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Dante Varona

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dante Varona
Born
Marikina, Philippines
Occupation(s)Actor, stuntman, director
SpouseTanya Varona

Dante Varona (born 1953) is a former Filipino actor, stuntman and film director. He is considered one of the more famous action stars of the 1970s and 1980s. One of his famous stunts involved jumping from the San Juanico Bridge in Hari ng Stunt (King of Stunts). This gave him the title of "King of Stunts".

Early life

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Varona grew up in Boystown in Marikina, where children were voluntarily surrendered.[1][2] According to him, his parents couldn't take of him so they left him at the care of Boystown. There, he graduated elementary and high school. Once he graduated, he reunited with his parents.[1]

Career

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In his time at Boystown, Varona developed an interest in gymnastics. He decided to apply that desire in becoming a stuntman. After joining the SOS Daredevils, a stuntmen's association, he started doubling for action stars such as Jess Lapid Sr. and Jun Aristorenas.[1][3] He also signed a contract with Tower Productions.[3]

Varona began his movie career in 1968 with Mangificent Siete Bandidas.[3] Leading roles in his early career included Master Stuntman (1970) and Leon Dimasupil (1973). He also made the movie Gulapa (1977) with Ramon Revilla, based on the true-to-life-story of former Mayor Patrocinio Z. Gulapa of Maragondon, Cavite, and the movie Carding Estrabel: Tirador ng Malabon, based on the life story of Ricardo Luciano. In the film Ang Sisiw ay ang Agila, he had a cameo role.[4] He then got to act with Gloria Diaz in a leading role in Kung Tawagin Siya’y Bathala.[5] In 1981, Varona jumped the San Juanico Bridge for a scene in "Hari ng Stunt" without a harness.[1] The stunt became a selling point for the film, which used the tagline "The most death-defying action thriller of the year!" Both Varona and the film became very popular following their release, with him gaining the title "Hari ng Stunts".

He then directed some of his films, including Raging Anger (1984), and Bangkay Mo Akong Hahakbangin (1986), which he also starred in.[1]

Varona and his wife then started their own production company, Bathala Films. Eventually, they quit the company and moved to America, where he became a janitor. Before moving to America, he did one more film, Tiger Commando.[4] In America, he got to join the Hollywood movie Dune Warriors, starring David Carradine, Rick Hill, Blake Boyd, and Maria Isabel Lopez.[6]

Varona returned to the Philippines in 1996. With the help of his stuntman friend Lito Lapid, who was also the governor of Pampanga at the time, he booked a role in Tapatan ng Tapang, which also starred Lapid.[4] In 1999, he directed Ratratan.[1] His final film would be Ako ang Lalagot sa Hininga Mo, which was shown in the 2000 Metro Manila Film Festival.[7] After that, he returned to his life in America, this time taking a job as a security guard. There, he raised his family and now helps raise his grandchildren.[8][1]

Personal life

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Varona has two children.[1] His daughter is 2001 Metropop Songfest finalist and singer Tanya Varona.[9]

Dante is now retired from stuntman showbiz and currently resides in California.

Filmography

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Year Title Notes
2000 Ako ang Lalagot sa Hininga Mo Final film
1999 Ratratan Final directorial film[1]
1998 Alamid: Ang Alamat
1998 Isang Lahi, Isang Dugo... Sa Lupang Pangako
1997 Alyas Baby Chino
1997 Tapatan ng Tapang Comeback film[4]
1991 Dune Warriors Hollywood film
1988 Tiger Commando Final movie before acting hiatus[4]
1988 Patron
1987 The Brown Ninja
1987 Kamandag ng Kris
1986 Bangkay Mo Akong Hahakbangin Director, lead role
1986 Bukas... Uulan ng Bala
1985 Grease Gun Brothers
1985 Ulo ng Gang-Ho
1985 Siklab sa Lupa ng Araw
1985 Anino ni David Crusado
1984 Padre Hudas
1984 Bitag
1984 Ubusan ng Lahi
1984 Moises ang Sugo
1984 Raging Anger Director[8]
1983 Ganti
1983 Heroes Hill
1983 Pugante
1983 Rebelde ng Mindanao
1983 Lintik Lang ang Walang Ganti
1983 Wanted: Turong Ahas
1983 Commandos
1982 Hinahamon Kita
1982 Lakas Kapwa Lakas
1982 Berdugo
1982 Isinusumpa Ko
1982 Sabayan
1982 Mga Hayop sa Paraiso
1981 Indio
1981 Dos Bravos
1981 Ben Gatilyo
1981 Cleopatra Wong
1981 Nagbabagang Lupa, Nagbabagang Araw
1981 Agent 00
1981 Asal Hayop
1981 Kalabang Mortal
1981 Commander Lawin
1981 Landong Kabal
1981 Bertong Barako
1981 Ang Taong Bundok
1981 Ermitanyo
1981 Hari ng Stunt Featured San Juanico Bridge stunt[8]
1980 Carding Estrabel: Tirador ng Malabon
1980 Estibador
1980 Sagisag ng Batingaw
1980 Kung Tawagin Siya'y Bathala Lead role[5]
1980 Kosa
1979 Ang Sisiw ay Isang Agila Cameo[4]
1979 Objective 2400
1979 Tonyong Bayawak
1979 Pag-ibig at Kagitingan
1979 Dakpin... Killers for Hire
1979 Scout Ranger
1978 Shanghai Joe
1977 Gulapa
1977 Mga Dragon sa Gubat
1977 Phandora
1977 Tao Ikaw Ba ang Gumaga sa Daigdig?
1977 Alas Tres ng Hapon... Lumuhod ang Maton
1977 Trinidad Is My Name
1977 Walang Bakas na Naiiwan
1976 Pagbabalik ng Apat na Alas
1976 Ang Lihim ni Rosa Henson sa Buhay ni Kumander Lawin
1976 Isang Pag-ibig, Isang Pangarap, at Isang Bulaklak
1976 Silang Matatapang
1975 Hell-0 400 Hour
1975 Diwang Kayumanggi, Prinsesang Mandirigma
1975 Nasa Lupa ang Langit at Impiyerno
1975 Nagbabagang Silangan
1975 Dugo at Pag-ibig sa Kapirasong Lupa
1975 Anong Lahi Mayroon si Adan
1975 Silakbo
1974 Durugin ang mga Diyablo sa Punta Fuego
1974 No Tears for the Brave
1974 Angkan ni Watari
1973 Dimas-Guerrero
1973 Pugante: Numero 3-11
1973 Leon Dimasupil
1973 Alyas Blackie
1972 Walang Impiyerno sa Matatapang
1971 Sa Kamay ng Tatlong Takas
1971 Almorciga
1971 Digmaan ng mga Pasiklab
1971 Ipaubaya sa Langit
1971 Malupit na Tadhana
1971 Luray
1971 Ang Pangalan Ko'y Luray
1970 Usapang Lalake
1970 The Champion and the Saboteurs
1970 Silang Tatlo
1970 The Singer and the Bouncer
1970 The Black Roses
1970 Hiwaga ng Lagim
1970 Ang Matitinik
1970 Inside Job
1970 The Bold and the Beauties
1970 Master Stuntman
1970 Queen of the Wild Bunch
1970 Igorota Squad
1970 Wild, Wild Pussycat
1969 Men of Action Meet Women of Dracula
1969 Ponso Villa and the Sexy Mexicanas
1969 Zoom-Zoom Apollo
1969 Kill: The Magnificent Agents
1969 Kuwatro
1969 Born to Be Wild
1968 Chaku-Judo Aikido
1968 Magnificent Siete Bandidas Debut[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Franco, Bernie V. (August 16, 2021). "Former action star Dante Varona reveals why he left showbiz for good". PEP.ph. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  2. ^ Soriano, Gia Allana (March 9, 2017). "Paolo Contis spends time with the kids at Boystown in Marikina". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
  3. ^ a b c d Silverio Jr, Julio (March 16, 2020). "Showbiz Tribya". Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via PressReader.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Red, Isah V. (December 4, 1996). "The ties that don't bind". Manila Standard. pp. 28B. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Valera, Nini (September 17, 2004). "For Mark Joseph, his past as a stud is just 'a hazy dream'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. pp. A36. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  6. ^ "DUNE WARRIORS | Philippine Film Archive". philippinefilmarchive.fdcp.ph. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
  7. ^ "This week". Philippine Daily Inquirer. January 2, 2000. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c "'Hari ng Stunt' na si Dante Varona, alamin ang naging buhay sa US". Balitambayan. August 17, 2021. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
  9. ^ Samio, Veronica R. (July 21, 2001). ""Anak ni Dante Varona, tries again"". The Philippine Star.
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