Bert Marcelo

Filipino television personality

Bert Marcelo
Born
Norberto Joya Marcelo

(1936-06-06)June 6, 1936
DiedDecember 16, 1995(1995-12-16) (aged 59)
Quezon City, Philippines
Resting placeMunicipal Cemetery, Baliuag, Bulacan
Other namesTawa
Alma materFar Eastern University (BA)
Occupation(s)Actor, comedian, TV personality
Years active1967–1995
SpouseAlicia Castro
Children4

Norberto "Bert" Joya Marcelo Sr. (June 6, 1936 – December 16, 1995)[citation needed] 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.

Background

Born 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. 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 among other talents. 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.

Personal life

He was married to Alicia Trinidad Castro; they had four sons.

Marcelo family graves
Marcelo tomb

Death

Marcelo passed away at the peak of his career when he suffered a fatal stroke on December 16, 1995. 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.

Marcelo mausoleum
Memorabilia of Bert Marcelo (Baliuag, Bulacan museum).

Legacy

He was portrayed by comedian Jose Manalo on an episode in “Magpakailanman” in 2003.[1]

Filmography

Film

  • 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[2]
  • Isang Platitong Mani (1985)
  • Payaso (1986)
  • Everlasting Love (1989)

Television

  • 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

  1. ^ "#MPK: The Bert "Tawa" Marcelo Story (Full Episode) Magpakailanman". GMA Network.
  2. ^ 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.
  • Bert Marcelo at IMDb


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