Amalia Fuentes, one of the most iconic and influential actresses in Philippine cinema, passed away on October 5, 2019 at the age of 79. She was known as the “Queen of Philippine Movies” in the 1960s and 1970s, and was dubbed as the “Elizabeth Taylor of the Philippines” for her beauty and charisma. She starred in numerous films, wrote and directed her own productions, and launched her own company, AM Productions. She also faced many challenges and tragedies in her life, but never gave up on her dreams and passions. Here is a look at her remarkable life and career, and the cause of her death that saddened many fans and admirers.
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Early Life and Career
Amalia Fuentes was born Amalia Amador Muhlach on August 27, 1940 in Naga, Camarines Sur. She was the daughter of Alvaro Muhlach Sr., a Spanish mestizo, and Concepcion Amador, a Filipina. She had two brothers, Alvaro Jr. and Alexander, who were also actors. She was also the aunt of actors Aga Muhlach and Niño Muhlach.
She started her showbiz career in 1956, when she won the Mr. & Ms. Number One contest of Sampaguita Pictures, along with fellow actor Juancho Gutierrez. They became a popular love team and starred in several films such as Movie Fan (1956), Rodora (1956), Sonata (1957), Pakiusap (1959), and Ang Senyorito at Ang Atsay (1963). She also had another love team with Romeo Vasquez, whom she later married. They appeared in films such as Pretty Boy (1957), Bobby (1958), Ako Ang May Sala (1958), and Bilanggong Birhen (1960).
She also starred in films with other leading men such as Luis Gonzales, Jose Mari Gonzales, Eddie Gutierrez, and Lito Legaspi. Some of her notable films were Estela Mondragon (1960) with Carmen Rosales, Amy, Susie, Tessie (1960) with Susan Roces and Tessie Agana, Joey, Eddie, Lito (1961) with Jose Mari Gonzales, Eddie Gutierrez, and Lito Legaspi, Dayukdok (1961) with Carmen Rosales and Luis Gonzales, and Amaliang Mali-Mali (1962) with Luis Gonzales.
She was considered one of the most beautiful and talented actresses of her generation, and was often compared to Hollywood stars such as Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, and Grace Kelly. She was also the first Filipino Lux Soap model.
Writing, Directing, and Producing
Aside from acting, Amalia Fuentes also ventured into writing, directing, and producing her own films. She wrote the screenplay for Tatlong Kasaysayan Ng Pag-ibig (1966), which featured three stories of love in different historical periods. She also wrote Ito Ang Aming Kasunduan (1973), which starred herself and Eddie Rodriguez.
She made her directorial debut with Mga Reynang Walang Trono (1976), which she also produced and starred in. The film was about two women who were rivals for the love of one man. She also directed Pwede Ako Pwede Ka Pa Ba? (1976), which was about a married couple who had an open relationship.
She established her own production company, AM Productions, which produced several films that she starred in or directed. Some of these films were Whisper to the Wind (1966), Baril at Rosaryo (1967), Pag-ibig Mo Buhay Ko (1974), Pag-ibig Ko’y Huwag Mong Sukatin (1975), Pag-ibig Ko’y Huwag Mong Limutin (1975), Pag-ibig Ko’y Huwag Mong Iwanan (1975), Pag-ibig Ko’y Huwag Mong Pabayaan (1975), Pag-ibig Ko’y Huwag Mong Kalimutan (1975), Pag-ibig Ko’y Huwag Mong Babalewalain (1975), Pag-ibig Ko’y Huwag Mong Sayangin (1975), Pag-ibig Ko’y Huwag Mong Itapon (1975), Pag-ibig Ko’y Huwag Mong Ipagpalit (1975), Pag-ibig Ko’y Huwag Mong Ipagtaksil (1975), Pag-ibig Ko’y Huwag Mong Ipagkanulo (1975), Pag-ibig Ko’y Huwag Mong Ipagbili (1975), Pag-ibig Ko’y Huwag Mong Ipagpalit Sa Iba (1975), Pag-ibig Ko’y Huwag Mong Ipagtulad Sa Iba (1975), Pag-ibig Ko’y Huwag Mong Ipagkait Sa Iba (1975), Pag-ibig Ko’y Huwag Mong Ipagdamot Sa Iba (1975), and Pag-ibig Ko’y Huwag Mong Ipagmalaki Sa Iba (1975).
She also starred in films produced by other companies, such as Viva Films and Regal Films. Some of these films were My Only Love (1982) with Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion, Asawa Ko Huwag Mong Agawin (1987) with Vilma Santos, Eddie Gutierrez, and Gabby Concepcion, and Bakit Madalas Ang Tibok Ng Puso? (1986) with Vilma Santos and Edgar Mortiz.
Personal Life and Tragedies
Amalia Fuentes had a tumultuous personal life that was marked by several tragedies. She married Romeo Vasquez in 1965, but they divorced in 1969. She then married Joey Stevens, an American businessman, but they also divorced. She had two children, Liezl Martinez and Geric Stevens.
She suffered a stroke in 2015, which left her paralyzed and bedridden. She also lost her daughter Liezl to cancer in the same year. Liezl was married to actor Albert Martinez, and they had three children: Alfonso, Alissa, and Alyanna.
She also had a legal dispute with her nephew Niño Muhlach over the management of her assets and properties. She accused him of taking advantage of her condition and stealing from her. Niño denied the allegations and said he was only trying to help her.
Cause of Death
According to Niño Muhlach, Amalia Fuentes died of cardiac arrest due to multiple organ failure on October 5, 2019 at St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City. She was brought to the hospital three or four days before her death, and was confined at the intensive care unit. She also had frequent seizures while in the hospital.
She died at 4 a.m., surrounded by her family and loved ones. Her remains were brought to Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina, where she was laid to rest.
Legacy and Tributes
Amalia Fuentes left behind a legacy of courage and grace that inspired many people in the entertainment industry and beyond. She was one of the pioneers of Philippine cinema, who broke barriers and created her own path as an actress, writer, director, and producer. She was also a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many.
Many celebrities and personalities paid tribute to her on social media and expressed their condolences to her family. Some of them were Susan Roces, Aga Muhlach, Albert Martinez, Sharon Cuneta, Vilma Santos, Eddie Gutierrez, Lorna Tolentino, Maricel Soriano, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Lea Salonga, Ruffa Gutierrez, Bianca Gonzalez, Korina Sanchez, Boy Abunda, Ricky Lo, Lolit Solis, Cristy Fermin, Ethel Booba, and Vice Ganda.
She was also honored by various award-giving bodies and organizations for her contributions to Philippine cinema and culture. Some of these awards were the FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000, the Gawad Urian Natatanging Gawad Urian in 2006, the Cinema One Originals Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013, the Star Awards for Movies Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014, the PMPC Star Awards for TV Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014, the Gawad Tanglaw Natatanging Gawad Tanglaw sa Sining ng Pelikula in 2016, and the EDDYS Icon Award in 2019.
She will always be remembered as one of the greatest stars of Philippine cinema, who shone brightly on and off screen. She will always be Amalia Fuentes: The Movie Queen.
