokratikong Pilipino[2] (2001)
Spouse
(m. 1983)
Children3, incl. Mark Anthony and Renz
FatherGregorio Fernandez[3]
RelativesPadilla family
Awards
  • FAMAS Fernando Poe, Jr. Memorial Award
  • 2007
  • FAMAS Best Actor
  • 1988 Operation: Get Victor Corpus, the Rebel Soldier
  • 1984 Batuigas...Pasukuin si Waway
  • FAP Best Actor
  • 1984 Batuigas...Pasukuin si Waway
  • PMPC Star Awards: Male Star of the Night
  • 2000

Early life and career

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Fernandez was born at 8:36 PM on March 3, 1952, at Mary Johnston Hospital in Tondo, Manila. He was the eldest son of the late film director Gregorio Fernandez and actress Pilar Padilla (daughter of José Padilla Sr.).[1][5] Both his parents were from Lubao, Pampanga, which he considered his hometown.[6] He made his film debut at the age of three, appearing in Luksang Tagumpay (1956), which was directed by his father. He also appeared in another film of his father's, Emily (1960).

Fernandez started his active film career while a student at the University of Santo Tomas, when he was signed to a contract by Sampaguita Pictures in 1970.[5] He was first featured by Sampaguita Pictures in For Your Mama (1970), then paired with Connie Angeles in Sweet Matutina (1970). Fernandez spent the next few years in teenage parts until he made his breakthrough as an action star with Bitayin si... Baby Ama? (1976).[5] His viability as an action star was further enhanced with the box-office success of Ang Leon, ang Tigre at ang Alamid (1979).[5]

Beginning with Baby Ama, a biopic of a well-known Filipino criminal, Fernandez specialized in portraying true-to-life characters. One of his notable action films is Markang Bungo (Skull Mark), a film based on a true story, where he portrayed the well-known Baguio police officer Bobby Ortega, was released in 1992. From this film came a signature line of Fernandez's, "Walang personalan, trabaho lang" ("Strictly business, nothing personal"), which has since been cited as among the most memorable quotes in Philippine cinema by QTV's Ang Pinaka television program.[7] Iligpit si Bobby Ortega: Markang Bungo 2 (Execute Bobby Ortega, Skull Mark 2) is a sequel that was released in 1995.

Aside for portraying a real police officer, he was cast in the lead roles for the biopics of Filipino politicians Alfredo Lim, Vincent Crisologo, and Ping Lacson. In the film Lagalag: The Eddie Fernandez Story, he starred as Eddie Fernandez, a Filipino actor during the 1970s and the father of Pops Fernandez.

With the decline of production of Filipino action films during the 2000s, Fernandez turned to television roles. In the short-lived GMA Network sitcom Da Boy, en Da Girl, he starred opposite Rosanna Roces. He also played as a supporting role in other TV series in GMA like Twin Hearts and Atlantika. He was also the host of the docu-drama Kasangga.

Awards

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Fernandez has won two FAMAS Best Actor awards for the action films Batuigas... Pasukuin si Waway (Batuigas... Make Waway Surrender) (1984) and Operation: Get Victor Corpus, The Rebel Soldier (1988).[5] In addition to these wins, FAMAS has also nominated Rudy Fernandez an additional 13 times from 1976 to 1998.[8] He also won two FAP Best Actor awards for Batuigas... and for Birador (1998).

In 2007, FAMAS awarded him the Fernando Poe, Jr. Memorial Award.[8] The next year, the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) bestowed the 2008 Ulirang Artista Lifetime Achievement Award to Rudy Fernandez, at the 24th PMPC Star Awards for Movies. He was also the recipient of the Film Academy of the Philippines FPJ Lifetime Achievement Award.[9]

Personal life

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Fernandez's hometown was Lubao, Pampanga.[6] He came from famous Padilla showbiz clan in his maternal side. Robin, BB Gandanghari, and Rommel Padilla are his cousins and Zsa Zsa Padilla is his niece. He had one son, Mark Anthony Fernandez, with former partner Alma Moreno and two sons, Raphael Fernandez and Renz Fernandez with Lorna Tolentino, his wife. His grandson Grae (son of Mark Anthony Fernandez) also joined the showbiz industry.

He was survived by his wife, sons, and cousins; consequently, as he was the Padilla brothers' cousin, his grandson, Grae Fernandez, is the nephew of teen king Daniel Padilla.[10]

Politics

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During the 2001 elections, Fernandez ran for mayor of Quezon City under the banner of Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino's Puwersa ng Masa. Although he garnered most of the votes in District 2 where the voters were composed mostly of indigent citizens, he lost in the remaining three districts and was defeated by then-House Speaker Sonny Belmonte of the People Power Coalition.[11]

Illness and death

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In 2007, it was revealed by Lorna Tolentino on Startalk that her husband had been diagnosed with periampullary cancer.[12][13] Fernandez underwent treatment in Tokyo, Japan.[14] After a healing Mass on May 10, 2008, by several friends at the Christ the King Church, Quezon City, he was rushed to a San Juan hospital for back pains.[15][16] The Sun Star reported that Fernandez was actually suffering from pancreatic cancer, instead.[17]

Fernandez celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary with Lorna Tolentino on June 1, 2008. He suffered a seizure three days later on June 4, but refused to be taken back to the Cardinal Santos Memorial Center in San Juan.[18]

Fernandez died from periampullary cancer at his home in Quezon City on the morning of June 7, 2008. [4] His remains were brought to The Heritage Park in Taguig City, and his interment took place on June 12, 2008, at 3 p.m. for his burial.[19][20]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1959 Luksang Tagumpay
1960 Emily
1970 For Your Mama
1974 Patayin ang Dugong Tirador
7 Crazy Uragons
1976 Bitayin si... Baby Ama? Baby Ama
Bongbong Mando
Wanted: Agad-Agad
Wanted...Ded or Alayb? Raymond
Ikaw... Ako Laban sa Mundo
Usigin ang Maysala
1977 Makahiya at Talahib Arturo Clemente
Alfredo Lim: Sa Kamay ng Ibabaw Alfredo Lim
Gameng Wilfredo J. Gameng
Valentin Labrador Muntinlupa Riot 1950
Iligpit si Pretty Boy
1978 Bilangguan Walang Rehas
Doble Kara
Joe Quintero Quintero
Teteng Salonga ng Tondo
1979 Hoodlum Killer Re-released in December 1987[21]
Holdup (Special Squad, D.B.)
Isang Araw Isang Buhay Arturo Porcuna
Maynila
Nuwebe De Pebrero
Star
1980 Tatak Angustia Rene
Sa Init ng Apoy
Pader at Rehas
Deadly Brothers Ading
Puga Wilfredo "Willy" S. Mercado
1981 Pepeng Shotgun Medrano
Ulo ng Gapo
Lukso ng Dugo
Kosa
Kumander Kris Abdul
Death Row
Dakpin: Killers for Hire
Laya
1982 Tres Kantos Edgar
Bagong Boy Condenado Boy Condenado
Mga Pambato Peping Guwapo
Ang Tapang Para sa Lahat! Alex
Get My Son Dead or Alive Lt. Renato Parraguas
Kumander Elpidio Paclibar
Guillermo Soliman
Enkuwentro
1983 Somewhere Logarte
Sumuko Ka Ronquillo Ronquillo
Kumusta Ka na Hudas?
Alex San Diego: Alyas Wanted Alex
Kunin ang Ulo ni Magtanggol Rufo Magtanggol
Inside Job
Tatak ng Yakuza
1984 Idol
Sarge
Montemayor: Tulisang Dagat Montemayor
Kriminal
Kahit Ako'y Lupa
Batuigas: Pasukuin si Waway Waway
1985 Anak ng Tondo Berting
Bilang Na ang Oras Mo Bobby
Baun Gang Sgt. Alejandrino Baun
Tatak Munti
Calapan Jailbreak
Sangley Point Robbery (The Day They Robbed America)
1986 Deadly Target
Mabuhay Ka... sa Baril!
Teritoryo Ko Ito
Lumuhod Ka sa Lupa!
Humanda Ka, Ikaw ang Susunod!
Laban Kung Laban Dante
1987 Vigilante Pantaleon
Operation: Get Victor Corpus, the Rebel Soldier Victor Corpus
1988 Tubusin Mo ng Dugo
Sandakot Na Bala
1989 Ipaglalaban Ko
1990 Ayaw Matulog ng Gabi
Kaaway ng Batas Lt. Sandoval
1991 Bingbong: The Vincent Crisologo Story Vincent Crisologo
Markang Bungo: The Bobby Ortega Story Bobby Ortega
1992 Kahit Buhay Ko... Marco
Kamay ni Cain
1993 Kung Kailangan Mo Ako Elmo
Tumbasan Mo ng Buhay
1994 Nagkataon, Nagkatagpo Gomer
Lagalag: The Eddie Fernandez Story Eddie Fernandez
1995 Iligpit si Bobby Ortega: Markang Bungo 2 Bobby Ortega
Matimbang Pa sa Dugo Carlos
Kuratong Baleleng
1996 Itataya Ko ang Buhay Ko Capt. Edmund Rosario
'Wag na Wag Kang Lalayo Genner Ramirez
1997 Ayos Lang Pare Ko! Turo
1998 Birador Sgt. Mike Santana
Ginto't Pilak Ben Pilak
2000 Palaban Major Jack Morales
Sagot Kita, Mula Ulo Hanggang Paa Fireman
Ping Lacson: Super Cop Panfilo Lacson
2002 Diskarte Jake
Hula Mo, Huli Ko[22] Inspector Tuazon
Ang Alamat ng Lawin Friend of Lawin Uncredited
2003 Utang ng Ama[23]

Television

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Year Title Role Network
1999–2002 Kasangga Host GMA Network
2002–2003 Daboy en Da Girl Daboy
2003–2004 Twin Hearts Oscar Saraga
2006 Now and Forever: Linlang Arman Barrinuevo
2006–2007 Atlantika Camaro (Last TV series appearance)

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Philippines, Manila, Civil Registration, 1899-1994 Image Philippines, Manila, Civil Registration, 1899-1994; pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-14229-100798-79 — FamilySearch.org". FamilySearch. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  2. ^ "Daboy concedes to SB". www.philstar.com. May 23, 2001. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  3. ^ {{cite news |last1=Pareja |first1=Lynn |title=Gregorio Fernandez, neglected film master |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/13881/gregorio-fernandez-neglected-film-master |access-date=June 7, 2021 |work=INQUIRER.net}}
  4. ^ a b "Actor Rudy Fernandez dies". Philippine Daily Inquirer. June 7, 2008. Retrieved June 7, 2008.
  5. ^ a b c d e Lena Pareja (1994). "Philippine Film". In Nicanor Tiongson (ed.). CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art. Vol. VIII (1st ed.). Manila: Cultural Center of the Philippines. p. 247. ISBN 971-8546-31-6.
  6. ^ a b Alejandro & Teresita Camiling. "The Town of Lubao, Pampanga: Land of the Brave". Archived from the original on December 23, 2007. Retrieved March 15, 2008.
  7. ^ "Ang Pinaka's most memorable movie lines". GMANews.TV. June 25, 2007. Retrieved March 15, 2008.
  8. ^ a b "The Unofficial Website of the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences".
  9. ^ "Asian Journal Media Group—Your News. Your Community. Your Journal". Asian Journal News.
  10. ^ OMG! We bet you didn't know that these celebs are related! ABS-CBN.com February 4, 2017, 10:45 PM - https://entertainment.abs-cbn.com/tv/shows/starmagic/photos/albums/109020417-celebrities-you-probably-never-knew-were-related
  11. ^ Luz Rimban. "The Third Party". PCIJ. Retrieved March 15, 2008.
  12. ^ Elyas Isabelo Salanga (March 11, 2007). "Rudy Fernandez: "I ain't gonna die yet!"". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved March 15, 2008.
  13. ^ Amita Legaspi (March 10, 2007). "Lorna T. reveals hubby Rudy is battling cancer". GMANews.TV. Retrieved March 15, 2008.
  14. ^ "Ailing Rudy Fernandez off to Tokyo for cancer treatment". Philippine Daily Inquirer. May 1, 2007. Retrieved March 15, 2008.
  15. ^ "Rudy Fernandez confined due to back pains - report". GMA News Online. May 13, 2008.
  16. ^ "Judy Ann Santos ready to face the court's verdict on her tax-evasion case". PEP.ph.
  17. ^ "sunstar.com.ph "Daboy rushed to hospital"". SunStar.
  18. ^ "Qtv: Sen. Bong Revilla on the late Rudy Fernandez". GMA News Online.
  19. ^ "Fernandez brought to Heritage Memorial Park". GMA News.TV. June 7, 2008. Retrieved June 7, 2008.
  20. ^ "Actor Rudy Fernandez dies".
  21. ^ "Now Showing". Manila Standard. Standard Publications, Inc. December 11, 1987. p. 11. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  22. ^ "abs-cbnnews.com, Rudy Fernandez: March 3, 1953 — June 7, 2008".
  23. ^ Cruz, Marinel R. (September 21, 2003). "Joey: I can win without Kris' help". Philippine Daily Inquirer. The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc. p. C7. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
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