Elizabeth Oropesa

Elizabeth Oropesa Freeman (born July 17, 1954), also known as La Oropesa, or "Boots" to friends is a Filipino former actress. She was a Grand Slam Best Actress winner for Bulaklak Ng Maynila (1999). She was a former Miss Luzon of the Miss Republic of the Philippines (RP) 1972. She was one of the Miss White Castle models in the mid-70s. Aside from showbiz assignments and commitments, La Oropesa is currently working as a healer. Her father was a Native American.

Career

It was in 1974 when a young Elizabeth Oropesa was introduced in Celso Ad Castillo's Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop Sa Balat Ng Lupa (1974) lending support to former Miss Universe, Gloria Diaz, who was then being launched to stardom. Portraying the role of "Saling", the barrio lass who was madly in love with Simon (Vic Vargas) and loathe the presence of Isabel (Gloria Diaz) in the barrio-island. She along with Gloria Diaz made a big splash by introducing the "wet look" in Philippine cinema.

Oropesa was launched to stardom in Mister Mo, Lover Boy Ko (1975), produced by Jesse Ejercito and directed by Ishmael Bernal. She won the FAMAS Best Actress award for Lumapit, Lumayo Ang Umaga (1975), also directed by Bernal. Again, Bernal directed Oropesa in Nunal Sa Tubig (1976), one of the best films of the '70s. Oropesa is one of the favorites of director Ishmael Bernal, who directed her in classic movies.

Other notable movie assignments she made were "Alupihan Dagat" (1975) and "Aguila" (1980) with Fernando Poe, Jr., "Si Rafael at Raquel" (1976) and "Hide and Seek sa Manila, Makati" (1977) with Christopher de Leon, "Mother and Daughter" (1975) with Paraluman and Vic Vargas, "Katawang Lupa" (1975) with Eddie Gutierrez, "Uhaw na Dagat"(1981) with Gloria Diaz and Isabel Rivas, "Iking boxer" (1975) with Chiquito, "Nueva Vizcaya" (1974) with Vic Vargas, "Si Malakas, Si Maganda at Si Mahinhin" (1981) with Alma Moreno and Dindo Fernando, "Palabra de Honor" (1983) with Eddie Garcia.

She received also Best Supporting Actress trophies for Milagros (1997) and Sa Pusod Ng Dagat (1998), both directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya and a Best Actress grandslam, five best actress trophies for Bulaklak Ng Maynila (1999), directed by Joel Lamangan.

She did Mister Mo, Lover Ko (1999) comedy film directed again by Joel Lamangan, starring Glydel Mercado, Eddie Gutierrez, Gary Estrada and Danny Ramos. In 2003, she made a movie Homecoming, an entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival, directed by Gil Portes, with Alessandra de Rossi, playing mother and daughter caught in a heart-wrenching homecoming.

She played the mother of Jennica Garcia and stepmother of Jolina Magdangal in GMA's Adik Sa 'Yo (TV series) (2009) with Marvin Agustin, Dennis Trillo and Joey Marquez, directed by Joel Lamangan. She starred in a digital movie Ded Na Si Lolo (2009), about a family staying together and getting stronger amid personal differences and hardships, starring Roderick Paulate, Gina Alajar and Manilyn Reynes. Oropesa makes strong comeback as grandmother in TV drama, Angelito: Batang Ama aired in ABS-CBN. In 2004, Elizabeth played a villain character named Belinda Manalo in Te Amo, Maging Sino Ka Man, the character was bitter and hot-headed. In 2017, she played a good role in Impostora in which the character she's playing is calm and supportive to the main protagonist. In 2018, she was taped to play the funny arrogant and brainless mother of Amber in which they scheme to become rich but overall they are anti-heroes. The character was named Violet "Violy" Bolocboc who is one of the anti-heroines of Pamilya Roces.

She has appeared in more than 150 movies and television shows since 1973.

Awards and nominations

Selected filmography

References

External links

• Elizabeth Oropesa on IMDb