Sylvia Reyes La Torre-Perez de Tagle (June 4, 1933 – December 1, 2022), was a Filipino singer, actress, and radio star.

Early life

La Torre was born on June 4, 1933 to actress Leonora Reyes and director Olive La Torre.

Career

Singing

La Torre's singing career started in 1938 at the age of five, when she entered a singing competition in

Manila Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is highly urbanized and, as of 2019, was the world's most densely populate ...

. She also attended the

University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music The University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music, popularly known as "UST Music", is the music school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines. Proclaimed as one of the only two un ...

under a scholarship and also became a frequent feature at the

Manila Grand Opera House The Manila Grand Opera House ( Filipino: ''Marangal na Bahay-Opera ng Maynila'', abbreviated MGOH) was a theater and opera house located in the district of Santa Cruz in Manila on the intersection of Rizal Avenue and Doroteo Jose Street. It was ...

. She would gain the reputation of being the "Queen of

Kundiman Kundiman is a genre of traditional Filipino love songs. The lyrics of the kundiman are written in Tagalog. The melody is characterized by a smooth, flowing and gentle rhythm with dramatic intervals. Kundiman was the traditional means of sere ...

" for performing hundreds of songs such as "Mutya ng Pasig", "Waray-Waray" and "

Maalaala Mo Kaya ''Maalaala Mo Kaya'' (; formerly written as ''Maala-ala Mo Kaya...''; abbreviated as ''MMK''), also known as ''Memories'', is a Philippines, Philippine television drama anthology show broadcast by Kapamilya Channel under ABS-CBN Entertainment. ...

". She would continue to perform, even as she emigrated to the United States. In 2017, she worked with the Filipino-American Symphony Orchestra.

Radio, television, and film

La Torre was a

child actress The term child actor or child actress is generally applied to a child acting on stage or in movies or television. An adult who began their acting career as a child may also be called a child actor, or a "former child actor". Closely associated t ...

, first appearing in the 1941 film ''Ang Maestra''. She would feature in other films made 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 1960, La Torre featured in the radio program ''Tuloy ang Ligaya'' of

Manila Broadcasting Company Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) is a radio and television network in the Philippines. MBC is currently owned by the FJE Group of Companies of Fred J. Elizalde, which also operates hotels and Pasay-based amusement park Star City. Its AM fla ...

(MBC) with Lita Guttierez and Oscar Obligacion. The radio program was made into a television program known as ''The Big Show'' which was hosted by La Torre and Obligacion. Due to the success of ''The Big Show''. ABS-CBN would offer the two to host its noontime television show ''Oras ng Ligaya''. For this, she earned the title "First Lady of Philippine Television". La Torre's filmography spans until the 1990s. Among her noted films are ''Ulila ng Bataan'' and ''Buhay Pilipino'' in 1952 and ''Nukso nang nukso'' in 1960. She would also star in the 1988

Seiko , commonly known as Seiko ( , ), is a Japanese maker of watches, clocks, electronic devices, semiconductors, jewelry, and optical products. Founded in 1881 by Kintarō Hattori in Tokyo, Seiko introduced one of the first quartz watches and the ...

film ''

One Two Bato, Three Four Bapor ''One Two Bato, Three Four Bapor'' () is a 1988 Filipino comedy-drama film co-written and directed by Ben Feleo and starring Sheryl Cruz, Romnick Sarmenta, Eddie Garcia, Sylvia La Torre, Romy Diaz, Ian Veneracion, Harlene Bautista, Michael Locs ...

''.

Personal life

La Torre was married to Celso Perez de Tagle, a dentist, with whom she had three children. Her granddaughter,

Anna Maria Perez de Tagle Anna Maria Francesca Enriquez Perez de Tagle-Kline

, is also an actress, known for appearing in ''

Hannah Montana ''Hannah Montana'' is an American teen sitcom created by Michael Poryes, Rich Correll and Barry O'Brien that aired on Disney Channel for four seasons between March2006 and January2011. The series centers on Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus), a ...

'' and ''

Camp Rock ''Camp Rock'' is a 2008 American musical television film directed by Matthew Diamond from a screenplay by Karin Gist, Regina Hicks, Julie Brown, and Paul Brown. The 73rd Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM), the film stars Demi Lovato, Joe ...

''. La Torre was also a devout

Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...

. Her family emigrated to the United States in the 1980s where she continued performing.

Death

La Torre died in her sleep on December 1, 2022.

Filmography

*1941 - ''Ang Maestra'' *1949 - ''Biro ng Tadhana'' *1952 - ''Buhay Pilipino'' *1952 - ''Ulila ng Bataan'' *1952 - ''Gorio at Tekla'' *1953 - ''Munting Koronel'' *1953 - ''Ang Asawa Kong Americana'' *1958 - ''My Little Kuwan'' *1959 - ''Puro Utos, Puro Utos'' *1959 - ''Nukso ng Nukso'' *1960 - ''Yantok Mindoro'' *1961 - ''Oh Sendang'' *1962 - ''Tang-taran-tang'' *1963 - ''Sakay and Moy'' *1974 - ''Oh Maggie Oh'' *1978 - ''Chimoy at Chimay'' *1987 - ''Jack & Jill'' as Doña Estrella "Star" Bartolome *1988 - ''

'' *1989 - ''M&M, the Incredible Twins'' *1993 - ''Ligaw-ligawan Kasal-kasalan Bahay-bahayan'' *1997 - ''Biyudo Si Daddy, Biyuda Si Mommy'' *2001-2002 - ''

Biglang Sibol, Bayang Impasibol ''Biglang Sibol, Bayang Impasibol'' () is a Philippine television drama comedy series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Jeffrey Jeturian, it stars Celia Rodriguez, Nestor de Villa and Sylvia La Torre. It premiered on March 12, 2001 replacing ...

Discography

*''Akala'y Totoo (Pangarap Lang Pala)'' *''Ako Ay Iyo'' - 1959 *''Ako'y Kampupot'' - 1954 *''Ako'y Lumuluha'' *''Ako'y Nagmamahal'' - 1961 *''Alak (record)'' - 1965 *''Alembong'' - 1958 *''Alibambang'' *''Aling Kutsero'' - 1956 *''Anak ni Waray'' - 1959 *''Ano Ba'' - 1959 *''Ang Giliw Na Ibig Ko'' - 1960 *''Ang Dalagang Nayon'' *''Ang Hirap Kay' Inday'' *''Ang Kasing-Kasing ko'' *''Ang Langit Ko'y Ikaw'' *''Ang Paglalaba'' *''Ano Ba'' *''Ano Kaya ang Kapalaran'' - 1955 *'' Arimunding-Munding'' - 1953 *''Asahan Mo'' *''Atik'' *''Awat na Adyang'' - 1961 *''Ay Anong Saklap'' - 1960 *''Ay Kalisud'' - 1954 *"Babalik Ka Rin" *"Bahala Na" - 1956 *" Bahay-Kubo (Sylvia)" - 1966 *"Bakit Mo Ako Pinaluha" *"Banahaw" *"Basang Sisiw" *"Basta't Mahal Kita" - 1959 *"Batanguena" - 1954 *"Binatang Kapampangan" *"Bingwit ng Pag-ibig" *"Binibiro Lamang Kita" *"Biru-Biruan" *"

Bituing Marikit ''Bituing Marikit'' is the first full-length film produced by Sampaguita Pictures, released in 1937. It starred Elsa Oria and Rogelio de la Rosa. Cast *Rogelio de la Rosa *Juancho Gutierrez *Daisy Romualdez *Elsa Oria *Sylvia La Torre ...

" - 1952 *"Buhay sa Nayon" *"Bulaklak at Paru-Paro" - 1954 *" Carinosa" *"Chimoy at Chimay" - 1973 *"Dadaldal-Daldal" *"Dahil Sa Polka" - 1965 *"

Dahil sa Iyo "Dahil Sa Iyo" is a song by Mike Velarde, Jr., written in 1938 for the movie, ''Bituing Marikit'' and sung by Rogelio de la Rosa. A version with English-Tagalog lyrics, recorded in 1964, was a hit in the United States and continues to be popular ...

" *"Dahil sa Polka" *"Dalaga't Binata" *"Dankasi'y Tuwis Ka ng Tuwis" (1962) *"Di Magtataksil" *"Di Mahahadlangan" *''Easy Ka Lang Padre'' - 1956 *''Etcetera...Etcetera...Etcetera...'' - 1966 *''Ewan Ko Ba'' - 1962 *''Fiesta'' - 1960 *''Galawgaw'' - 1955 *''Ginintuang Ani'' - 1954 *''Gintong Silahis'' - 1954 *''Golpe de Gulat'' - 1967 *''Granada (Sylvia)'' - 1968 *''Habang May Buhay'' - 1965 *''Halikan Mo Ako Darling'' - 1959 *''Halina't Magsaya'' *''Handang Matodas'' *''Hanee-Hanee'' *''Hanggang Langit'' *''Hanggang sa Mag-Umaga'' *''Hijo de Familia'' *''Hindi Basta-Basta'' - 1956 *''Hindi Na Nagbalik'' *''Hirap ng Umibig'' *''Huwag Ka Sanang Pikon'' - 1962 *''Ibong Sawi'' - 1953 *''Ikaw'' *''Ikaw Kasi'' - 1956 *''Ikinalulungkot Ko'' *''Ilang-Ilang'' - 1954 *''Inday Palalayasin Kita'' *''Irog Kay Sarap'' *''Irog Ko'' *''Irog ng Buhay'' *''Irogm Nasaan ang Pag-ibig'' *''Isang Aral'' - 1967 *''Iyung-Iyo'' *''Jukebox Rock'' *''Kalesa'' - 1959 *''Kasalanan Ba ang Umibig'' *''Kasing Bango ng Pagsinta'' - 1954 *''

Katakataka ''Kalanchoe pinnata'', commonly known as cathedral bells, air plant, life plant, miracle leaf, and Goethe plant is a succulent plant native to Madagascar. It is a popular houseplant and has become naturalized in tropical and subtropical areas. T ...

'' *''Katimbang ng Buhay'' *''Katuwaan'' *''Kikisay-Kisay'' *''Kulasisi'' - 1954 *''Kumare, Kumpadre'' 1952 (Sylvia La Torre & Alfred La Roza) *''Kung Akoy Iibig'' *''Kung Kita'y Kapiling'' *''Kung Nagsasayaw'' *''Laba-Laba-Laba'' *''Lalake at Lamok'' *''Larawan ng Pagsinta'' *''Lawiswis Kawayan'' - 1954 *''Lihim Kitang Iniibig'' *''

Luha The Luha ( uk, Луга, pl, Ług) is a river in Ukraine and a right tributary of the Bug. Its source is located near village Kolpytiv located at the Horokhiv Upland and in its upper reaches the Luha runs mainly in western, northwestern direct ...

'' *''Luha sa Hatinggabi'' *''Luha sa Kalipay'' - 1954 *''

'' *''Mabuti Pa'' *''Madaling Araw'' *''Magkatuwaan'' - 1966 *''Magsaya ka't Ngumiti'' - 1967 *''Magsayawan'' *''Magtiis ka Darling'' *''Mahal na Mahal kita'' *''Malaking Hirap'' *''Maligayang Araw'' *''Mamang Kartero'' *''Manalig ka'' *''Mang Teban'' *''Masaganang Kabukiran'' - 1954 *''May Araw ka Rin'' *''Mutya ng Pasig'' - 1952 *''Nagnakaw ng Halik'' - 1959 *''Nakakabum'' - 1969 *''Naman, Naman, Naman'' - 1970 *''Nangangarap'' *''Nasaan'' *''Nasaan Ang Aking Puso'' - 1968 *''Nasaan ang Sumpa Mo'' *''Nasaan Ka Irog'' - 1952 *''No Money, No Honey'' - 1956 *''No Touch, Filipino Kostum'' *''O.A.'' *''One, Two, Three'' *''Paglingap'' - 1953 *''Paglubog ng Araw'' *''Pahiwatig'' - 1952 *''Pakiusap'' - 1952 *''Pakwan'' - 1959 *''Pamaypay ng Maynila'' - 1954 *''Pampahimbing'' - 1959 *''Pandanggo sa Pag-ibig'' *''Pandangguhan (Sylvia)'' - 1954 *''Parti-Lain (Sylvia)'' - 1961 *''Paru-Paro sa Bulaklak'' *''Peks Man'' *''Phone Pal (Sylvia)'' - 1958 *''Please Lang'' - 1960 *''Pintasan'' - 1964 *''Pook na Kaakit-akit'' *''Probinsyano (Sylvia)'' - 1959 *''Puting Teksas'' - 1961 *''Sa Bukid'' *''Sa Duyan ng Pagmamahal'' *''Sa Kabukiran'' - 1954 *''Sa Libis ng Nayon'' *''Sa Pagpatak ng Ulan'' *''Salawahan'' *''Sampaguita'' *''Singsing'' *''Sino Man ang Nagsabi'' - 1965 *''Sosayting Dukha (song)'' *''Taguan (Sylvia)'' - 1966 *''Talusaling Polka'' - 1964 *''Tampal'' - 1969 *''

Tampuhan Silent treatment is the refusal to communicate verbally and electronically with someone who is trying to communicate and elicit a response. It may range from just sulking to malevolent abusive controlling behaviour. It may be a passive-aggressi ...

'' *''Taradyin Pot Pot'' *''Tayo'y Mamasko'' *''Tingnan Natin'' *''Tinikling (Sylvia)'' - 1963 *''Tirana Biya'' *''Tugtugan'' - 1969 *''Tsimoy at Tsimay'' with

Bobby Gonzales Bobby Gonzales (born 15 February 1984 in Beaufort) is a Malaysian footballer who plays for Malaysian Super League club Sabah as forward. He currently hold the all-time top scorer of Malaysia Premier League with 90 goals. Personal life Bobby ...

*''Tunay na Ligaya'' *''Twit Twit Twit'' - 1963 *''Walang Kuarta'' *''Waray-Waray'' - 1954

References

External links

La Torre at the Internet Movie Database websiteLa Torre at Allmusic.com
* {{DEFAULTSORT:La Torre, Sylvia 1933 births 2022 deaths Filipino expatriates in the United States 20th-century Filipino women singers Filipino film actresses Filipino musical theatre actresses Filipino television actresses Actresses from Manila