Ace Vergel

Ace York Caesar Asturias Aguilar (November 20, 1954 – December 15, 2007), better known by his stage name Ace Vergel, was a Filipino actor dubbed "The Original Bad Boy of Philippine Movies". He was the son of the late film actors Alicia Vergel and César Ramírez, and brother of actress Beverly Vergel.

Early life He was born Ace York Caesar Asturias Aguilar in the Philippines on November 20, 1954, to parents Alicia Vergel and Cesar Ramirez. His parents were well-known stars in the 1950s.

He attended Business Management and Public Relations at Ateneo de Manila University in 1975.

He was married to Maya dela Cuesta and had a son named Alejandro King dela Cuesta Aguilar.

Film career Ace Vergel, being a "Child of Cinema" started in the film industry at the age of 3. His screen debut was in "Taong Putik" which starred his mother. He appeared in his first full-length movie at the age of five using his real name Ace York, where he played the friend of a giant bird in the 1959 film Anak ng Bulkan. The movie starred Fernando Poe Jr. and Edna Luna. At the age of 7, Ace dropped out of the movie scene as he reached school age.

In 1969 At the age of 15 he made a movie comeback and was paired with Nora Aunor in a musical "Nineteeners" but the chemistry didn't work and decided to bid the movie scene goodbye again. He staged his comeback in 1977 to do the film under Lino Brocka entitled "Inay" where his mother Alicia Vergel portrayed the title role. In the following year, Vergel switched from drama to action roles. His launching vehicle as an action star was in the film Noel San Miguel (Batang City Jail) in 1978. The movie gained positive reviews and made it to the box office. The movie stablished him as the newest action sensation during that time.

Vergel became the first movie star to appear in a First Philippine miniseries. The groundbreaking miniseries, "Malayo Pa Ang Umaga," was inspired by Stevan Javellana’s novel "Without Seeing the Dawn," the first Filipino novel written in English. Vergel portrayed the lead character, "Mario," an oppressed farmer, in a story set during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. The miniseries aired on Channel 9 in seven installments during the summer of 1979, with Rey Valera composing its theme song.

In 1983, Vergel took on a highly challenging role in the classic film Pieta. Portraying "Rigor," an anti-hero lacking traditional heroic qualities, he departed from his typical roles in previous films, making this character his most iconic to date.

He had the lead role in the 1996 film Seth Corteza, which was about a man who inherits turf in the criminal underworld. He wants to make changes and faces the dangers that come about as a result. The film was directed by Efren C. Piñon.

In 2003, Vergel appeared in his last film Masamang Ugat from Viva Films.

Controversies In August 2007, a warrant for arrest was issued in Caloocan for rape cases filed against him in 2000, but he was later released. He was also linked to illegal drugs, but the cases against him were dismissed.

Death Vergel suffered a massive heart attack and slipped into a coma at The Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center, located in Santa Cruz, Manila and died at 3:17 am on December 15, 2007, at the age of 53.

Filmography Year Title Character Notes 1959 Anak Ng Bulkan Bentoy 1977 Inay Alex 1978 Batang City Jail Noel San Miguel 1979 Hoodlum Killer - Teritoryo Ko Ito Jun Javier / Batang Dewey Mahal Kong Taksil - 1980 Pangkat: Do or Die - Kanto Boy - Kodigo Penal: The Valderrama Case Capt. Nilo Valderrama Hari ng Tondo Ikaw o Ako Bingo Ocampo Tatak Angustia Eric Siga Atty. Alex Noriega 1981 Kapwa Simaron - Dirty Games - Ako Laban Sa Lahat - Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang Mr. Delgado / Special Participation Hantingan - Kamandag Ng Rehas Na Bakal Sgt. Noel Santos Hostage 72 Oras - Lukso Ng Dugo - Deadly Commando - Solid Alas - 1982 Mga Pambato Tonyong Blackjack Tres Kantos - Berdugo Manuel Annie Sabungera Randy Sugo - Waywaya - Ang Tapang Para Sa Lahat! Ricardo Zimatar Prinsipe Akbar 1983 Inside Job Atty. Adolfo Guevarra Pieta Rigor Kumusta Ka, Hudas? - Pusakal - 1984 Huwag Kang Papatay - Isang Dakot Na Lupa Ador Basag Ang Pula Fernando Tong - 1985 Jandro Nakpil: Halang ang Kaluluwa Jandro Nakpil Bomba Arienda Roger "Bomba" Arienda 1987 Ayokong Tumungtong Sa Lupa - 1988 Anak Ng Cabron Donato Rios 1989 Killer vs. Ninjas - Galit Sa Mundo - 1990 Higit Na Mas Matimbang Ang Dugo Randolph (uncredited) 1991 Sagad Hanggang Buto Banjo 1992 Totoy Guwapo: Alyas Kanto Boy Totoy Castro/Totoy Guwapo 1993 Kahit Ako'y Busabos Giller 1996 Seth Corteza Seth Corteza Ten Little Indians Brandon Valdez Huling Sagupaan Samuel 1997 Utang Ko Sa Iyo Ang Buhay Ko Wex Iligpit Si Victor Saraza Victor Saraza Jacob C.I.S. Jacob/Gardo (Edgardo Mactan) 1998 Sige Subukan Mo David/Berting Ang Joker At Ang Pistolero Marvin / Special Participation Abel Villarama: Armado Abel Villarama 2000 Katayan - 2001 Carta Alas: Huwag Ka Nang Humirit Capt. Ted Cordero 2003 Masamang Ugat David Last film appearance

Accolades Vergel was nominated five times.

FAMAS NOMINATION

1989 Best Actor for Anak ng Cabron (1988)

1986 Best Actor for Bomba Arienda (1985)

1985 Best Actor for Basag ang Pula (1984)

1984 Best Actor for Pieta (1983)

GAWAD URIAN NOMINATION

1986 Best Actor for Bomba Arienda (1985)

In 1989, Vergel received his Best Actor awards from the Gawad Urian and PMPC Star Awards for Movies for his role in the film Anak ng Cabron.