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LIZA LORENA: THE LIBERATED WOMAN

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LIZA LORENA: THE LIBERATED WOMANDr. Romy Protacio •

Liza Lorena:

The Liberated Woman

From the book, “Balik Tanaw: The Filipino Movie Stars of Yesteryears” by Dr. Romy Protacio

Her stunning beauty was her ticket to fame. She went into careers where one’s good looks is an asset – first as a flight attendant, then as a beauty queen and finally as a movie actress. Elizabeth Luciano Winsett aka Liza Lorena however, was destined not just to be another pretty face, but as one enduring actress. Her movie career has already spanned four decades, and there is no sight of it even coming to a close.

I admire Liza Lorena for her guts to ignore what is said to be the accepted norms of society and instead do what she believes would make her happy, no matter what others think about her. She was a teenage mom to her son Tonton Gutierrez, a love child with her boyfriend then, Eddie Gutierrez. At 18, she had just started her showbiz career when she got pregnant. Yet, everyone knows that she chose to continue with the pregnancy. She risked her showbiz career and faced the disapproving remarks of the Filipino audience back then.

Years later, her son Tonton will be introduced into showbiz himself, and will emerge as a well loved dramatic actor. Liza Lorena has already vindicated herself. She has proven that her life, no matter how public it has been, is still her life, and her choices are for her alone to make.

She has chosen not to get married, which for the best part has probably done her more good than bad. After all, showbiz can be very harsh to marriages, and with her single blessedness, she never had to worry about her marriage ending in divorce. That’s Liza — a liberated woman, not bound by traditional sexual and social roles.

Her Early Years

She was born on October 31, 1949 to George Winsett, an American and Josefina Luciano, a pure Filipina from Magalang, Pampanga.

She had her formal schooling mostly in Catholic schools – Holy Family and Holy Angel Academy in Pampanga for her grade school and Our Lady of Loreto for her high school years. She was born and raised in Magalang Pampanga, until the family moved to Manila when she was 13 and in her 3rd year high school. After graduating from high school, she worked as flight stewardess of Philippine Airlines (PAL). Later she joined the Philippine Tourism Association.

Her Movie Career

She was encouraged by her cousin, Ricky to join the Binibining Pilipinas in 1966, where she won the title of First Runner-up. The write-ups about her caught the attention of the producer of Nepomuceno Productions, Luis Nepomuceno. During those days, Nepomuceno Production was screening about 69 contestants for a commercial. Luis asked her if she was interested to do a commercial and she said yes. Lisa was not good in speaking Tagalog, but with the help of coaches of Robert Arevalo and Greg Martin, she managed to do the commercial.

In 1967, she appeared in her first movie, “Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak” as Esperanza, the daughter of Charito Solis and Ric Rodrigo. The film was the first Filipino movie to come out in Eastman color. Liza never had to audition for her part. Instead, while preparing for the commercial with Nepomuceno Productions, Luis made her read a script. She wondered why she was being asked to do a reading, after all it was just a commercial they were shooting. To her surprise, that turned out to be a screen test already and afterwards, she was signed up to join the cast of her first movie.

She did a series of other movies in the 70s and early 80s. It was her role, though in the movie, “Oro, Plata, Mata” (1982) that established her as a caliber actress. It was in this movie where she was granted the Best Supporting Actress Award, by the Film Academy of the Philippines. The movie, directed by Peque Gallage was acclaimed for its superb cast and storyline. It also bagged several awards in the Gawad Urian in 1982 for best picture, direction, cinematography, production design, musical score and sound. It was a masterpiece that showcased not just the local talents but a piece of Filipino history and culture, as it was an epic drama that depicts the lives of two families before and after the war.

She would then again portray a memorable role as a devil worshipper named Nana Ursula in the movie, “Barang” (1982). The horror movie tackled the strange supernatural happenings surrounding the gruesome death of a young provincial lass played by Juliana Palermo in the community of Sta. Barbara. With a superb cast, the movie which was set among the scenic rural areas of Vigan was again a showcase of the customs and traditions of the Filipinos.

She received several awards, namely: Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) Award as Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal in the movie “Oro, Plata, Mata” (1982), Gawad Urian Award as Best Supporting Actress in “Miguelito, Batang Rebelde” (1986); Manila Film Festival as Best Actress in “Halimaw”(1986). From 1986 to 2007, she received 7 nominations as Best Supporting Actress from FAMAS : “Barang” (2007), “Pahiram ng Ligaya” (1985), “Don’t Cry for Me Mama” (1983), “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” (1982), “Gabun: Ama mo, Ama Ko” (1979), “Walang Katapusang Tag-araw” (1977), and 8 from Gawad Urian: “Katas ng Saudi” (2007), “Inang Yaya” (2006), “La Vida Rosa” (1981),”Halimaw” (1986), “Miguelito: Batang Rebelde” (1986), “Sister Stella” (1984), “Don’t Cry for Me Mama” (1993),”Oro, Plata, Mata” (19 “Gabun” (1987),

She appeared on TV series like Pangako Sa ‘Yo” (2000), “Kung Mawawala Ka” (2001), “Diyos Ko, Mahal Mo Ba Sila” (2006), “Sa Piling Mo” (2006), “Maria Flordeluna” (2007), and “Lobo” (2008).

Today

Like most of her contemporaries, Liza has chosen not to retire, saying

“No way! Hanggang kaya ko pang mag-memorize wala akong planong mag-retire sa pag-aartista.”. She is currently appearing in the TV series, “May Bukas Pa”, (literal meaning: “There is Still Tomorrow” which actually means “There is Still Hope”). The ABS-CBN TV drama series is loosely based on the 1955 Spanish film “The Miracle of Marcelino” (Marcelino Pan y Vino).

Liza plays the role of Dona Anita Rodriguez, the family matriarch to daughters Malena and Selda. She is reunited onscreen with her son, Tonton who plays Selda’s husband and ex-lover of Malena.

In “May Bukas Pa,” Tonton Gutierrez plays the role of a policeman whose terminally-ill daughter, Joy, was miraculously healed by Santino.

Although still active in the movie and film industries, Liza’s real pride and joy comes from her “apos” – two from Tonton, and one from her daughter. They are the “apples of her eyes.”

Liza is very proud of Philippe Winsett Palanca, the 7-year old son of her daughter, Wednesday Palanca. Philippe has made Philippine golfing history by winning the 2009 U.S. Kids Golf `European Championship in Scotland.

The Grade 1 student from De La Salle-Zobel won by a single stroke over Luke Rose of South Africa and defending champion Jake Craddock of Britain, to become the first Filipino to win the event, which drew 33 champions from 12 countries.

Before winning one of the most prestigious title for kids, Philippe who plays out of the Alabang and Sta. Elena golf clubs also topped last year’s qualifier for the Callaway Junior World held at the Manila Southwoods and Sherwood Hills. In 2008, Philippe also bagged a slew of titles including the U.S. Kids Leg of the Rhodes Ranch Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada and a junior golf tournament in Boulder Creek.

Philippe’s accomplishments make Liza Lorena a proud “lola.”

Liza could not ask for more. She is blessed with children and grandchildren who make her look forward to living another beautiful day. She is an inspiration to the Filipina, especially to single mothers who had to beat the odds to raise their kids on their own. She continues to build her legacy both off and onscreen and she will continue to grace the limelight for as long as she can. – AJ

(To order copy of the book, “Baliktanaw: The Filipino Movie Stars of Yesteryears” by Dr. Romy Protacio, send email message to [email protected]

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