Zeny Zabala

Emerenciana Ortiz Santos (July 21, 1937 – August 8, 2017), professionally known as Zeny Zabala, was a Filipina actress. Born and raised in Marikina, she was famously known as the "villain of Sampaguita Pictures" for her frequent portrayals of antagonist roles in her films.

Early life Zabala was the fourth of nine siblings and was born in Marikina to shoemaker Enrique Santos and Ursula Ortiz.

Career She was discovered in 1953 while accompanying her sister, Caridad, who was already working in the film industry.

In 1963, Zabala became a freelance actress. In 1964, she received her first FAMAS nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Ang Bukas Ay Akin!, starring Charito Solis and Nestor de Villa. That same year, she remarried, this time to director Ben Feleo.

In the mid-1960s, alongside her film career, Zabala began establishing businesses in Marikina, including a restaurant called Zeny Zabala's Canteen near the town's Shoe Trade Fair, a shoe-making shop called LeConstant Shoe Shop, and a furniture store. She was soon offered a lead role in the film Ruby by businessman Narciso G. Isidro, Zabala's relative and the grandfather of singer Agot Isidro. The film was to be produced by NGI Productions, a newly established studio in Marikina.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Note(s) . 1954 Siga-Siga 1954 Lourdes Milyonarya at Hampaslupa Tin-Edyer 1955 Pandora Binibining Kalog 1956 Prince Charming Teresa Gilda Gigolo 1957 Sino ang Maysala? Pasang Krus Pretty Boy Prinsesang Gusgusin 1958 Mga Reyna ng Vicks Palaboy Berdaderong Ginto Talipandas 1963 Dance-O-Rama Ang Bukas Ay Akin 1964 Ang Mahiwagang Pag-ibig ni Lola Cinderella 1965 Ana-Roberta 1966 Viva Ranchera Esmeralda 1967 The Sunjuka Master Ruby Ruby 1968 Mindanao Room for Rent 1969 Kalinga Luzviminda: Inang Pilipinas Luzviminda 1970 Our Lady of Peñafrancia (Patroness of Bicolandia) 1984 Baby Tsina 1985 John en Marsha '85 1987 My Bugoy Goes to Congress 1991 Ikaw Lang Martha Contreras Gang Chinese wife 1993 Gagay: Prinsesa ng Brownout Aling Huling 1995 Okey si Mam 1996 Neber2Geder 1997 Extranghero Doña Isabel 1997 Strict ang Parents Ko! Doña Felicidad Zaragoza 1998 Tataynic Doña Isabel