Norberto "Bert" Joya Marcelo Sr. (June 6, 1936 – December 16, 1995)[1] was a Filipino actor, comedian, and television personality. His trademark high-pitched infectious laughter earned him the popular moniker "Tawa", the Tagalog word for laughter.
Bert Marcelo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Norberto Joya Marcelo June 6, 1936 |
| Died | December 16, 1995 (aged 59) |
| Resting place | Municipal Cemetery, Baliuag, Bulacan |
| Other names | Tawa |
| Alma mater | Far Eastern University (BA) |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, comedian, TV personality |
| Years active | 1967–1995 |
| Political party | Nationalist People's Coalition (1995)[1] |
| Spouse | Alicia Castro |
| Children | 4 |
Background
editBorn in Baliuag, Bulacan, Marcelo's persona as the Filipino everyman, enhanced by his eloquency in the Tagalog language and his easy-going friendly nature, made him ideal as the most recognized endorser of the popular San Miguel Beer.[2] Apart from his classic commercials for San Miguel Beer such as Isang Platitong Mani (A Saucerful of Peanuts), Marcelo was also best known as the co-host with Pilita Corrales in Ang Bagong Kampeon (The New Champion), a long-running television talent show which discovered Regine Velasquez (then-known as Chona) and among other talents.[3] He was also an occasional actor in films, as well in television sitcoms such as Baltic and Company in 1974. Aside from his work on television, he also had a stint on radio, as he became one of the announcers who worked with the now defunct DWWW 630 (owned by Radio Philippines Network) in the '80s.
In 1991, after throwing a joke on Rudy Fernandez in an awards night at CCP Main Theather, Fernandez approached to him in the backstage and said: 'Sa susunod, huwag mo akong lolokohin! Huwag mo akong mabiru-biro nang ganyan!'.[4]
Personal life
editHe was married to Alicia Trinidad Castro; they had four sons.
Death
editMarcelo passed away at the peak of his career when he suffered a fatal stroke on December 16, 1995, at St. Lukes Medical Center, months after losing his gubernatorial bid.[2] He was laid to rest at Municipal Cemetery in Baliuag, Bulacan, beside Jose C. Marcelo (February 2, 1902-August 16, 1970), Aljandra Joya Marcelo (May 18, 1896-March 27, 1992), Genoveva Joya Marcelo, Susana Joya Marcelo, Benita Marcelo, and Girlie V. Marcelo.
Legacy
editHe was portrayed by comedian Jose Manalo on an episode in “Magpakailanman” in 2003.[5]
Filmography
editFilm
edit- Pomposa: Ang Kabayong Tsismosa (1968)
- Tore ng Diyablo (1969)
- Teenage Escapades! (1969)
- Brownout (1969)
- Tisoy (1969)
- D' Musical Teenage Idols! (1969)
- Padre, si Eba (1971)
- Ang Pangalan Ko'y Luray (1971)
- The Panther (1973)
- Oh Margie Oh (1974)
- Hindi Kami Damong Ligaw (1976)
- Wanakosey (1977)
- Tisoy! (1977)
- Kapten Batuten en his Super Batuta (1977)
- Mga Mata ni Angelita (1978)
- Tadhana (television film, 1978) – Tausi[6]
- Isang Platitong Mani (1985)
- Payaso (1986)
- Everlasting Love (1989)
Television
edit- Baltic and Company (GMA Network, 1974–1976)
- Prinsipe Abante (GMA Network, 1977–1981)
- Kalatog Pinggan (BBC 2/ABS-CBN, 1985–1986/1987–1988)
- Ang Bagong Kampeon (RPN 9, 1985–1988)
- Tanghalan ng Kampeon (GMA Network, 1987–1993)
- Agrisiyete (GMA Network, 1991–1995) - his last TV appearance
References
edit- ^ a b "Remembering Bert 'Tawa' Marcelo". Tempo - The Nation's Fastest Growing Newspaper. October 5, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ^ a b "Remembering the laughter of Bert 'Tawa' Marcelo". Manila Standard. October 8, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ^ "Bago nagkaroon Kapamilya, Kapuso, sumikat si Kaka, a.k.a. Bert "Tawa" Marcelo". PEP.ph. October 4, 2020.
- ^ Gabinnete, Jojo (March 28, 2022). "Sampalan sa awards night, nangyari na sa Pilipinas noong 1991". PEP.ph.
- ^ "#MPK: The Bert "Tawa" Marcelo Story (Full Episode) Magpakailanman". GMA Network. July 30, 2023.
- ^ Aviado, Pandy (2005). "Isang Balik-tingin sa Pagsasa-Animation ng Tadhana". Huling Ptyk: Da Art of Nonoy Marcelo. The House Printers Corporation. pp. 75–78.
External links
edit- Bert Marcelo at IMDb
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