Pilar Pilapil

Early life

Pilar Delilah Veloso Pilapil was born on October 12, 1950, in Liloan, Cebu, Philippines the youngest of six girls with four brothers after her.

Career

After winning the Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant in 1967, Pilapil was swamped with offers to join the movies. Her first film was the action picture El Nino in 1968 with Andy Poe as her leading man, directed by Fernando Poe, Jr. She did movies with Dolphy such as Dolpe De Gulat in 1969 and El Pinoy Matador in 1970, among others. Pilapil won two best actress awards, one for the movie Imelda, Ang Uliran in 1970 at the Manila Film Festival and another for the film Napakasakit Kuya Eddie in 1986 for Gawad Urian Award 1987.

In 1996 she did the afternoon drama Mukha Nang Buhay a television soap for Viva Television produced for RPN and simultaneously aired on IBC and its international channel RPN USA as the main antagonist to Lovely Rivero's character and the series. this would become her first Soap Opera on television after later doing work for GMA Network and mostly ABS-CBN primetime dDramas.

She also dabbled in politics when she ran for senator in 2004 as an independent candidate but she lost. Pilapil continues to entertain viewers via ABS-CBN's primetime drama series Ina, Kapatid, Anak premiered on October 8, 2012, and ended in June 2013, and is now airing by Jeepney TV. In 2015 she made her comeback with Pangako Sayo, which she plays Doña Benita Buenavista which originally by Liza Lorena.

In February 2020, she returned to GMA Network after thirteen years of stay with ABS-CBN to appear in Sanya Lopez's drama series, First Yaya and First Lady, respectively.

In 2024, she starred in the medical drama series of GMA Network, Abot-Kamay na Pangarap and portrays the role of Madam Chantal Dubois vda. de Rutaquio, Moira Tanyag’s mother.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Pilapil has a daughter with former Vice President of the Philippines Salvador Laurel named Pia Pilapil, who is also an actress. She married Spanish journalist Michel Ponti on October 12, 1986, at the Manila Cathedral, but they divorced after a year. She became a born-again Christian in 1995, and married Pastor Bernie Penas on May 18, 2002.

Philanthropy

In 2006, Pilapil released an autobiography The Woman Without A Face, chronicling her life in show business an in private after she went on a short retirement. The sales of the book went to the Pilar Pilapil Foundation, an organization founded by Pilapil which helps battered and abused women.

2011 stabbing incident

Pilapil was found in a grassy lot in Antipolo with at least five stab wounds in her body and was rushed to the Medical City Hospital in Pasig City on the night of April 14.

A companion, Rosel Peñas driving her Kia Carens, picked up Pilapil from a mall, supposedly to introduce her to the executives of Unilever Australia, who were then at Riverbend Hotel in Marikina. Peñas was driving when two unidentified men forced their way into the vehicle, stabbed Pilapil, then sped away with Peñas.

Peñas, initially a co-victim, was later tagged as perpetrator and was charged with kidnapping and frustrated murder at the Antipolo prosecutor's office in November 2011.

Filmography

Television

Film

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. San Diego Jr., Bayani. (April 16, 2011). "Pilar Pilapil All Out For Battered Women". [[Philippine Daily Inquirer]].
2. (November 8, 2012). "Pilapil Happy About Role on 'Ina Kapatid Anak'". ABS-CBN News.
3. Iglesias, Iza. (April 5, 2021). "'Fan Girl' Sweeps Major Awards at 4th Eddys". [[The Manila Times]].
4. Jorge, Rome. (March 19, 2006). "In Her Most Daring Role". [[The Manila Times]].
5. Araneta, Sandy. (November 21, 2011). "Court of Appeals Freezes Pilar Pilapil Kidnap Suspect's Assets". [[The Philippine Star]].
6. Ramos, Marlon. (April 26, 2011). "Police Tag Pilapil's Companion Suspect". [[Philippine Daily Inquirer]].
7. Garriga, Maria Nikka U.. (April 16, 2011). "Pilar Pilapil Survives Attack". [[The Manila Times]].
8. Rule, Karla. (April 13, 2019). "Top 100 Cebuano Personalities: Pilar Pilapil". [[The Freeman]].