Layout by: Cristian Tulisana
Published by: Lean Miguel Tizon
Date Published: February 10, 2025
Time Published: 11:26 AM
Queen of Philippine Cinema, Gloria Romero, passed away at the age of 91 years old last January 25. Tributes from numerous artists, supporters, and even personalities were paid to the actress' as soon as they heard the news from Maritess Gutierrez, the daughter of the deceased via different social media platforms. At the early age of 16, Romero started her sophisticated journey as a cinematic performer and since then has moved many audiences' hearts and minds. As many would say, an inspiring, rewarding, and wholesome story of a life that has been captured through endless lenses indeed.
However, to become a queen, one must spend years to become one, a title deservingly given to Romero along with her six-or-so-decade career that's full of sacrifice, determination, and persistence that transcends through her different masterpieces.
Through her artistic acting skills, she has been in the headlines and is the talk of the town countless times, causing her to receive high-end awards and have major breakthroughs. Thanks to her modest character at the front and behind the scenes, she has made many connections with her co-stars, and enthusiasts—making her a symbol of grace and nobility. However, just like a film, one's legacy is always meant to outlive the creator. As we commemorate the deceased, What is the story of our very own Gloria Romero and how did she become the Queen of Philippine Cinema that we knew and who was once an inspiration to everyone?
A QUEEN FORGED FROM ADVERSITY
Wishing upon a star. Gloria Romero has always wanted to be an actress ever since she was young. Born on December 16, 1933, Gloria Galla—the Gloria Romero we've known today, was the precious daughter of Pedro Galla and Mary Borrego and a sibling of Tito, Louise, and Gilbert Galla.
They were staying in Denver, Colorado when they planned to visit their father's hometown, Pangasinan, in the Philippines. When they did, due to an unfortunate break out of war and the sudden death of her beloved mother, they had no choice but to settle for good in the Philippines. This is where Romero continued her studies. Unfortunately, she never finished high school. However, she never worried about a thing in her academics for she affirmed that she would become a movie star—then there started her dream gradually transforming into her own reality.
Just like a fire, her passion to be on the silver screen was burning. She had an uncle named Nario Rosales who was the Chief Editor at Sampaguita Studios, opening many opportunities for the actress to visit certain sets with ease. She started her acting career as an extra in the same studio and then was noticed later on in "Kasitahan sa Pangarap" along with the stars Panco Magalona and Tita Duran. In the following years, Galla gained experience through many films until producers introduced her to a new screen name, Gloria Romero, the name she is known today.
She then slowly rose to fame as she got various roles one after the other. "Palasig," which was released in 1952 is one of her memorable films—her first of the many even. It was her first starring role alongside Cesar Ramirez. Due to her authentic acting skills in the film, opportunities widened as her casting of numerous producers in certain films increased.
From then on, she passionately works hard for a long time. Seeing her classics, people have started to take notice of her—giving her the spotlight that she had been longing for as a child.
A dream come true for her, indeed. The young Gloria Romero has started to fulfill her affirmation of being a movie star in the Philippines. It was a fate, rather than an accident, that her family stayed in the country as it opened a lot of opportunities in their bloodline, especially for the aspiring star. She then continued on starring in different films and creating hits after hits. Little did she know that she would be in the spotlight of the industry for a few years—decades even—inspiring people with her art.
ROMERO'S RISE TO ROYAL FAME
"Lights, Camera, Action!" is one of the most common phrases that one would hear in the film industry, particularly the actors when signaling the start of the recording of one's scene. Similarly, these phrases would be the statement that the young Romero would hear for most of her life as she starred in many films. The same phrase would signal the start of her blooming career as an actress—then being titled the "Queen of the Philippine Cinema" later on.
Starting her career as an extra—Romero persevered. Her burning passion and undying perseverance caused her to be cast as a star in "Palasig" in 1952 along with star Cesar Ramirez. This film was her first iconic role, her most special event.
Although Palasig was a special film in her heart, it was her lead role in Monghita, which was released in the same year, that brought her to the starlight. Accompanied by co-star Oscar Moreno, they cemented their popularity and bankability together.
After gaining everyone's attention, Romero, with relentless determination, continued starring in certain films. Showing her commitment to creating masterpieces and her passion in doing so, gradually being an inspiration to her audiences, co-workers, and her slowly increasing fanbase.
In 1953, she was chosen to be the lead in certain known films namely, "May Umaga pang Darating," "Apat na Taga," and "Recuerdo." Then, the following year was flowing with abundance. After starring in a few more films in 1954 like "Musikong Bumbong," "Pilya," and "Dalagang Ilocana," she gained her hard-earned Best Actress Award from the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences.
Subsequently, she worked even harder the following years where she starred in numerous blockbusters such as "Vacacionista," "Pitong Pagsisisi," and "Lupa sa Lupa." Because of her diligence and hits, she was named the Queen of Philippine Movies. To pay respect to her roots, Romero remained loyal to her uncle's studio, making her its longest-exclusive star.
Steadfast and meticulous—few of the many things to describe the star. Her unwavering devotion to her work is mind-blowing. Continuously making masterpieces one after another, she's always bringing a big impact to the film industry, which can be seen in her various awards, recognitions, and feedback from her co-stars, workers, and even managers. As many would've said, she did truly deserve a royal title for her elegant persona.
A TRIBUTE TO THE UNWAVERED LEGACY
People die, legacies don't. Gloria Romero has spent her life living her dream—becoming a movie star, and also creating an endless legacy that we can be fondly proud of. However, her journey to this world has recently ended, causing major heartbreaks and sad tributes along her memorial.
Romero was known for her remarkable beauty and sophisticated personality as she thrived in the industry. She's truly a star forged in silence—a bright one that illuminates light and great impact on many.
Charo Santos-Concio was one of the many that Romero had a great impact on. From being her idol to working with her personally, Santos-Concio was honored. She recalled watching the deceased's masterpieces as she would describe an experience of entering a world of magic: authentic, elegant, and graceful. She also stated that Romero was dedicated and professional while also radiating happiness and wisdom behind the scenes.
Barbie Forteza also appreciated her time working with Romero in many series like "The Half Sisters" and "Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko." She stated that she'll forever be proud of the moment that she was able to work with her and pay her respects.
Amy Perez shared the same thing as the others, recapitulation of her moments along with Romero. "Mommy, I will miss you. Thank you for everything. Rest now in the loving arms of our Lord Jesus Christ. Love you forever." Perez stated as she shared a video from Romero's 90th birthday celebration.
Many actors also paid tribute to her passing and wished that stars guide her way. They also said that they have loved her for what she is and thanked her for having a big impact on everyone and everything.
She was truly a star that illuminates hope, and happiness to her co-workers and supporters for more than six decades already. Gloria Romero, known for her remarkable beauty and sophisticated personality, has emitted brightness to everyone as she showed her great capabilities as a dream-come-true actress and an open-minded individual. From a high school dropout to a well-known actress, she proved that any goal could be achieved with enough passion and determination. She has a memorable name and an incredible title that everyone will surely remember for a lifetime.
Gloria Galla turned Romero, had a prosperous six-decade career in the film industry. Starting as an extra to slowly becoming the lead, she carried on to be an expressive actress and a lovable colleague that we know and adore today. Just like what her co-workers stated, it was truly an honor to have worked and lived in the same lifetime as the Queen of Philippine Cinema. As cameras turned off and memories with her stopped, we explored who she was in and beyond the lenses and how she had a great impact in her beloved industry. Just like her abilities that transcend different lenses, her story and showpieces will go from generation to generation.
Without a doubt, Gloria Romero's story prompts us to take a step forward in achieving our long-yearned dreams. Having different scenes in life, we share one thing in common—affirmations. She was the living proof that dreams do come true, only if we worked hard for it. The result of her unwavering determination was her endless casting opportunities and various blockbuster films, eventually earning her the title "Queen of the Philippine Cinema." Along with her achievements were the unlimited compliments to her—caused by her humble and distinguished personality. She became a guide to everyone to be yourself while thriving for your dreams, as it will help in illuminating our own light later on.
Hence, let's take a step closer to our ambitions and illuminate our very own blaze with the guide of the Queen of the Philippine Cinema, our inspiration, from above.
IMAGE SOURCE:
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REFERENCES:
[1]Gasgonia, D. (2025, January 25). Movie, TV icon Gloria Romero passes away: ABS-CBN entertainment. ABS-CBN. https://www.abs-cbn.com/.../movie-tv-icon-gloria-romero...
[2]IMDb. (n.d.). Gloria Romero. IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0739418/bio/
[3]Donato, J. (2025, January 27). Gloria Romero: An inspiration to aspiring stars and new movie queens. Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/.../gloria-romero-inspiration...
[4]Iglesias, I. (2025, January 26). Celebrities mourn, pay tribute to Gloria Romero. The Manila Times. https://www.manilatimes.net/.../celebrities-mourn.../2044705
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