Renato Chua (born February 15, 1950), professionally known as Rhene Imperial, a former action star, former producer and currently born-again Christian minister in the Philippines.

In 2023, Imperial returned to the film industry two decades after he retired as an actor, establishing the production company R.A.C. Imperial Multimedia Production[1] and starring in the film Sa Kamay ng Diyos.

Career

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Imperial starred in Boy Singkit (1980) with Tony Ferrer and Carmen Ronda, Tong (1980) with Ace Vergel, Deathrow (1981) with Rudy Fernandez and Anthony Alonzo, Quintin Bilibid (1981) with Tetchie Agbayani, Ka Freddie (1984) Gintong Araw ni Boy Madrigal (1984), Miguel Cordero (1985), Sigue-Sigue Brothers (1985) with Bembol Roco and Efren Reyes, Jr. and Ulo ng Gang-Ho (1985) with Dante Varona, Anthony Alonzo and Rey Malonzo.

He became the line producer in Basagan ng Mukha (2001) starring Manny Pacquiao.

After a two-decade break from acting in films, Imperial decided to become a member of the Actors Guild and return to the film industry in 2023, beginning with the films Sa Kamay ng Diyos, Heneral Bantag and Bubot sa Kagubatan, stating that his new advocacy at the guild is to produce films to provide more work for people in the entertainment industry.[2][3]

Personal life

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He was married to actress Carmen Ronda, and they had four children. After years of being together they decided to separate. Veteran actress Carmen Ronda died from ovarian cancer in 2010.

Imperial has two children with Janet Jamora (twin sister of Manny Pacquiao's wife Jinkee).

In March 1988, Task Force Anti-Gambling (TFAG) chief Potenciano Roque accused Imperial along with 37 others of being illegal gambling operators.[4] In 1990, numerous illegal gambling operators in Davao City pointed to Imperial as the head of the largest gambling operation in the area, with the NBI charging him with estafa and illegal gambling.[5] In later years, Imperial came to be open about and expressing regret for his prior activities as a gambling operator.[2]

He is currently working as a born-again Christian minister.

Filmography

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  • Alas Tres ng Hapon... Lumuhod ang Maton (1977)
  • Sa Iyo ang Araw... Sa Akin ang Gabi (1978)
  • Mga Paru-parong Ligaw (1978)
  • Boy Singkit (1980)
  • Maneng Tirador (1980)
  • Tong (1980)
  • Boy Nazareno (1981)
  • Shoot the Killer (1981)
  • Death Row (1981)
  • Quintin Bilibid (1981)
  • K-9 Hunts Takas (1981)
  • Ninong (1982)
  • Misyon: Dakpin si Bogart (1982)
  • Pepeng Hapon (1983)
  • Sgt. Maximo Velayo: Trigger ng Mga Kumander (1983)
  • 13 Hudas (1983)
  • Ka Freddie (1984)
  • Gintong Araw ni... Boy Madrigal (1984)
  • Tatak Munti (1985)
  • Bala Ko ang Hahatol (1985)
  • Sigue-Sigue Brothers (1985)
  • Miguel Cordero (1985)
  • Ulo ng Gang-Ho (1985)
  • Calapan Jailbreak (1985)
  • Boy Tipos (1985)
  • Kahit Sa Bala, Hindi Kami Susuko (1986)
  • Pepe Saclao: Public Enemy No. 1 (1986)
  • Walang Ititirang Buhay (1986)
  • Amang Hustler (1987)[6]
  • Mahal Kita... Kahit Sino Ka Pa! (2001)
  • Basagan ng Mukha (2001)[7][8]
  • Sa Kamay ng Diyos (2023)
  • Heneral Bantag: Anak ng Cordillera (TBA)[3]
  • Ang Siga ng Tondo... Daw! (TBA)[9][10]
  • Bubot sa Kagubatan (TBA)

References

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  1. ^ Rula, Gorgy (August 7, 2023). "Jingle ng Eat Bulaga, kasama sa trademark?!" [Eat Bulaga's jingle a part of the trademark?!]. Pilipino Star Ngayon (in Filipino). Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved August 8, 2023. ...Rhene Imperial na nagtayo ng sariling production na R.A.C. Imperial Multimedia Production.
  2. ^ a b BRU Digital TV (July 3, 2023). A Digital TV Special (Full Interview) with Mr. Rhene Imperial. Facebook (in Filipino and English). Facebook Inc. Retrieved August 2, 2023. ...katatapos lang namin ng movie, entitled Bubot sa Gubat, directed by me and Angelo Carpio.... Now nagkaroon ako ng posisyon sa Actors Guild, so naging advocacy ko yung mag-produce muli, magbalik sa pagpo-produce bilang isang actor, producer, director...
  3. ^ a b De Guzman, Perry (May 21, 2023). "Heneral Bantag (Anak ng Cordillera)". Facebook. Facebook, Inc. Written & Directed by Perry De Guzman
  4. ^ "TFAG tags 38 'gambling lords'". Manila Standard. Standard Publications, Inc. March 23, 1988. p. 8. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  5. ^ Ignacio, Bert (September 27, 1990). "Actor Imperial charged in Davao". Manila Standard. Kagitingan Publications, Inc. p. 7. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  6. ^ Dormiendo, Justino (March 14, 1987). "Illiteracy is violence". Manila Standard. Standard Publications, Inc. p. 14. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  7. ^ "Former sexy star Carmen Ronda dies | ABS-CBN News". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on May 1, 2013. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  8. ^ Villasanta, Boy. "Ang koneksiyon ng kamatayan ni Carmen Ronda kay Manny Pacquiao". Pinoy Weekly. Retrieved 2013-11-14.
  9. ^ PEP Troika (August 7, 2023). "Shira Tweg, newbie talents ng Net25 Star Center, malapit nang i-launch". PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal Inc. Retrieved August 8, 2023. Kinuha rin si Shira [Tweg] ng nagbabalik-showbiz na si Rhene Imperial sa pelikula niyang Ang Siga ng Tondo... Daw ng R.A.C. Imperial Multimedia Production.
  10. ^ Obispo, Gilbert (August 20, 2023). Ang siga ng Tondo...daw! Trailer V1. Vimeo (in Filipino and English). Vimeo.com, Inc. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
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