533. Where Are They Now? ROEL VERGEL DE DIOS, The Glamor Boy of Ads and Movies

One of the pretty boys who lit up both the advertising world and the silver screen from the late 70s to the early 80s was ROEL VERGEL DE DIOS.  Starting out as a ramp model in his student days, he first appeared in fashion advertising, and then made a successful leap to films.

The tall, teen model with a schoolboy look was born Roel Arce Vergel de Dios on 30 Oct. 1958, one of the six sons of Marcelino Vergel De Dios of Baliwag, Bulacan and Esperanza Arce of Manila. He has two younger sisters.

He owes his mestizo looks to his forebears, specifically, his maternal grandfather, Ramon Arce, who was a Spanish court stenographer at the Philippine Congress during Pres. Quezon’s term. The enterprising Arce saved enough money, and invested in land. In his Novaliches farm, he raised herds of carabaos that he milked which he used to produce dairy products, which he eventually parlayed into a profitable business—Selecta Dairy Products and Ice Cream. The outlets were transformed into restaurants to showcase the cooking skills of Ramon's wife, Carmen.

Roel also has Spanish blood from his paternal side. His great grandfather was a civil guard who married a Filipina when he was stationed in Zamboanga. Daughter Angela married Fernando Vergel de Dios, from a big family in Baliwag.

TOP ROW (L-R): Ronald, Roel, Raul. BOTTOM ROW (L-R) Renato, Rolando Bambi

Roel went to Ateneo for Grade School and JASMS-Q.C. for his high school. It was as a college boy in the University of the East that he forayed into fashion modeling and which led to appearances in commercials and print advertising spreads. Due to his runway background, he was chosen as a signature model for Image Maker, a very popular line of sports and leisure wear in 1978.

ROEL VERGEL DE DISO for IMAGE MAKER SHIRTS, Print Ad, 1978

He also appeared in a print ad for Alfa, a premium fabric made with Tefilin polyester that was produced by Philippine Synthetic Fiber Corporation.

ROEL VERGEL DE DIOS for Filsyn's ALFA, Print Ad 1978

While doing the rounds of advertising casting agencies, the movies beckoned. A cousin had dabbled in movies under the screen name Anthony Rodriguez.  Roel got producers into the cine bandwagon in time at all, and somehow, he managed to do both—modeling and acting—quite very well.

One of his earliest films was “Huwag  Pipitas ng Bubot na Bunga", with Amalia Fuentes and Vivian Velez in 1977.  In 1978, he made a daring appearance in Regal Films' “Bomba Star”, with Alma Moreno, then, one of the most sought-after sexy young stars of the country. This was followed by the Gosiengfiao-directed  “Promo Girl”, with Vilma Santos in the lead, “Nakawin Natin ang Bawat Sandali (1978), “Holdup” (1979) and “Pag-ibig, Bakit ka Ganyan?” (1979).

In 1980, he teamed up with Moreno again in “Lumakad kang Hubad sa Mundong Ibabaw”, a much-talked about film directed by Manuel “Fyke” Cinco. He also did “Apat na Maria”, partnered with Julie Ann Fortich, based on the story of Mars Ravelo. In 1985, Roel Vergel de Dios bade Philippine showbiz goodbye when he married Jaye Murphy, Bb. Pilipinas International 1975, and opted to settle in the U.S. Their union bore one daughter,

SOURCES:

Many thanks to Ms. Angel Vergel de Dios, sister of Roel Vergel de Dios, for providing updated information and latest pictures of his brother. 

Roel Vergel de Dios, FB Page

Screengrab from the Memorial video of Roly Vergel de Dios, brother of Roel Vergel de Dios, 

Screen grabs from movie on youtube, "Apat na Maria" (uploaded by Apochingching) and "Bomba Star" (uploaded  y Regal Entertainment, Inc. )

474. The Most Talked About Name in Male Fashion: R.M. MANLAPAT, Tailor and Haberdasher

RANDOM SHOTS FOR '69, R.M. Manlapat Ad, 1968

One of the most enduring names in the history of male fashion is R.M. MANLAPAT, the iconic tailor and haberdashery shop now on its 7^th decade of operations. It was established by Rosendo Manlapat Sr. in 1951, and slowly built a reputation for its quality tailoring of formal suits, coats, contemporary jackets and native barong.

R.M. MANLAPAT even ventured into providing costumes and wardrobe for films, like Lo'Waist Gang,  Og sa Mindoro (1958), Hell of Borneo (1964) and Mano po (2002).At its peak, aside from its main office in Sampaloc, R.M. MANLAPAT had branches in Greenhills, Cubao, and at the Manila Hilton by 1975.

Its reputation was cemented when, at the 1974 Miss Universe Pageant held in Manila,  the shop provided officials, VIP guests, judges (Jose Greco, basketball star Jerry West, film actor Dana Andrews, Gen. Carlos P. Romulo) and the celebrity host, Bob Barker.

R.M.MANLAPAT "Thrilla in Manila" Ad, 1975, courtesy of Pinoy Kolletor

The next year brought R.M. MANLAPAT more fame when the Games and Amusement Board for the Ali-Frazier fight, dubbed as the “Thrilla in Manila”, was appointed exclusive tailor and haberdasher. The shop designed and supplied the exquisitely-embroidered  barong tagalog worn by boxers Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, and Ken Norton.

Today, R.M. MANLAPAT operates a shop in Timog and in Pasig, continuing a tradition of fine tailoring in men’s fashion that has become its signature legacy to generations of Filipinos.

 SOURCES: R. M. Manlapat “Thrilla in Manila” ad, courtesy of Pinoy Kollektor, used with permission.

438. BEAUTY AND HAIR SALONS, FASHION HOUSES and FINISHING SCHOOLS, 1964

ZARAH'S HOUSE OF BEAUTY, Owned and managed by Mrs. Virginia
Bertulfo. Names after her daughter, Zarah. Fully air-contidioned with the
most mddern equipment. Located at V. Mapa, Sampaloc. 1964.

The 1960s decade saw the rise in beauty and fashion consciousness of Philippine society, particularly in the nation’s capital spawning beauty salons, hair style shops, fashion houses and finishing schools. In fact, every little town, it seemed, had a hole-in-the-wall beauty shop to cater to the needs of Filipinas who wanted to feel good, and look good—be it through a quick manicure, hair trim, or a cold wave treatment.

SLIM'S FASHION AND ARTS SCHOOL, founded by the iconic 
Philippine haute couture designer, Salvacion Lim Higgins. 1964.

The burgeoning movie industry in the 50s and 60s starred well-coiffed screen icons who became role models of beauty and style. Sampaguita teen stars sported the latest hair styles—fly-aways, bob cut, bangs, teased, pixie look. Sophisticated ladies favored couture bouffants, towering beehives, and buns. Local vamps like Rosa Rosal and Divina Valencia sported signature looks-- popularized wavy hair with a stray strand of hair half-covering one eye.  All these styles were available at a neighborhood beauty salon, with walls plastered with magazine pages of local and international stars, for reference.

PETITE BEAUTY SALON, with branches at Don. A. Roces Ave.
and at Dapitan, near UST. 1964

Meanwhile, Make-Up styles were also evolving in the Philippines as more local and international cosmetics became readily available. Pastel eye shadow, black crease shadow, winged eyeliner, and heavy fake lashes with light blush and pastel pink lips were the rage of the day. 

MATUTE FASHION SCHOOL. Founded by Mrs. Macaraia Hilario Matute.
The school is still in operations. 1964

Beauty salons had a heyday glamming up women and teens for their weddings, debuts and graduations. Others went one step ahead by offering slimming and slenderizing services, with machines and other contraptions to firm and improve the figure.

DORY'S SLENDERIZING & BEAUTY SALON, owned and operated by
Dory Acuna. Salon endorser is actress Blanca Gomez of Sampaguita Pictures,1964.

But what is fashion and beauty without personality? Finishing and modeling schools took care of that-with mentors ready to train girls with proper deportment, etiquette, speech and diction, conversation  skills for all-around poise and personality development. 

DE LUXE FASHION SCHOOL BEAUTY ACADEMY, at Evangelista St.,
at the corner of Raon St., Sta. Cruz, Manila. 1964

After all, Filipina beauties were going international. In 1963, Lalaine Bennett placed in 4^th in the Miss Universe pageant, and the next year, 1964, the first Bb. Pilipinas for Miss Univese was crowned. That  same year that the regal Gemma Cruz was crowned Miss International—and goodness how many Filipinas she inspired to be beauty queens. The rest is history.

DELLS BEAUTY SALON, fully air-conditioned. Located in
 Quiapo, Manila near Cine Moderno. Endorser: Sylvia Gumabao.

On this spread are 1964 ads of beauty, fashion and style houses where Filipinas hied  off to in their pursuit of pulchritude. Good girls may go to heaven, but beautiful girls go everywhere.

CUPID'S HAIR STYLING, at Carantes St., Baguio City, 1964

CHARI'S HOUSE OF BEAUTY, under proprietress Joselita E. Dumon.
With branches in Malate and Buendia, Pasay. 

CHANTILLY GOWNS & BEAUTY SUITE, with beauty stylist Carling Mercado.
Under proprietress Vicky A. San Diego. Echague, Manila. Models include: Myrna
Panlilio (Bb. Pilipinas 1964), Elvie Gonzales (Bb. Waling-Waling).

BENY'S BEAUTY SALON. Andalucia St., Sta. Cruz, Manila, 1964.