Ronald James Dulaca Gibbs (November 27, 1947 – December 17, 2023), popularly known by his screen name Ronaldo Valdez (Tagalog: [ɾɔˈnɐldɔ bɐlˈdɛs]), was a Filipino actor whose career spanned almost five decades.

Ronaldo Valdez
Valdez on a film poster for Seven Sundays (2017)
Born
Ronald James Dulaca Gibbs

(1947-11-27)November 27, 1947
Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines
DiedDecember 17, 2023(2023-12-17) (aged 76)
OccupationActor
Years active1966–2023
SpouseMaria Fe Ilagan Gibbs (separated)[1]
Children2 (including Janno Gibbs)[2]
Relatives

Career

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Valdez started his earlier career as a leading man and was known for portraying paternal roles and antagonists in both TV and film.

Valdez was discovered by Dolphy at a neighborhood basketball court while he was searching for a new actor to pair with Susan Roces in the 1966 film Pepe En Pilar.[3] His first major break came in the 1969 movie The Mad Doctor of Blood Island.[4]

Valdez subsequently did many films in the 1970s and 1980s, where he gained popularity playing important father roles and rich father figures. He continued to be cast in this role in the 1990s and 2000s, most notably in TV dramas such as Mula sa Puso (1997–1999), Ang Munting Paraiso (1999–2002) and Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan (2001–2003), and the romantic comedy movie Labs Kita... Okey Ka Lang? (1998). To later generations, he was known for starring in TV series such as Los Bastardos (2018–2019) and 2 Good 2 Be True (2022), and films such as The Mistress (2012), All You Need Is Pag-ibig (2015) and Seven Sundays (2017). He also guest-hosted several television programs such as SOP Rules, Nuts Entertainment, Eat Bulaga!, Kakasa Ka Ba sa Grade 5?, Power of 10, All Star K! and Sunday All Stars.[5]

In 2017, Valdez was selected by KFC to become the first Filipino Colonel after appearing in a viral comedic audition video for the role alongside Leo Martinez and Pen Medina.[6][7]

His last two films that he was part of, GG (Good Game): The Movie (co-starring Donny Pangilinan, Maricel Laxa, Baron Geisler & Gold Aceron) and Itutumba Ka ng Tatay Ko (top-billed by his son Janno Gibbs in his directorial debut and starring Xia Vigor and Jeric Raval), were both posthumously released on January 24, 2024.[8][9]

Personal life

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Valdez was married to Maria Fe Ilagan with whom they had two children, Janno and Melissa, who are both actors.[10][3] He is also related to the Ilagan clan through his father-in-law Gerardo De Leon, Maria Fe's father, among whom are actors Jay Ilagan, Robert Arevalo and wife Barbara Perez, and Kenneth Ilagan, and to cousin Angelo Castro Jr. and wife June Keithley, and nephew Mondo Castro through his uncle, the former Chief Justice Fred Ruiz Castro.

In 2022, Valdez underwent surgery for prostate cancer.[11]

Death

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Valdez died at the age of 76 on December 17, 2023, in Quezon City.[12] The Daily Tribune, citing police investigators, reported that he had died from a gunshot wound to the head,[13] although the Quezon City Police District said it was waiting for the results of laboratory testing to be released.[14][15] Authorities later confirmed that a .45 caliber pistol with an empty magazine was found near Valdez’s body.[12] He was discovered by his driver in his room at his home in New Manila and was rushed to hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.[16][14]

Following his death, three police officers were fired after graphic footage taken by first responders of the immediate aftermath of Valdez being found shot was leaked online. The Quezon City government ordered an investigation into the leak while Valdez's manager Jamela Santos threatened legal action against those responsible. Three civilians who also uploaded the footage on social media were also charged for cybercrime offenses and breaches of privacy laws.[17][18][19] On January 16, 2024, the Quezon City Police District apologized to Valdez's family over the footage and subsequent leak.[20]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Company
1966 Pepe en Pilar
RVQ Productions
1969 The Mad Doctor of Blood Island Carlos Lopez
1971 Lumuluha Pati Mga Anghel
Lilet Dr. Edgar Leynes
Velarde & Associates Productions, Inc.
1974 Fe, Esperanza, Caridad Ronaldo / Satan
1975 Banaue Aruk
NV Productions
1981 Karma Eric
Sining Silangan Productions
Mahinhin vs Mahinhin Peter
Sine Silangan
1982 Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan? Eric
1983 Palabra de Honor
1984 May Daga sa Labas ng Lungga Ador/Adora the Adorable
Essex Films
1985 Lalakwe Eric Verbo
1987 Bunsong Kerubin Carding / Carling
Walang Karugtong ang Nakaraan Mel
Viva Films
1989 Huwag Kang Hahalik sa Diablo Satan
Regal Films
1990 Bad Boy Ninong Rustico
Viva Films
1991 Sa Kabila ng Lahat Mayor Ventura Velasco
1993 Ronquillo: Tubong Cavite, Laking Tondo Cesar Moreno
Star Cinema
Regal Films
May Minamahal Cenon Fernandez
1995 Campus Girls Ramon
Viva Films
Ipaglaban Mo! The Movie Rosendo de Castro
Star Cinema
I Love You Sabado!!! Juan’s father
Viva Films
The Flor Contemplacion Story Atty. Romeo Capulong
The Grepor Butch Belgica Story Don Porfirio Belgica
Karanasan: The Claudia Zobel Story
Venus Films
1996 Tubusin Mo ng Bala ang Puso Ko Alfredo
Virgin People 2 Ama
Four Aces Films
Cedie Earl of Dorincourt
Star Cinema
Isla (The Young Version)
Four Aces Films
1998 Labs Kita... Okey Ka Lang? Kanor
Star Cinema
Armadong Hudas Miguel Reyes / Don Leo Segovia
OctoArts Films
GMA Films
1999 Tik Tak Toys, My Kolokotoys Don Martin
Star Cinema
Oo Na, Mahal Na Kung Mahal Tito Paul
2003 Till There Was You Alfonso Robles
2006 Sukob Fred
2008 When Love Begins Leo Caballero
Star Cinema
Viva Films
2010 Rosario The priest
Cinemabuhay International
Studio 5
2011 Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow Donald
Regal Films
2012 The Mistress Frederico "Rico" Torres Sr.
Star Cinema
2013 My Lady Boss Carlos Strella
Regal Films
GMA Pictures
2015 All You Need Is Pag-Ibig Jaime
Star Cinema
2016 Girlfriend for Hire Bernard "Abuelito" Stanford
Viva Films
2017 Seven Sundays Brgy. Capt. Manuel Bonifacio
Star Cinema
2018 I Love You, Hater Cesar
Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles Antonio Montenegro
APT Entertainment
CCM Film Productions
M-Zet Productions
2021 Mang Jose Super Lapu-Lapu
Viva Films
2023 Ikaw at Ako
2024 Itutumba Ka ng Tatay Ko
GG (Good Game): The Movie

Television

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Year Title Role Network
1983 BLU: Bernardo, Lorenzo, Ulysses City2 Television
1997–1999 Mula sa Puso Benjamin ABS-CBN
1998 Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako Recurring Role
1999–2002 Ang Munting Paraiso Martin Dionisio
2001–2003 Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan Don Teodoro / Miguel Crisostomo
2002–2003 Bituin Amante Montesilverio
2004 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Upuan Rene Cayetano
Marinara Don Juan Miguel GMA Network
2005–2006 Sugo Arando
2005–2007 Bahay Mo Ba 'To? Nene Mulingtapang / Unyo
2007 Asian Treasures Ulysses Agoncillo / Plaridel
2007–2008 Carlo J. Caparas' Kamandag Don Pepe
2008 Full House Lorenzo Lazatin
My Girl Gregory "Greg" Abueva ABS-CBN
2008–2009 I Love Betty La Fea Hermes Tingson
2009 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Bisikleta Lolo Uge ABS-CBN
2009–2010 Full House Lorenzo Lazatin GMA Network
2010 Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo Rustico "Supremo" Crisanto ABS-CBN
2011 Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin Gen. Jaime Sebastiano
100 Days to Heaven Attorney Galileo "Leo" Fonacier
2011–2012 Glamorosa Don Manolo Herrera / Lolo Rambo TV5
2012 Dahil sa Pag-ibig Don Ramon Velasco ABS-CBN
2012–2013 Ina, Kapatid, Anak Zacharias "Lolo Zach" Apolinario
2013 Kahit Nasaan Ka Man Lolo Tino Gomez GMA Network
Wansapanataym: Sako Lantern Santa Claus ABS-CBN
2014 Ikaw Lamang Don Maximo Salazar
2015 Healing Hearts Benjie GMA Network
Pasión de Amor Don Bernardo Elizondo ABS-CBN
FPJ's Ang Probinsyano Leonardo Demetrio / Conrado "Ninong" Villegas
Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal Himself/lucky player
2016 My Super D Don Ramoncito "Ramon" Zulueta
Magpahanggang Wakas Antonio "Tony" Sandoval
2017 Meant to Be Enrico "Ric" Villaroman GMA Network
2018–2019 Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Los Bastardos Don Roman Cardinal ABS-CBN
2021 John en Ellen Don Lucky TV5
2022 2 Good 2 Be True Sebastian Hugo "Lolo Sir" Agcaoili Kapamilya Channel / A2Z / TV5

Awards and nominations

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Ronaldo Valdez was one of the few actors who have won all four of the major awards in the Philippines for the same work. He joined the exclusive Grand Slam club in 1994, when he won the Best Supporting Actor awards in the Film Academy of the Philippines Awards, FAMAS Awards, Gawad Urian, and the Star Awards for his role in May Minamahal.[21]

Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
1994 Film Academy of the Philippines Awards Best Supporting Actor May Minamahal Won [22]
Gawad Urian Won [21]
FAMAS Awards Won
Star Awards for Movies Won
1997 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Supporting Actor Nasaan ang Puso? Won [23][24]
2013 27th Star Awards for TV Best Drama Supporting Actor Ina Kapatid Anak Nominated [25]
2014 28th Star Awards for TV Best Drama Supporting Actor Ikaw Lamang Nominated [26]
2015 Golden Screen TV Awards Helen Vela Lifetime Achievement Award for Drama Won [27]

References

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  1. ^ "In honor of Manong Gerry". Philstar.com. October 24, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  2. ^ "LOOK: Janno Gibbs takes trip down memory lane with dad Ronaldo Valdez". GMA News Online. June 19, 2017. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "How Ronaldo Valdez's Chance Encounter With Dolphy Led Him to a Career in Acting". Esquire. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  4. ^ "Remembering Ronaldo Valdez: some of his memorable roles". GMA News. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  5. ^ "Ronaldo Valdez: A notable career timeline". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  6. ^ "Want to know how Ronaldo Valdez became the first Filipino Colonel?". Spot.ph. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  7. ^ "Ronaldo Valdez's legacy: 10 films, series to get to know the late veteran actor". Rappler. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  8. ^ Santos, Rhea Manila (January 13, 2024). "'GG (Good Game) the Movie' cast dedicates their film to the late Ronaldo Valdez". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  9. ^ Almo, Nherz (January 17, 2024). "Janno Gibbs, nakatrabaho ang yumaong amang si Ronaldo Valdez sa unang niyang directorial job" [Janno Gibbs has worked with his late father Ronaldo Valdez in his first directorial job] (in Tagalog). GMA Network News. Archived from the original on February 2, 2024. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  10. ^ Wang, Nickie (December 18, 2023). "Ronaldo Valdez tackles love in twilight years in last film". Manila Standard. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  11. ^ "PH show biz mourns Ronaldo Valdez's death". Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  12. ^ a b Wang, Nickie (December 17, 2023). "Veteran actor Ronaldo Valdez dies at 76". Manila Standard.
  13. ^ "Probe deeper into actors death". The Manila Times. December 19, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  14. ^ a b Villamente, Jing (December 18, 2023). "Actor Ronaldo Valdez allegedly died by suicide — QCPD". Daily Tribune. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  15. ^ Malasig, Jeline (December 18, 2023). "Public urged to avoid drawing conclusions about Ronaldo Valdez's death". Interaksyon. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  16. ^ Malasig, Jeline (December 19, 2023). "'Yakap': Support pour in for Janno Gibbs after post about dad Ronaldo Valdez". Interaksyon. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  17. ^ Casucian, Jiselle Anne (December 20, 2023). "QC mayor orders probe into leaked alleged Ronaldo Valdez video". GMA News. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  18. ^ "2 QCPD policemen dismissed for circulation of video of late actor Ronaldo Valdez". Rappler. December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  19. ^ "3 cops axed over leak of Ronaldo Valdez video". The Philippine Star. December 20, 2023. Retrieved December 21, 2023.
  20. ^ "Quezon City police sorry for leaked Ronaldo Valdez video". ABS-CBN. January 16, 2024. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  21. ^ a b Gallardo, Ricky T. "Piolo basks in grand-slam glory". Philstar.com. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  22. ^ "Santos, Salvador win in filmfest". Manila Standard. April 26, 1994. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  23. ^ Red, Isah V. (December 29, 1997). "MMFF Awards: Maricel wins, but where was she?". Manila Standard. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  24. ^ "Metro Manila Film Festival:1997". IMDB. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  25. ^ Paglicawan, Mc Richard (November 8, 2013). "PMPC announces the nominees of the 27th Star Awards for Television". LionhearTV. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  26. ^ "28th Star Awards for Television nominees revealed". PEP.ph. November 5, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  27. ^ "2015 Golden Screen TV Awards full list of winners". Inquirer. November 13, 2015. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
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