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Helen Gamboa Sotto (Tagalog: [ˈhɛlɛn gamˈbɔwa ˈsɔtɔ]; born Helen Albent Gamboa; May 7, 1945) is a Filipino actress, singer, dancer and former beauty queen.
 |
Helen Gamboa-Sotto | |
|---|---|
| Born | Helen Albent Gamboa May 7, 1945 |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1954–present |
| Spouse | [2] |
| Children | 4 (including Gian and Ciara) |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Vic Sotto (brother-in-law) Val Sotto (brother-in-law) Vico Sotto (nephew-in-law) Oyo Sotto (nephew-in-law) Pablo Cuneta (brother-in-law) Sharon Cuneta (niece) KC Concepcion (grandniece) Kakie (grandniece) |
Gamboa was born Helen Albent Gamboa at 6:35 PM on May 7, 1945, at Maternity and Children's Hospital (now Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital) in Santa Cruz, Manila to Domingo Ponce Gamboa (1908–1987) and Eusebia Pangilinan Albent (1914–1986). She is also the sister of Elaine Gamboa (mother of Sharon Cuneta).[1][3]
Gamboa is married to Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III an actor, comedian, TV host and politician. They have four children: Romina Frances, Diorella Maria, Gian Carlo and Ciara Anna; eight grandsons: Romino Vicente, Victorio, Vicente IV, Carlos Edrigu, Alessandro Jose, Marciano, Juan Rossano, Domiku Yosef and Vincenzo Jose; and two granddaughters: Helena and Amaria Jiliana.[3][4] Their son Vincent Paul died 5 months after his birth in 1975, due to side effects of contraceptives according to doctors at the Makati Medical Center.[5]
In the 2010 elections, her son Gian Carlo was elected councilor of Quezon City's 3rd District and served for three consecutive terms before being elected as the vice mayor of the city in the 2019 elections, while her daughter Diorella Maria "Lala" was elected in the 6th District of the same city before being appointed chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board in 2022.[6]
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| This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (July 2022) |
1960s: Early works
Gamboa became a runner-up to Cynthia Ugalde by a point in the Miss Press Photography of the Philippines contest in 1961.
In the late 1960s, Gamboa was given the title "Dancing Queen" of Philippine cinema and TV musicals; this title was given to her prior to the popularity of the ABBA song with the same title, the title having been given eight years before the Swedish rock band's song was released in 1976.
2001–2017: Breakthrough
Gamboa made a brief TV comeback through the ABS-CBN Primetime TV series Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan in 2001–2003, playing the role of Nelia Santos. In 2009, she made her official comeback to Philippine primetime television in ABS-CBN network's Tayong Dalawa, where her son Gian also appeared. This marked Gamboa's 2nd Primetime TV series and comeback where she portrayed the antagonist Elizabeth Martinez in the TV series; the series also became a successful international phenomenon and featured a strong cast of award-winning actors from three generations of television, film, theater actors, some of whom came from appearances in internationally acclaimed indie films.[7]
In 2012, after a two-year hiatus, Gamboa played Margaret Montenegro in the highly acclaimed and most-watched program Walang Hanggan, featuring another ensemble cast where she was reunited with her Tayong Dalawa co-star Coco Martin who led the series. Gamboa's role was a main role in the series, Margaret Montenegro being the series' main antagonist.
On October 21, 2012, Gamboa showed her knowledge of the dance "Gangnam Style" in her performance in the Walang Hanggang Pasasalamat Concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
2017–2019: Return to GMA
In 2017, she finally returned to GMA Network after twenty-one years and starred as Lolita Honorio in Super Ma'am, which is also her television comeback. She was supposed to play Liza Lorena's role in a past GMA drama, Akin Pa Rin ang Bukas, back in 2013 after signing an exclusive contract but dropped out for health reasons.
2019–present: Return to ABS-CBN
Gamboa returned to ABS-CBN for Kahit Minsan Lang but the series was cancelled before it could start filming because of restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. Gamboa was supposed to be part of Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin but dropped out and Gina Pareño replaced her said role.
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Albums
- Helen Gamboa Sings Together Again (Jonal Records, released in March 1967)
- He'll Come Back To Me (Jonal Records, released in 1967)
- Shing-A-Ling Time (Jonal Records, released in 1968)
- Dance To The Music of Helen Gamboa (Ans Records, released in 1968)
- La Gamboa (Vicor Records, released in 1969)
- Bunny Chanel (RCA Victor International/WEA, released in 1979 under the name "Bunny Chanel")
- Bunny Chanel 2 (RCA Victor International/WEA, released in 1980 under the name "Bunny Chanel")
Singles
1966
- Gone / Band of Gold (debut single)
- What They Have Done to the Rain? / He'll Come Back to Me (with JA and The Jitterbugs)
- The More I See You / These Boots Are Made for Walkin' (with Doming Amarillo and his Tiajuana Brass)
- Strangers in the Night / The Impossible Dream
- Just Say Goodbye / I Can't Remember Ever Loving You
- The Thirty-First of June / It's Not Unusual
- I Love You / No Other Love
- A Groovy Kind of Love / Forever with You (with JA and The Jitterbugs)
- Soul Time / In the Midnight Hour
- Sweet Love and Sweet Forgiveness / Piel Canela
- Whispering Hope / Silver Bells (duet with Louie Levant)
- The In Crowd /
- Michael (Row the Boat Ashore) /
1967
- Somethin' Stupid / Summer Wine (duet with Gilbert Gamboa)
- Two of Us / Till We Meet Again (duet with Louie Levant)
- This Is My Song / Color My World
- Together Again / Cast Your Fate to the Wind
- All I See Is You / All Cried Out
- Oh, Oh What A Kiss / Wednesday's Child
- Only You (Can Break My Heart) / Time Alone Will Tell
- Uptight / Single Girl (with JA and The Jitterbugs)
- Please Don't Go / Cherish
- Sugar, Let's Shing-A-Ling / Shing-A-Ling Time
- Puppet On A String (with JA and The Jitterbugs) /
- Somebody to Love /
1968
- Ain't No Mountain High Enough / Two Can Have a Party (with The Tilt-Down Men)
- I'm Coming Home / Kiss Me Goodbye
- After You / Why Can't I Remember to Forget You
- Ode To Billie Joe / We've Got To Have Love (with The Tilt-Down Men)
- Don't Give Up / Everytime I See a Rainbow
- Angel of the Morning / Sweet Memories
- It's a Happening World / Shoot Your Shot
- Bang-Shang-A-Lang / Shotgun
1969
- The Fool On The Hill / The Horse (Love is All Right)
- Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da / Harper Valley PTA
- Mississippi Delta / The Glory of Love
- I'm a Tiger / Every Day I Have to Cry Some
- This Girl's in Love with You / Where Is Tomorrow
- Those Were the Days / Stay Away from Love
- Bitter Memories / Our Day Will Come
- Boom Bang-A-Bang / The Windmills of Your Mind
- Happy Heart / Let The Music Start
- Son of a Preacher Man / Put a Little Love in Your Heart
1970
- Evil Ways / Great Big Bundle of Love
- If Ever You Go / Put A Smile on Your Face
- Do the Popcorn / Both Sides Now
1973
- Anytime of the Year / It's a Crying Shame
- A Cowboy's Work Is Never Done / Betcha By Golly, Wow
- Put Your Hand in the Hand / Rose Garden
- Do Me / Somebody Waiting
- Love a Little Longer / Rock and Roll Lullaby
1974
- Doctor's Orders / Only Yesterday
- Please, Mr. Postman / My Melody of Love
- Head Over Heels / Leave a Little Room
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Television
| Year | Title | Role(s) | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Helen | Herself | ABC |
| 1974–1977 | Friends | ||
| 1979 | C.U.T.E. | Herself | |
| Eat Bulaga! | Host | RPN-9 | |
| 1981–1996 | Lovingly Yours, Helen | Host | GMA Network |
| 1991 | Luv Ko Si Kris | ABS-CBN | |
| 1992–1994 | Heart to Heart with Helen | Lead host | |
| 2001–2003 | Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan | Nelia Santos | ABS-CBN |
| 2009 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Mesa | Linda | |
| Tayong Dalawa | Elizabeth "Mamita" Martinez† | ||
| 2010 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Diploma | Rose | |
| Maalaala Mo Kaya: Parol | Maring | ||
| 2012 | Walang Hanggan | Doña Margaret "Mamo" Cruz-Montenegro | |
| 2017 | Super Ma'am | Lolita Honorio | GMA Network |
| From Helen's Kitchen | Host | Colours TV5 |
Film
- Maalaala Mo Kaya (1954)
- Palanca (1960)
- Walang Pagkalupig (1962)
- Sakay and Moy (1962)
- Gorio and His Jeepney (1962)
- Hugo, the Sidewalk Vendor (1962)
- Gorio... Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas (1963)
- The Nite Owl (Dance Party) (1964)
- Let's Go (1964)
- DJ Dance Time (1964)
- Misyong Mapanganib (1965)
- Dolpinger (1965)
- Guillermo Bravado (1965)
- Stranger in the Night (1966)
- Doble Trece (1966)
- Baril sa Aking Kamay (1966)
- Palos: Counterspy (1966)
- Yesterday (1967)
- Target: The A-Go-Go Generation (1967)
- Like Father, Like Son: Kung Ano ang Punò Siya ang Bunga (1967)
- Otra Vez, Señorita (1968)
- Operation: Discothèque (1968)
- O Kaka, O Kaka (1968)
- May I Go Out (1968)
- Let's Go Hippie (1968)
- Kailanma'y 'Di Ka Mag-iisa (1968)
- Boogaloo (1968)
- Bang-Shang-A-Lang (1968)
- Ngitngit ng Pitong Whistle Bomb (1968) as Nerissa
- Matimbang ang Dugo sa Tubig (1969)
- Banda 24 (1969)
- Love Is for the Two of Us (1970)
- Ako'y Tao, May Dugo at Lamán (1970) as Luisa
- Sarhento Fofonggay: A, Ewan! (1974)
- Biktima (1974) as Nurse
- Darna and the Giants (1974) as X3X
- Kapitan Kulas (1975)
- Iniibig Kita... Father Salvador (1976)
- Mga Mata ni Angelita (1978) as Janet - Gonzalo's Daughter
- Feliciano (1978)
- Roberta (1979)
- Angelita... Ako ang Iyong Ina (1980) as Janet
- Angelita, Ako ang Iyong Ina Part II (1982)
- Give Me Five! (1984)
- Mama Said Papa Said I Love You (1985)
- Hot Summer (1989)
- Kailan Mahuhugasan ang Kasalanan? (1989) as Adora Meneses
- Oras-oras, Araw-araw (1989)
- Umiyak Pati Langit (1991)
- Bagong Bayani (1995) as Flor Contemplacion
- Mano Po 6: A Mother's Love (2009)
- Segunda Mano (2011) as Adela Domingo
- Etiquette for Mistresses (2015) as Conchita San Diego
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| Year | Award Giving Body | Category | Nominated Work | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Awit Awards | Female Recording Artist of the Year | — | Won |
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