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Sylvia La Torre

In this Philippine name for married women, the birth middle name or maternal family name is Reyes, the birth surname or paternal family name is La Torre, and the marital name is Perez de Tagle.

Sylvia La Torre
Born
Sylvia Reyes La Torre

(1933-06-04)June 4, 1933
Manila, Philippine Islands
DiedDecember 1, 2022(2022-12-01) (aged 89)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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

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

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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Discography

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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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