158. Miss No. 1: AMALIA FUENTES, Celebrity Endorser of the 1950s-60s-70s

AMALIA FUENTES AS LUX LADY, 1969

Along with Susan Roces, Amalia Fuentes (b. 27 Aug. 1940) was one of the first true  superstars of the Philippine silver screen of the 60s decade. Naga-born Fuentes was the daughter of Alvaro Muhlach Sr., a Filipino of German-Spanish blood, and Concepcion Amador. Her father had died during the war, so when she came of age, Fuentes decided to find work to support the family.

 

MR. & MISS NO. 1: Juancho and Amalia

Adopting  her stepfather’s surname, she thus became Amalia Fuentes,and at  age 16, the teen beauty entered the search for Sampaguita Pictures’ talent search for Mr. & Miss Number One.

She topped the contest, along with male winner, Juancho Gutierrez, and their careers were launched via their debut film, “Movie Fan”.

It was an instant success and she went on to make more blockbuster hits with Juancho like “Sonata” (1957) and “Pakiusap” (1959). Eventually, she was paired with Romeo Vasquez (“Pretty Boy”, “Ako ang May Sala”), who would become her husband, and father of their daughter Liezl.

AMALIA FUENTES for Mantrade's Fairlane

But it was in the 1960s that her star shone the brightest, beginning with the “Ako ang May Sala” (1960), and the 1963 romantic comedy “Ang Senyorito at ang Atsay”. Her intense screen rivalry with Susan Roces further heightened her fame. They had appeared together in “Amy, Susie, Tessie” (1960). When Roces did the popular “Susanang Daldal”, Fuentes countered with “Amaliang Mali-Mali”, and the competition was on.

SLIM, SLEEK AND BEAUTIFUL AS THE CAR, Mantrade Ad, 1965

As a an actress of superstar status, Fuentes was squired by many companies to endorse their products. The largest Ford dealer in the country, manila Trading & Supply Co. or MANTRADE, signed her up in 1965 to appear in print ads for their latest car model—Fairlane 500.

FUENTES IN REVE D'OR Ads. 1965

She also became an endorser of REVE D’OR,  a premium line of cosmetics (Lotion, Face Powder, Perfume)  distributed by Oceanic Commercial Inc. in 1965.

Fuentes became the face of LUX Beauty Soap in 1969, a casting coup for the brand which had signed up Susan Roces earlier as one of their Lux ladies.  She did a TV commercial that showed her at her most beautiful.

She supported her daughter with Vasquez, Liezl Sumilang, when she,too, became a child star and a commercial model, most notably for SCOTT’S EMULSION in 1974.

The checkered career of Fuentes included not just acting, but she also forayed into movie producing, screenplay writing and directing. But no doubt, it was the pulling power of her beauty that she will be remembered for, earning admiration from three generations of fans who have dubbed her as the Philippine answer to Elizabeth Taylor.