Allan Padua (born March 26, 1969), known professionally as Mura, is a Filipino actor and comedian who has dwarfism.[2]

Mura
Born
Allan Padua[1]

(1969-03-26) March 26, 1969 (age 55)
Guinobatan, Albay, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
OccupationActor & comedian
Years active2002–2018

Early life

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Allan Padua was born in Guinobatan, Albay. He spent most of his childhood in Guinobatan with his 13 siblings. Born with dwarfism, his father believes that he inherited his small stature from the doll his mother used to play with through the folk belief of lihi. Allan Padua received ridicule growing up in elementary school and by his neighbors due to his small stature.[3]

Career

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Padua capitalized on his condition by working as a ball juggler for five years as a means to financially support his family. He aspired to be an actor, and sang as a pastime. In 2002, he went to Manila for better job opportunities securing a role as a backup dancer. He was then scouted by a talent manager who asked him to play a bigger role in a show.[3]

Later adopting the screenname "Mura", Padua had break in his entertainment career in 2003, when he became associated with Mahal, an actress-comedian who also has dwarfism. Mura became known as Mahal's "twin"[4] and occasionally played the "sidekick" roles to characters portrayed by actor Vhong Navarro.[3]

Mura also ventured into singing[5] with Noemi Tesorero, better known as Mahal, who also has dwarfism, with whom he formed a tandem in Magandang Tanghali Bayan.[3]

Mura played roles in several feature films such as Volta (2004), D' Anothers (2005), Agent X44 (2007) and Supahpapalicious (2008) and Kimidora and the Temple of Kyeme (2012). Mura also made appearances in other television shows such as Majika (2006) and Supertwins (2007).[3] In 2005, he was able to purchase farmland in Bicol using his earning as an actor.[2]

Accidents and later career

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Mura's career saw a decline in 2010. He was involved in a vehicular accident while riding a tricycle which affected his hips and legs.[3][2] The accident caused him to have long-term difficulty in walking affecting his future prospects in acting.[6]

Mura was to feature in FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, sometime prior to key actor Eddie Garcia's death in 2019, but the stint did not push through due to Mura's weakened legs[2] making him unable to run.[7]

As of 2021, Mura works as a farmer in Bicol, but still intends to return to showbiz.[2]

On April 27, 2024, Mura's 2-story home in Purok 3, Sitio Abibling, Barangay Tupas, Ligao was razed by fire. He only saved his cellphone and a storage box. Interviewed in Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho May 5 episode, Soho led comedians Ai-Ai delas Alas, Pokwang, Jayson Gainza, Empoy Marquez, and Katipunan ng mga Artistang Pilipino sa Pelikula at Telebisyon President Imelda Papin in extending financial aids to Mura.[8][9]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role
2004 Volta 9 Volts
2005 D' Anothers Vic
2007 Agent X44 Anton / Agent Junior Iskalibers
2008 Supahpapalicious Macho
2012 Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme Lolo / Herbal Doctor

Television / Digital Series

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Year Title Role Notes Network Source
2003—2004 Masayang Tanghali, Bayan / MTB: Ang Saya-Saya Abby (host; Mahal's "twin")[10] ABS-CBN
2004 Marina Ninja Other Creatures
Maalaala Mo Kaya Mura Episode: "Lupa"
Credited as "Mura"
Wansapanataym Dondee Episode: "Dondee, da Duwende"
2006 Majika [3] Guest Cast / Antagonist / Anti-Hero GMA Network
Bahay Mo Ba 'To?
Komiks Episode: "Alpha Omega Girl"
Credited as "Mura"
ABS-CBN
2007 Super Twins [3] Metallad Supporting Cast / Antagonist GMA Network
Magic Kamison Rufo Episode: "Little Big Rufo"
Credited as "Mura"
2007—2008 Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan Buboy Guest Cast
2008 Carlo J. Caparas' Tasya Fantasya Pookalakala Supporting Cast / Protagonist
2009—2010 Darna Impy / Impakta Guest Cast / Antagonist
2010—2011 My Driver Sweet Lover Boy Baldado Episode: "Pamilya at mga kaibigan ni Rocky"
Credited as "Mura"
TV5
2012 Enchanted Garden Bonsai Extended Cast
2015—2016 #ParangNormal Activity Nuno Boy
2018 Tadhana Angelo Episode: "Little Tatay"
Credited as "Mura"
GMA Network

Discography

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Singles
Year Title Album Label
2003 Ayoko Na Sa' Yo Mag Otso-Otso Tayo Bayan[5] Star Records
Cutie Cute, Cute
Mahal At Mura
Cutie Cute, Cute Pinay Pie (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)[11]

References

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  1. ^ Matalog, Patricia (21 August 2021). "Comedian Noemi 'Mahal' Tesorero passes away | Star Cinema". starcinema.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Mura, magsasaka na ngayon, nais bumalik sa showbiz" [Mura, now a farmer, wants to go back in showbiz]. ABS-CBN News (in Tagalog). 10 August 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "After disappearing from showbiz, Mura vows to make a comeback". GMA News. 17 July 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  4. ^ "Little actors who made it big in showbiz". PEP.ph. 3 October 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  5. ^ a b Mag Otso-Otso Tayo Bayan (2003, CD), retrieved 2021-09-02
  6. ^ Arceo, Therese (4 August 2021). "Mura naghirap matapos ang aksidente sa balakang" [Mura had hardship after accident in his hips]. Bandera (in Tagalog). Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Mura napilay sa aksidente" (in Tagalog). 5 August 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  8. ^ Pasajol, Anne (May 7, 2024). "Comedian Mura in tears after house burns down". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  9. ^ Godinez, Bong (May 7, 2024). "Comedian Mura's house in Albay gutted by fire". GMA New Media. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  10. ^ Dabu, Bianca Rose (9 July 2021). "'One chance:' Hiling ni Mura na dating ka-love team ni Mahal para makabalik sa showbiz". GMA News (in Tagalog). Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  11. ^ Various artists, Pinay Pie, retrieved 2021-09-02
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