Anita Linda (born Alice Bueñaflor Lake;[1] November 23, 1924 – June 10, 2020),[2] was a Filipino actress whose career spanned nearly eight decades and had done close to 400 motion pictures.[3] A romantic lead in her early years, she gained widespread acclaim for her portrayals of maternal, elderly roles depicting Filipino struggles and their lifestyle.[4] Often described as the face of Philippine cinema,[5] she was one of the top box-office draws for two decades[6][7] and has received numerous accolades from international film festivals and domestic award-giving bodies.[8][9]
Anita Linda | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Alice Bueñaflor Lake November 23, 1924 |
| Died | June 10, 2020 (aged 95) Parañaque, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1940–2020 |
| Spouse | Fred Cortes |
| Relatives | Alice Lake (paternal aunt) |
| Awards | Full list |
Early career
editLinda was born Alice Bueñaflor Lake in Pasay to James Lake, an American soldier and mining engineer, and Gorgonia Bueñaflor of Iloilo.[10][9]
Linda was discovered by renowned director Lamberto Avellana while watching a stage show at the Avenue Theater starring Leopoldo Salcedo, Lopito, among others. Then an Ilongga teenager that couldn't speak Tagalog, she had second thoughts when she was asked backstage if she wanted to become an actress. Avellana then told her to report for rehearsals for the next show and later had her fetched when she didn't appear.
Linda first did High School with no dialogue, then Biyernes sa Quiapo with Jaime dela Rosa as her leading man, then Aksesorya with Leopoldo Salcedo onstage. Avellana later gave her the screen name Anita Linda and cast her in Tia Juana, her first film at LVN Pictures.[11] The film was completed shortly before the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, but released only in 1943.[10]
With the film studios being shut down for the duration of the war, Linda spent the war years performing on bodabil at Avenue Theater in Manila.[10] After the war in 1947, she was later offered a contract by Premiere Productions where she was cast by Avellana in Sekretang Hong Kong with Pugo and Togo. Her first lead role in Alyas Sakim with Pol Salcedo in 1947 was directed by Moises Cagin.[11]
In 1951, Linda portrayed the title character in Gerardo de Leon's Sisa, a film based on the tragic character in Jose Rizal's novel Noli Me Tangere. The role garnered her the Best Actress Maria Clara award (a precursor of the FAMAS).[10] De Leon then cast Linda in Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo (1952), a role for which Linda would be nominated for a FAMAS Best Actress Award.[10]
Later career
editIn the 1970s, Linda gained renewed critical acclaim in maternal roles she played for director Lino Brocka in Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang (1974), Isa Dalawa Tatlo (1974) and Jaguar (1979). She would win the FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actress for Isa Dalawa Tatlo. Linda would also be nominated for the Gawad Urian Best Supporting Actress Award for Jaguar, which was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 1980 Cannes Film Festival. In 1982 she was given the Natatanging Gawad Urian ng Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino.[11]
Linda would appear in several leading films of the 1980s and 1990s, including Joey Gosiengfiao's Temptation Island (1980), Mike de Leon's Sister Stella L. (1984), Chito S. Roño's Itanong Mo sa Buwan and Brocka's Gumapang ka sa Lusak (1990). For her portrayal of an aging film actress in Mario O'Hara’s Ang Babae sa Bubungang Lata (1998), Linda would receive a Star Award for Best Supporting Actress and her second FAMAS Best Supporting Actress Award. For this, she set a record as the oldest actress to ever win a FAMAS at age 74. In 1987, Linda also won a Gawad Urian Best Supporting Actress award for Takaw Tukso.[9]
Linda remained active in the film industry as she reached her eighties, appearing in such films as Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita (2004), You Are the One (2006) and Ouija (2007). In 2009, she returned to television, starring in the ABS-CBN drama Tayong Dalawa as Kim Chiu's ruthless Chinese grandmother Lily.[12]
Linda garnered widespread acclaim in 2008, she starred in the independent film, Adela (2008), directed by Adolfo Alix, Jr. For her performance playing the loneliness of a woman celebrating her 80th birthday alone when her children failed to visit her, she was cited as Best Actress in the 10th Cinemanila International Film Festival (Southeast Asia Film Competition),[13] as Best Actress by the Young Critics Circle,[14] and as Best Actress (tied with Judy Ann Santos) at the Gawad Tanglaw Awards.[15] The New York Times film critic Stephen Holden praised Linda's performance as "quietly transfixing".[16] In 2009, Anita Linda was given the ENPRESS Lino Brocka Lifetime Achievement Award.[17]
She won the Best Supporting Actress award, for her performance in Sta. Niña, at the Cinemalaya 2012 under the New Breed Full Length Feature Category.[18]
In 2014, she made a comeback on primetime television in an ensemble drama Sana Bukas pa ang Kahapon as Paulo Avelino's grandmother Lola Patchi.[19]
Personal life
editShe was married to actor Fred Cortes Sr. (stage name). The marriage lasted 2 years. They had a son Fred Cortes Jr. (stage name)[20]
In January 2009, Linda was unhurt in a mugging incident that occurred while she was aboard a taxicab.[21] In October 1950, Linda's sister Mamey was murdered in a robbery attempt at the home they had shared; Linda herself was unharmed after she and her nieces had locked themselves in a bedroom to evade the burglars.[22]
Death
editLinda died on June 10, 2020. She was 95.[23] The news was confirmed by her daughter, Francesca Legaspi by a text message to STAR news.[24][25]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1943 | Tiya Juana | |
| 1947 | Alias Sakim | |
| 1947 | Sekretang Hong Kong | |
| 1947 | Ngayon at Kailan Man | |
| 1948 | Labi ng Bataan | |
| 1948 | Perfidia: Kataksilan | |
| 1948 | Anghel sa Lupa | |
| 1948 | Hiram na Pangalan | |
| 1948 | Wala Na Akong Luha | |
| 1949 | Ang Lumang Bahay sa Gulod | |
| 1949 | Bakit Ako Luluha? | |
| 1949 | Bandilang Basahan | |
| 1949 | Ina ng Awa | |
| 1949 | Dugo ng Katipunan | |
| 1949 | Kay Ganda ng Umaga | |
| 1949 | Kung Sakali Ma't Salat | |
| 1949 | Magkapilas ng Langit | |
| 1949 | Suwail (Naglaro ang Ligaya) | |
| 1950 | 3 Balaraw | |
| 1950 | Hiwaga ng Tulay na Bato | |
| 1950 | Punglo at Pag-ibig | |
| 1951 | Kadakilaan | |
| 1951 | Kapitan Bagwis | |
| 1951 | Prinsipe Don Juan | |
| 1951 | Sisa | Sisa |
| 1952 | Luha ng Langit | |
| 1952 | Bulaklak ng Nayon | |
| 1952 | Tatlong Kabanata sa Buhay Ko | |
| 1952 | Ngipin sa Ngipin | |
| 1953 | Ang Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo | |
| 1953 | Agilang Itim | |
| 1953 | Siga-Siga | |
| 1953 | Makabuhay | |
| 1953 | Nenita Unit | |
| 1954 | Ri-Gi-Ding | |
| 1954 | Lourdes: Ang Mutya ng Paaralan | |
| 1954 | Playboy | |
| 1954 | Guwapo | |
| 1954 | Por Bida Gid | |
| 1954 | Basagulera | |
| 1954 | Bandolero | |
| 1955 | Bandilang Pula | Commander Dalia |
| 1955 | Magia Blanca | |
| 1955 | 7 Maria | |
| 1956 | Takya | |
| 1956 | Ambrocia | |
| 1956 | Buhay at Pag-ibig ni Dr. Jose Rizal | |
| 1956 | Hokus-Pokus | |
| 1956 | Haring Tulisan | |
| 1957 | Viva Las Señoritas | |
| 1957 | Ukulele Boy | |
| 1958 | Mga Liham Kay Tiya Dely | |
| 1958 | Obra Maestra ("Singapore" segment) | |
| 1958 | Matandang Tinale | |
| 1961 | Nag-uumpugang Bato | |
| 1963 | Madugong Paghihiganti (The Massacre) | |
| 1964 | Naligaw na Anghel | |
| 1964 | Callejon Delinquente | |
| 1964 | Deadly Brothers | |
| 1964 | Pamatay: Kaliwa at Kanan | |
| 1965 | Darna at ang Babaing Tuod | Marta |
| 1969 | Bimbo | |
| 1969 | Born to Be Wild | |
| 1970 | Omar Cassidy and the Sandalyas Kid | |
| 1970 | The Alvarados | |
| 1970 | Mga Dugong Simaron | |
| 1970 | Because You Are Mine | |
| 1970 | Johnny Baby, Please Come Home! | |
| 1974 | Tatlo, Dalawa, Isa | |
| 1974 | Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang | Gng. Ortega |
| 1975 | Lumapit, Lumayo ang Umaga | |
| 1976 | Mrs. Teresa Abad, Ako Po si Bing | |
| 1976 | Isang Pag-ibig, Isang Pangarap, at Isang Bulaklak | |
| 1978 | Katawang Alabok | Kalapati |
| 1978 | Boy Apache | |
| 1978 | Mahal Mo, Mahal Ko | |
| 1978 | Katawang Alabok | |
| 1979 | Jaguar | Mother |
| 1979 | Alabok na Ginto | |
| 1979 | Kadete | |
| 1980 | 4 Na Maria | |
| 1980 | Candy | |
| 1980 | Dolphy's Angels | |
| 1980 | Kung Tawagin Siya'y Bathala | |
| 1980 | Temptation Island | |
| 1980 | Milyon | |
| 1980 | Good Morning, Sunshine | |
| 1980 | Ang Galing Galing Mo ... Mrs. Jones | |
| 1981 | Bakit Bughaw ang Langit? | Sofia |
| 1981 | Alfredo Sebastian | The Mother |
| 1982 | Pretty Boy Charlie | |
| 1984 | Lovingly Yours: The Movie (segment: Akin ang Walang Diyos) | |
| 1984 | Sister Stella L. | |
| 1986 | Iyo ang Tondo, Kanya ang Cavite | Desta |
| Takaw Tukso | ||
| Lumuhod Ka sa Lupa | Constancia "Atang" dela Cruz | |
| Batang Quiapo | Iska | |
| 1987 | Amang Hustler | |
| 1988 | Iyo ang Batas, Akin ang Katarungan | Pinang |
| Babaing Hampaslupa | Aling Ising | |
| Itanong Mo sa Buwan | ||
| 1990 | Gumapang Ka sa Lusak | |
| 1991 | Makiusap Ka sa Diyos | Sister Carmen |
| 1994 | Pare Ko! | Auring Lorenzo |
| 1995 | Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara | Yaya Benita |
| 1996 | Maruja | Belen |
| Cedie | Mrs. Mellon | |
| 1998 | Dama de Noche | Mother Catalina |
| Ang Babae sa Bubungang Lata | Amapola | |
| Puso ng Pasko | Lola Angeles | |
| 1999 | Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko... | Lola Benedicta |
| Sa Paraiso ni Efren | ||
| 2000 | Deathrow | Robbery Victim |
| 2001 | Isda | |
| 2004 | Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita | |
| 2006 | You Are the One | |
| 2007 | Tambolista | |
| Ouija | Lola Corazon | |
| A Love Story | Inang Sion | |
| Bahay Kubo: A Pinoy Mano Po! | Amelia | |
| 2008 | Adela | Adela Macaraig |
| Caregiver | Lola Miling | |
| 2009 | Booking | |
| Manila | Seniora Aleria | |
| Grandmother | ||
| 2011 | Presa | |
| 2012 | The Mistress | Lola Lina |
| 2013 | David F. | |
| 2013 | Nuwebe | |
| 2013 | Otso | |
| 2013 | Alamat ni China Doll | |
| 2013 | Morgue | |
| 2014 | Bride for Rent | Lola Czarina |
| My Illegal Wife | Magda | |
| 2016 | Mrs. | |
| Padre de Familia | Lola Eva | |
| 2017 | New Generation Heroes | |
| Tatlong Bibe | Mameng |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1980–1985 | Anna Liza | Munda |
| 1987 | Maricel Regal Drama Special | Aling Panchang[26] |
| 1992–1997 | Mara Clara | Aling Pacita |
| 1996 | Bayani | Melchora Aquino |
| 1996–1997 | Mia Gracia | |
| 1999 | Marinella | Doña Beatriz |
| 2000–2002 | Pangako Sa 'Yo | Puring "Lola Puring" San Juan |
| 2000–2001 | Saan Ka Man Naroroon | Aling Tasing |
| 2002–2003 | Bituin | Rustica |
| 2005 | Mars Ravelo's Darna | Nacyfe |
| 'Til Death Do Us Part | Lola / La | |
| 2007–2008 | Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbabalik | Impo |
| 2008 | Lovebooks Presents: No Boyfriend Since Birth | |
| 2009 | Tayong Dalawa | Lilian "Lola Lily" King |
| 2011 | Machete | Older Aginaya |
| 2011–2012 | Glamorosa | Lola Magda |
| Ikaw ay Pag-Ibig | Max's mother | |
| 2013 | Indio | Uray |
| 2014 | Sana Bukas pa ang Kahapon | Patrice "Lola Patchi" Salvador |
| Sa Puso ni Dok | ||
| 2015–2016 | Ningning | Lola Adelina |
Recognitions
editSee also
edit
References
edit- ^ Chua, Z.B. (June 11, 2020). "Actress Anita Linda, 95". BusinessWorld. BusinessWorld. Archived from the original on June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
- ^ "Philippines' 'oldest living actress' Anita Linda dies at 95". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Salterio, Leah C. (June 10, 2020). "TRIBUTE: Anita Linda continued acting and earning awards well into her 90s". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ Holden, Stephen (October 13, 2009). "A Hard Life, Especially as You're Turning 80". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ Gallardo, Ricky (September 15, 2019). "The amazing Anita Linda • Ricky Gallardo". Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ "Anita Linda's Premiere movies during the '40s". www.philstar.com. July 25, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ "Anita Linda is Mutya ng Paaralan". www.philstar.com. August 11, 2013. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ "Facts: Alice Linda". Unofficial Website of the Filipino Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on December 29, 2007. Retrieved January 27, 2008.
- ^ a b c Carballo, Bibsy M. (January 4, 2015). "Going 90, going strong". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on January 4, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e *Nenuca Jose; 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. 271. ISBN 971-8546-31-6.
- ^ a b c Carballo, Bibsy M. (October 19, 2009). "The Invincible Anita Linda". The Philippine Star. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- ^ Reyes, William R. (January 13, 2009). "Veteran actress Anita Linda plays tormentor of Kim Chiu in "Tayong Dalawa"". Pep.ph. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
- ^ "Cinemanila 08 Winners Feted at Malacanang". GMA News. October 21, 2008. Retrieved October 15, 2009.
- ^ Jocelyn Dimaculangan (February 8, 2009). "Adela dominates Young Critics Circle awards for 2008". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved October 15, 2009.
- ^ Ricky Lo (January 9, 2009). "Judy Ann, Anita Linda tie for Best Actress in Gawad Tanglaw Awards". The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 15, 2009.
- ^ Stephen Holden (October 14, 2009). "A Hard Life, Especially as You're Turning 80". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 17, 2009. Retrieved October 15, 2009.
- ^ Almo, Nerisa (May 1, 2009). "Indie film Boses wins six trophies at 6th Golden Screen Awards". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
- ^ Cruz, Marinel R. "Cinemalaya 2012 award winners bared". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
- ^ "Meet the cast of 'Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon'". ABS-CBN News. May 26, 2014. Archived from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
- ^ "Still Alice". The Philippine STAR.
- ^ "Actress Anita Linda attacked by robbers". ABS-CBN News. January 9, 2009. Archived from the original on January 17, 2009. Retrieved January 9, 2009.
- ^ "People of the Philippines v. Dangundong, G.R. No. L-10398, 30 June 1960 (Supreme Court of the Philippines)". The LawPhil Project. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
- ^ "Anita Linda: Truly a legend". Philstar.com. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
- ^ "Philippine cinema icon Anita Linda passes away at 95". Philippine Star. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
- ^ "Veteran actress Anita Linda dies at 95". Rappler. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
- ^ Lara, R. Martin (November 23, 1987). "The next important Actress". Manila Standard. Standard Publications, Inc. p. 10. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
Bibliography
edit- Nenuca Jose; 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. 271. ISBN 971-8546-31-6.
