Teresita Winsett Hermosa (born October 31, 1950), better known by her stage name, Tessie Tomas, is a Filipino actress, screenwriter and stand-up comedian. Regarded as the original "Queen of Daytime TV",[1][2] she is best known for hosting some of the most successful TV programs in the Philippines such as Teysi ng Tahanan (1991), Compañero y Compañera (1997), and sitcoms including Onli in da Pilipins (1997), and Abangan ang Susunod Na Kabanata (1991). She was the first Filipino actress to score a nomination in the Best Actress category at the International Emmy Awards for her performance in the 1989 film, A Dangerous Life.[3][4]
Tomas was born in Catbalogan, Samar[5] to actress and radio voice talent Laura Hermosa and lawyer Fernando Hermosa, who was also a part-time voice talent.[6] She has four brothers, including actor Leo Hermosa and musician Cesar Hermosa,[7] and graduated with a degree in broadcasting from the Institute of Mass Communications of the University of the Philippines.[5]
Career
She began doing stints as a radio voice talent at the age of 10, including at radio programs of Tiya Dely and ultimately spent a decade working in the advertising industry at several companies before becoming the first Filipino creative director of McCann Erickson.[8]
She first appeared in television through the gag show Champoy from 1981 to 1984. She was praised for her effective impersonation of then famous weather man Amado Pineda of PAGASA. She then embarked on doing live shows, notable for her performances as Meldita, a satiric portrayal of then-first lady Imelda Marcos, Loida Dimagiba and Carmeling Lawiswis. She became a resident performer at Music Museum, headlining successful shows as a standup comedy career throughout the 1990s.[8] Dubbed as the second lady of television and the "Queen of Stand-up Comedy",[9] she is cited as one of the pioneers of impersonation, famous for portraying the likes of Amanda Pineda, Miriam Defensor Santiago, Bonnie Buendia and Imelda Marcos.[8]
Tomas returned to TV as main host of the morning talk show Teysi ng Tahanan and the weekly political satire Abangan ang Susunod Na Kabanata, playing the wealthy but eccentric Barbara Tengco.[1]Separada (for which she created the screenplay), Ploning, and 100 are some of her other critically acclaimed films.[10][11] She gained further success as an actress in the 1988 film, A Dangerous Life. Her performance was met with praises from critics and viewers, earning her nominations at the International Emmy Awards and American Cable Awards.[12]
In her later years, she played several supporting roles in both film and television. She earned praises from the critics and viewers for her portrayal as the "cane-wielding" Doña Cielo Fierro in the ABS-CBN television series, Dirty Linen (2023).[13] In 2024, she played Doña Bettina Caballero in the television series FPJ's Batang Quiapo.[14]
Personal life
Tomas is married since 1994 to Roger Pullin, a British marine biologist. Their wedding in Manila was broadcast on Tomas' television show Teysi ng Tahanan.[15] She has one son, Robin, who is based in New York City as a fashion designer[16] and comedian.[17] Robin is her son from her previous husband, Robert P. Tomas, whom she separated with in 1979 following a seven-year relationship.[18][19] Following Pullin's retirement, Tomas also became a resident of the Isle of Man in 2018[7][20] and has two stepchildren with him. She is also a fluent Waray speaker.[5]
Accolades
Tomas is celebrated as one of the "country’s most brilliant artists"[1] and one of the greatest comedians of all time,[9] noted for her "style and distinctive approach on comedy."[2] In recognition of her contributions to the entertainment industry, she has won countless accloades including "Best Actress" at the Gawad Tanglaw Awards,[21] "Entertainer of the Year" at the Aliw Awards,[22] Creative Guild's Hall of Fame award, Best Actress at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, "Best Actress" at the QCinema International Film Festival, "Best Actress" at the Subic Bay International Film Festival[23] and several nominations from Gawad Urian Awards and American Cable Awards.[8]
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