Ace York Caesar Asturias Aguilar (November 20, 1954 – December 15, 2007), better known by his stage name Ace Vergel, was a Filipino actor dubbed "The Original Bad Boy of Philippine Movies".[1] He was the son of the late film actors Alicia Vergel and César Ramírez, and brother of actress Beverly Vergel.[2]

Ace Vergel
Ace Vergel, from the movie "Sige Subukan Mo" 1998. Screen captured
Born
Ace York Caesar Asturias Aguilar

(1954-11-20)November 20, 1954
DiedDecember 15, 2007(2007-12-15) (aged 53)
Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippines
Resting placeThe Garden of Divine World Columbary
NationalityFilipino
Other namesAlas, The Original Bad Boy of Philippine Movies
OccupationActor
Years active1957–2007
SpouseMaya Dela Cuesta
ChildrenAlejandro King Aguilar
Parent(s)Alicia Vergel and César Ramírez
AwardsGawad Urian Best Actor 1988 Anak ng Cabron
PMPC Star Award for Movie Actor of the Year 1989 Anak ng Cabron

Early life

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He was born Ace York Caesar Asturias Aguilar in the Philippines on November 20, 1954, to parents Alicia Vergel and Cesar Ramirez.[3] His parents were well-known stars in the 1950s.[4]

He attended Business Management and Public Relations at Ateneo de Manila University in 1975.

He was married to Maya dela Cuesta and had a son named Alejandro King dela Cuesta Aguilar.

Film career

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Ace Vergel, being a "Child of Cinema" started in the film industry at the age of 3. His screen debut was in "Taong Putik" which starred his mother. He appeared in his first full-length movie at the age of five using his real name Ace York, where he played the friend of a giant bird in the 1959 film Anak ng Bulkan. The movie starred Fernando Poe Jr. and Edna Luna. At the age of 7, Ace dropped out of the movie scene as he reached school age.

In 1969 At the age of 15 he made a movie comeback and was paired with Nora Aunor in a musical "Nineteeners" but the chemistry didn't work and decided to bid the movie scene goodbye again. He staged his comeback in 1977 to do the film under Lino Brocka entitled "Inay" where his mother Alicia Vergel portrayed the title role. In the following year, Vergel switched from drama to action roles. His launching vehicle as an action star was in the film Noel San Miguel (Batang City Jail) in 1978. The movie gained positive reviews and made it to the box office. The movie stablished him as the newest action sensation during that time.

Vergel is the first movie star that appeared in a miniseries. The FIRST ever Philippine Miniseries entitled “Malayo Pa Ang Umaga.” is based on the first Filipino novel in English, “Without Seeing the Dawn “by Stevan Javellana. He played the main character “Mario” an oppressed farmer. Set during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, It was aired in channel 9 in seven installments during the summer of 1979. Rey Valera was chosen to compose the theme song of the miniseries.

In 1983, Vergel "aced" up a very challenging role in a classic movie "Pieta." His role as "Rigor" an anti-hero who lack of heroic attributes which differs from his usual role in his past movies became his most popular character. Pieta, to this day is considered by his fans as Ace Vergel's signature film.

Vergel has 5 Award Nominations.

FAMAS NOMINATION

1989 Best Actor for. "Anak Ng Cabron" (1988)

1986 Best Actor for "Bomba Arienda" (1985)

1985 Best Actor for "Basag Ang Pula" (1984)

1984 Best Actor for "Pieta" (1983)

GAWAD URIAN NOMINATION

1986 Best Actor for "Bomba Arienda" (1985)


In 1989, Vergel received his Best Actor awards from the Gawad Urian and PMPC Star Awards for Movies for his role in the film "Anak ng Cabron."

He had the lead role in the 1996 film Seth Corteza, which was about a man who inherits turf in the criminal underworld. He wants to make changes and faces the dangers that come about as a result. The film was directed by Efren C. Piñon.[5]

In 2003, Vergel appeared in his last film Masamang Ugat from Viva Films.

Controversies

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In August 2007, a warrant for arrest was issued in Caloocan for rape cases filed against him in 2000, but he was later released. He was also linked to illegal drugs, but the cases against him were dismissed.[6]

Death

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Vergel suffered a massive heart attack and slipped into coma at The Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center, located in Santa Cruz, Manila and died at 3:17 am on December 15, 2007, at the age of 53.

Filmography

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Year Title Character Notes
1959 Anak Ng Bulkan Bentoy
1977 Inay Alex
1978 Batang City Jail Noel San Miguel
1979 Hoodlum Killer -
Teritoryo Ko Ito Jun Javier / Batang Dewey
Mahal Kong Taksil -
1980 Pangkat: Do or Die -
Kanto Boy -
Kodigo Penal: The Valderrama Case Capt. Nilo Valderrama
Hari ng Tondo Ikaw o Ako Bingo Ocampo
Tatak Angustia Eric
Siga Atty. Alex Noriega
1981 Kapwa Simaron -
Dirty Games -
Ako Laban Sa Lahat -
Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang Mr. Delgado / Special Participation
Hantingan -
Kamandag Ng Rehas Na Bakal Sgt. Noel Santos
Hostage 72 Oras -
Lukso Ng Dugo -
Deadly Commando -
Solid Alas -
1982 Mga Pambato Tonyong Blackjack
Tres Kantos -
Berdugo Manuel
Annie Sabungera Randy
Sugo -
Waywaya -
Ang Tapang Para Sa Lahat! Ricardo
Zimatar Prinsipe Akbar
1983 Inside Job Atty. Adolfo Guevarra
Pieta Rigor
Kumusta Ka, Hudas? -
Pusakal -
1984 Huwag Kang Papatay -
Isang Dakot Na Lupa Ador
Basag Ang Pula Fernando
Tong -
1985 Jandro Nakpil: Halang ang Kaluluwa Jandro Nakpil
Bomba Arienda Roger "Bomba" Arienda
1987 Ayokong Tumungtong Sa Lupa -
1988 Anak Ng Cabron Donato Rios
1989 Killer vs. Ninjas -
Galit Sa Mundo -
1990 Higit Na Mas Matimbang Ang Dugo Randolph (uncredited)
1991 Sagad Hanggang Buto Banjo
1992 Totoy Guwapo: Alyas Kanto Boy Totoy Castro/Totoy Guwapo
1993 Kahit Ako'y Busabos Giller
1996 Seth Corteza Seth Corteza
Ten Little Indians Brandon Valdez
Huling Sagupaan Samuel
1997 Utang Ko Sa Iyo Ang Buhay Ko Wex
Iligpit Si Victor Saraza Victor Saraza
Jacob C.I.S. Jacob/Gardo (Edgardo Mactan)
1998 Sige Subukan Mo David/Berting
Ang Joker At Ang Pistolero Marvin / Special Participation
Abel Villarama: Armado Abel Villarama
2000 Katayan -
2001 Carta Alas: Huwag Ka Nang Humirit Capt. Ted Cordero
2003 Masamang Ugat David Last film appearance

References

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  1. ^ "Bad Boys of Philippine Cinema". Philippine Entertainment Portal. September 3, 2009. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  2. ^ Dr, James (April 22, 2012). "PELIKULA, ATBP.: ACE VERGEL (Artista Magazine, July 2, 1981)". PELIKULA, ATBP. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  3. ^ Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2007, By Harris M. Lentz III - Page 390 Vergel, Ace
  4. ^ The Philippine Star, December 16, 2007 - Ace Vergel dies of heart attack at 55
  5. ^ WorldCat - Seth Corteza
  6. ^ "Actor Ace Vergel dies of cardiac arrest at age 55". GmaNews.tv. December 15, 2007. Retrieved December 15, 2007.

7. Page 29 Expressweek/April 5, 1979

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