Alfonso Discher Tagle Sr., better known as Panchito Alba or simply Panchito (February 5, 1925 – December 18, 1995), was a

Filipino Filipino may refer to: * Something from or related to the Philippines ** Filipino language, standardized variety of 'Tagalog', the national language and one of the official languages of the Philippines. ** Filipinos, people who are citizens of th ...

film

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 ...

who almost exclusively appeared in comedy roles. He was known for his swarthy looks and a prominent big nose, which was often the target of ridicule, especially

Dolphy Rodolfo Vera Quizon Sr. (; July 25, 1928 – July 10, 2012), better known by his stage names Dolphy, Pidol, and Golay, was a Filipino comedian and actor. He is widely regarded as the country's "King of Comedy" for his comedic talent embodied ...

calling him "baboy ramo" (wild boar). Panchito frequently appeared as a comedic foil to

, with whom he was best friends in real life.

Biography

Panchito was born in

Paco, Manila Paco, formerly known as Dilao, is a Manila#Barangays and districts, district of Manila, Philippines located south of the Pasig River, and San Miguel, Manila, San Miguel, west of Santa Ana, Manila, Santa Ana, southwest of Pandacan, Manila, Panda ...

. His mother, Etang Discher, became a prominent film actress beginning in the 1940s, often being cast in villainous roles. One of his brothers, Emil Tagle, also became a film actor. He was married with children. His aunt, Elaina Discher, was also a Filipina actress. Panchito's career in show business began in 1942 when he joined a

bodabil Vaudeville in the Philippines, more commonly referred to as bodabil, was a popular genre of entertainment in the Philippines from the 1910s until the mid-1960s. For decades, it competed with film, radio and television as the dominant form of Filip ...

troupe called "Travel Stage Show" which performed in various theaters in Japanese-occupied Manila. The then-14-year-old Dolphy was also a member of the troupe, thus beginning a lifelong association.

Film career

Panchito's film career began when he, along with Dolphy, were cast by

Sampaguita Pictures Sampaguita Pictures was a Philippine film production company. It was named for the Philippine national flower, sampaguita. Though no longer functioning, the company's Sampaguita Compound remains in Quezon City. History Sampaguita Pictures was es ...

in the

Tita Duran Teresita Rigo Durango Magalona (born Teresita Rigo Durango; September 30, 1928 – April 27, 1990), known professionally as Tita Duran, was a Filipina film actress who began as a child actress. She was the first successful child star of Philipp ...

Pancho Magalona Enrique Gayoso Magalona Jr. (January 22, 1922 – April 7, 1998), popularly known as Pancho Magalona, was a Filipino actor from the 1940s to the 1970s. Early life Born Enrique Gayoso Magalona Jr. in Bacolod, Negros Occidental, he was the son of ...

musical ''Sa Isang Sulyap Mo, Tita''. It was a career that lasted until his death. In 1955, Panchito was awarded the

FAMAS The FAMAS (''Fusil d'Assaut de la Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Étienne'', "Assault Rifle from the Saint-Étienne Weapon Factory") is a bullpup assault rifle designed and manufactured in France by MAS in 1978, a year after the Austrian Steyr ...

Best Supporting Actor award for his role in ''Lupang Kayumanggi''. His film career thrived despite his involvement in a 1964 mauling incident in

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 ...

that led to the filing of a criminal

information Information is an abstract concept that refers to that which has the power to inform. At the most fundamental level information pertains to the interpretation of that which may be sensed. Any natural process that is not completely random ...

against him and several others for frustrated murder, though the case against him would be later dismissed. Panchito is perhaps best known for his over 50-plus film team-ups with Dolphy in such movies as '' Kalabog en Bosyo'' (1959); ''Beatnik'' (1960); ''Si Lucio at Miguel'' (1962); ''Pepe and Pilar'' (1966); '' Facifica Falayfay'' (1969); ''Fefita Fofongay'' (1973); ''Bugoy'' (1979); and '' Bakit Kinagat ni Adan ang Mansanas ni Eba?'' (1989). The partnership likewise extended to television, where the duo would co-star in an

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 ...

variety show, ''Buhay Artista'' (1965–1972). The tandem was famous for a comedic duet routine wherein one would interrupt the other to offer a mangled translation of a Tagalog lyric into

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

or vice versa. On July 4, 1966, Dolphy and Panchito opened for

The Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...

at the

Rizal Memorial Sports Complex The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC; formerly known as Rizal Memorial Field) is a national sports complex of the Philippines, located on Pablo Ocampo St. (formerly Vito Cruz St.), Malate, Manila. It is named in honor of the country's national ...

during that band's infamously abbreviated concert tour of Manila. Apart from his partnership with Dolphy, Panchito became known as a supporting player in many other film comedies. He was frequently cast as an authority figure such as a policeman, a politician, a father-of-the-family, and memorably, as the

hula skirt A grass skirt is a costume and garment made with layers of plant fibres such as grasses and leaves that is fastened at the waistline. Pacific Grass skirts were introduced to Hawaii by immigrants from the Gilbert Islands around the 1870s to 1880s ...

-clad music teacher of Jaena High School in the

Joey de Leon Jose Maria Ramos de Leon Jr. (born October 14, 1946), professionally known as Joey de Leon, is a Filipino comedian, actor, television presenter and songwriter. He hosts the noontime variety show ''Eat Bulaga!'' He is a member of the comedy trio ...

Rene Requiestas Renato L. Requiestas (January 22, 1957 – July 24, 1993), professionally known as Rene Requiestas (), was a Filipino actor and comedian. Requiestas was one of the top Filipino comedy, comedians of the late 1980s up to the early 1990s. Requiestas ...

starrer ''Elvis and James'' (1989) and as "Paenguin" (a parody of

Batman Batman is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in Detective Comics 27, the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comics'' on ...

arch-nemesis In literature, an archenemy (sometimes spelled as arch-enemy) is the main enemy of someone. In fiction, it is a character who is the protagonist's, commonly a hero's, most prominent and most-known enemy. Etymology The word ''archenemy'' sometim ...

The Penguin The Penguin is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly as an adversary of the superhero Batman. The character made his first appearance in ''Detective Comics'' #58 (December 1941) and was created by Bob ...

) in the comedy-spoof ''

Alyas Batman en Robin ''Alyas Batman en Robin'' () is a 1991 Filipino musical-comedy film which spoofs the titular superheroes from DC Comics, Batman and Robin. It stars Joey de Leon as Batman, Rene Requiestas as the Joker, Dawn Zulueta as Angelique Legarda, Vina ...

'' (1991). In 1993, Panchito lived for a while in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

, purportedly to seek treatment after being diagnosed with

Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease (PD), or simply Parkinson's, is a long-term degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that mainly affects the motor system. The symptoms usually emerge slowly, and as the disease worsens, non-motor symptoms becom ...

. In early 1995, his best friend Dolphy and nephew

Babalu Babalu may refer to: * "Babalú", a 1939 song popularized by Desi Arnaz in the 1940s * '' BaBalu'', a 2001 Michael Bublé album * Babalu, Iran, a village in West Azerbaijan Province, Iran * The nickname for mixed martial artist Renato Sobral * Ba ...

visited him in the States where he was convinced to appear in the movie "''Home Sic Home''", a comedy film shot both in the Philippines and San Francisco, U.S.A. and produced by

Star Cinema ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc. (doing business as Star Cinema or ABS-CBN Films) is a Philippines, Filipino film studio and film and television production company and film distributor headquartered in Quezon City. It is one of the major film ...

. Though his movements were limited throughout the movie due to his medical condition, his comeback was well-received by the viewers. Soon after he decided to come back to the Philippines to resume his showbiz career. His guesting in ''Home Along da Riles'' rated high and he was cast in Dolphy and Vandolph's movie "''Father en Son''". However, while doing some scenes for the film in October 1995, he suffered a

stroke A stroke is a medical condition in which poor blood flow to the brain causes cell death. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and hemorrhagic, due to bleeding. Both cause parts of the brain to stop functionin ...

that left him comatose. A video of him lying incapacitated in bed aired on Philippine television. During his comatose period at the hospital, he was able to receive medical and financial support from his former co-stars. Aside from

, ''

Eat Bulaga ''Eat Bulaga!'' (), formerly ''Eat... Bulaga!'', is a noontime Philippine television variety show broadcast by GMA Network. Produced by TAPE Inc., it is the longest running variety show in the Philippines with over 13,000 episodes. Originally ...

'' main hosts

Vic Sotto Marvic Valentin Castelo Sotto (; born April 28, 1954), professionally known as Vic Sotto, is a Filipino actor, singer and comedian known far and wide for his various television and film projects on the major Philippine television networks GMA ...

and

also visited him. He died two months later, on December 18, 1995 at the age of 70, two days after the death of Bert ''Tawa'' Marcelo, and two months before his 71st birthday. It was also reported that Dolphy decided to include Panchito's partially-shot scenes in "Father en Son" at the final film cut as tribute to his long-time comic partner. In 2007, Alpha Music Corporation released an album-compilation entitled ''The Best of Dolphy & Panchito'', featuring 14 comedic duets of the comic tandem.

Filmography

*''Son of Fung Ku'' (1953) ... Gordon *''Love Pinoy Style'' (1953) *''Fefita Fofongay (Viuda de Falayfay)'' (1973) *''D' Godson'' (1953) *''Reyna Bandida'' (1953) *''Menor de Edad'' (1954) *''Aristokrata'' (1954) *''Anak sa Panalangin'' (1954) *''Waldas'' (1955) *''Sa Dulo ng Landas'' (1955) *''Mariposa'' (1955) *''Lupang Kayumanggi'' (1956) (as Panchito Alba) *''Diyosa'' (1957) *''Colegiala'' (1957) *''Tawag ng Tanghalan'' (1958) *''Silveria'' (1958) *''Pulot Gata'' (1958) *''Kalabog en Bosyo'' (1959) *''Pakiusap'' (1959) *''Isinumpa'' (1959) *''Dobol Trobol'' (1960) *''Beatnik'' (1960) *''Operatang Sampay Bakod'' (1961) *''Kandidatong Pulpol'' (1961) *''Hami-hanimun'' (1961) *''Tansan the Mighty'' (1962) *''Si Lucio at si Miguel'' (1962) *''Lab Na Lab Kita'' (1962) *''Si Adiang Waray'' (1962) *''Tansan vs. Tarsan'' (1963) *''King and Queen for a Day'' (1963) *''Buhay Bumbero'' (1968) *''Kaming Taga Ilog'' (1968) *''Kaming Taga Bundok'' (1968) *''Good Morning Titser'' (1968) *''Buhay Bombero'' (1968) *''Dakilang Tanga'' (1968) *'' Facifica Falayfay'' (1969) *''Ang Hiwaga ng Ibong Adarna'' (1972) *''Love Pinoy Style'' (1972) *''Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig ni Pedro Penduko'' (1973) *''Huli Huli 'Yan'' (1974) *''My Funny Valentine'' (1974) - Joaquin *''Like Father, Like Son: Kung Ano ang Puno Siya ang Bunga'' (1975) *''Silang Mga Mukhang Pera'' (1977) *''Binata ang Daddy Ko'' (1977) *''Bugoy'' (1979) *''Jack N Jill of the Third Kind'' (1979) *''Kuwatog'' (1979) *''Dancing Master'' (1979) *''Max & Jess'' (1979) ... Jess *''The Quick Brown Fox'' (1980) *''Darna at Ding'' (1980) *''Superhand'' (1980) *''Dolphy's Angels'' (1980) (as Panchito Alba) - Lieutenant Gapos *''Johnny Tanggo Rides Again... Tatanga-tanga, Dakila Naman'' (1982) *''Nang Umibig ang Gurang'' (1982) *''My Juan en Only'' (1982) *''Mga Alagad ng Kuwadradong Mesa'' (1983) *''Goodah'' (1984) *''Nang Maghalo ang Balat sa Tinalupan'' (1984) *''Sekreta Ini'' (1984) *''Charot'' (1984) *''I Won, I Won (Ang S'werte Nga Naman)'' (1985) - Procapio *''Praybet Depektib Akademi'' (1985) *''Ano Ka Hilo?'' (1985) *''Isang Platitong Mani'' (1985) - Nanding *''Goatbuster'' (1985) *''Momooo'' (1985) *''The Crazy Professor'' (1985) *''Isang Kumot, Tatlong Unan'' (1986) - Ponso *''No Return, No Exchange'' (1986) *''Kalabog en Bosyo Strike Again'' (1986) - Bosyo *''Panchito Alba'' (1987) *''

My Bugoy Goes to Congress ''My Bugoy Goes to Congress'' is a 1987 Filipino political comedy film directed by Jett C. Espiritu and starring Dolphy, Nora Aunor and Dolphy's son Eric Quizon. It is the sequel to the 1979 film ''Bugoy''. Produced by RVQ Productions and Shining ...

'' (1987) *''

Mga Anak ni Facifica Falayfay ''Mga Anak ni Facifica Falayfay'' is a 1987 Filipino film that is a sequel to the 1969 movie '' Facifica Falayfay'' starring Dolphy. It was written by Tony Mortel and Roy Vera Cruz and directed by Romy Villaflor. The movies tell the story of a lo ...

'' (1987) *''Binibining Tsuperman'' (1987) *''Jack & Jill'' (1987) *'' Ready!.. Aim!.. Fire!..'' (1987) *'' Puto'' (1987) - Teacher/Coach *''Haw Haw De Karabaw'' (1988) - Turo/Al Capone *''

Bobo Cop ''Bobo Cop'' () is a 1988 Filipino Action film#Action comedy, action comedy film directed by Tony Y. Reyes and starring Joey Marquez as the titular cop, alongside Alice Dixson, Matet de Leon, Matet, Kristina Paner, Cris Villanueva, Atoy Co, Amy Pe ...

'' (1988) *''

Enteng the Dragon ''Enteng the Dragon'' is a 1988 Philippine comedy film directed by Romy Villaflor and written by Tony S. Mortel. It is a parody of the film ''Enter the Dragon''. Plot The story revolves around \ Enteng (Dolphy) a vendor of a mobile food house in ...

'' (1988) *'' Sheman: Mistress of the Universe'' (1988) - Tio Paeng *''Jack and Jill sa Amerika'' (1988) *''

Smith & Wesson Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (S&W) is an American firearm manufacturer headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States. Smith & Wesson was founded by Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson as the "Smith & Wesson Revolver Company" in 1856 ...

'' (1988) - Major Mayumi *''

Bakit Kinagat ni Adan ang Mansanas ni Eba? ''Bakit Kinagat ni Adan ang Mansanas ni Eba'' () is a 1988 Filipino slapstick comedy film directed by Mike Relon Makiling and written by Arsenio 'Matanghari' Liao, partially inspired by the story of Adam and Eve. Plot The story revolves around Amb ...

'' (1988) - Tiago *'' Starzan: Shouting Star of the Jungle'' (1989) - McDoogan *''Si Malakas at si Maganda'' (1989) - Ka Ponso *''Mars Ravelo's Bondying: The Little Big Boy'' (1989) *''Balbakwa: The Invisible Man'' (1989) *''Da Best in Da West'' (1989) - Inkong Gaspar *''Long Ranger & Tonton (Shooting Stars of the West)'' (1989) - General Alfonso Gutierrez *''Bote, Dyaryo, Garapa'' (1989) *''Starzan 2: The Coming of Star Son'' (1989) *''Aso't Pusa'' (1989) *''Elvis and James: The Living Legends! (Buhay Pa... Mukhang Alamat Na!)'' (1989) *'' Pulis, Pulis sa Ilalim ng Tulay'' (1989) - Nato *'' SuperMouse and the Robo-Rats'' (1989) *''

Gawa Na ang Bala para sa Akin ''Gawa Na ang Bala para sa Akin'' () is a 1989 Filipino comedy film directed by Efren M. Jarlego and starring Vic Sotto, Monica Herrera, Panchito, Nova Villa, Paquito Diaz, Ruel Vernal, Larry Silva, and Rene Requiestas. It is Sotto's first solo ...

'' (1989) *''Romeo Loves Juliet (But Their Families Hate Each Other)'' (1989) *''My Darling Domestic (Greyt Eskeyp)'' (1989) *''Starzan III: The Jungle Triangle'' (1989) *''Hotdog'' (1990) *''Twist: Ako si Ikaw, Ikaw si Ako'' (1990) - Ka Limot *''Small, Medium, Large'' (1990) - Ma El *''Crocodile Jones: The Son of Indiana Dundee'' (1990) *''Ganda Babae, Ganda Lalake'' (1990) *''Og Must Be Crazy'' (1990) - Temyong *''Bagwis'' (1990) *''Samson & Goliath'' (1990) *''Espadang Patpat'' (1990) *''Goosebuster'' (1991) *''Barbi for President: First Lady Na Rin!'' (1991) *''

'' (1991) - Tiyo Paeng/Penguin *''Rocky Plus V'' (1991) *''Ali in Wonderland'' (1992) *''Sam & Miguel (Your Basura, No Problema)'' (1992) (as Panchito Alba) - Tomas *''Home sic Home'' (1995) *''Father en Son'' (1995, posthumously released)

TV shows

*''Buhay Artista'' (1964) TV Series

Notes

He has an extended family in

Texas Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...

Washington Washington commonly refers to: * Washington (state), United States * Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States ** A metonym for the federal government of the United States ** Washington metropolitan area, the metropolitan area centered on ...

, and

California California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...

References

Panchito Alba, Viva Cable TV, Viva.com
retrieved on: June 15, 2007

retrieved on: June 14, 2007 * ttp://www.search.com/reference/Etang_Discher Biography: Etang Discher (1908-1981) (a.k.a. Nena Discher), Search.com retrieved on June 14, 2007
Nostalgia Manila: Do You Know Who This Is? (''Sino Nga Ba Yan?''), Panchito Alba's Photograph
retrieved on: June 15, 2007

External links

* *, retrieved on: June 17, 2007 {{DEFAULTSORT:Alba, Panchito 1925 births 1995 deaths 20th-century comedians 20th-century Filipino male actors Filipino male child actors Filipino male comedians Filipino male film actors Filipino people of German descent Filipino television personalities Male actors from Manila People from Paco, Manila