By: Mario Bautista
OUR CONDOLENCES to the family of actor Berting Labra who's long been afflicted with emphysema. He passed away at the age of 76 in the home of his family in Pateros on Tuesday, February 10. He started with Sampaguita Pictures as a child actor after the war but it was at Premiere Productions that he got good breaks as a member of the late Fernando Poe, Jr. and Zaldy Zshornack's Lo' Waist Gang series of movies in the mid-50s. He was given a starring role opposite Lani Oteyza in the film version of the popular komiks character, "Tipin". In 1969, he went to prison due to murder charges with the late Eddie Fernandez. He says that it was there that he found God.
OUR CONDOLENCES to the family of actor Berting Labra who's long been afflicted with emphysema. He passed away at the age of 76 in the home of his family in Pateros on Tuesday, February 10. He started with Sampaguita Pictures as a child actor after the war but it was at Premiere Productions that he got good breaks as a member of the late Fernando Poe, Jr. and Zaldy Zshornack's Lo' Waist Gang series of movies in the mid-50s. He was given a starring role opposite Lani Oteyza in the film version of the popular komiks character, "Tipin". In 1969, he went to prison due to murder charges with the late Eddie Fernandez. He says that it was there that he found God.
While he was in prison, we remember his wife, Placida, fondly called Aling Cida, selling snacks like turon, butchi, and balut at El Oro, the office of Manay Ethel Ramos at Escolta that was a fave hangout of writers in the 70s and 80s. Emma Guevarra, Manay Ethel's secretary, and yours truly would order merienda from Aling Cida every time she showed up at the office.
When Berting was paroled in the early 80s, he returned to acting and played sidekick to FPJ in several action films. We remember FPJ telling us that he believed in Berting's talent as he's a very good actor. Let's all pray for the repose of his soul. We're sure he's now reunited with good friend FPJ.
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