Helen Gamboa

Helen Albent Gamboa-Sotto (born May 7, 1945) is a Filipina actress, singer, dancer and former beauty queen.^[2]

Background

Helen Albent Gamboa was born at 6:35 PM on May 7, 1945 at Maternity and Children's Hospital (now Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital) in Santa Cruz, Manila to Domingo Ponce Gamboa (born October 13, 1908 in Santa Ana, Pampanga - died June 12, 1987) and Eusebia Pangilinan Albent (born November 28, 1914 in Angeles, Pampanga - died January 21, 1986).^[1][3][4]

Gamboa is the wife of actor-comedian/TV host/politician-senator Tito Sotto and the mother of actress/singer Ciara Sotto and actor/singer Gian Sotto.

Gamboa is also the aunt of singer/actress/TV host Sharon Cuneta. Sharon's mother, Elaine Cuneta, is her sister. She is of Spanish-American descent.^[5]

Gamboa became a runner-up to Cynthia Ugalde by a point in the Miss Press Photography of the Philippines contest in 1961.

In the late 1960s, Gamboa was given the title "Dancing Queen" of Philippine cinema and TV musicals; this title was given to her prior to the popularity of the Abba song with the same title, the title having been given eight years before the Swedish rock band's song was released in 1976.

In 2001-2003 Gamboa made a brief TV comeback through the ABS-CBN Primetime TV series Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan, playing the role of Nelia Santos.

In 2009, Gamboa made her official comeback to Philippine primetime television in ABS-CBN network's Tayong Dalawa, where her son Gian also appeared. This marked Gamboa's 2nd Primetime TV series and comeback where she portrayed the antagonist Elizabeth Martinez in the TV series; the series also became a successful international phenomenon and featured a strong cast of award-winning actors from three generations of television, film, theater actors, some of whom came from appearances in internationally acclaimed indie films.^[6]

In 2012, after a two-year hiatus, Gamboa played Margaret Montenegro in the highly acclaimed and most-watched program Walang Hanggan, featuring another ensemble cast where she was reunited with her Tayong Dalawa co-star Coco Martin who led the series. Gamboa's role was a main role in the series, Margaret Montenegro being the series' main antagonist.

On October 21, 2012, Gamboa showed her knowledge of the dance "Gangnam Style" in her performance in the Walang Hanggang Pasasalamat Concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Discography

Albums

• Helen Gamboa Sings Together Again (Jonal Records, released in March 1967)
• La Gamboa (Vicor Records, released in 1969)
• Bunny Chanel (RCA Victor International/WEA, released in 1979 under the name "Bunny Chanel")
• Bunny Chanel 2 (RCA Victor International/WEA, released in 1980 under the name "Bunny Chanel")

Singles

1966

• Gone / Band of Gold (debut single)
• What They Have Done to the Rain? / He'll Come Back to Me (with JA and The Jitterbugs)
• Strangers in the Night / The Impossible Dream
• Just Say Goodbye / I Can't Remember Ever Loving You
• The Thirty-First of June / It's Not Unusual
• I Love You / No Other Love
• A Groovy Kind of Love / Forever with You (with JA and The Jitterbugs)
• Soul Time / In the Midnight Hour
• The In Crowd /
• Michael (Row the Boat Ashore) /

1967

• Somethin' Stupid / Summer Wine (duet with Gilbert Gamboa)
• Two of Us / Till We Meet Again / Whispering Hope (duet with Louie Levant)
• This Is My Song / Color My World
• Together Again / Cast Your Fate to the Wind
• All I See Is You / All Cried Out
• Oh, Oh What A Kiss / Wednesday's Child
• Only You (Can Break My Heart) / Time Alone Will Tell
• Uptight / Single Girl (with JA and The Jitterbugs)
• Please Don't Go / Cherish
• Shing-A-Ling Time / Somebody to Love

1968

• Ain't No Mountain High Enough / Two Can Have a Party (with The Tilt-Down Men)
• I'm Coming Home / Kiss Me Goodbye
• After You / Why Can't I Remember to Forget You
• Don't Give Up / Everytime I See a Rainbow
• It's a Happening World / Shoot Your Shot
• Bang-Shang-A-Lang / Shotgun
• Son of a Preacher Man /

1969

• The Fool On The Hill / The Horse (Love is All Right)
• Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da / Harper Valley PTA
• Mississippi Delta / The Glory of Love
• I'm a Tiger / Every Day I Have to Cry Some
• This Girl's in Love with You / Where Is Tomorrow
• Those Were the Days / Stay Away from Love
• Bitter Memories / Our Day Will Come
• Boom Bang-A-Bang / The Windmills of Your Mind
• Put a Little Love in Your Heart /

1970

• Evil Ways / Great Big Bundle of Love
• If Ever You Go / Put A Smile on Your Face
• Do the Popcorn / Both Sides Now

1973

• Anytime of the Year / It's a Crying Shame
• A Cowboy's Work Is Never Done / Betcha By Golly, Wow
• Put Your Hand in the Hand / Rose Garden
• Do Me / Somebody Waiting
• Love a Little Longer / Rock and Roll Lullaby

1974

• Doctor's Orders / Only Yesterday
• Please, Mr. Postman / My Melody of Love
• Head Over Heels / Leave a Little Room

Filmography

References

External links

• Helen Gamboa on IMDb