Nida Blanca

Summary

Dorothy Guinto Jones (January 6, 1936 – November 7, 2001), known professionally as Nida Blanca, was a Filipino actress and comedian. In a career spanning five decades, she is known for her dramatic and comedic roles in film and television in the Philippines. After signing with LVN Pictures, she starred in films during the 1950s; in most of the films, she co-starred alongside Nestor de Villa. She gained further prominence in the television sitcom John en Marsha (1973–1990). Blanca was found dead at the Atlanta Centre in San Juan City on November 7, 2001.

Nida Blanca
Blanca in 1954
Born
Dorothy Guinto Jones

(1936-01-06)January 6, 1936
DiedNovember 7, 2001(2001-11-07) (aged 65)
Cause of deathMurder (stab wounds)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • Comedian
Years active1951–2001
Spouses
  • Victorino Torres
    (separated)
  • (m. 1979)
Children1

Biography edit

Born as Dorothy Guinto Jones on January 6, 1936, in then municipality of Gapan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines (then a U.S. territory) to an American soldier father of mestizo descent named John William Jones, Jr. (1916-1942) and a local Filipina mother with Tagalog roots named Inocencia Vélez Guinto (1913-2006), she appeared in her first film at age 15. Actress Delia Razon successfully urged the head of LVN Pictures, Doña Sisang de Leon to hire Blanca.[1] She was screen tested on October 6, 1951, by LVN Pictures where she reigned as "queen" of movies for more than a decade, doing mostly comedies opposite the late Nestor de Villa. In the movies, she has played a wide range of roles from a butch lesbian to a nun. She also starred in the hit TV comedy series, John en Marsha, where she played the wife who sticks by her poor husband despite her rich mother's constant harping. In 1958, she appeared opposite her contemporary, noted singer/actress Sylvia La Torre, and Leroy Salvador, in the LVN movie Tuloy ang Ligaya.

Blanca was married twice. As divorce is not legal in the Philippines, she separated from her first husband, Victorino Torres, when their daughter Kay was two years old. She later married her second husband Roger Lawrence Strunk (1941-2007) an American singer and actor, known by his screen name Rod Lauren in Las Vegas in 1979. The couple relocated to Manila.[citation needed]

Death edit

On November 7, 2001, Blanca was found murdered; beaten and stabbed 13 times in the back seat of her car in the parking lot of Atlanta Centre in Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila where she worked for the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, attending screenings and rating movies twice a week, at the time of her death.

The prime suspect was Blanca's husband Rod Strunk whom the prosecutors said had hired a hitman to kill her because Blanca had disinherited him from her will. Investigators found that Blanca had up to 85 million in properties, including a Greenhills, San Juan condominium worth ₱10 million and a house in California worth US$300,000. If Blanca had annulled her marriage, Strunk would get nothing. But if Blanca died before she was able to terminate her marriage, under the law, Strunk being the legal spouse would be entitled to a portion of his estranged wife's inheritance even though Blanca's will stated that all her properties would go to her daughter.[2]

The case rested on the statements of witnesses and Philip Medel, a self-confessed killer who surrendered to PNP Task Force Marsha on November 19, 2001, and confessed that Strunk had hired him to kill Blanca. Medel recanted his testimony four days later, claiming the police had tortured him into confessing. The prosecutors said medical examinations had found no evidence to back his claim of torture.[3]

 
Blanca's old house in Lumang Gapan
 
Nida Blanca's tomb in Loyola Memorial Park, Marikina

Despite Medel's recantation, Strunk remained the prime suspect according to Philippine prosecutors, based largely on circumstantial evidence and statements of new witnesses.[4][5] Strunk was in the U.S. in 2003 when he was charged with the murder of Blanca. He left the Philippines in January 2002 to visit his mother who was dying at the time and never returned. He was later arrested at his home and detained at the Sacramento County Jail after the Philippine government filed an extradition request against Strunk to stand trial in the Philippines. The U.S. court denied the extradition request and Strunk immediately was released from jail.[6] The Philippine government had filed a second extradition case against Strunk but did not receive any official response from the United States government.[7]

Strunk committed suicide on July 11, 2007 by jumping from a second-floor balcony of the Tracy Inn in Tracy, California where he had been staying for the previous three days.[8]

Kaye Torres lamented in 2008 that after seven years, the criminal case is still pending trial. She stated that she is convinced Philip Medel is guilty of the crime.[9]

Philip Medel remained the suspect and was held in jail until his death on April 7, 2010 at the age of 62. Medel died of sepsis caused by pneumonia at the Philippine General Hospital.[10]

The pending murder case on Nida Blanca was featured in the Philippine television documentary series Case Unclosed as its sixth episode titled "Nida Blanca Murder Case."

Legacy edit

The MTRCB named a conference room after her during a ceremony in 2017.[11]


Filmography edit

Film edit

Year Title Role Director Production Company Ref(s):
1951 Prinsipe Amante sa Rubitanya Lamberto V. Avellana LVN Pictures
Amor mio
Venus F.H Constantino, Manuel Silos
1952 Tia Loleng Manuel Silos
Korea Lamberto V. Avellana
Digmaan ng damdamin Artemio Marquez
2 sundalong kanin F.H Constantino
Haring Solomon at Reyna Sheba Lamberto V. Avellana
Tenyente Carlos Blanco Tony Arnaldo
Babaeng hampaslupa Nemesio E. Caravana [12]
Romansa sa nayon Susana C. de Guzman
1953 Tumbalik na daigdig Tony Arnaldo
Squatters Gregorio Fernandez
Batangueña F.H Constantino
Hijo de familia
Hiyasmin Lamberto V. Avellana
1954 Dalaginding F.H. Constantino
Waray-waray Upeng
Galawgaw Pilar
Luneta
Tin-edger Tony Arnaldo
1955 Darling ko F.H. Constantino
Saydwok Bendor Lamberto V. Avellana
Ang ibong Adarna Manuel Conde
Indian pana
Ikaw kasi
Talusaling Julieta F.H Constantino
1956 Handang matodas Luping Manuel Conde
Easy ka lang, padre! F.H Constantino
Aling Kutsero Fred Daluz
Medalyong perlas (Episode 4: Grand Finale
Ganyan ka pala F.H Constantino
1957 Sebya, Mahal kita F.H Constantino
Kahelyera Fred Daluz
Turista F.H Constantino
Tingnan natin Manuel Conde
Bahala Bella Miraflor
1958 Kastilaloy Patring F.H Constantino
Tuloy ang ligaya Manuel Silos
Casa Grande (Episode:Third Story) Manuel Conde
Wala Kang Paki Artemio Marquez
Rosalina Lamberto V. Avellana
Anak ni Waray
Limang dalangin Susana C. de Guzman
1959 Baguio Fever F.H Constantino
Tayo'y magsaya
1960 Navy Blues F.H Constantino
1961 My Serenade F.H Constantino
Bakit ka nagtampo Tony Santos
Pitong gabi sa Paris Eddie Romero Cirio H. Santiago Film Organization
Walang sisihan Natoy B. Catindig Dalisay Pictures
Sikat na, Siga pa F.H Constantino
Awat na Adyang Adyang Efren Reyes Premiere Productions
1962 Jam Session F.H Constantino Dalisay Pictures
Gulo kung gulo Armando Garces Ideal Productions
Bulung-bulungan Susana C. de Guzman Sampaguita Pictures
Oy... Akin yata 'yan F. H Constantino Dalisay Pictures
1963 Sa atin ang daigdig Cesar Amigo Filipinas Productions and Premiere Productions
Limbo Rock Susana C. de Guzman Dalisay Pictures
Ang Babaeng Sputnik Babaeng Sputnik (Lead Role) Efren Reyes Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions
Adiang Waray Adiang Abraham Cruz Lea Productions
Sosaything Tindera Tony Villaflor Sampaguita Pictures and VP Pictures
Away na Fely Villar Ambassador Productions
Asyang ng La Loma F.H Constantino Dalisay Pictures
Ecu tatacut! Abraham Cruz First Anniversary Presentation, Lea Productions
Isputnik vs Darna Natoy B. Catindig Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions
Naku... Yabang! F.H Constantino Dalisay Pictures
Yeba!!! Chi! Qui! Chai!
1964 Utos ni Tale hinde Mababale F.H Constantino
Bumunot ka't Lumaban Romy Villaflor VP Pictures
Patsamba-tsamba Nemesio E. Caravana People's Pictures
Everybody dance F.H Constantino
Pulis walang kaparis Luis San Juan Magna East Productions
Si Doray naman... Doray Armando De Guzman Vitro Films
Walang duwag na Bisaya F.H Constantino Dalisay Pictures
Mabilis... Paa at kamay Kayumanggi Cinema
Pampatay Kaliwa at Kanan...! Larry Santiago Larry Santiago Productions
Pamilya Galawgaw F.H Constantino Dalisay Pictures
1965 Magkapatid na Jesse at James Jesse F.H Constantino Kayumanggi Cinema
The Sound of Buwisit
1966 Huwag kang sumingit
Utos Ni mayor Abraham Cruz, Luis San Juan
Wow na Wow!! F.H Constantino, Leroy Salvador
Adyang Batibot Adyang Batibot
Shake Baby Shake
1967 Together Again F.H Constantino Greta's Production
Ayaw ni mayor Luis San Juan GM Film Organization
1968 Tiririt ng maya, tiririt ng ibon
1969 Goin' to a Go-Go
1969 Pag-ibig masdan ang ginawa Mo
1970 Tulak ng bibig, kabig ng dibdib
1980 John & Marsha'80 Marsha
The Quick Brown Fox
1981 Familia Antik
1994 Pinagbiyak na Bunga-Lookalike Dorie Ben Feleo Viva Films
Geron Olivar Aling Corazon Lito Lapid Regal Films
Kadenang Bulaklak Elsa Abolencia Joel Lamangan Viva Films
Vampira Nena Joey Romero Regal Films
Deadly Brothers Leonardo L. Garcia
1995 Ipaglaban Mo: The Movie Magdalena Marilou Diaz -Abaya Star Cinema
Ikaw pa... Eh love kita Korina's aunt Danilo Cabreira Regal Films
Hataw na Connie Tejeros Jose Javier Reyes Star Cinema
1996 April Boys: Sana'y mahalin mo rin ako Inay Emmanuel H. Borlaza Vicor Records and Viva Films
Madrasta Fides Olivia M. Lamasan Star Cinema
Ang TV Movie: The Adarna Adventure Cedes Johnny Manahan
1997 Batang PX Cedes Jose Javier Reyes
Babae Lola Adora Lupita Aquino-Kashiwahara Gem Communications
Minsan lang magmahal Auting Jose Javier Reyes MAQ Productions
1998 Ikaw pa rin ang iibigin Dr. Tagle Mario J. Delos Rryes Regal Films
Mother Ignacia:Ang uliran Nick Deocampo Mowelfund Film Institute
Hiling Lola Melyang Jose Javier Reyes Star Cinema
Sana pag-ibig na Linda Perez Jeffrey Jeturian Regal Films
1999 Mula sa puso: The Movie Carmen Wenn V. Deramas Star Cinema
Soltera Sandra's Mother Jerry Lopez Sineneng
2000 Yakapin mo ang umaga Pacita Jose Javier Reyes Regal Films
Biyaheng Langit Lola Amor Tikoy Aguiluz Viva Films
2001 Abakada...Ina Matilda Eddie Garcia
Love text Cielito Rowell Santiago GMA Films
Ano bang Meron ka? Mother Tering Maryo J. Delos Reyes Regal Films
2002 Kung ikaw ay isang panaginip (Last movie appearance) Fairy Wenn V. Deramas Star Cinema

Television edit

Year Title TV Network Remarks
1960 The Nida-Nestor Show ABS-CBN
1966 Tangtarantang
1973–1990 John en Marsha RPN
1990–1996 Lovingly Yours, Helen GMA Network
1991 Maalaala Mo Kaya ABS-CBN Episode: Valedictorian Medal
1992 Mana-Mana
1993 GMA Telesine Specials GMA Network Episode: Tatlong Anino Ng Kahapon
Maalaala Mo Kaya ABS-CBN Episode: Munting Bituin
1993–1995 Haybol Rambol GMA Network
1994 Maalaala Mo Kaya ABS-CBN Episode: Dancing Shoes
1994–1997 GMA True Stories GMA Network
1996–2002 Anna Karenina
1997 Mula sa Puso ABS-CBN
Maalaala Mo Kaya Episode: Pabango, lipstik at tsokolate
1998 Episode: Pipa
Episode: Family Album
1999 Episode: Forcep
1999–2001 Pwedeng Pwede
2000 May Himala GMA Network
2001 Daddy Di Do Du (Last TV appearance)

Awards and nominations edit

Year Film or TV Title Award-giving body Category Result
1953 Korea 1st FAMAS Awards Best Supporting Actress Won
1955 Waray-waray FAMAS Awards Best Actress Nominated
1963

Oy... Akin yata 'yan

FAMAS Awards Best Actress Nominated
1964

Naku...Yabang!

FAMAS Awards Best Actress Nominated
1975 Batu-bato sa Langit 1975 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Supporting Actress Won
1984

Saan darating ang umaga?

FAMAS Awards Best Actress Nominated
1986 Miguelito Catholic Mass Media Awards Best Actress Won
PMPC Star Awards for Movies Won
Luna Awards Won
Gawad Urian Awards Won
1987 Magdusa Ka Catholic Mass Media Awards Best Supporting Actress Won
Star Awards for Movies Won
Luna Awards Won
Gawad Urian Awards Won
35th FAMAS Awards Won
1988 Kid Huwag Kang Susuko Catholic Mass Media Awards Won
Luna Awards Won
36th FAMAS Awards Won
1988

John en Marsha

2nd PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Comedy Actress Nominated
1989

Ibulong mo sa Diyos

FAMAS Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated
1990 John en Marsha PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Comedy Actress Won
1995

Vampira

FAMAS Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated
1997 --- FAMAS Awards Lifetime Achievement Award Won
1997 Babae 1997 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Supporting Actress Won
1998 Sana Pag-ibig Na PMPC Star Awards for Movies Best Actress Won
FAMAS Awards Won
1999 Sana pag-ibig na Young Critics Circle Award Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role Won
2000 --- Gawad Urian Awards Lifetime Achievement Award Won
2002 --- FAP Awards Lifetime Achievement Award (Posthumously) Won
2009 --- Cinema One Digital Film Festival Cinema One Legend Award Won

References edit

  1. ^ Belen, Crispina (July 7, 2005). "LVN Studios closes shop!". Celebrity World. Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on March 12, 2008. Retrieved November 22, 2007.
  2. ^ "NIDA BLANCA MURDER: IT'S STILL STRUNK, MEDEL AFTER ALL". www.newsflash.org.
  3. ^ "Charge Medel, Strunk: DOJ". SunStar. Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved October 12, 2006.
  4. ^ "Testimony of new witnesses bolstered the case against Strunk". SunStar.
  5. ^ "Two More Charged in Nida Murder".
  6. ^ Extradition denied in actress's death
  7. ^ Strunk suicide deepens Nida murder mystery
  8. ^ Media, Tank Town (February 2, 2024). "Tracy Press". Tank Town Media.
  9. ^ "Nida Blanca's daughter laments slow progress of murder case". GMA News.
  10. ^ "Suspect in Nida Blanca murder dies - Yahoo! Philippines News". Archived from the original on April 9, 2010. Retrieved April 9, 2010.
  11. ^ "The Manila Times | Latest Philippines News, Breaking News, Business News, Sports News". The Manila Times.
  12. ^ "Babaeng Hampasluoa 1952". avclub.com.

External links edit

  •   Media related to Nida Blanca at Wikimedia Commons
  • Nida Blanca at IMDb
  • Case Unclosed: The Nida Blanca Murder - 11/07/2008