460. Asia’s Best Actress: CHARITO SOLIS, for CAMAY (1958) and POND’S (1975)

CHARITO SOLIS, THE ACTRESS AND THE AD MODEL

The breakthrough Filipina actress who was the first to win acclaim internationally was CHARITO SOLIS (b. 6 Oct. 1935/ d. 9 Jan, 1998). In 1967, she won Best Actress at the Asian Film Festival held in Tokyo, Japan for her role in “Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak”, of Nepomuceno Films.

Manila-born Rosario Violeta Solís Hernández was introduced in LVN Pictures’  “Niña Bonita” (1955) with Jaime dela Rosa. Her maiden film was such a hit,  paving the way for a career that spanned over 4 decades.

DAHIL SA ISANG BULAKLAK, Print Ad, 1966

Her stint with Nepomuceno Films was most memorable. From 1967 to 1971, she starred in some of the most critically acclaimed movies of her career, starting with “Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak”, which became the country’s 1^st entry to the 40^th  Oscar Awards, and for which she got invited to attend the awards night.

 Solis next appeared in “Igorota” (1968), daring because of her barebreasted appearance. She scored a FAMAS Best Actress for this film. The next year, she did “Ang Pulubi”, released internationally as “The Beggar”. She would win an unprecedented 5 FAMAS Best Actress nods,  the other 4 being  for Her other four FAMAS Best Actress wins were for “Kundiman ng Lahi “(1949); Emily (1960); Angustia (1963); and Don't Cry for Me, Papa (1983). For this, Solis was enshrined in the FAMAS Hall of Fame.

ANG PULUBI, print ad. Courtesy of Arch. Gerard Lico

She extend her career in television, beginning with “The Charito Solis Show” (1966-68) , ABS-CBN) and “Obra Mestra” (1973). But it was in the comedy sitcom “Okay Ka Fairy Ko”(1987)  as the flamboyant and meddlesome fairy Ina Magenta, that she found newfound fame in the 1980s.

CHARITO SOLIS FOR CAMAY, 1955

CHARITO SOLIS was tapped by a few, but well-known beauty products of international companies. She was an early CAMAY beauty when the best-selling Procter & Gamble PMC soap was launched, that used the country’s biggest movie stars in its promotional ads.

CHARITO SOLIS FOR POND'S, 1975

Twenty years after, in 1975, she became a celebrity model for POND’s, then from Chesebrough Manufacturing Co. affiliated with PRC (Phil. Refining Co.). Solis’s testimonial ad was one of a series, that included teen personality Jackie Lou Blanco, beauty queen Charina Zaragoza, and international model Jolina Zandueta, among others.

CHARITO SOLIS died of a heart attack in Calamba, Laguna, age 62. Her last appearance was for an episode in GMA Telecine Specials aired in 1998, entitled “Iguhit mo sa Alaala”.

 SOURCE/CREDITS:

"Ang Pulubi" photo, courtesy of Gerard Lico

Charito Solis, on wikipedia.com