His foray into showbiz might have been accidental, but Ronaldo Valdez was, as the years have given solid proof, born to act in front of the camera.
Ronaldo, whose untimely passing at age 77 left local-movie aficionados saddened and shocked, had a storied career that started in 1966, when he was discovered by Comedy King Dolphy, no less.
Ronaldo himself tells the story that he was at a basketball court when Dolphy came scouting for an actor for the movie Pepe en Pilar (1966) starring Susan Roces.
"At time, they were looking for someone to pair with Ms. Susan," Ronaldo says in an interview for ABS-CBN's Tonight with Boy Abunda in October 2017.
"So, tinanong ako ni Mang Dolphy, 'Gusto mo ba mag-artista?' Sabi ko, 'Oo!'"
It is to our good fortune that he answered as he did.
Through the years, Ronaldo's versatility was a joy to watch on the screen, where he jumped from one character to another with ease and zest.
This was especially in full display in his early years when he went from role to role, giving him his rightful place among the great supporting actors who complemented big stars of the era on the big screen.
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) celebrates Ronaldo Valdez the actor by looking back, in no particular order, at some of his most memorable roles.
THE MAD DOCTOR OF blood ISLAND
Ronaldo's first major break was a horror film co-directed by Eddie Romero and Gerardo de Leon, and released in 1969.
The Mad Doctor of Blood Island was part of the so-called "Blood Island" series by Eddie and American film producer Kane W. Lynn.
Ronaldo took on the role of Carlos Lopez, in a cast that included Ronald Remy, Alicia Alonzo, John Ashley, Angelique Pettyjohn, and Eddie Garcia.
The movie was loathed by critics, and loathed even by its own director Eddie Romero—declared National Artist for Cinema in 2003—who would call Mad Doctor "one of the worst things we ever did."
By "we" he meant the revered Gerardo de Leon, who had been declared, even ahead of Eddie, National Artist for Film in 1982.
And while horror-film fans—particularly those who love low-budget scream-and-gore titles—now consider it a cult classic, The Mad Doctor of Blood Island simply failed to make a dent in the genre.
However, it opened doors in the film industry for Ronaldo.
He would be included in another horror film through the 1974 movie Fe, Esperanza, Caridad, where he portrayed Satan in the segment opposite Nora Aunor, a star who would herself be declared National Artist for Film and Broadcast in 2022.
LALAKWE
Ronaldo starred alongside Gloria Diaz and Tommy Abuel in this drama-comedy film released in 1985, directed by the often-commercially successful Danny Zialcita, and produced by Essex Films.
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He portrayed the charming but philandering Eric Verbo, who found his match after hooking up with a minor and coming across her surgeon brother, who had no problem tinkering with Eric's manhood to avenge his 17-year-old sister.
KARMA
Danny Zialcita was again at the helm of this romantic drama starring Vilma Santos and Ronaldo Valdez.
The film has an intriguing plot where the main characters, Sarah and Eric, soon discover they are reincarnations of two ill-fated lovers from six decades ago.
Karma was part of the 7th Metro Manila Film Festival in 1981, with Vilma winning Best Actress for her portrayal of Sarah.
Also part of the movie were Vic Silayan, Tommy Abuel, Chanda Romero, and Bella Flores, names that in the coming years would become stellar in the local film industry.
LILET
Ronaldo played the role of Dr. Edgar Leynes in this horror flick released in 1971 and directed by Gerardo de Leon.
Celia Rodriguez took on the character of Lilet, a woman who, after years of separation, uncovers her repressive family's dark secrets with the help of her suitor Dr. Leynes.
Lilet also starred Vic Silayan, Joonee Gamboa, Tita Muñoz, and Paraluman.
Poster of Lilet from IMDb website
mAHINHIN VS. MAHINHIN
Ronaldo was hilarious and convincing in his role as the rich, flashy gay Peter who is at odds with his closeted rival, played by Dindo Fernando, another actor who would become an acting icon.
Eventually, the two would settle their differences over a guy and become close friends.
Mahinhin Vs. Mahinhin was directed by Danny Zialcita and released in 1981 by Sine Silangan.
MAY DAGA SA LABAS NG LUNGGA
Adora the Adorable, played by Ronaldo, was taken in as househelp by an argumentative couple portrayed by Gloria Diaz and Eddie Garcia.
This sex-comedy movie by Danny Zialcita saw Ronaldo's mastery at playing the gay character in what would become the conventional, stereotyped portrayal of homosexuals in Philippine cinema.
Aside from hiding his sexuality from his employer, Adora is also escaping his family life after a falling out with his gay father over a young man.
May Daga Sa Labas ng Lungga hit cinemas in 1984.
CEDIE: ANG MUNTING PRINSIPE
Ronaldo takes on the role of the aristocratic Earl of Dorincourt, grandfather to the protagonist Cedric "Cedie" Errol (Tom Taus). The 30-year-movie veteran was spot-on in his portrayal of royalty—adoringly called by viewers "mahal na Conde"—who turns from strict, stoic old man to loving, doting old man.
Cedie: Ang Munting Prinsipe, released in cinemas in 1996, was based on the popular animé dubbed in Filipino and aired on ABS-CBN in the early '90s.
Both the anime and movie versions left their mark in viewers from that generation, and many were thrilled when Ronaldo and Tom would reunite over coffee in March 2023.
“Reunited after 27 years! It was indeed a great catch up!” wrote Ronaldo on Instagram, posting a photo of him with Tom.
Tom commented, “It was truly wonderful to see you Tito Ronaldo! Thank you for this special time together.”
MAY MINAMAHAL
Star Cinema's inaugural romantic drama for the big screen saw Ronaldo assume the character of Cenon Fernandez, a widow and father to Monica, portrayed by Aiko Melendez.
Ronaldo's portrayal of Cenon as a hardworking jeepney driver and mechanic, but most of all a loving father to his three kids, earned him countless awards for Best Supporting Actor from the Metro Manila Film Festival, Gawad Urian Awards, and FAMAS Awards.
Directed by Jose Javier Reyes, May Minamahal was among Ronaldo's best-remembered films and boosted his appeal among a new generation of viewers.
Ronaldo Valdez and Aiko Melendez PHOTO: Screengrab from May Minamahal on Cinema One on YouTube
THE MISTRESS
Concerned father and philandering husband—Ronaldo was all this as Rico Torres Sr., in the 2012 Bea Alonzo - John Lloyd Cruz hit film, The Mistress.
Ronaldo was brilliant at playing a character who was a manipulative husband to his wife and a generous but controlling benefactor to his mistress while tentatively navigating being a father to his son, JD, portrayed by John Lloyd.
The Mistress benefited from the tried-and-tested onscreen chemistry between Bea and John Lloyd. But having Ronaldo, and the always wonderful actress, Hilda Koronel, portray the other two major characters definitely clinched the narrative.
Read: BEHIND THE SCENES: John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo's The Mistress
SEVEN SUNDAYS
Ronaldo left a lasting impression with his portrayal of Manuel Bonifacio in the 2017 film Seven Sundays directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina.
The film's storyline centers on Manuel's health struggles, which becomes the driving force behind the reunion of his estranged children in the following seven Sundays, thus the title, leading up to his anticipated passing.
Ronaldo's performance as the family patriarch played a pivotal role in the success of the movie, earning acclaim for its message of love and camaraderie within family, a theme that resonates with Filipino audiences.
Joining Ronaldo in the cast were Aga Muhlach, Dingdong Dantes, Enrique Gil, and Cristine Reyes.
Read: Ronaldo Valdez's talent manager cries foul over unauthorized release of late actor's sensitive video