Sylvia Reyes La Torre-Perez de Tagle (June 4, 1933 – December 1, 2022) was a Filipino singer, actress, and radio star.[1]

Sylvia La Torre
Born
Sylvia Reyes La Torre

(1933-06-04)June 4, 1933
DiedDecember 1, 2022(2022-12-01) (aged 89)
Occupation(s)Singer, actress, radio personality
Years active1941–2022
Known forCo-host of Oras ng Ligaya
Kundiman performer
SpouseCelso Perez de Tagle
Children3
Parents
  • Olive La Torre (father)
  • Leonora Reyes (mother)
RelativesAnna Maria Perez de Tagle (granddaughter)
Sarita Pérez de Tagle (granddaughter)
Musical career
GenresKundiman

Early life

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La Torre was born on June 4, 1933,[2] to director Olive La Torre and actress Leonora Reyes.[3]

Career

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Singing

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La Torre's singing career started in 1938 at the age of five, when she entered a singing competition in Manila.[4] She also attended the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music under a scholarship and also became a frequent feature at the Manila Grand Opera House.[3]

She would gain the reputation of being the "Queen of Kundiman" for performing hundreds of songs such as "Mutya ng Pasig", "Waray-Waray" and "Maalaala Mo Kaya".[3]

She would continue to perform, even as she emigrated to the United States. In 2017, she worked with the Filipino-American Symphony Orchestra.[5]

Radio, television, and film

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La Torre was a child actress, first appearing in the 1941 film Ang Maestra. She would feature in other films made by Sampaguita Pictures.[6]

In 1960, La Torre featured in the radio program Tuloy ang Ligaya of Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) with Lita Guttierez and Oscar Obligacion.[7][8] The radio program was made into a television program known as The Big Show which was hosted by La Torre and Obligacion. Due to the success of The Big Show. ABS-CBN would offer the two to host its noontime television show Oras ng Ligaya.[8] For this, she earned the title "First Lady of Philippine Television". She was a regular on the radio series Tang Tarang Tang and the TV sitcom of the same name, where she starred with comedians Pugo and Bentot.[9] She also starred in the film adaptation of Tang Tarang Tang and its sequel My Little Kuwan.[10]

La Torre's filmography spans until the 1990s.[5] Among her noted films are Ulila ng Bataan and Buhay Pilipino in 1952 and Nukso nang nukso in 1960.[5] She would also star in the 1988 Seiko film One Two Bato, Three Four Bapor.[3]

Personal life

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La Torre was married to Celso Perez de Tagle, a dentist, with whom she had three children. Her granddaughter, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, is also an actress, known for appearing in Hannah Montana and Camp Rock.[8] La Torre was also a devout Roman Catholic.[4] Her family emigrated to the United States in the 1980s where she continued performing.[8]

Death

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La Torre died in her sleep on December 1, 2022.[11]

Filmography

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  • 1941 - Ang Maestra
  • 1949 - Biro ng Tadhana
  • 1952 - Buhay Pilipino
  • 1952 - Ulila ng Bataan
  • 1952 - Gorio at Tekla
  • 1953 - Munting Koronel
  • 1953 - Ang Asawa Kong Americana
  • 1958 - My Little Kuwan
  • 1959 - Puro Utos, Puro Utos
  • 1959 - Nukso ng Nukso
  • 1960 - Yantok Mindoro
  • 1961 - Oh Sendang
  • 1962 - Tang-taran-tang
  • 1963 - Sakay and Moy
  • 1974 - Oh Maggie Oh
  • 1978 - Chimoy at Chimay
  • 1987 - Jack & Jill as Doña Estrella "Star" Bartolome
  • 1989 - M&M, the Incredible Twins
  • 1989 - One Two Bato, Three Four Bapor
  • 1993 - Ligaw-ligawan Kasal-kasalan Bahay-bahayan
  • 1997 - Biyudo Si Daddy, Biyuda Si Mommy
  • 2001-2002 - Biglang Sibol, Bayang Impasibol

Discography

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  • Akala'y Totoo (Pangarap Lang Pala)
  • Ako Ay Iyo - 1959
  • Ako'y Kampupot - 1954
  • Ako'y Lumuluha
  • Ako'y Nagmamahal - 1961
  • Alak (record) - 1965
  • Alembong - 1958
  • Alibambang
  • Aling Kutsero - 1956
  • Anak ni Waray - 1959
  • Ano Ba - 1959
  • Ang Giliw Na Ibig Ko - 1960
  • Ang Dalagang Nayon
  • Ang Hirap Kay' Inday
  • Ang Kasing-Kasing ko
  • Ang Langit Ko'y Ikaw
  • Ang Paglalaba
  • Ano Ba
  • Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran - 1955
  • Arimunding-Munding - 1953
  • Asahan Mo
  • Atik
  • Awat na Adyang - 1961
  • Ay Anong Saklap - 1960
  • Ay Kalisud - 1954
  • "Babalik Ka Rin"
  • "Bahala Na" - 1956
  • "Bahay-Kubo (Sylvia)" - 1966
  • "Bakit Mo Ako Pinaluha"
  • "Banahaw"
  • "Basang Sisiw"
  • "Basta't Mahal Kita" - 1959
  • "Batanguena" - 1954
  • "Binatang Kapampangan"
  • "Bingwit ng Pag-ibig"
  • "Binibiro Lamang Kita"
  • "Biru-Biruan"
  • "Bituing Marikit" - 1952
  • "Buhay sa Nayon"
  • "Bulaklak at Paru-Paro" - 1954
  • "Carinosa"
  • "Chimoy at Chimay" - 1973
  • "Dadaldal-Daldal"
  • "Dahil Sa Polka" - 1965
  • "Dahil sa Iyo"
  • "Dahil sa Polka"
  • "Dalaga't Binata"
  • "Dankasi'y Tuwis Ka ng Tuwis" (1962)[12]
  • "Di Magtataksil"
  • "Di Mahahadlangan"
  • Easy Ka Lang Padre - 1956
  • Etcetera...Etcetera...Etcetera... - 1966
  • Ewan Ko Ba - 1962
  • Fiesta - 1960
  • Galawgaw - 1955
  • Ginintuang Ani - 1954
  • Gintong Silahis - 1954
  • Golpe de Gulat - 1967
  • Granada (Sylvia) - 1968
  • Habang May Buhay - 1965
  • Halikan Mo Ako Darling - 1959
  • Halina't Magsaya
  • Handang Matodas
  • Hanee-Hanee
  • Hanggang Langit
  • Hanggang sa Mag-Umaga
  • Hijo de Familia
  • Hindi Basta-Basta - 1956
  • Hindi Na Nagbalik
  • Hirap ng Umibig
  • Huwag Ka Sanang Pikon - 1962
  • Ibong Sawi - 1953
  • Ikaw
  • Ikaw Kasi - 1956
  • Ikinalulungkot Ko
  • Ilang-Ilang - 1954
  • Inday Palalayasin Kita
  • Irog Kay Sarap
  • Irog Ko
  • Irog ng Buhay
  • Irogm Nasaan ang Pag-ibig
  • Isang Aral - 1967
  • Iyung-Iyo
  • Jukebox Rock
  • Kalesa - 1959
  • Kasalanan Ba ang Umibig
  • Kasing Bango ng Pagsinta - 1954
  • Katakataka
  • Katimbang ng Buhay
  • Katuwaan
  • Kikisay-Kisay
  • Kulasisi - 1954
  • Kumare, Kumpadre 1952 (Sylvia La Torre & Alfred La Roza)
  • Kung Akoy Iibig
  • Kung Kita'y Kapiling
  • Kung Nagsasayaw
  • Laba-Laba-Laba
  • Lalake at Lamok
  • Larawan ng Pagsinta
  • Lawiswis Kawayan - 1954
  • Lihim Kitang Iniibig
  • Luha
  • Luha sa Hatinggabi
  • Luha sa Kalipay - 1954
  • Maalaala Mo Kaya
  • Mabuti Pa
  • Madaling Araw
  • Magkatuwaan - 1966
  • Magsaya ka't Ngumiti - 1967
  • Magsayawan
  • Magtiis ka Darling
  • Mahal na Mahal kita
  • Malaking Hirap
  • Maligayang Araw
  • Mamang Kartero
  • Manalig ka
  • Mang Teban
  • Masaganang Kabukiran - 1954
  • May Araw ka Rin
  • Mutya ng Pasig - 1952
  • Nagnakaw ng Halik - 1959
  • Nakakabum - 1969
  • Naman, Naman, Naman - 1970
  • Nangangarap
  • Nasaan
  • Nasaan Ang Aking Puso - 1968
  • Nasaan ang Sumpa Mo
  • Nasaan Ka Irog - 1952
  • No Money, No Honey - 1956
  • No Touch, Filipino Kostum
  • O.A.
  • One, Two, Three
  • Paglingap - 1953
  • Paglubog ng Araw
  • Pahiwatig - 1952
  • Pakiusap - 1952
  • Pakwan - 1959
  • Pamaypay ng Maynila - 1954
  • Pampahimbing - 1959
  • Pandanggo sa Pag-ibig
  • Pandangguhan (Sylvia) - 1954
  • Parti-Lain (Sylvia) - 1961
  • Paru-Paro sa Bulaklak
  • Peks Man
  • Phone Pal (Sylvia) - 1958
  • Please Lang - 1960
  • Pintasan - 1964
  • Pook na Kaakit-akit
  • Probinsyano (Sylvia) - 1959
  • Puting Teksas - 1961
  • Sa Bukid
  • Sa Duyan ng Pagmamahal
  • Sa Kabukiran - 1954
  • Sa Libis ng Nayon
  • Sa Pagpatak ng Ulan
  • Salawahan
  • Sampaguita
  • Singsing
  • Sino Man ang Nagsabi - 1965
  • Sosayting Dukha (song)
  • Taguan (Sylvia) - 1966
  • Talusaling Polka - 1964
  • Tampal - 1969
  • Tampuhan
  • Taradyin Pot Pot
  • Tayo'y Mamasko
  • Tingnan Natin
  • Tinikling (Sylvia) - 1963
  • Tirana Biya
  • Tugtugan - 1969
  • Tsimoy at Tsimay with Bobby Gonzales
  • Tunay na Ligaya
  • Twit Twit Twit - 1963
  • Walang Kuarta
  • Waray-Waray - 1954

References

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  1. ^ "Sylvia La Torre is back in Manila". ABS-CBN News. November 22, 2010.
  2. ^ Roque, Nika (December 2, 2022). "Sylvia La Torre, Queen of Kundiman, dies at 89". GMA News.
  3. ^ a b c d Purnell, Kristofer (December 2, 2022). "'First Lady of Philippine Television' Sylvia La Torre dies at 89". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Nepales, Ruben (March 11, 2022). "Sylvia La Torre, Philippines' Trailblazing Entertainer, from Radio to Cinema". Golden Globes. Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c "First Lady of Philippine Television Sylvia La Torre Passes Away". Esquire Philippines. December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  6. ^ Cua, Aric John Sy (December 3, 2022). "Sylvia La Torre, 89". The Manila Times.
  7. ^ De Castro, Cynthia. "The Queen of Kundiman, Sylvia La Torre: After 70 years in showbiz – Tuloy pa rin ang ligaya". Asian Journal. p. 1. Archived from the original on April 21, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c d De Castro, Cynthia. "The Queen of Kundiman, Sylvia La Torre: After 70 years in showbiz – Tuloy pa rin ang ligaya". Asian Journal. p. 2. Archived from the original on March 21, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2022.
  9. ^ "Showbiz personalities, nagbigay-pugay sa yumaong Sylvia La Torre". PEP. December 2, 2022. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  10. ^ Gil, Baby A. (December 7, 2022). "Sylvia la Torre: Entertainment icon in every sense of the word". Philippine Star. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  11. ^ Cua, Aric John Sy (December 3, 2022). "Sylvia La Torre, 89". The Manila Times. ...the Broadway actress said her grandmother [Sylvia La Torre] died at 7:02 a.m. on Thursday (American time).
  12. ^ Trinidad, Luis Ma. (April 7, 1962). "Twist Craze Hits Filipinos". Billboard. Manila: Billboard Publications, Inc. p. 22. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
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