Ruben Matias Cayari (July 25, 1923 – April 7, 1994),[1] professionally known as Ruben Rustia, was a Filipino actor and screenwriter. He is best known for his portrayal of President Ferdinand Marcos in the 1988 Australian miniseries A Dangerous Life.

Ruben Rustia
Born
Ruben Matias Cayari

(1923-07-25)July 25, 1923
DiedApril 7, 1994(1994-04-07) (aged 70)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • screenwriter
  • director
Years active1947–1994[1]
Children6

He won the FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the 1954 fantasy film Pedro Penduko, and was later nominated for four more times in the same category as well as for Best Actor and Best Screenplay.[1]

Career

edit

Ruben Rustia began his film career as an extra in the 1947 film Kamay ng Diyos (English: 'Hand of God').[1] His first supporting role was in the 1951 film Taga-Ilog, and he would later receive a reputation as a character actor.[1]

In 1988, Rustia was cast in the role of President Ferdinand Marcos in the Australian miniseries A Dangerous Life (or The Four Day Revolution in Australia). Karla Delgado of the Manila Standard praised his performance as the president, stating that he "has Marcos' voice and mannerisms perfected."[2]

In 1993, he performed as Kapitan Tiago in Eddie Romero's miniseries adaptation of José Rizal's novel Noli Me Tángere.[3]

Personal life

edit

Rustia had six children with his wife Alejandra.[1] He was a Methodist.[1]

Death

edit

Rustia died on April 7, 1994 in Manila, Philippines. He was 70 years old.

Filmography

edit

Film

edit
Year Title Credited as Role Note(s) Ref(s).
Actor Screenwriter
1947 Kamay ng Diyos Yes No Extra
1954 Pedro Penduko Yes No
1955 Anak ni Palaris Yes No
1956 Haring Tulisan Yes No
1959 Pitong Gatang Yes Yes [4]
1960 Materiales Fuertes Yes Yes Cameo
1961 Noli Me Tángere Yes No Maestro
1963 Si Darna at ang Impakta No Yes
Ang Tatay Kong Kalbo! Yes No Also associate director
1964 Lagalag Yes No
1965 Darna at ang Babaing Tuod Yes Yes Gaspar
Captain Barbell Kontra Captain Bakal Yes Yes Also director
1966 Tiagong Lundag Yes Yes
1967 Marko Asintado Yes Yes
Wild, Wild Wong Yes Yes
Alamid: Agent 777 Yes Yes DND Secretary
Operation: Impossible Yes Yes
Sibad Yes Yes
1968 Zaragoza Yes Yes
1969 Perlas ng Silangan Yes Yes
1970 Santiago! Yes No Capt. Santos
1971 Lagablab ng Pag-ibig Yes Yes
Sakim Yes Yes
Beast of the Yellow Night Yes No Hospital doctor
1972 Magiting at Pusakal Yes Yes Kalayaan [5]
The Hot Box Yes No
1973 Tanikalang Dugo Yes Yes
1974 Fe, Esperanza, Caridad Yes No Don Benito "Fe" segment
Mga Tigre ng Sierra Cruz Yes Yes
Carnival Song Yes Yes
1975 Ang Nobya Kong Sexy Yes No
1976 Nunal sa Tubig Yes No Pedro
1977 Banta ng Kahapon Yes No
1978 Doble Kara Yes Yes
1980 Aguila Yes No Gen. Caram
1981 Kamakalawa Yes No Kulai
Kisapmata Yes No Peping Manalasan
1982 Desire Yes No
1984 Sister Stella L. Yes No
1987 Hari sa Hari, Lahi sa Lahi Yes No
Huwag Mong Buhayin ang Bangkay Yes No Lucio
1988 Ang Anino ni Asedillo Yes No
Ang Supremo Yes No
Kumander Dante Yes No
Chinatown: Sa Kuko ng Dragon Yes No
1989 Arrest: Pat. Rizal Alih – Zamboanga Massacre Yes No Mayor Cesar Climaco
Fight for Us Yes No Monsignor
Sa Kuko ng Agila Yes No Don Fernando
Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita Yes No Ricardo
Isang Bala, Isang Buhay Yes No Don Honorio [6]
1990 Michael and Madonna Yes No Principal
Pido Dida: Sabay Tayo Yes No
Alyas Pogi: Birador ng Nueva Ecija Yes No Padre Jose
1991 Alyas Batman en Robin Yes No
1992 Mukhang Bungo: Da Coconut Nut Yes No Jhonny Khadaphi
Eh, Kasi Bata Yes No
Alyas Joker: Sigue-Sigue 22 Commando Yes Yes
Alyas Pogi 2 Yes No Priest
1993 Lt. Madarang: Iginuhit sa Dugo Yes No Villager [7]
1994 Bawal Na Gamot Yes No

Television

edit
Year Title Role Notes
1988 A Dangerous Life Ferdinand Marcos Miniseries
1992 Valiente Damian Valiente
Lovingly Yours[1] 1 episode
1993 Noli Me Tángere Kapitan Tiago Miniseries

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art: Volume VIII - Philippine Film. Cultural Center of the Philippines. 1994. pp. 312–313. ISBN 971-8546-23-5. Retrieved April 27, 2021. During the war, he was a member of the Young People's Methodist Church...
  2. ^ Delgado, Karla (November 26, 1988). "Misfocused". Manila Standard. Manila Standard News, Inc. p. 14. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  3. ^ "Noli on TV". National Midweek. Lagda Publishing Inc. July 1, 1992. p. 33. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  4. ^ "'Pitong Gatang' tells of brothers' conflict". The Manila Times. The Manila Times Publishing Company, Inc. November 3, 1959. p. 7-B. Directed by Efren Reyes who also wrote the screenplay with Ruben Rustia...
  5. ^ Diaz, Lav (July 9, 1988). "Napapanahon pa rin" [Still timely]. Manila Standard. Standard Publications, Inc. p. 14. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
  6. ^ Dormiendo, Justino (November 29, 1989). "Cold and Lifeless". National Midweek. Lagda Publishing Inc. pp. 28–29. Retrieved July 9, 2021. There is a new kind of violence being inflicted on today's local screen—the reel-life exploits of real-life gangsters and hoodlums. [...] The film's scenarists, Jose Carreon (who also directed) and Jojo Lapus, attempt to refurbish a plot worn-out and puerile with their fictional embellishments...
  7. ^ "Grand Opening Today!". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. July 1, 1993. p. 21. This is a true story.