Matapos manirahan ng halos apat na dekada sa U.S., nagbalik na sa Pilipinas ang '70s-'80s actor na si Ronald Bregendahl.
Katambal ni Ronald si Cherie Gil sa pinakaunang lead role ng aktres sa pelikulang Bubot Na Bayabas (1978).
Kapareha naman niya si Anna Marin sa Moral, ang 1982 film na sinulat ni National Artist Ricky Lee at dinirek ng yumaong National Artist na si Marilou Diaz-Abaya.
Isang certified showbiz royalty, anak si Ronald ng movie icons na sina Rita Gomez at Ric Rodrigo na sumikat noong '50s to '60s.
Si Rita ay kilalang drama actress sa mga pelikulang Talipandas, Salawahan, at Ang Sawa Sa Lumang Simboryo; habang si Ric ay matinee idol na bumida sa Igorota, Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak, at Mother, Sister, Daughter.
Eksklusibong nakapanayam ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) si Ronald nang bumisita siya sa PEP headquarters noong April 23, 2025.
Ininterbyu rin siya via phone call noong June 3, at nakapalitan ng mensahe mula June 3 hanggang June 6.
Dito binalikan ni Ronald ang makulay na buhay niya mula sa pagiging anak ng artista, pagsabak sa pag-aartista, at paninirahan sa U.S.
Sa murang edad ay na-expose na siya sa showbiz dahil sa mga magulang na sina Rita at Ric.
Kaibigan ni Rita sina Pilita Corrales, Gloria Romero, at Rosemarie Gil, kaya nakakahalubilo at halos kasabay na raw lumaki ni Ronald noon ang mga anak ng mga ito.
Balik-tanaw ni Ronald: "When I was with my parents, I enjoyed their celebrity without necessarily giving up my privacy.
"Kilala ako na anak nila. 'Ay, ang cute ng anak nila, nina Rita at Ric.' Pero kung halimbawa, lalabas ako na mag-isa ako or may kasama akong mas matanda sa akin na hindi sila kasama, I can blend into the crowd.
"Hindi ako nakikilala. Minsan may nakakilala, pero hindi katulad nung pag-celebrity ka na nakikilala ka na talagang wala, given up na yung privacy mo."
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RONALD BREGENDAHL PARENTS' SEPARATION
Hindi naman itinago ni Ronald na maagang naghiwalay ang mga magulang niya.
"Oo, I was five years old when they separated," saad ni Ronald.
"Lima kami yung magkakapatid na lalaki at ako yung pinakamatanda. So, ako yung father figure nila."
Napunta silang magkakapatid sa ina.
Kumusta magkaroon ng isang inang tulad ni Rita?
"Very challenging," sagot ni Ronald.
Paglalarawan pa niya kay Rita: "Pero ang personality niya, larger than life. She was a very strong woman.
Kaya nga raw nagkahiwalay ang parents niya.
"They're both very strong personalities. Siyempre, one has to give in. They are not used to giving in. Kaya nga, nagkahiwalay sila, It didn't work out.
"But my mother was a very strong woman. She was ahead of her time, sabi nga nila. She had very progressive ideas, liberal by the standards of yesteryear."
Hindi raw hinayaan ni Ronald na maging bitter sa hiwalayan ng mga magulang.
"I accepted the fact that, yun nga, naghiwalay sila," ani Ronald.
"I mean, I know how it is na hiwalay sila. But don't you want to move past that and wish your parents to be happy sa lives nila ngayon? That's the way I dealt with it."
Kuwento pa ni Ronald, 15 years ang lumipas bago sila muling nagkita ng amang si Ric.
Noong panahong iyon, kasal na si Ronald sa noo'y reel-and-real-life-sweetheart na si Chona Castillo.
Inaayos ni Ronald ang dokumento para sa kanyang citizenship, kaugnay ng requirements sa binyag ng anak nila ni Chona.
Hindi raw niya kinailangan iyon nang ikinasal sila ni Chona dahil ang consul na mismo ng Danish Embassy ang nagdeklarang Filipino si Ronald dala ng wala sa listahan ng Danish nationals sa Pilipinas ang pangalan ng kanyang ama.
Paliwanag ni Ronald: "And then some years later, nung magkakaanak na kami, I found out that that didn't necessarily make me a Filipino citizen. So, I was stateless for a while.
"So may kinailangan akong mga papel sa father ko, kasi yun pala, matagal na niyang na-renounce yung kanyang Danish citizenship, and he elected Filipino citizenship.
"So I needed those papers from him kaya kami nag-reconnect ulit."
Dalawang dekada ang itinagal nang di nila pagkikita noon?
"After 20 years, yes. I was five years old [when I last saw him] and I was 25 going on 26 nung mag-reconnect ulit kami."
Very memorable para kay Ronald ang pagkikita nila ni Ric sa isang restaurant sa Roxas Boulevard, Manila.
Pagdedetalye ni Ronald: "We had lunch at the Keg Room. Kasama niya yung kanyang bestie. And when I thanked him, I said, 'Dad, thank you for the lunch.'
"His face lit up like a Christmas tree. Sabi niya, 'Anak, I have something for you.'
"So he reached into his jacket. He had an envelope. It was money. Sabi niya, 'You're going to have your baby. This is for you, for the baby.'
"I was very touched. Dahil, yun pala, nakahanda na pala yun. I just needed some papers from him, but he took us to lunch, my wife and I."
Pumanaw ang ina ni Ronald na si Rita noong 1990, habang ang ama niyang si Ric ay namaalam noong 1996.
RONALD BREGENDAHL SHOWBIZ CAREER
Tulad ng mga magulang, pinasok din ni Ronald ang showbiz.
Una nang nakilala noong siya ay labindalawang taong gulang dahil sa pagsali sa Second Caltex National Spelling Bee contest.
"So, a lot of people think that I was the winner, kasi nga my mother was there, and it was well known that she was the Miss Rita Gomez, movie actress.
"But I was already a celebrity with an identity in my own right because of my being the runner-up.
"Yun ang reason kung bakit I decided to keep my real name. Kasi I was known by my real name."
Naging hudyat iyon para pasukin niya ang teatro at telebisyon.
Bagito pa si Ronald nang makatrabaho niya ang yumaong National Artist na si Nora Aunor, na mas kilala sa palayaw na Ate Guy.
"My first TV appearance na drama was with Ate Guy, Nora Cinderella.
"I was 15, kasama ko ang mother ko. My mother played my mom, and Renato Robles played my dad."
Tandang-tanda pa ni Ronald ang madramang kuwento ng kanyang TV stint na iyon.
Kuwento niya: "It was a story of a rich kid na nakakita ng nagtitinda ng sampagita, si Ate Guy, you know, sa may Roxas Boulevard.
"I fell in love with her, inuwi siya, pinakilala siya. Of course, my parents were, you know, ayaw nila.
"Nung mamatay ako, tinakasan ng bait ang mama ko at hindi ako pinalibing, Pina-preserve ako. At tinrato akong parang buhay pa. That was the story."
A behind-the-scenes shot: This photo shows Walter Navarro, Nora Aunor, Ronald's maternal grandma, Ms. Rita Gomez, and Ronald.
Isa pang di malilimutang karanasan ni Ronald bilang baguhang artista noon ay nang mapasabak siya sa isang passion play tampok ang mga bigating artista.
Ipinalabas iyon sa Cultural Center of The Philippines.
Masiglang pagbabahagi ni Ronald: "In 1973, third-year high school ako, I was 16, Eddie Infante taught me to play Jesus Christ in Ang Dakilang Pag-ibig.
"And it was so intimidating for me kahit na meron na akong theater experience even before that.
"Dahil nakita mo naman, ha, ang Mary Magdalene ko was my mom Rita Gomez, Virgin Mary, of course, was Boots Anson Roa.
"My Saint Peter was Vic Silayan, Pontius Pilate was Eddie Mercado. Ang mga apostles Dick Israel, Ernie Garcia. I mean, these were actors! Ang Samuel Bilibet was Dindo Fernando.
"You know, I mean, how could you not be intimidated? Di ba?" Ronald says, clearly overwhelmed. "These were not just movie actors, these were good actors, mga premyado ang mga track record."
Nang magpelikula na rin si Ronald, malaki ang pasasalamat niya dahil maraming artista ang sumuporta sa kanya.
Nag-cameo raw noon sa Bubot Na Bayabas sina Celia Rodriguez at Dencio Padilla para makilala ang pelikula.
"A lot of people helped me. Tradisyon na ata sa showbiz yon, e. Pagka merong bagong artista, yung mapapakiusapan mo, 'Tulungan naman natin ito.' So, a lot of actors would appear. Parang, 'O, tulong ko na sa iyo yan.'"
Big break para kay Ronald ang Moral, ang dinirehe ni Marilou Diaz Abaya na tinuturing nang isang classic Filipino film. Kuwento ito ng mga kababaihan at kung paano nila napagtagumpayan ang iba-ibang hagupit ng buhay.
Ayon kay Ronald, marami siyang natutunan sa pakikipagtrabaho sa direktor na si Marilou at asawa nitong director of photography na si Manolo Abaya.
"Ang galing, kasi you could have conversations with them on another level. Hindi lang about filmmaking.
"So, for instance, pag gagawin yung love scene namin ni Anna Marin, we played the married couple there na maraming anak. Ginagawa ko lang siyang [Anna] baby factory.
"Na sasabihin ni Marilou, 'Okay, this is about the thousand and first time that you've slept together. So, merong element of a little boredom here. Hindi na ito bago sa inyo.
"'So, this is just like, Anna, you're just going through the motions. Ito namang si Dodo'—Dodo was my name there—'Dodo, para sa 'yo, this is your wife's duty. So, you're just claiming what's yours.'
"And then, naka-crane shot si Manolo, dito sa likod ko, 'Are we showing his behind?' Matatawa ka. So, it was great working with them.
"And yung mga co-stars ko naman, they're all professionals, right? Sina Sandy, Gina Alajar, of course. Lorna and Anna. So, it was great working with them."
Na-cast din si Ronald sa 1979 comedy film na Menor de Edad, na hinulma ni Ishmael Bernal, na naging National Artist.
Bida sa pelikula sina Amy Austria, Anna Marin, Rio Locsin, Vic Silayan, at Sandy Andolong.
Dito nakatambal ni Ronald si Chona Castillo.
"Well, ang role namin doon, nag-de-date kami hanggang sa naging mag-asawa kami. Nagkatotoo," napangiting saad ni Ronald.
Nakatrabaho rin ni Ronald si Bernal sa pelikulang Hinugot Ka Sa Langit. Bida roon sina Maricel Soriano at Rowell Santiago.
Gumanap si Ronald na ka-fling ni Amy Austria, na nagtangkang kitlin ang buhay nang basta na lang niyang iwanan ito.
Ayon kay Ronald, si Bernal ay "good family friend" at "Uncle Bernie" ang tawag niya rito. Sa industriya, alam na isa sa pinakapaboritong artista ng direktor ay si Rita Gomez.
Ninong pa raw si "Uncle Bernie" ng anak nina Ronald at Chona.
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RONALD BREGENDAHL MARRIED LIFE
Sa puntong ito, bago pa tanungin ng PEP ay nauna nang nagkuwento si Ronald tungkol sa pag-aasawa nila ni Chona noon.
Taong 1979 nang magpakasal sina Ronald at Chona.
Aminado si Ronald na naging padalos-dalos ang desisyon nilang lumagay sa tahimik, gayong nagsisimula pa lang ang kanilang karera sa showbiz.
"We were both young and in love. Alam mo, I was 22, she was 19.
"And dangerous na combination yan, e. When you're young and in love, you don't listen to reason. You don't listen to anything.
"'Basta, mahal ko ito, e,'" katuwiran daw noon ni Ronald.
Sabay sabi rin niya: "Well, she was very beautiful. And so, siyempre, silaw ka doon.
"But, to tell you frankly, I had no business getting married at 22. I didn't really know what I wanted yet."
Tutol daw ang inang si Rita sa kanyang pagpapakasal noon.
Pagbalik-alaala ni Ronald: "She was... lumuluha yan. 'Anak, you know, kung kinakailangan isang taon tayo dito sa kuwarto ko, para makumbinse lang kita na huwag na muna.'
"Sabi niya about Chona, 'She's a nice girl. I've seen her, I've spoken with her, you know. Noon, nagsisimba kayong dalawa pareho, sinasamahan mo, you know, I like that. Kaya lang, this is not the time yet. Ayokong matulad ka sa akin.'
"Because my mom got married at 17. So, she was also very young. She was also swept off her feet, also in love, you know. So, 10 years later, she regretted that," paglalahad ni Ronald.
Pero hindi raw nakinig si Ronald sa ina.
"And later on ko na-realize, mother knows best. Na tama pala. I still didn't know what I wanted at that age," pag-amin ulit niya.
Dagdag niya patungkol sa asawang si Chona, "We separated in June of 1986."
Itinago raw ni Ronald sa ina ang hiwalayan nila ni Chona.
Ayaw daw niyang malaman ng ina na bigo siya sa kanyang pag-ibig.
Noong panahong iyon ay sa U.S. na naninirahan si Rita.
Pagpapatuloy ni Ronald: "Pero, siyempre, nabalitaan niya. Sabi niya, 'Anak, I heard. I'm sorry,' sabi niyang gano'n.
"'But, maybe, now is the time for you to think. Gusto mo bang change of scenery?'"
Matagal na raw may U.S. visa si Ronald pero noon lang niya ito naisip gamitin.
"Part of me wanted to get away. Part of me wanted to explore. Ano naman kaya ang buhay sa U.S.?"
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LIFE IN THE U.S.
Taong 1986, nagdesisyon si Ronald na iwan ang showbiz at manirahan sa New York.
Kumusta ang naging buhay doon?
Balik-tanaw niya: "Well, noong una akong nagpunta doon, it was really difficult. I had to start from the bottom kasi hindi naman tayo celebrity doon.
"I worked at a theater, sweeping. And then I got work as a hotel clerk sa Manhattan.
I worked a variety of jobs.
"And then I got work as an administrative assistant sa isang nursing registry that was run by a Filipina.
"Pagkatapos noon, nag-train din ako sa shipping. And then I was employed by a French company that had offices in Park Avenue South as shipping, receiving, and inventory manager."
Positibo para kay Ronald ang karanasan sa U.S.
"And I'm glad that I made that decision kasi dun ako talaga naging independent sa U.S.
"Kasi dito sa atin, Ibang culture sa atin. Dito sa atin may mga katulong tayo, di ba?
"Doon, trabaho ka na, pagdating sa bahay, trabaho ka pa. Ikaw magluluto ng pagkain mo.
You wash your own dishes. You do your own laundry. You clean your own apartment. So, you learn to be totally self-reliant.
"Mahirap, pero it taught you how to be responsible," sabi ni Ronald sa PEP.
Masipag at madiskarte si Ronald kaya naging maayos ang buhay niya sa U.S.
Paminsan-minsan, may mga kaibigan siya roong kumokontak sa kanya para kunin siyang umarte sa cultural shows.
Kuwento pa niya tungkol sa U.S. work life: "During the last couple of decades before I retired, nasa hotel business ako. That was my ideal job.
"Everything that I encountered before then prepared me, my being an actor, my meeting people, my ease with talking to people prepared me for the hotel experience. Kasi hospitality yan."
Nagtrabaho siya bilang front desk supervisor at night auditor sa New York.
Dalawang dekada siya sa New York, bago lumipat sa California.
"Thankfully, nag-try naman ako doon. I was able to get work in the hotel industry again.
"I was a night auditor in the hotel business. And that was my work until I retired."
Proud si Ronald dahil maganda rin ang buhay ng mga anak niya sa U.S.
Si Catherine, ang panganay niyang anak sa ex-wife na si Chona, ay isang fitness trainer sa Arizona.
Si Rita, 28, anak ni Ronald sa isang dating karelasyon ay nasa middle-management department sa Uber Eats sa New York.
RETURNING TO THE PHILIPPINES
Nag-retire si Ronald sa kanyang work sa California noong 2022.
Ngunit gusto pa rin daw niyang magtrabaho, at dito na niya naisip balikan ang pag-arte sa Pilipinas.
"Noong mag-retire ako, sabi ko, hindi naman ako puwedeng retired na wala akong ginagawa.
"I'm still healthy by the grace of God. And sabi ko, malakas pa naman ako.
"I need to be able to get up in the morning and do something that I like, something that I know I'm at least competent at.
"Kaya ako nag-decide na balikan ko yung naudlot kong [acting] career."
Nitong mga nagdaang taon ay pabalik-balik na raw siya dito sa Pilipinas.
Around September 2024 nang mag-guest si Ronald sa Kapuso weekly sitcom na Pepito Manaloto, na pinagbibidahan ni Michael V.
Nag-guest din siya sa Lilet Matias: Attorney-At-Law, na pinagbidahan ni Jo Berry.
Nabuhay daw ang dugo ni Ronald sa pag-arte.
Aniya: "Oo, sabi ko, 'You know what? I think I still have it. I think I still would like to do it.
"So, hopefully, kasi almost four decades, you know. And it's 2025 now. It's almost 40 years.
"Pero, hopefully, meron pang nakakaalala sa akin."
Desidido siyang subukan uli ang kapalaran sa showbiz, at bukas siya sa pagtanggap ng mga proyekto dahil dito na siya nakabase sa Pilipinas ngayon.
FILMS
- Menor de Edad
- Bubot Na Bayabas
- Abigael
- Biktima
- Moral
- Hinugot Sa Langit
TV SHOWS
- Kahapon Lamang, a TV anthology series directed by Eddie Ilarde
- Victoria Hills, a soap opera with Freddie Web, Romeo Rivera, Chona Castillo with director Tony Santos Sr.
- Tic-Tac-Toe and Spin-a-win appeances
- Ito Yon...Ang Galing, a noontime show where Ronald was a co-host together with Willie Nepomuceno, Jimmy Morato, Chona Castillo, Dodo Gonzales, Butch Borromeo, Tia Pusit. Directed by Rico Flores
THEATER
- Ang Dakilang Pag-ibig (1973)
- Ambon Sa Madaling Araw (1984)
Additional interviews by Rachelle Siazon, PEP Deputy Managing Editor.