Alma Moreno

Alma Moreno is a Filipino actress who has made her mark both as a popular movie and television personality. She was born Vanessa Lacsamana on May 25, 1959 in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur to Frank Lacsamana, who hailed from Pampanga, and Jean Moreno, a couple who lived a simple, yet noble life.

She appeared in her first movie as a "dama" in "Urduja" with Amalia Fuentes. Her first starring role was "Ligaw na Bulaklak Part 2" with Vic Silayan, which launched her to full stardom . The 1976 film was directed by Philippine National Artist Ishmael Bernal.

From then on until the late '80s, Alma starred in a number of skin flicks that were big hits at the box-office. Thus, Moreno reigned as the "Sex Goddess of Philippine Movies" in the '70s and '80s.

Bernal also directed her in one of the best Filipino films of all time, "City After Dark". Her other notable films include "Makati Avenue Office Girls" and "Mga Bilanggong Birhen".

Versatile in sexy, drama and comedy films, Alma hosted a number of highly-rated television variety shows in the '80s for which she earned the title Shining Star. She also had a weekly television drama anthology, ALINDOG, a well-written drama exploring the lives of the modern Filipino women. Alma, who is also an excellent dancer, popularized a sexy, high-cut outfit called the “Tangga” in her TV shows like The Other Side of Alma, Rated A and Loveli-Ness. She has been nominated in various film and TV acting awards for her dramatic and comedic performances.

Ness, as she is fondly called in local show business, had a long live-in relationship with Action King Rudy Fernandez, with whom she has a son, Mark Anthony Fernandez, also an actor. She also figured in another high-profile live-in affair with the King of Comedy, Dolphy, which produced a son, Vandolph a former child actor.

Moreno later married actor-politician Joey Marquez. Their 12-year union produced three children: Yeoj, Win-win, VJ, and adopted Em-Em. The marriage was annulled in 2004.

In the first half of the new millennium, Alma Moreno divided her time between her professional commitments with GMA-7's "Habang Kapiling Ka" (daily tele-novela), and "Da Boy and Da Girl" (weekly sit-com); and her personal commitments to the less fortunate sectors of society in Paranaque, particularly the "kababaihan," for whom she undertakes various socio-civic and community development projects.

She ran for the mayoralty race of Paranaque City in 2004 but lost. Later that year, she starred in her comeback film "Kapalit". Recently, she sat as one of the resident judges of the defunct dance contest "You Can Dance".

In 2007, she was elected Councilor of the City of Paranaque.

Controversy

On September 24, 2008, the Parañaque City prosecutor's office found probable cause for violation of Batas Pambansa 22 against Moreno. The complaint Maya Media Arts Yielding Ads (Maya) Inc. accused Moreno of issuing P 390,000 rubber or bouncing checks for campaign materials. Moreno denied the charges and her bail bond was set at P30,000. [ [http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20080924-162594/Probable-cause-to-charge-Alma-Moreno-for-bouncing-checks inquirer.net, ‘Probable cause to charge Alma Moreno for bouncing checks’] ] [ [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/122487/Alma-Moreno-sued-over-bouncing-checks gmanews.tv, Alma Moreno sued over bouncing checks] ]

Filmography

*Una Kang Naging Akin Corazon "GMA Network"
*Eva Fonda Mellete TV Guest "ABS-CBN"
*Inday sa Balitaw (2006) TV Episode Monina
*"Anghel na walang langit, Mga" (2005) TV Series Debra
*Pelukang itim: Agimat ko ito for victory again (2005)
*Kapalit (2004)
*"Daboy en da girl" (2002) TV Series
*"Habang kapiling ka" (2002) TV Series .... Salve
*"Sa dulo ng walang hanggan" (2001)
*Hey Babe (1999)
*Sonny Segovia: Lumakad ka sa apoy (1998)
*Hari ng yabang (1997)
*Gwapings Dos (1993) Celina
*Guwapings: The First Adventure (1992)
*Aswang (1992)
*Mahal... saan ka natulog kagabi? (1992)
*Magdalena S. Palacol Story (1991)
*Lover's Delight (1990)
*Kahit singko ay di ko babayaran ang buhay mo (1990)
*Urbanito Dizon (1990)
*Twist: Ako si ikaw, ikaw si ako (1990)
*Flavor of the Month (1990)
*Target... Police General: Major General Alfredo Lim Story (1990)
*Abandonada (1989) Celine aka The Abandoned
*Rape of Virginia P. (1989) aka Virginia P.
*Beloy Montemayor (1986)
*The Crazy Professor (1985) .... Kristie
*Secrets of Pura K
*Riot 1950 (1985)
*I Confess(1985)
*Hello Lover, Goodbye Friend (1985)
*Kay dali ng kahapon, ang bagal ng bukas (1985)
*Diary of Christina Gaston (1984)
*Nang maghalo ang balat sa tinalupan (1984)
*Good Morning, Professor (1982)
*Sisang tabak (1981)
*Carnival Queen (1981)
*Nympha (1980) .... Nympha
*The Valderrama Case (1980)
*Bedspacer (1980)
*City After Dark (1980)
*Malakas, si Maganda, at si mahinhin, Si (1980)Candy
*Waikiki: Sa lupa ng ating mga pangarap (1980)
*Palaban (1980)
*Bomba Star (1980)
*Kasal-kasalan, bahay-bahayan (1979)
*Isang milyong at isang kasalanan (1979)
*Mabango ba ang bawat bulaklak (1979)
*Magkaribal (1979)
*Mga Sariwang Bulaklak (1978)
*Dyesebel (1978)
*Gisingin Mo And Umaga, Neneng (1977)(introducing Emmanuel San Luis and Riza Garcia)
*Masikip...Maluwang...Paraisong Parisukat (1977)
*Mrs. Eva Fonda, 16 (1976)
*Lumakad kang hubad
*Kambal Tuko (1975)
*Ligaw na Bulaklak (1975)
*Urduja (1974)

References