Helen Gamboa Sotto (born Helen Albent Gamboa; May 7, 1945) is a

Filipina Filipinos ( tl, Mga Pilipino) are the people who are citizens of or native to the Philippines. The majority of Filipinos today come from various Austronesian ethnolinguistic groups, all typically speaking either Filipino, English and/or other ...

actress, singer, dancer and former beauty queen.

Personal life

Gamboa was born Helen Albent Gamboa at 6:35 PM on May 7, 1945 at Maternity and Children's Hospital (now

Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, the National Maternity Hospital, is a maternal and newborn tertiary hospital located in Santa Cruz, Manila in the Philippines. It also houses the Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital School of Midwifery, one of the ...

) in

Santa Cruz, Manila Santa Cruz is a district in the northern part of the City of Manila, Philippines, located on the right bank of the Pasig River near its mouth, bordered by the districts of Tondo, Binondo, Quiapo, and Sampaloc, as well as the areas of Grace P ...

to Domingo Ponce Gamboa (1908-1987) and Eusebia Pangilinan Albent (1914-1986). She is also the sister of Elaine Gamboa (mother of

Sharon Cuneta Sharon Gamboa Cuneta-Pangilinan ( , ; born January 6, 1966) is a Filipino actress, singer, television host, and socialite. Regarded as one of the most successful and highest-earning individuals in the Philippine entertainment industry, she has ...

). Gamboa is married to Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III an

actor An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), li ...

comedian A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing Amusement is the state of experiencing humorous and entertaining events or situations while the person or a ...

TV host A television presenter (or television host, some become a "television personality") is a person who introduces, hosts television programs, often serving as a mediator for the program and the audience. Nowadays, it is common for people who garner ...

and

politician A politician is a person active in party politics, or a person holding or seeking an elected office in government. Politicians propose, support, reject and create laws that govern the land and by an extension of its people. Broadly speaking, a ...

. They have four children: Romina Frances, Diorella Maria,

Gian Carlo Gian Carlo is an Italian masculine blended given name that is a combination of Gianni and Carlo. Notable people known by this name include the following: *Gian Carlo Aliberti, also Giovanni Carlo Aliberti, (1670 - 1727), Italian painter *Gian Car ...

and Ciara Anna; eight grandsons: Romino Vicente, Victorio, Vicente IV, Carlos Edrigu, Alessandro Jose, Marciano, Juan Rossano, Domiku Yosef and Vincenzo Jose; and two granddaughters: Helena and Amaria Jiliana. Their son Vincent Paul died 5 months after his birth in 1975, due to side effects of contraceptives according to doctors at the

Makati Medical Center Makati Medical Center (MMC), also known as Makati Med, is a tertiary hospital in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines with more than 600 beds. The hospital was founded on May 31, 1969. The hospital is owned and operated by Medical Doctors Inc., a ...

. In the 2010 elections, her son Gian Carlo was elected councilor of

Quezon City Quezon City (, ; fil, Lungsod Quezon ), also known as the City of Quezon and Q.C. (read in Filipino as Kyusi), is the List of cities in the Philippines, most populous city in the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a populatio ...

's 3rd District and served for three consecutive terms before being elected as the vice mayor of the city in the 2019 elections, while her daughter Diorella Maria "Lala" was elected in the 6th District of the same city before being appointed chairperson of the

Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (English: "For Intelligent and Responsible Viewing") , employees = More than 33 , chief1_name = Diorella Maria Sotto-Antonio , chief1_position = Chairperson , agency_type = Film and television classification , parent_agency ...

in 2022.

Career

1960s: Early works

Gamboa became a runner-up to Cynthia Ugalde by a point in the Miss Press Photography of the Philippines contest in 1961. In the late 1960s, Gamboa was given the title "Dancing Queen" of Philippine cinema and TV musicals; this title was given to her prior to the popularity of the

ABBA ABBA ( , , formerly named Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid or Björn & Benny, Agnetha & Frida) are a Swedish supergroup formed in Stockholm in 1972 by Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. The group's ...

song with the same title, the title having been given eight years before the Swedish rock band's song was released in 1976.

2001–2017: Breakthrough

Gamboa made a brief TV comeback through the ABS-CBN Primetime TV series '' Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan'' in 2001-2003'','' playing the role of Nelia Santos. In 2009, she made her official comeback to Philippine

primetime Prime time or the peak time is the block of broadcast programming taking place during the middle of the evening for a television show. It is mostly targeted towards adults (and sometimes families). It is used by the major television networks to ...

television in

ABS-CBN ABS-CBN (an initialism of its two predecessors' names, Alto Broadcasting System and Chronicle Broadcasting Network) is a Television in the Philippines, Philippine Commercial broadcasting, commercial broadcast broadcast network, network tha ...

network's ''

Tayong Dalawa ''Tayong Dalawa'' (International title: ''The Two of Us'') is a Philippine primetime drama series broadcast on ABS-CBN and worldwide on TFC from January 19, 2009 to September 25, 2009, replacing ''Dyosa'' and was replaced by ''Lovers in Paris'' ...

'', where her son Gian also appeared. This marked Gamboa's 2nd Primetime TV series and comeback where she portrayed the antagonist Elizabeth Martinez in the TV series; the series also became a successful international phenomenon and featured a strong cast of award-winning actors from three generations of television, film, theater actors, some of whom came from appearances in internationally acclaimed indie films. In 2012, after a two-year hiatus, Gamboa played Margaret Montenegro in the highly acclaimed and most-watched program '' Walang Hanggan'', featuring another ensemble cast where she was reunited with her ''Tayong Dalawa'' co-star

Coco Martin Rodel Pacheco Nacianceno (born November 1, 1981), known professionally by his stage name Coco Martin (), is a Filipino actor, director, and film producer. He is best known for playing the lead roles in ''Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin'', '' Walang H ...

who led the series. Gamboa's role was a main role in the series, Margaret Montenegro being the series' main antagonist. On October 21, 2012, Gamboa showed her knowledge of the dance "

Gangnam Style "Gangnam Style" ( ko, 강남스타일, ) is a K-pop song by South Korean rapper Psy, released on July 15, 2012, by YG Entertainment as the lead single of his sixth studio album, ''Psy 6 (Six Rules), Part 1'' (''Ssai Yukgap Part 1''). The term ...

" in her performance in the ''Walang Hanggang Pasasalamat Concert'' at the

Smart Araneta Coliseum The Araneta Coliseum, also currently known by naming rights sponsorship as Smart Araneta Coliseum, is an indoor multi-purpose arena, sports arena that is part of the Araneta City in the Cubao area of Quezon City, Philippines. Nicknamed as "the ...

2017–2019: Return to GMA

In 2017, she finally returned to

GMA Network GMA Network (Global Media Arts or simply GMA) is a Philippine free-to-air television and radio network. It is the flagship property of publicly traded GMA Network, Inc. Its first broadcast on television was on October 29, 1961. GMA Network (f ...

after twenty-one years and starred as Lolita Honorio in

Super Ma'am ''Super Ma'am'' (International title: ''My Teacher, My Hero'') is a Philippine television drama action fantasy series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Lord Alvin Madridejos and Albert Langitan, it stars Marian Rivera in the title role. It ...

, which is also her television comeback. She was supposed to play

Liza Lorena Elizabeth Ann Jolene Luciano Winsett (born October 31, 1949), known professionally as Liza Lorena, is a Philippine actress. She was a First Runner-Up in the Bb. Pilipinas pageant in 1966. Career Lorena was a flight stewardess (for PAL domestic ...

's role in a past GMA drama, ''

Akin Pa Rin ang Bukas ''Akin Pa Rin ang Bukas'' (International title: ''Perfect Vengeance'' / ) is a 2013 Philippine television drama series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Laurice Guillen, it stars Lovi Poe. It premiered on September 9, 2013, on the network's ...

'', back in 2013 after signing an exclusive contract but dropped out for health reasons.

2019–present: Return to ABS-CBN

Gamboa-Sotto returned to

for ''Kahit Minsan Lang'' but the series was cancelled before it could start filming because of restrictions caused by the

COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines The COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines has resulted in, as of , reported cases, resulting in reported deaths, the fifth-highest in Southeast Asia, behind Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. The first case in the Philippines was iden ...

. Gamboa was supposed to be part of '' Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin'' but dropped out and

Gina Pareno Gina or GINA or ''variation'' may refer to: Gina Gina may refer to: * Gina (given name), multiple individuals * Gina (Canaan), a town in ancient Canaan * Arihant (Jainism), also called gina, a term for a human who has conquered his or her inner p ...

replaced her said role.

Discography

Albums *''Helen Gamboa Sings Together Again'' (Jonal Records, released in March 1967) *''He'll Come Back To Me'' (Jonal Records, released in 1967) *''Shing-A-Ling Time'' (Jonal Records, released in 1968) *''Dance To The Music of Helen Gamboa'' (Ans Records, released in 1968) *''La Gamboa'' (Vicor Records, released in 1969) *''Bunny Chanel'' (RCA Victor International/WEA, released in 1979 under the name "Bunny Chanel") *''Bunny Chanel 2'' (RCA Victor International/WEA, released in 1980 under the name "Bunny Chanel") Singles 1966 *Gone / Band of Gold (debut single) *What They Have Done to the Rain? / He'll Come Back to Me (with JA and The Jitterbugs) *The More I See You / These Boots Are Made for Walkin' (with Doming Amarillo and his Tiajuana Brass) *Strangers in the Night / The Impossible Dream *Just Say Goodbye / I Can't Remember Ever Loving You *The Thirty-First of June / It's Not Unusual *I Love You / No Other Love *A Groovy Kind of Love / Forever with You (with JA and The Jitterbugs) *Soul Time / In the Midnight Hour *Sweet Love and Sweet Forgiveness / Piel Canela *Whispering Hope / Silver Bells (duet with Louie Levant) *The In Crowd / *Michael (Row the Boat Ashore) / 1967 *Somethin' Stupid / Summer Wine (duet with Gilbert Gamboa) *Two of Us / Till We Meet Again (duet with Louie Levant) *This Is My Song / Color My World *Together Again / Cast Your Fate to the Wind *All I See Is You / All Cried Out *Oh, Oh What A Kiss / Wednesday's Child *Only You (Can Break My Heart) / Time Alone Will Tell *Uptight / Single Girl (with JA and The Jitterbugs) *Please Don't Go / Cherish *Sugar, Let's Shing-A-Ling / Shing-A-Ling Time *Puppet On A String (with JA and The Jitterbugs) / *Somebody to Love / 1968 *Ain't No Mountain High Enough / Two Can Have a Party (with The Tilt-Down Men) *I'm Coming Home / Kiss Me Goodbye *After You / Why Can't I Remember to Forget You *Ode To Billie Joe / We've Got To Have Love (with The Tilt-Down Men) *Don't Give Up / Everytime I See a Rainbow *Angel of the Morning / Sweet Memories *It's a Happening World / Shoot Your Shot *

Bang-Shang-A-Lang "Bang-Shang-A-Lang" is the debut single released by The Archies in 1968. It was written and produced by Jeff Barry. The song was featured on their self-titled album. It peaked at No. 22 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.

/ Shotgun *Son of a Preacher Man / 1969 *The Fool On The Hill / The Horse (Love is All Right) *Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da / Harper Valley PTA *Mississippi Delta / The Glory of Love *I'm a Tiger / Every Day I Have to Cry Some *This Girl's in Love with You / Where Is Tomorrow *Those Were the Days / Stay Away from Love *Bitter Memories / Our Day Will Come *Boom Bang-A-Bang / The Windmills of Your Mind *Happy Heart / Let The Music Start *Put a Little Love in Your Heart / 1970 *Evil Ways / Great Big Bundle of Love *If Ever You Go / Put A Smile on Your Face *Do the Popcorn / Both Sides Now 1973 *Anytime of the Year / It's a Crying Shame *A Cowboy's Work Is Never Done / Betcha By Golly, Wow *Put Your Hand in the Hand / Rose Garden *Do Me / Somebody Waiting *Love a Little Longer / Rock and Roll Lullaby 1974 *Doctor's Orders / Only Yesterday *Please, Mr. Postman / My Melody of Love *Head Over Heels / Leave a Little Room

Filmography

Television

Movies

*''

Etiquette for Mistresses ''Etiquette for Mistresses'' is a 2015 Philippine romantic-drama film based on the best-selling novel of the same name written by Julie Yap-Daza and Patrick John Valencia. It features an ensemble cast including Kris Aquino, Claudine Barretto, Iz ...

'' (2015) as Conchita San Diego *''

Segunda Mano ''Segunda Mano'' (English: ''Second Hand'') is a 2011 Filipino supernatural science fiction horror film directed by Joyce Bernal, and it stars Kris Aquino, Dingdong Dantes, and Angelica Panganiban. The film was produced and released by Star Cinema ...

'' (2011) as Adela Domingo *'' Mano Po 6: A Mother's Love'' (2009) *''Bagong Bayani'' (1995) as

Flor Contemplacion Flor Ramos Contemplacion (January 7, 1953 – March 17, 1995) was a Filipina domestic worker executed in Singapore for murder. Her execution severely strained relations between Singapore and the Philippines, and caused many Filipinos to vent ...

*''Umiyak Pati Langit'' (1991) *''Oras-oras, Araw-araw'' (1989) *''Kailan Mahuhugasan ang Kasalanan?'' (1989) as Adora Meneses *''Hot Summer'' (1989) *''Mama Said Papa Said I Love You'' (1985) *''Give Me Five!'' (1984) *''Angelita, Ako ang Iyong Ina Part II'' (1982) *''Angelita... Ako ang Iyong Ina'' (1980) as Janet *''Roberta'' (1979) *''Feliciano'' (1978) *''

Mga Mata Ni Angelita ''Mga Mata ni Anghelita'' (International title: ''Anghelita'' / ) is a 2007 Philippine television drama fantasy series broadcast by GMA Network. The series is an adaptation of a 1978 film of the same title. Directed by Gil Tejada Jr. and Khrys ...

'' (1978) as Janet - Gonzalo's Daughter *''Kapitan Kulas'' (1975) *'' Darna and the Giants'' (1974) as X3X *''Biktima'' (1974) as Nurse *''Sarhento Fofonggay... A, ewan!'' (1974) *''Ako'y Tao, May Dugo at Lamán'' (1970) as Luisa *''Love Is for the Two of Us'' (1970) *''Banda 24'' (1969) *''Matimbang ang Dugo sa Tubig'' (1969) *''Ngitngit ng Pitong Whistle Bomb'' (1968) as Nerissa *''

'' (1968) *''Boogaloo'' (1968) *''Kailanma'y 'Di Ka Mag-iisa'' (1968) *''Let's Go Hippie'' (1968) *''May I Go Out'' (1968) *''O Kaka, O Kaka'' (1968) *''Operation: Discothèque'' (1968) *''Otra Vez, Señorita'' (1968) *''Like Father, Like Son: Kung Ano ang Punò Siya ang Bunga'' (1967) *''Target: The A-Go-Go Generation'' (1967) *''Yesterday (1967)'' *'' Palos: Counterspy'' (1966) *''Baril sa Aking Kamay'' (1966) *''Doble Trece'' (1966) *''Stranger in the Night'' (1966) *''Guillermo Bravado'' (1965) *''Dolpinger'' (1965) *''Misyong Mapanganib'' (1965) *''DJ Dance Time'' (1964) *''Let's Go'' (1964) *''The Nite Owl (Dance Party)'' (1964) *''Gorio... Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas'' (1963) *''Hugo, the Sidewalk Vendor'' (1962) *''Gorio and His Jeepney'' (1962) *''Sakay and Moy'' (1962) *''Walang Pagkalupig'' (1962) *''Palanca'' (1960) *''Maalaala Mo Kaya'' (1954)

Awards

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Gamboa, Helen Filipino film actresses Filipino people of American descent Filipino people of Spanish descent Filipino television actresses 1945 births Living people People from Santa Cruz, Manila Actresses from Manila

Helen Helen may refer to: People * Helen of Troy, in Greek mythology, the most beautiful woman in the world * Helen (actress) (born 1938), Indian actress * Helen (given name), a given name (including a list of people with the name) Places * Helen, ...

Vicor Music artists