Charito Solis

Charito Solís (born Rosario Violeta Hernández Solís; October 6, 1935 – January 9, 1998) was a Filipino actress whose career spanned over four decades. She was a top-billed actress for over two and a half decades, becoming the leading dramatic actress of the 1960s and the 1970s. Her accolades includes an Asian Film Festival Award, seven FAMAS Awards, three Gawad Urian, a Luna Award, and three Metro Manila Film Festival Awards.

Early life and background Rosario Violeta Solís Hernández was born in Manila. At age 19, she was introduced by her uncle, the film director F. H. Constantino to Doña Narcisa de León, the head of LVN Pictures, who cast her to star in her initial film Niña Bonita, Shot on location at the campus of University of the Philippines, she next starred opposite Leroy Salvador in the romantic musical Charito, I Love You (1956). The following year, Solis starred in Krisalis which became a box-office success. The same year, she received her first FAMAS Award for Best Actress nomination for her role in the romantic drama Ulilang Bituin opposite Mario Montenegro. In 1958, Solis next appeared in the family drama Malvarosa. The film competed at the Asian Film Festival, earning her international acclaim after receiving a nomination for Best Actress. She appeared in two more motion pictures later that year, Villa Milagrosa and Rose Tattoo ng Buhay Ko. The next two years were banners ones for Solis, winning the FAMAS Award for Best Actress for her roles in Kundiman ng Lahi and Emily. During this period, she also began appearing in several international productions. Solis starred as the wife of Gautama Buddha in the Japanese historical epic, Buddha (1961). The following year, she starred in another Japanese film The Princess and I opposite Kojiro Hongo.

1962–1966: Freelancer and television venture Following the closure of LVN Pictures, Solis became a freelancer and starred in numerous films for other major film outfits. In 1962, she next starred opposite Pancho Magalona in the period drama El Filibusterismo, based on the 1891 novel of the same name, by José Rizal. The following year, Solis starred in two major productions. She was handpicked to star as the titular role in the romantic drama Angustia. Later that year, she played three leading identical characters, each as wife, hostess, and nympho, in the drama Tatlong Mukha ni Pandora. For her performance, she received two FAMAS Award for Best Actress nominations for her roles in each of the films, winning one for Angustia. Also in 1966, Solis ventured television through the self-titled drama anthology The Charito Solis Show under ABS-CBN.

1967–1971: Nepomuceno productions and international acclaim Solis reportedly signed a million-peso five year contract with Nepomuceno Productions. She starred opposite Ric Rodrigo in the romantic drama Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak in 1967 under Nepomuceno Productions. The film was a commercial success and was shown at the Manila Grand Opera House for several months, marking the revival of the production company. The film was reportedly produced for ₱500,000 and has earned Solis critical acclaim, with Los Angeles Times calling her the "number one star of the Philippine cinema". The film was also selected as the country’s official entry at the 40th Academy Awards, but fell short of being nominated. Despite this, Solis and Luis Nepomuceno were invited at the ceremony, becoming the first Filipino artists to attend the award ceremony.

The following year, Solis starred opposite American actors James Shigeta, Alex Nicol, and John Ashley in the war film Manila, Open City. She next starred as an Igorot maiden in Igorota. The film gave Solis her fourth FAMAS Award for Best Actress win. In 1969, she starred in the melodrama Ang Pulubi, which was competed at the Manila Film Festival, earning her another best actress win.

1972–1986: Continued success Solis returned to television through the weekly drama anthology Obra Maestra. She worked closely with the director of the series, Nick Lizaso and went through each of the sequence of the script. Solis appeared in two drama productions the following year. She starred opposite Christopher de Leon in the romantic drama Mrs. Teresa Abad Ako Po si Bing, and in the drama Hindi Kami Damong Ligaw. Solis next starred in the romantic drama Walang Katapusang Tag-araw, alongside Eddie Garcia and Mat Ranillo III. Under the direction of Ishmael Bernal, the film was competed at the third Metro Manila Film Festival.

In 1979, Lino Brocka cast Solis as Paula in the staging of Larawan, which was based on Nick Joaquin’s A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino. Held at the Dulaang Raha Sulayman, Fort Santiago, she was joined by Lolita Rodriguez and Philip Salvador. Brocka cast both Solis and Rodriguez later that year in the family drama Ina, Kapatid, Anak. For her performance, Solis won the Gawad Urian for Best Actress. For the first time since she began her acting career, Solis was cast in a secondary role in the psychological horror Kisapmata. For her performance, she won Best Supporting Actress at the Gawad Urian and Metro Manila Film Festival, her second trophies in each of the award-giving bodies.

1987–1998: Okay Ka, Fairy Ko! and final projects Solis played Ina Magenta, the queen of the world of enkantasya, in the fantasy sitcom series Okay Ka, Fairy Ko!, which also stars Vic Sotto. In 1988, Solis appeared in six film productions. She starred with Mat Ranillo III, who plays the titular role, in the religious biographical film Lorenzo Ruiz... The Saint... A Filipino! In the early 1990s, Solis reprised her role as Ina Magenta in the film sequels Okay Ka, Fairy Ko!: The Movie (1991) and Okay Ka, Fairy Ko! Part 2 (1992).

Death

In January 9, 1998, Solis died of cardiac arrest. She was 62.

Public image and reception Solis has been described by numerous publications as the Philippines' "Empress of Drama". She was voted fourth in S Magazine 's "15 Best Actresses of All Time" list while Yes! magazine and the Directors’ Guild of the Philippines Inc. included her on their list of "15 Best Filipino Actresses of All Time". Solis also achieved international acclaim for her film work. She was the first Filipino actress to topbill an internationally produced Japanese film with the historical epic Buddha (1961) opposite Kojiro Hongo. Acting credits Film Year Title Role 1958 Villa Milagrosa Virginia Malvarosa Rosa 1959 Kundiman ng Lahi Isang 1960 Kung Ako'y Mahal Mo Lydia Amante 1962 El filibusterismo Juli 1974 Mga Tigre ng Sierracruz Ramona 1975 Araw-Araw, Gabi-Gabi 1976 Hindi Kami Damong Ligaw Babae... Sa Likod ng Salamin Laura / Lorna 1977 Walang Katapusang Tag-Araw Matilde Montalban 1979 Init Osa Ina, Kapatid, Anak Emilia Modelong Tanso Ramona Ferreira 1982 Cross My Heart Cecille 1984 Hindi Mo Ako Kayang Tapakan Doña Consuelo Romero Teenage Marriage Mrs. Enage 1984 Shake, Rattle & Roll Lorna Delfin (Episode: "Pridyider") 1985 God, Save Me! Ondeng 1987 The Sisters Susuko Ba Ako Inay? Takbo...! Bilis...! Takboooo Anak Badjao Huwag Mong Buhayin ang Bangkay Aurora 1988 Rosa Mistica Nyora Diday Hiwaga sa Balete Drive Helga Mirror, Mirror on the Wall Fe Lorenzo Ruiz... The Saint... A Filipino! Bala Ko ang Hahatol 1991 Ang Utol Kong Hoodlum Madame Lily Ipagpatawad Mo Carmen 1992 Miss Na Miss Kita (Utol Kong Hoodlum II) Madame Lily Alyas Pogi 2 Sianang 1993 Dahil Mahal Kita (The Dolzura Cortez Story) Mother 1994 Hindi Pa Tapos ang Labada, Darling Victorio's mother Kadenang Bulaklak Miss Conchita Carbonell Megamol Atty. Sabel Enriquez 1995 The Flor Contemplacion Story Lydia Montilla 1996 Enteng and the Shaolin Kid Tia Rosa Itataya Ko ang Buhay Ko Edmond's mother 1997 Ipaglaban Mo: The Movie II Mrs. Agoncillo (Episode 1) 1999 Bayad Puri Mrs. Verzosa

Television Year Title Role Remarks 1987–1989 Coney Reyes on Camera Episode: "May Langit Din ang Inaapi" 1987 Trianggulo Film on television 1987–1989 Okay Ka, Fairy Ko! Ina Magenta 1989–1995 1995–1997 1990–1996 Lovingly Yours, Helen 1991 Maalaala Mo Kaya Episode: "Trahedya"; first MMK appearance 1992–1997 The Maricel Drama Special Various 1996–1999 Tierra Sangre 1996 Calvento Files Various Episode 31: "You Are Never Safe" Episode 40: "Madam Auring: Misfortunes of a Fortune Teller" 1997 Maalaala Mo Kaya Episode: "Bituin" 1997 Maalaala Mo Kaya Episode: "Visa" 1997–1998 Mula sa Puso Last teleserye appearance 1998 GMA Telecine Specials Episode: "Iguhit Mo sa Alaala"; last television film appearance

Accolades Portraits and accolades of Solis displayed at the Mowelfund museum.