Babalu
Babalu in Oki Doki Doc (1996)
Born
Pablo Martin Sarmiento

(1942-06-29)June 29, 1942
DiedAugust 27, 1998(1998-08-27) (aged 56)
Antipolo, Rizal, Philippines
Resting placeLoyola Memorial Park
Parañaque, Philippines
Occupation(s)Actor and comedian
Years active1961–1998
Children1
RelativesEtang Discher (grandmother)
Panchito Alba (uncle)

Pablo Martin Sarmiento (June 29, 1942 – August 27, 1998), better known as Babalu, was a Filipino comedian and actor. His screen name was a reference to his long, sharp chin[1] ("baba" is the Filipino term for "chin", babalu is a Filipino gay term derived from it) of which was sometimes a subject of on screen ridicule, usually by himself.

Personal life

He grew up in Sampaloc, Manila in his grandmother's home with his mother, one sister and three brothers. Babalu fathered a son. For several years and until his death, he was living with his long-time partner who eventually became his wife prior to his death, with whom he had a child.

Acting career

Babalu is considered "one of the most famous, beloved, and greatest comedians" in the Philippines. He is the nephew of the famous actor Panchito Alba. Dolphy, the king of Philippine Comedy, discovered Babalu's talent as a comedian. Babalu was given a featured role on the Philippines' leading comedy-variety show Buhay Artista. His appearances in movies and television included the shows Home Along Da Riles and Oki Doki Doc. Babalu's life story was featured on the television show Maalaala Mo Kaya "Imahe ng Berhen" on July 3, 2003.[2]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1965 Genghis Bond: Agent 1-2-3
1972 Ibong Adarna Prinsipe Albano
1973 Captain Barbell Boom!
1977 Omeng Satanasia Steve
1980 Ang Bobo Kong Genie
1982 My Juan En Only Ambo
1987 My Bugoy Goes to Congress
Mga Anak ni Facifica Falayfay Chief Acosta
1988 Enteng the Dragon
Bakit Kinagat ni Adan ang Mansanas ni Eba? Doctor
1991 John en Marsha Ngayon '91 Himself
1994 Once Upon a Time in Manila Carnapper
Hataw Tatay Hataw Gilbert
O-Ha! Ako Pa? Raul Malino/Chief
Greggy en' Boogie: Sakyan Mo Na Lang, Anna Boogie[1]
Wanted: Perfect Father
1995 Basta't Kasama Kita Sgt. Baba Uncredited
Boy! Gising! Totoy Buan
Home Sic Home Robin
Father & Son Clinton
1996 Oki Doki Doc: The Movie Mang Berto
Da Best in Da West 2: Da Western Pulis Istori Col. Macanto
Aring King King: Ang Bodyguard Kong Sexy
1997 I Do? I Die! (D'yos Ko Day!) Domeng
Ang Pinakamahabang Baba sa Balat ng Lupa[3] Bryan
Home Along Da Riles Part 2 Richy
1998 Haba-Baba-Doo, Puti-Puti-Poo Domeng
Tong Tatlong Tatay Kong Pakitong-kitong Bobby
Tataynic Mr. Balboa Final film appearance

Television

Year Title Role Network
1992-1998 Home Along da Riles Capt. Babalu (1992-1993 as Guest)

Mang Ritchie (1994-1998 as Main Cast)

ABS-CBN
1993-1998 Oki Doki Doc Papsie / Mang Berto, the protagonist's landlord[4]

Death

Babalu was warned of his health condition in March 1998 but kept his health problems a secret from his co-stars, particularly from Aga Muhlach and the others in the weekly TV shows Oki Doki Doc and Home Along Da Riles, wherein he was a regular cast.

Writer Nene Riego, a close friend of Babalu, said the actor asked his doctor to tell him the truth about his ailment. Babalu was told he only had six months to live. He decided to seek further treatment in Michigan. Doctors there had the same diagnosis and advised him to spend the rest of his life in the Philippines. Babalu came back home on August 14, thin and weak.

Babalu's last two movies were Tataynic with Dolphy and Tong Tatlong Tatay Kong Pakitong-kitong together with Redford White, Bonel Balingit and Serena Dalrymple. He died of liver cirrhosis on August 27, 1998, two months after his 56th birthday, in his home in Antipolo. He was buried in Loyola Memorial Park in Parañaque.[5] The film Tar-San is dedicated to his memory.

References

  1. 1 2 "Benjie and Babalu: New Comic Teamup". Manila Standard. 2 September 1994. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  2. "Babalu's Story on 'Maalaala Mo Kaya'". HighBeam Research. Manila Bulletin. 2 July 2003. Archived from the original on 20 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  3. "Maricel-Boyet Film Released On Video". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 1 November 2000. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  4. Valle, Jocelyn (11 May 2002). "Paolo Contis Likes Making People Laugh". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  5. "COMEDIAN BABALU DEAD". NEWSFLASH. Archived from the original on 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.