469. MARICRIS BERMONT for No. 1 Selling Brand LA GERMANIA Gas Ranges, 1979

MARICRIS BERMONT for LA GERMANIA, 1979

An unheralded singer stole the show at the 1^st ever Metro Manila Popular Music Festival (METROPOP) in 1978 when she sang the soaring “Narito Ako", a composition of well-known composer, Nonong Pedero. MARICIRIS BERMONT, the lovely curly-haired Filipino-French mestiza sang her heart to a commendable 3^rd place finish, after “Pagdating Mo” (Celeste Legaspi), and “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” (Hajji Alejandro).

Bermont, then 30, was largely unknown, singing in limited circles in events and muscals staged at Manila Metropolitan Theater, Her triumph signaled the start of a successful career in the mainstream Philippine music industry. After her stint at Metropop, she once again represented the contry at an international song festival in Puerto Rico, where she emerged as the Grand Prize winner.

AT THE 1ST METROPOP  FESTIVAL,with Nonong Pedero

She was sought after for television shows and was even recruited for the movies, appearing in at least 2: “Dyesebel” (1978), “Nognog” (1980).

In 1979, LA GERMANIA, leading maker of gas ranges, ovens and other appliances, tapped the young mother (she was married to Gerardo C. Garcia +) to appear in a series of print ads, with a TV version wher she sang the memorable “La Germania generates love..” jingle. Beauty queen Consuelo Escalambre had appeared in an earlier, similar version, singing and strumming a guitar.

The ad agency kept the same formula and soon, guitar-playing Bermont was heard all over the airwaves, and seen in many versions of LA GERMANIA print ads.

Eventually, the Bermonts became a born again Christian family in the early 1980s. Maricris Bermont shifted to singing songs of faith and inspiration and, to this day, continues to perform and make guest appearances in many Christian fellowship events, TV and radio shows. Regine Velasquez would turn her 1978 hit song "Narito Ako", into another retro-bestseller in 1990. The Bermonts are a part of the Word Community (Wordcomm)  of Makati; her son, is in fact, a pastor of that gospel-centered church.

MARICRIS BERMONT, today

SOURCES:

Youtube: Manila Met videos, Maricris Bermont sings “Narito Ako”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSOncLyk12g, uploaded by nomerson.

468. Where Are They Now? Filipina-Polish International Model JOLINA ZANDUETA, Ponds, 1976

JOLINA ZANDUETA---that beautiful face! POND's Ad, 1976

In the mid 70s, a new face burst into the local modeling scene with the homecoming of Filipina-Polish international model Jolina Wyrzykowski-Zandueta. She was the daughter of Jolyon Wyrzykowski, a Polish and opera singer Maria Nina Zandueta, a Filipina, whose contemporaries included Irma Potenciano and Conching Rosal. Nina Zandueta took her daughter in tow when she returned to Manila to join  a twin bill production of I Pagliacci and Cavalleria Rusticana.

HARPER'S BAZAAR COVER GIRL, JOLINA ZANDUETA,1970

Jolina’s presence in Manila created quite a stir as she was the first Filipina model to be featured on the cover of Harper's Bazaar, June 1970 issue. She, along with Ping Valencia, were the precursors of today’s ‘supermodels’, the only Filipina beauties to have modeled abroad.

JOLINA ZANDUETA,for PONDS' Philippines, 1976

POND’s snapped her immediately, and Jolina appeared in a print ad—part of a “Secrets of a Beautiful Face” series, actually—that saw print in local magazines. She became the toast of Manila, and made the rounds of exclusive fashion shows and local media.

PAUL MITCHELL--The Man Behind the Brand

At that time, she was already married to Paul Mitchell, a successful hairstylist at 16,  who built his fortune as a co-founder (along with John Paul Dejoria) of the John Paul Mitchell Systems. The company that  developed and sold  hair care products that would become famous global brands.

JOLINA AND ANGUS, FB Page, Angus Mitchell

Jolina and Paul had an only child, Angus Mitchell, born in 1970. Their son inherited the business in 1989 upon the death of Paul from pancreatic cancer in 1989. He would expand the company by operating hairdressing schools in 2000.

Today,  Jolina Zandueta Mitchell is a passionate advocate in the fight against pancreatic cancer, climate change, and in the promotion of clean energy, and wildlife conservations.

 SOURCES:

Jolina Zandueta Harper’s Bazaar Cover photo: Vtntage Von Werth, https://vintagevonwerth.de/products/harpers-bazaar-us-june-1970

Paul Mitchell photo: Wikipedia.org, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Mitchell_(hairdresser)

Paul Mitchell advertisement: Paul Mitchell-Behind the Brand, https://www.ry.com.au/ontrend/news/paul-mitchell/

Angus Mitchell FB Page, Jolina Mitchell Instagram

467. Is That Who I Think He Is? RONALD REMY for PEPSI COLA (1975) and LA GERMANIA (1982)

The versatile actor RONALD REMY, was born in 1937 as Ronald Kookooritchkin, of Filipino-Russian parentage. His father, Russian Army soldier Eremes, had fled the Bolshevik Revolution He was introduced in the movie “Condenado”, under Sampaguita Pictures, then moved to Premiere Productions, which was the studio of his wife, Lily Marquez or Dinah Jean Rogers-Remy, in real life. Oftentimes, Remy was cast in a variety of roles—from a contrabida, a soldier of war, to a costumed hero.

RONALD REMY, AT THE TOP OF HIS TV CAREER, IN 1975

Because of his facility with the English language, Remy appeared in many American and U.S.-Filipino produced English films. Some of these include movies that have now become cult classics like No Man is an Island (1962, as Chico Torres), Blood is the Color of the Night (1964, as Dr. Marco), Flight of the Sparrow (1967), and perhaps his best known film, The Longest Hundred Miles (1967). As a wartime guerrilla, he co-starred with Hollywood stars like Ricardo Montalban, Doug McClure, and Katherine Ross, who, in that same year, earned an Oscar nomination for “The Graduate”.

(L) REMY in 'The Longest Hundred Miles" 

The multi-talented Remy also tried directing, and his chance came with the suspense-thriller film,“Zigzag” (1963), where he directed actor George Nader and Sylvia Lawrence.

LA GERMANIA  AD WITH THE REMYS, 1982

In the 70s, he reinvented himself as a sitcom actor, appearing as husband of Rosa Rosal in the TV comedy series,  “Yan Ang Misis Ko”. He also became a TV host and emcee for “Lucky 13” Game Show on Channel 13. He and his wife became active leaders of a popular Born Again Christian Family movement, until his passing. The Remys have a daughter, Jackie Kookooritchkin, who also did print ads, and appeared on TV and films, who has also passed away in 2021.

SOURCES: 

Ronald Remy info, wikipedia.org, Screen grabds from various Ronald Remy movies,