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Ace York Caesar Asturias Aguilar (November 20, 1954 – December 15, 2007), better known by his stage name Ace Vergel, was a Filipino actor dubbed "The Original Bad Boy of Philippine Movies".[1] He was the son of the late film actors Alicia Vergel and César Ramírez, and brother of actress Beverly Vergel.[2]
Ace Vergel | |
|---|---|
 Ace Vergel, from the movie "Sige Subukan Mo" 1998. Screen captured | |
| Born | Ace York Caesar Asturias Aguilar November 20, 1954 |
| Died | December 15, 2007 (aged 53) Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippines |
| Resting place | The Garden of Divine World Columbary |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Other names | Alas, The Original Bad Boy of Philippine Movies |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1957–2007 |
| Spouse | Maya Dela Cuesta |
| Children | Alejandro King Aguilar |
| Parent(s) | Alicia Vergel and César Ramírez |
| Awards | Gawad Urian Best Actor 1988 Anak ng Cabron PMPC Star Award for Movie Actor of the Year 1989 Anak ng Cabron |
Early life
editHe was born Ace York Caesar Asturias Aguilar in the Philippines on November 20, 1954, to parents Alicia Vergel and Cesar Ramirez.[3] His parents were well-known stars in the 1950s.[4]
He attended Business Management and Public Relations at Ateneo de Manila University in 1975.
He was married to Maya dela Cuesta and had a son named Alejandro King dela Cuesta Aguilar.
Film career
editAce Vergel, being a "Child of Cinema" started in the film industry at the age of 3. His screen debut was in "Taong Putik" which starred his mother. He appeared in his first full-length movie at the age of five using his real name Ace York, where he played the friend of a giant bird in the 1959 film Anak ng Bulkan. The movie starred Fernando Poe Jr. and Edna Luna. At the age of 7, Ace dropped out of the movie scene as he reached school age.
In 1969 At the age of 15 he made a movie comeback and was paired with Nora Aunor in a musical "Nineteeners" but the chemistry didn't work and decided to bid the movie scene goodbye again. He staged his comeback in 1977 to do the film under Lino Brocka entitled "Inay" where his mother Alicia Vergel portrayed the title role. In the following year, Vergel switched from drama to action roles. His launching vehicle as an action star was in the film Noel San Miguel (Batang City Jail) in 1978. The movie gained positive reviews and made it to the box office. The movie stablished him as the newest action sensation during that time.
Vergel is the first movie star that appeared in a miniseries. The FIRST ever Philippine Miniseries entitled “Malayo Pa Ang Umaga.” is based on the first Filipino novel in English, “Without Seeing the Dawn “by Stevan Javellana. He played the main character “Mario” an oppressed farmer. Set during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, It was aired in channel 9 in seven installments during the summer of 1979. Rey Valera was chosen to compose the theme song of the miniseries.
In 1983, Vergel "aced" up a very challenging role in a classic movie "Pieta." His role as "Rigor" an anti-hero who lack of heroic attributes which differs from his usual role in his past movies became his most popular character. Pieta, to this day is considered by his fans as Ace Vergel's signature film.
Vergel has 5 Award Nominations.
FAMAS NOMINATION
1989 Best Actor for. "Anak Ng Cabron" (1988)
1986 Best Actor for "Bomba Arienda" (1985)
1985 Best Actor for "Basag Ang Pula" (1984)
1984 Best Actor for "Pieta" (1983)
GAWAD URIAN NOMINATION
1986 Best Actor for "Bomba Arienda" (1985)
In 1989, Vergel received his Best Actor awards from the Gawad Urian and PMPC Star Awards for Movies for his role in the film "Anak ng Cabron."
He had the lead role in the 1996 film Seth Corteza, which was about a man who inherits turf in the criminal underworld. He wants to make changes and faces the dangers that come about as a result. The film was directed by Efren C. Piñon.[5]
In 2003, Vergel appeared in his last film Masamang Ugat from Viva Films.
Controversies
editIn August 2007, a warrant for arrest was issued in Caloocan for rape cases filed against him in 2000, but he was later released. He was also linked to illegal drugs, but the cases against him were dismissed.[6]
Death
editVergel suffered a massive heart attack and slipped into coma at The Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center, located in Santa Cruz, Manila and died at 3:17 am on December 15, 2007, at the age of 53.
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Character | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Anak Ng Bulkan | Bentoy | |
| 1977 | Inay | Alex | |
| 1978 | Batang City Jail | Noel San Miguel | |
| 1979 | Hoodlum Killer | - | |
| Teritoryo Ko Ito | Jun Javier / Batang Dewey | ||
| Mahal Kong Taksil | - | ||
| 1980 | Pangkat: Do or Die | - | |
| Kanto Boy | - | ||
| Kodigo Penal: The Valderrama Case | Capt. Nilo Valderrama | ||
| Hari ng Tondo Ikaw o Ako | Bingo Ocampo | ||
| Tatak Angustia | Eric | ||
| Siga | Atty. Alex Noriega | ||
| 1981 | Kapwa Simaron | - | |
| Dirty Games | - | ||
| Ako Laban Sa Lahat | - | ||
| Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang | Mr. Delgado / Special Participation | ||
| Hantingan | - | ||
| Kamandag Ng Rehas Na Bakal | Sgt. Noel Santos | ||
| Hostage 72 Oras | - | ||
| Lukso Ng Dugo | - | ||
| Deadly Commando | - | ||
| Solid Alas | - | ||
| 1982 | Mga Pambato | Tonyong Blackjack | |
| Tres Kantos | - | ||
| Berdugo | Manuel | ||
| Annie Sabungera | Randy | ||
| Sugo | - | ||
| Waywaya | - | ||
| Ang Tapang Para Sa Lahat! | Ricardo | ||
| Zimatar | Prinsipe Akbar | ||
| 1983 | Inside Job | Atty. Adolfo Guevarra | |
| Pieta | Rigor | ||
| Kumusta Ka, Hudas? | - | ||
| Pusakal | - | ||
| 1984 | Huwag Kang Papatay | - | |
| Isang Dakot Na Lupa | Ador | ||
| Basag Ang Pula | Fernando | ||
| Tong | - | ||
| 1985 | Jandro Nakpil: Halang ang Kaluluwa | Jandro Nakpil | |
| Bomba Arienda | Roger "Bomba" Arienda | ||
| 1987 | Ayokong Tumungtong Sa Lupa | - | |
| 1988 | Anak Ng Cabron | Donato Rios | |
| 1989 | Killer vs. Ninjas | - | |
| Galit Sa Mundo | - | ||
| 1990 | Higit Na Mas Matimbang Ang Dugo | Randolph (uncredited) | |
| 1991 | Sagad Hanggang Buto | Banjo | |
| 1992 | Totoy Guwapo: Alyas Kanto Boy | Totoy Castro/Totoy Guwapo | |
| 1993 | Kahit Ako'y Busabos | Giller | |
| 1996 | Seth Corteza | Seth Corteza | |
| Ten Little Indians | Brandon Valdez | ||
| Huling Sagupaan | Samuel | ||
| 1997 | Utang Ko Sa Iyo Ang Buhay Ko | Wex | |
| Iligpit Si Victor Saraza | Victor Saraza | ||
| Jacob C.I.S. | Jacob/Gardo (Edgardo Mactan) | ||
| 1998 | Sige Subukan Mo | David/Berting | |
| Ang Joker At Ang Pistolero | Marvin / Special Participation | ||
| Abel Villarama: Armado | Abel Villarama | ||
| 2000 | Katayan | - | |
| 2001 | Carta Alas: Huwag Ka Nang Humirit | Capt. Ted Cordero | |
| 2003 | Masamang Ugat | David | Last film appearance |
References
edit- ^ "Bad Boys of Philippine Cinema". Philippine Entertainment Portal. September 3, 2009. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
- ^ Dr, James (April 22, 2012). "PELIKULA, ATBP.: ACE VERGEL (Artista Magazine, July 2, 1981)". PELIKULA, ATBP. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2007, By Harris M. Lentz III - Page 390 Vergel, Ace
- ^ The Philippine Star, December 16, 2007 - Ace Vergel dies of heart attack at 55
- ^ WorldCat - Seth Corteza
- ^ "Actor Ace Vergel dies of cardiac arrest at age 55". GmaNews.tv. December 15, 2007. Retrieved December 15, 2007.
7. Page 29 Expressweek/April 5, 1979
External links
edit- Ace Vergel at IMDb