Paraluman

Filipino-German actress and model (1923–2009)

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal  family name is de Torres and the surname or paternal family name is von Giese.

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Paraluman" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (August 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

|

Paraluman

Born|

Sigrid Sophia Agatha de Torres von Giese

(1923-12-14)December 14, 1923

Tayabas, Tayabas Philippine Islands

Died| April 27, 2009(2009-04-27) (aged 85)

Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines

Occupation(s)| Actress
model
Years active| 1940–1985
Spouse(s)| Brigido Sibug
Tony O’Brien
Yoshifume Abe

Sigrid Sophia Agatha de Torres von Giese (December 14, 1923 – April 27, 2009), known professionally as Paraluman, was a Filipino actress whose career spanned four decades. Dubbed as the Greta Garbo of the Philippines,[1] she is often cited as one of the greatest screen figures in the country.[2][3] She first appeared in the film Flores de Mayo (1940)[4] and rose to fame in the self-titled film opposite Fernando Poe Sr. She has since appeared in over 90 motion pictures including several foreign films such as Elephant Girl (1951) and Surrender - Hell! (1959).[5][6] She has received two FAMAS Awards and has been inducted at the Eastwood City Walk of Fame.[7][8][9]

## Early life[edit]

Paraluman was born in Tayabas to Lothar von Giese, and Tecla de Torres, who was herself from Tayabas.[10] Educated at Assumption College, the young Paraluman herself was an avid movie fan. She loved reading magazines about her favorite celebrities. Her interest in showbiz increased when she learnt that their next-door neighbour was the actress Corazón Noble, and she would often climb their fence to catch glimpse of the actress.[11] Her curiosity yielded positive results because Noble's younger sister, Lily, noticed her and they soon became friends.

## Career[edit]

Her extraordinary beauty led the seventeen-year-old Paraluman to be recommended by another sister of Corazón Noble, Norma, to film producer Luis Nolasco. Her first movie was Flores de Mayo (1940), and she initially used the screen name Mina de Gracía. She was rechristened "Paraluman" (archaic Tagalog for "muse" or "magnetic needle") by Fernando Poe, Sr., who signed her as a full-fledged star in X’otic Films' Paraluman (1941). This was followed by the actresses' roles in the films Bayani ng Bayan and Puting Dambana.

After World War II, she came back to cinema as a contract star of Sampaguita Pictures. She then became a famous leading lady in romantic movies, but when she made a comeback, her image was repackaged by Sampaguita Pictures owner Dr. José "Doc" Pérez. She was given character roles, playing nemesis to Gloria Romero in Hongkong Holiday, then as a disabled woman in Tanikaláng Apoy (1959). She won a FAMAS Best Actress Award for her role in Sino ang Maysala?

Paraluman was also nominated by FAMAS four times: twice in 1959 for Best Actress for the movies Bobby and Anino ni Bathala, in 1972 as Best Supporting Actress for Lilet, and in 1976 as Best Supporting Actress for Mister Mo, Lover Boy Ko. Her last films were Viva Films' Kailan Sasabihing Mahal Kita in 1985 and NV Productions' "Tatlong Ina, isang Anak" in 1987 as one of the spinster aunts of Miguel Rodríguez.

## Personal life[edit]

Paraluman had her first marriage to Yoshifume Abe that ended in divorce. She remarried in December 1949 in Manila to airline pilot Anthony Joseph "Tony" Barretto O'Brien, who was the son of Peter O'Brien and Dolores Barretto y Barretto of Zambales. Baby O'Brien, who was her daughter by her first marriage to Abe, took on the surname of her stepfather and was herself a television actress and commercial model. O'Brien's daughter Rina Reyes is also an actress.[12]

## Death[edit]

Paraluman died of cardiac arrest on 27 April 2009 at her home in Parañaque. She was 85 years old.

## Filmography[edit]

Paraluman's film credits Year  | Title  | Role  | Notes  | Ref(s)

|
|
|
|

1940  | Flores de Mayo | Mina de Gracia  |  | [13]
1941  | Paraluman |  |  | [14][15]
Palaris |  |  | [16]
Bayani ng Buhay |  |  | [17]
Puting Dambana |  |  | [18]
Manilena |  |  | [19]
1947  | La Paloma |  |  | [17]
Ina |  |  |
1948  | Amapola |  |  | [20]
Sor Remedios |  |  | [17]
Awit ng Bulag |  |  | [21]
1949  | Good Morning Professor |  |  | [22]
Biro ng Tadhana |  |  | [23]
Kaputol ng Isang Awit |  |  | [24]
Pinaghating Isangdaan |  |  |
1950  | Batong Buhay |  |  | [25]
Sinag sa Kalbario |  |  | [14]
Dalawang Bandila |  |  | [26]
1953  | Now and Forever |  |  |
Highway 54 |  |  | [27]
May Karapatang Isilang |  |  | [28]
1954  | Sarawak |  |  |
Pusong Ginto |  |  | [29]
1955  | Sintu-Sinto |  |  | [30]
1956  | Lydia |  |  | [31]
Babalu |  |  | [15]
Rodora | Rodora  |  | [32]
Gigolo |  |  | [33]
1957  | Hong Kong Holiday |  |  | [27]
Veronica | Veronica  |  | [34]
Sonata |  |  | [35]
Taga sa Bato |  |  | [36]
Sino ang Maysala? |  |  | [37]
1958  | Anino ni Bathala | Dolores  |  | [27]
Ulilang Anghel |  |  |
Tatang Edyer |  |  |
Bobby |  |  |
Elephant Girl |  |  | [27]
1959  | Ipinagbili Ko Ang Aking Anak |  |  | [27]
Pitong Pagsisisi |  |  |
Tanikalang Apoy |  |  | [27]
Kahapon Lamang |  |  | [27]
Surrender - Hell! | Pilar  |  |
Baby Face |  |  | [27]
Rosana Rossini |  |  | [27]
Kamandag |  |  |
1960  | Isinakdal Ko Mag Aking Ama |  |  |
Kuwintas ng Alaala  |  |  |
Amy, Susie & Tessie |  |  | [27]
Estrela Mondragon |  |  |
Limang Misteryo ng Krus |  |  |
1961  | 5 Yugto ng Buhay |  |  | [38]
Dalawang Kalbaryo ni Dr. Mendez |  |  |
Harangan Man ng Sibat |  |  |
Makasalanang Daigdig |  |  |
Sa Linggo ng Bola  |  |  |
1962  | The Big Broadcast |  |  |
Magbayad ang May-utang |  |  |
Ako ang Katarungan |  |  | [27]
Pitong Puso |  |  |
Pitong Makasalanan |  |  |
1963  | Pitong Kabanalan ng Isang Makasalanan |  |  |
Tagumpay ng Langit |  |  |
Ang Class Reunion | Ms. Dimalanta  |  |
Pedring Arenas, Alyas Ice Pick |  |  |
1964  | Moro Witch Doctor | Selisa Noble  |  |
1965  | Isinulat sa Dugo |  |  |
1966  | Bakit Pa Ako Isinilang? |  |  |
Ang Tao ay Makasalanan |  |  |
Nais Ko Pang Mabuhay |  |  |
1967  | Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak | Victoria  |  |
1969  | Stoney | Margaret Suwono  |  |
1970  | The Losers | Mama-San  |  |
1971  | Lilet | Amanda  |  |
1972  | Daughters of Satan | Juana Rios  |  |
1973  | Super Gee |  |  |
1975  | Mister Mo, Lover Boy Ko |  |  |
Dugo at Pag-ibig sa Kapirasong Lupa | Vicente's wife  |  |
Mother and Daughter |  |  |
Alat |  |  |
1976  | Nahirit, Nasipol Ang Biyaheng Bikol |  |  |
Malikot na Mata Maraming Nakikita |  |  |
Malamig, Mainit ang Magdamag |  |  |
Ikaw... Ako Laban sa Mundo! |  |  |
1977  | Pulot-gata: Puwede Kaya? |  |  |
The Lineman |  |  |
1978  | Ligaya Mo ay Kasawian ko |  |  |
1979  | Bakit May Pag-ibig Pa? |  |  |
1985  | Hello Lover, Goodbye Friend | Rita Delgado-Smith  |  |
Kailan Sasabihing Mahal Kita | Luz Tuazon  |  |

## In popular culture[edit]

* Filipino rock band The Eraserheads mentioned her in the opening lyrics of Ang Huling El Bimbo.
* She is also mentioned in the lyrics of the songs Binibini by Filipino pop group The Rainmakers
* The song Paraluman by Filipino singer and model Adie Garcia is about a woman whose beauty is like hers.
* A Filipino rock band, Paraluman, is also named after the late actress.[citation needed]

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Death reveals Paraluman's well-kept 'secret'". www.philstar.com. 2009-04-28. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
2. ^ "Paraluman rocks!". www.philstar.com. 2008-08-18. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
3. ^ Oviedo, Kristina Isabel. ""Kamukha mo si... Paraluman" All about the real-life actress that inspired the famous EHeads song". Tatler Asia. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
4. ^ Dolor, Danny. "Paraluman: 'Goddess of Beauty'". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
5. ^ Dolor, Danny. "Paraluman in foreign films". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
6. ^ "Legendary actress Paraluman dies at 85". PEP.ph. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
7. ^ "FAMAS 2008 winners bared". PEP.ph. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
8. ^ GMANews.TV, Rona Co (2006-12-02). "Kuya Germs adds more stars to RP Walk of Fame". GMA News Online. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
9. ^ "RP tinseltown icon Paraluman dies". ABS-CBN News.com. 2009-04-27.
10. ^ "Death reveals Paraluman's well-kept 'secret' - the Philippine Star » …". The Philippine STAR. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012.
11. ^ "Death reveals Paraluman's well-kept 'secret'". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
12. ^ "Showbiz's other beauty queens". Philippine Star. June 3, 2008.
13. ^ O'Brien, Baby (2003). A big adventure movie with an all-star cast. Philippine Daily Inquirer. p. 52.
14. ^ a b "Paraluman's 2 'first times'". www.philstar.com. 2009-12-20. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
15. ^ a b Torre, Nestor U. (2013-05-17). "Paraluman and other 'singular' screen wonders". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
16. ^ "Palaris: Thrice-told tale". www.philstar.com. 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
17. ^ a b c "From Mina de Gracia to Paraluman". www.philstar.com. 2009-05-24. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
18. ^ Pareja, Lynn S. (2011-11-04). "FPJ's dad was an accomplished actor and director". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
19. ^ "Manilena (1941)". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
20. ^ "Women power in film". www.philstar.com. 2011-05-04. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
21. ^ Salumbides, Vicente (1952). Motion Pictures in the Philippines. p. 80.
22. ^ "Good Morning Professor". lostfilm.info. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
23. ^ "Biro ng tadhana (1949)". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
24. ^ "IN PHOTOS: Isang pagbabalik-tanaw sa Sampaguita Pictures | GMA Entertainment". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
25. ^ "Batong Buhay (sa Sentral Lusan) (1950)". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
26. ^ Salumbides, Vicente (1952). Motion Pictures in the Philippines. p. 48.
27. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k FAMAS Beauty. Philippine Daily Inquirer. 2003. p. 52.
28. ^ Dolor, Danny. "Inspired by Gershwin". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
29. ^ "Pusong ginto (1954)". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
30. ^ "Sintu - Sinto (1955)". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
31. ^ CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art: Philippine film. Cultural Center of the Philippines. 1994. p. 291\. ISBN 978-971-8546-42-0.
32. ^ "Last misty-eyed look at Amalia Fuentes". www.philstar.com. 2019-10-11. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
33. ^ "A Gallery of Sampaguita Stars". www.philstar.com. 2005-08-30. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
34. ^ CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art: Philippine film. Cultural Center of the Philippines. 1994. p. 291\. ISBN 978-971-8546-42-0.
35. ^ "SONATA | Philippine Film Archive". philippinefilmarchive.fdcp.ph. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
36. ^ "Paraluman, Van de Leon star in action-drama". www.philstar.com. 2018-11-18. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
37. ^ Constantino, Pamela C. (1985). Wika, linggwistika at bilinggwalismo sa Pilipinas (in Tagalog). Rex Book Store. p. 57.
38. ^ "5 YUGTO NG BUHAY | Philippine Film Archive". philippinefilmarchive.fdcp.ph. Retrieved 2023-10-07.

## External links[edit]

* Paraluman at IMDb
* Paraluman at AllMovie
* Paraluman at Rotten Tomatoes

* v
* t
* e

FAMAS Award for Best Actress

1951–1959|

* Nena Cardenas (1951)
* Anita Linda (1952)
* Alicia Vergel (1953)
* Carmen Rosales (1954)
* Gloria Romero (1955)
* Rosa Rosal (1956)
* Lolita Rodriguez (1957)
* Paraluman (1958)
* Rita Gomez (1959)

1960–1969|

* Charito Solis (1960)
* Charito Solis (1961)
* Tessie Quintana (1962)
* Perla Bautista (1963)
* Charito Solis (1964)
* Marlene Daudén (1965)
* Barbara Perez (1966)
* Amalia Fuentes (1967)
* Marlene Daudén (1968)
* Charito Solis (1969)

1970–1979|

* Gloria Sevilla (1970)
* Rita Gomez (1971)
* Celia Rodriguez (1972)
* Boots Anson-Roa & Vilma Santos (1973)
* Gloria Sevilla (1974)
* Lolita Rodriguez (1975)
* Elizabeth Oropesa (1976)
* Nora Aunor (1977)
* Susan Roces (1978)
* Susan Roces (1979)

1980–1989|

* Nora Aunor (1980)
* Amy Austria (1981)
* Vilma Santos (1982)
* Vilma Santos (1983)
* Charito Solis (1984)
* Nora Aunor & Sharon Cuneta (1985)
* Vivian Velez (1986)
* Dina Bonnevie (1987)
* Vilma Santos (1988)
* Vilma Santos (1989)

1990–1999|

* Nora Aunor (1990)
* Nora Aunor (1991)
* Dawn Zulueta (1992)
* Lorna Tolentino (1993)
* Dawn Zulueta (1994)
* Snooky Serna (1995)
* Maricel Soriano (1996)
* Sharon Cuneta (1997)
* Maricel Soriano (1998)
* Nida Blanca (1999)

2000–2009|

* Elizabeth Oropesa (2000)
* Gloria Romero (2001)
* Lorna Tolentino (2002)
* Aleck Bovick (2003)
* Ara Mina (2004)
* Claudine Barretto (2005)
* Claudine Barretto (2006)
* Judy Ann Santos (2007)
* Lorna Tolentino (2008)
* Heart Evangelista (2009)

2010–2019|

* Lovi Poe (2010)
* Ai-Ai delas Alas (2011)
* Anne Curtis (2012)
* Angel Locsin (2013)
* KC Concepcion (2014)
* Toni Gonzaga (2015)
* Andi Eigenmann (2016)
* Angelica Panganiban (2017)
* Agot Isidro (2018)
* Nadine Lustre (2019)

2020–2029|

* Janine Gutierrez (2020)

Portals:

* Film
* Television

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template