At the then-LVN Museum, photos of actor Joseph Estrada (upmost left), actor Antonio Medina (over the gun), producer Doña Narcisa Buencamino de Leon (on the table beside the many awards), and other LVN actors and actresses are shown. Photos compiled by Rogelio Medina
I VIVIDLY remember the days several actors, including directors, often visited our house in San Juan, Metro Manila for my dad, Antonio “Tony” B. Medina was an LVN child and teenage actor, who appeared in Squatters (1953), directed by Gregorio Fernandez (actor Rudy Fernandez’s father) and written by Florentino Garcia and Jose Corazon de Jesus, with Nestor de Villa, Nida Blanca, Tony Santos, Gil de Leon, Alfonso Carvajal, Johnny Reyes, Elena Acosta, Letty Alonzo, Ester Bautista, Natoy Catindig, and Miniong Alvarez; music was composed by Quin Velasco.
He appeared in LVN’s Dagohoy (1953). The movie was directed by Gregorio Fernandez with Mario Montenegro (as Dagohoy), Tessie Quintana, Rosa Rosal, Tony Santos, Gil de Leon (actor Christopher de Leon’s father), Ven Medina, Leroy Salvador, Nora Dy, Alfonso Carvajal, Joseph de Cordova, Frankie Gordon, Jose Vergara, Arturo Moran, Natoy Catindig, Mario Roldan, Casmot, Sim Pajarillo, Mario Taquibulos, Ezar Visenio, and Lorna Mirasol; music for the movie was composed by Francisco Buencamino Jr.
Actor Antonio B. Medina with his wife Rosita C. Medina.He also did LVN’s Kuwentong Bahay-Bahayan (1953) as Kadyo. The film, directed by Manuel Silos, starred Ronaldo Acuzar, Carmen Banez, Willy Cruz, Antonio de los Angeles, Nora Dy, and Ike Jarlego Jr.
In 1955, he appeared in LVN’s Dalagita’t Binatilyo, a delightful musical about teenagers. It was directed by Artemio Canseco and written by Susana C. de Guzman. It starred Nenita Vital, Manding Claro, Nora Dy, Bayani Casimiro, Milani Villongco, Hector Reyes, Arturo Sison, Romeo Flores, Antonio de los Angeles, Mervin Silva, Mervin Fabian, Dolores Fabian, Menandro Ramos, and Fernando Nangan.
It was LVN matriarch Doña Sisang or Narcisa Buencamino de Leon who personally discovered my dad.
He did films with Joseph Estrada, Fernando Poe Jr. and Johnny Delgado (Laurice Guillen’s hubby) and appeared in an ABS-CBN TV series with Snooky Serna’s mother, Mila Ocampo (actor Von Serna’s wife).
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As we celebrate Father’s Day on June 15, allow me to feature fathers from all walks of life. I asked four fathers (last batch): (1) How does it feel to be a father? (2) Define fatherhood.
The respondents’ replies are as follows:
Saul de Vries, Department of Migrant Workers’ labor attache based in Washington, D.C.: (1) “I feel blessed in many respects. It is often said that children are God’s blessings. I completely agree. The happiness and love I get to experience with my children are immeasurable blessings that constantly warm my personhood. The great responsibility and many sacrifices that come with fatherhood are challenges worth bearing and embracing. Each challenge I dealt was meant one step forward for my children to live a full life and achieve their dreams. My heart was filled for every milestone and defining moment that my children experienced and celebrated. Their star was my own too. And that made me feel full.” (2) “Fatherhood is a process of guiding a child through his realization and aspiration. It is helping someone steer life to the right direction and be that somebody one wanted for self, family, community and society. It is about taking responsibility for someone’s wellbeing until one is prepared to deal such responsibility on one’s own. It is about staying around a child in every twist and turn of his/her life and making sure that he/she has a buddy to share and celebrate each moment.”
Chef Dale Aguirre Julagting, a product of De La Salle Araneta University: (1) “Seeing your children grow, hearing their first words or sentence, seeing their first steps or climbing the stairs on their own are some rewarding experiences to hear and see as a father. My heart is happier when my child sees me especially. When I came from work, he would run to me and say, ‘Hello daddy, welcome home!’ Every inch of my tiredness flies away and makes me feel revitalized.” (2) “Being a father is a lifetime amazing experience for your children see you as their one true champion or the hero of their lives.”
Actor Dale Villar Acelar who works at Mercedes-Benz of Wilsonville: (1) “At 25, I already knew – I wanted to be a dad. Not just someday, but soon. I was ready to give my heart to someone in a way that was pure, honest, and unconditional. I didn’t know what kind of dad I’d be, but I knew I had so much love to give. The idea of raising someone, guiding them, and being their safe place – that meant everything to me. It wasn’t about being perfect. It was about being present, loving, and real.” (2) “Fatherhood, to me, is about showing up – being present, loving, and always connected through guidance and support. In the beginning, it’s simple – just a daddy loving his child. They may not fully understand it yet, but they feel it. They know I’m there, and that they can count on me. As they grow, that love evolves. I become their guide, their example, their safety net. The dynamic shifts with time, but the bond stays strong. It’s not always easy, but every single moment – every hug, every lesson, every late-night talk – is absolutely worth it!”
PAREF Southridge School teacher Jose Francisco “Cholo” Kawada of Naguilian, Isabela, who is married to Judge Rose Beltran-Kawada and they have 3 kids (Gerard, Beatrice and Sophia): (1) “When I finally became a dad, it became the be-all and end-all of my being a family man. Being a father completes me as an individual. And therefore, everything that I do as a father, everything that we do as parents, they all boil down to helping our children become the best versions of themselves, as our gift to God for His benevolence and blessings to us.” (2) “Fatherhood to me is a spiritual undertaking. My children are not totally mine, they are God’s. Parents are co-creators, are partners, of God in managing this wonderful world. Our children are given to us to take care of, to nurture, to guide, to support, to help and assist them discover their gifts and talents, so they become productive citizens of the world, contribute to the well-being of society, and do the will of God.”
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“Tres Maestros: Where Color Meets Form and Soul,” an exhibit of three artists, namely Juno Galang, Augusto Santiago, and Raul Isidro, who each shapes emotion into color, form and timeless expression, will open on June 14, 2025 at the Life ‘n Arts Gallery in Ayala Malls Solenad, Santa Rosa – Tagaytay Road, City of Santa Rosa, Laguna, Philippines.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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