Chanda Romero

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Chanda Romero
Espantaho 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival Chanda Romero7.jpg
Romero in 2024
Born
Maria Chanda Josefa Valenzuela Obsum Romero-Alejandrino

(1954-02-26) February 26, 1954 (age 71) [1]
Cebu City, Philippines
Occupation(s)Actress, Singer
Years active1967–present
Agent Sparkle GMA Artist Center
Known forWorking Girls, Contessa, Prima Donnas, Mananayaw
Spouse
Jose Mari Alejandrino
(m. 2013)

Maria Chanda Josefa Valenzuela Obsum Romero-Alejandrino (born February 26, 1954 [1] ) is a Filipino actress. She started in 1972 and was still active until today.

Contents

She first started in 1972 in the film Kundoktora with Vilma Santos which was shown at the exact date of the Martial Law. During the 70's, she become known as a sexy actress. Her prolific work in sexy films and dramas caught the attention of many directors, and in the 1980s, showed her serious work as an actress in the Ishmael Bernal's Working Girls and Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin? , both in 1984.

Biography

Chanda Romero is the daughter of Enrique Romero, son of Francisco Romero Jr. and Gloria Villanueva of Negros Oriental, and Remedios [2] Valenzuela, daughter of Ramiro Valenzuela and Josefina de la Victoria of Cebu.

Her father Enrique, also known as Bobby, was the paternal grandson of Francisco Domingo Romero Sr., presidente municipal of Tanjay, Negros Oriental from 1909 to 1916 and later a member of the Provincial Board of Negros Oriental, and Josefa Muñoz, daughter of Tanjay presidente municipal Don José Muñoz Teves and Alejandra Ines Calumpang . [3] [4] [5] Her father was also the maternal grandson of Enrique Cayetano Villanueva, Sr., governor of Negros Oriental from 1916 to 1925 and later representative of the 2nd district of Negros Oriental from 1925 to 1931, and Francisca Baena Gómez, Negros Oriental Carnival Queen in 1909.

Other relations include her mother's sister Milagros Valenzuela de Urgello, Cebu Carnival Queen in 1937; her grandfather's brother José María Emeterio Romero, the first Philippine ambassador to the Court of St. James's and later Secretary of Education; Eddie Romero, National Artist for Film; Jose Romero, Jr., former Philippine ambassador to Italy; Hector R.R. Villanueva, Press Secretary of Philippine President Fidel Ramos and later Postmaster-General of the Philippines during the Arroyo administration; among others.

Career

In the 1970s and the 1980s, she had a staple of films in which she starred with award-winning actresses such as Elizabeth Oropesa, Hilda Koronel, Gloria Diaz and Daria Ramirez. As a result, she caught the attention of directors Celso Ad Castillo, Ishmael Bernal, Danny Zialcita and Lino Brocka. Her leading men include Philip Salvador, Eddie Garcia, Christopher de Leon, Dindo Fernando, Joel Torre, etc. In the 1990s, her work in television also brought her success. Shows such as Villa Quintana . She was also praised for her role in the 1997 movie Ligaya Ang Itawag Mo Sa Akin which was directed by Carlos Siguion-Reyna. Romero is a freelancer but does more projects in GMA Network. She has starred in ABS-CBN projects as well like the religious-centered drama series Kapalaran and the role of Vida Mojica in the Vietnamese-Filipino teleserye starring Maricel Soriano and John Estrada, Vietnam Rose. During 2012, she transferred to TV5 for the first time and became part of Kidlat as Minerva Megaton. As of 2025, Romero is part of ABS-CBN's hit primetime action series FPJ's Batang Quiapo as the scheming politician Olivia Guerrero-Torres.

Personal life

She married Jose Mari "Mayi" Alejandrino on October 25, 2013. On May 17, 2014, Chanda and Mayi professed their vows in a commitment ceremony at the Tierra de Maria Chapel in Tagaytay.

Her mother died on July 6, 2020, as one of the casualties of COVID-19 in Cebu City. [6]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRole
1974Kundoktora
1975Alat!
1976 Hindi Kami Damong Ligaw
1977 Banta ng Kahapon
1979 Ang Agimat ni Pepe
1978Mananayaw
Mercenario [7]
1980 Aguila Diwata
The Last Reunion Rita
1981 Karma Cristy
1982My Only LoveTiffany
Batch '81 Jenny Estrada
Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan? Charley
1984 Bagets Christine
Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin?Glacilda Gancayco
Soltero RJ Juan
Working GirlsAnne
Hindi Mo Ako Kayang TapakanThelma
1985 Bituing Walang Ningning Edith
Bakit Manipis ang Ulap?Jocelyn
1986Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
Sensual
Sobra Na... Tama Na... Asiong Aksaya!
Always & Forever
Agaw-ArmasLucia
1987 Walang Karugtong ang Nakaraan Tess
1988 Rosa Mistica Lucila
1993 Hindi Kita Malilimutan Cita
1995 Campus Girls Aling Pilar
1997 Ligaya ang Itawag Mo sa Akin Lolay
2004 Naglalayag Maita
2007 Eddie Romero's Faces of Love
2008 Love Me Again Migo's mother
2009 When I Met U Sylvia
2010 Rosario Tenant
2014 Shake, Rattle & Roll XV Aling Lina
2024 Espantaho Adele

Television / Digital Series

YearTitleRoleNotesSource
1995–1997 Villa Quintana Illuminada "Lumeng" SamonteEpisode Guest: "Abito"
Credited as "Chanda Romero"
2000 Maalaala Mo Kaya Charito
2001–2002 Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin Amarra LunaSupporting Cast
2002–2003 Kapalaran Magda
2003–2004 Narito ang Puso Ko Clara Bautista
2005–2006 Vietnam Rose Vida Mojica
2006 Now and Forever : Linlang Gina DimaanoSupporting Cast / Antagonist
2007 Princess Charming Doña Amparo Vda. de SaavedraEpisode Guest: "Black Jewel in the Palace"

Credited as "Chanda Romero"

Magic Kamison MajaSupporting Cast / Protagonist
Impostora Doña Anatella Vda. de CayetanoEps
Maalaala Mo Kaya Estella
2008 Mars Ravelo's Dyesebel Doña Felicia Montemayor
2008–2009 Luna Mystika Doña Benita Sagrado
2009 Zorro Agida
Adik Sa'Yo Doña Aurora Manansala
Sine Novela : Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit Doña Lucia Enriquez-Recto
2010 The Last Prince Dama Rosata
2011 Dwarfina Celia
Sisid Mommy LGuest Cast
Sinner or Saint RacquelEpisode Guest: "Ang Mama Kong Mamaw"

Credited as "Chanda Romero"

Spooky Nights Mommy Glo
2012 My Beloved Elsa Quijano
Faithfully Amanda QuillamorEpisode Guest: "Pulang Laso"

Credited as "Chanda Romero"

Maalaala Mo Kaya Mrs. Miranda
2013 Kidlat Minerva Megaton
My Husband's Lover Soledad "Sol/Sinag" Del MundoEpisode Guest: "Family Picture"

Credited as "Chanda Romero"

Maalaala Mo Kaya Fatima
2014 Kambal Sirena Doña Victorina Villanueva
Ismol Family Mama China "Mommy C"
2014–2015 Strawberry Lane Ms. Digna CastroEpisode Guest: "Paano Mo Nagawa Ito?"

Credited as "Chanda Romero"

2015 Ipaglaban Mo Zeny
Pari 'Koy Madam Martha BuenavistaEpisode Guest: "Sa Ngalan ng Anak"

Credited as "Chanda Romero"

Magpakailanman Mama
Princess in the Palace Doña Pilar Buenaventura
2015–2016 The Half Sisters Cielo
2016 Once Again Carmen MateoEpisode Guest: "Davao Bombing: Mga Kuwento Ng Pag-Asa" Part 1 / 2

Credited as "Chanda Romero"

Magpakailanman EuphemiaEpisode Guest: "Tungkod"

Credited as "Chanda Romero"

Maalaala Mo Kaya Mrs. Pacita Piano
2017 Legally Blind Marissa Reyes-EvangelistaEpisode Guest: "Batik: Ang Santa Claus Ng Tarlac"
Credited as "Chanda Romero"
Magpakailanman TessEpisode Guest: "Bagong Bahay, Bagong Away"
Credited as "Chanda Romero"
2018 Dear Uge MauiSupporting Cast / Anti-Hero / Antagonist
Contessa Charito Castillo vda. de Imperial / Black ScorpionEpisode Guest: "Mommy's Home"
Credited as "Chanda Romero"
Dear Uge RemySupporting Cast / Protagonist
2018–2019 Cain at Abel Belenita "Belen" Castillo-Larrazabal / Fe LedesmaEpisode Guest: "Ang Halimaw na ng biyenan, at impaktong manugang"
Credited as "Chanda Romero"
2019 Dear Uge ViolySupporting cast / Anti-Hero
2019–2022 Prima Donnas Lady Primarosa ClaveriaSupporting Cast / Protagonist
2023 Voltes V: Legacy Contessa
Magandang Dilag Sofia Veneracion vda. de Robles
2024 Black Rider Doña Salvacion Valerio vda. de NadelaRecurring Cast / Protagonist
2024–2025 Forever Young GuadaSupporting Cast / Antagonist / Anti-Hero
2025 FPJ's Batang Quiapo Vice Mayor Olivia Montenegro/Guerrero-TorresSupporting cast / Antagonist / Anti-Hero

Awards and nominations

YearFilm Award/CriticsCategoryWorkResults
1978 Gawad Urian Awards Best Supporting Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktres)InayNominated
1979 Gawad Urian Awards Best Supporting Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktres)Boy PenaWon
1979 Gawad Urian Awards Best Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangunahing Aktres)MananayawNominated
1982 FAMAS Awards Best Supporting ActressKarmaWon
1986 FAMAS Awards Best Actress Bakit Manipis ang Ulap? Nominated
2014 40th Metro Manila Film Festival Best Supporting Actress Shake, Rattle & Roll XV Nominated
202450th Metro Manila Film FestivalBest Supporting Actress Espantaho Nominated

References

  1. 1 2 Eusebio, Aaron Brennt (February 26, 2021). "'Prima Donnas' actress Chanda Romero has a simple wish on her birthday". GMA Entertainment (GMA Network). Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  2. "Chanda Romero: I am open to loving and giving love". The Philippine Star. February 11, 2024. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  3. Merlie M. Alunan; Bobby Flores Villasis; Negros Oriental Centennial Foundation (1993). Kabilin: legacies of a hundred years of Negros Oriental. Negros Oriental Centennial Foundation. ISBN   9789719135401 . Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  4. Romero, José E. (1979). Not So Long Ago: A Chronicle of My Life, Times and Contemporaries. Manila: Alemar-Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.
  5. Echauz, Robustiano (1894). Apuntes de la Isla de Negros (in Spanish). Tipo-lit. de Chofre y comp.
  6. "Chanda Romero's mom dies of COVID-19". GMA News Online. July 6, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  7. "Now Showing". Bulletin Today . November 14, 1978. p. 34. He kills to avenge a family tragedy!

Chanda Romero at IMDb