Vic Vargas

Filipino film actor and judoka (1939-2003)

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Marfori and the surname or paternal family name is Asuncion.

Vic Vargas

Born|

Jose Maria Marfori Asuncion

(1939-03-28)28 March 1939

Philippines

Died| 19 July 2003(2003-07-19) (aged 64)

Pasay, Philippines

Occupation(s)| Actor, judoka
Years active| 1962–2002
Spouse| Rosanna Zamora
Children| Basilio Anton Asuncion

Jose Maria Marfori Asuncion (March 28, 1939 – July 19, 2003), better known by his stage name Vic Vargas, was a Filipino film actor and judoka.

## Early life and career

[edit]

Vic Vargas was born on March 28, 1939.[1] When he was 17, Vargas won three championships for judo in the Philippines.[2] He finished architecture[a] at the University of Santo Tomas and then afterwards, became a physical education instructor teaching martial arts at the University of the East.[2]

Eventually, he reluctantly entered show business after being challenged by a friend, and then, he debuted in the film Diegong Tabak in 1962.[2] His early films also include pairing with Filipina actress Josephine Estrada[3] particularly in the film Prinsipeng Tulisan made by VP Pictures, a subsidiary of Sampaguita Pictures, where he was one of its contract actor.[4] Being an expert on judo, he became a judo instructor for a television program broadcast by Channel 7.[2]

## Later career

[edit]

He starred in numerous films from early 1960s up to 2002. He was typecast in certain genres like action and sexy comedy due to his dark skin, figure and sex appeal.[2] In 1971, he got a role in the Ismael Bernal's Pagdating sa Dulo, which was voted by Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino as one of the best films of the 1970s.[1] In the film El Vibora, he won his first Best Actor award given by the organizers of the 1972 Manila Film Festival.[1] He won again as Best Actor the next year on the same festival for the film Nueva Vizcaya.[1]

In the mid-1970s, he was an on and off-cam pair with 1969 Miss Universe Gloria Diaz.[4] Their first film together was in Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa, that started a wet-and-wild trend in Philippine cinema.[4] The tandem also starred in the Andres de Saya film series.[1] In the 1982 film In This Corner by Filipino director Lino Brocka, he got an Urian Best Actor nomination.[4][5]

Aside being a film actor, he also appeared on television and he became one of the cast of the television show Lahi ni Adan and briefly hosted Tawag ng Tanghalan after the death of Lopito, the original male host of the show.[4] He also appeared in the sitcom television show of ABS-CBN, Home Along Da Riles.[6] Other notable films that he starred include Pito ang Asawa Ko, Sinong Kapiling, Sinong Kasiping?, Banta ng Kahapon, and Hari sa Hari, Lahi sa Lahi (also known as The King and the Emperor).[1]

He was also known for being one of the first actors who entered the Charismatic movement in the Philippines.[1] He also became an environmentalist after becoming a member of the environmental group Bantay-Dagat in Palawan.[1] One of his last films include portraying Rajah Humabon in the 2002 biopic film Lapu-Lapu, with Lito Lapid portraying the title character.[7]

## Personal life

[edit]

Vargas was married to Rosanna Zamora[8] and they have a child named Basilio Anton Asuncion.[9]

## Death

[edit]

He died at the age of 64 on July 19, 2003, 15 days after he suffered from a stroke and fell into coma.[2][6] He was rushed to the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Pasay after having a typhoid fever in Subic that caused his stroke when he returned to Manila.[2][6] He was cremated and buried at Sacred Heart Church in Makati where his parents' body lie.[6]

## Filmography

[edit]

### Film

[edit]

Year  | Title  | Role  | Notes

|
|
|

1962 | Diegong Tabak |  |
1963 | Bird of Paradise |  |
Prinsipeng Tulisan | Carlos |
Tansan vs Tarsan | Tarsan |
1964 | Walang Takot sa Patalim |  |
Sa Bilis, Walang Kaparis |  |
1965 | Mga Espada ng Rubitanya |  |
1969 | Si Darna at ang Planetman |  | Part of the Darna film series
Perlas ng Silangan |  |
1971 | Pagdating sa Dulo |  | "Initial offering" of Frankesa Films, Inc.
1972 | El Vibora | El Vibora |
1973 | Nueva Vizcaya |  |
1974 | South Seas |  |
Urduja |  |
Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa |  |
Huwag Tularan: Pito ang Asawa Ko |  |
1976 | Daluyong at Habagat |  |
Iniibig Kita... Father Salvador | Father Salvador |
1977 | Sa Dulo ng Kris |  |
Banta ng Kahapon |  |
1978 | Mercenario[10] |  |
1982 | Get My Son Dead or Alive | Capt. Carlo Mendoza |
1983 | Utol | Berting Bertigo |
1987 | Hari sa Hari, Lahi sa Lahi | Paduka Pahala |
1988 | Gawa Na ang Bala Na Papatay sa Iyo | Berto |
Agila ng Maynila |  |
1991 | Mabuting Kaibigan, Masamang Kaaway | Ricardo Montinola |
1992 | Boboy Salonga: Batang Tondo | Victor Salonga |
1994 | Biboy Banal: Pagganti Ko... Tapos Kayo |  |
2002 | Lapu-Lapu | Raha Humabon |

### Television

[edit]

Year  | Title  | Role  | Notes

|
|
|

1978 | Ōgon no Hibi |  | NHK taiga drama

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Another source says that he took up a commerce course.[1]

## References

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1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Francisco, Butch (July 22, 2003). "Remembering a versatile actor". Philstar.com. The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
2. ^ a b c d e f g Estanislao, Noel C. (2009). "Filipino Martial Arts Digest Special Edition - Judo in the Philippines" (PDF). usadojo.com. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
3. ^ "Former actress and Miss PH Josephine Estrada passes away in Arizona". INQUIRER.net USA. Philippine Daily Inquirer. April 16, 2019. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
4. ^ a b c d e Dolor, Danny (June 20, 2010). "Vic Vargas: Sex symbol & actor". Philstar.com. The Philippine Star. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
5. ^ "'Nueva Vizcaya' reaps 7 awards". The Times Journal. Philippines. June 27, 1973.
6. ^ a b c d "3 veteran actors pass away". Philstar.com. July 20, 2003. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
7. ^ Adobas, Dennis (December 17, 2002). "Vic Vargas, nagbabalik". Philstar.com (in Tagalog). Pilipino Star Ngayon. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
8. ^ "Surprise! Melanie Marquez twirls anew on the ramp". Inquirer Lifestyle. Philippine Daily Inquirer. August 10, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
9. ^ "Man of the Year search is on". Philstar.com. April 30, 2009. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
10. ^ "Now Showing". Bulletin Today. November 14, 1978. p. 34\. "He kills to avenge a family tragedy!"

## External links

[edit]

* Vic Vargas at IMDb

* v
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* e

Filipino martial artists

* Venancio "Anciong" Bacon
* Cacoy Cañete
* Adriano Directo Emperado
* Emma Henry
* Alvin Aguilar
* Eduard Folayang
* Ronnie Ricketts
* Mara Lopez
* Mike Inay
* Shishir Inocalla
* Dan Inosanto
* Beatriz Lucero Lhuillier
* Japoy Lizardo
* Gretchen Malalad
* Monsour del Rosario
* Shane del Rosario
* Maybelline Masuda
* Kylie Padilla
* Robin Padilla
* Remy Presas
* Ernesto Presas
* Vic Vargas
* Brandon Vera

Authority control databases

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* VIAF
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* Spain

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