Panchito Alba

Alfonso Tagle y Discher, padre, better known as Panchito Alba or simply Panchito (February 25, 1925[1] – December 18, 1995), was a FAMAS Award-winning Filipino film actor who almost exclusively appeared in comedy roles. He was known for his swarthy looks and a prominent big nose, which was often the target of ridicule. Panchito frequently appeared as a comedic foil to Dolphy, with whom he was best friends in real life.

Panchito Alba
Born
Alfonso Tagle y Discher

(1925-02-25)February 25, 1925
Paco, Manila, Insular Government of the Philippine Islands, U.S.
DiedDecember 18, 1995(1995-12-18) (aged 70)
Parañaque, Philippines
Other namesPanchito
OccupationFilipino comedian and actor
Years active1942–1995
Parent(s)Etang Discher (mother)
AwardsFAMAS Best Supporting Actor
1955 Lupang Kayumanggi

Biography

Panchito was born in Paco, Manila.[1] His mother, Etang Discher, became a prominent film actress beginning in the 1940s, often being cast in villainous roles. One of his brothers, Emil Tagle, also became a film actor. He was married with children. His aunt, Elaina Discher, was also a Filipina actress. Panchito's career in show business began in 1942 when he joined a bodabil troupe called "Travel Stage Show" which performed in various theaters in Japanese-occupied Manila.[1] The then-14-year-old Dolphy was also a member of the troupe, thus beginning a lifelong association.

Film career

Panchito's film career began when he, along with Dolphy, were cast by Sampaguita Pictures in the Tita Duran-Pancho Magalona musical Sa Isang Sulyap Mo, Tita. It was a career that lasted until his death. In 1955, Panchito was awarded the FAMAS Best Supporting Actor award for his role in Lupang Kayumanggi. His film career thrived despite his involvement in a 1964 mauling incident in Quezon City that led to the filing of a criminal information against him and several others for frustrated murder,[2] though the case against him would be later dismissed.

Panchito is perhaps best known for his over 50-plus film team-ups with Dolphy in such movies as Kalabog en Bosyo (1959); Beatnik (1960); Si Lucio at Miguel (1962); Pepe and Pilar (1966); Pacifica Falayfay (1969); Fefita Fofongay (1973); Bugoy (1979); and Bakit Kinagat ni Adan ang Mansanas ni Eba? (1989). The partnership likewise extended to television, where the duo would co-star in an ABS-CBN variety show, Buhay Artista (1965–1972). The tandem was famous for a comedic duet routine wherein one would interrupt the other to offer a mangled translation of a Tagalog lyric into English or vice versa. On July 4, 1966, Dolphy and Panchito opened for The Beatles at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex during that band's infamously abbreviated concert tour of Manila.[3]

Apart from his partnership with Dolphy, Panchito became known as a supporting player in many other film comedies. He was frequently cast as an authority figure such as a policeman, a politician, a father-of-the-family, and memorably, as the hula skirt-clad music teacher of Jaena High School in the Joey de Leon-Rene Requiestas starrer Elvis and James (1989) and as "Paenguin" (a parody of Batman's arch-nemesis The Penguin) in the comedy-spoof Alyas Batman en Robin (1991).

In 1993, Panchito lived for a while in the United States, purportedly to seek treatment after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In early 1995, his best friend Dolphy and nephew Babalu visited him in the States where he was convinced to appear in the movie "Home Sic Home", a comedy film shot both in the Philippines and San Francisco, U.S.A. and produced by Star Cinema. Though his movements were limited throughout the movie due to his medical condition, his comeback was well-received by the viewers. Soon after he decided to come back to the Philippines to resume his showbiz career. His guesting in Home Along da Riles rated high and he was cast in Dolphy and Vandolph's movie "Father en Son". However, while doing some scenes for the film in October 1995, he suffered a stroke that left him comatose. A video of him lying incapacitated in bed aired on Philippine television.

During his comatose period at the hospital, he was able to receive medical and financial support from his former co-stars. Aside from Dolphy, Eat Bulaga main hosts Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon also visited him. He died two months later, on December 18, 1995 at the age of 70, two days after the death of Bert Tawa Marcelo, and two months before his 71st birthday.[4] It was also reported that Dolphy decided to include Panchito's partially-shot scenes in "Father en Son" at the final film cut as tribute to his long-time comic partner.

In 2007, Alpha Music Corporation released an album-compilation entitled The Best of Dolphy & Panchito, featuring 14 comedic duets of the comic tandem.

Filmography
  • Father en Son (1995, released posthumously)
  • Home sic Home (1995)
  • Alyas Batman en Robin (1993) ... Paenguin
  • Sam & Miguel (Your basura, no problema) (1992) (as Panchito Alba) ... Tomas
  • Rocky Plus V (1991)
  • Ali in Wonderland (1991)
  • Barbi for President: First Lady na Rin! (1991)
  • Goosebuster (1991)
  • Espadang patpat (1990)
  • Samson & Goliath (1990)
  • Og Must Be Crazy (1990) ... Temyong
  • Ganda babae, gandang lalake (1990)
  • Crocodile Jones: The Son of Indiana Dundee (1990)
  • Small, Medium en Large (1990) ... Ma El
  • Twist: Ako si ikaw, ikaw si ako (1990) Ka Limot
  • Hotdog (1990)
  • Starzan III: The Jungle Triangle (1989)
  • My Darling Domestic (The Greytest Iskeyp) (1989)
  • Romeo Loves Juliet... But Their Families Hate Each Other! (1989)
  • Gawa na ang balang para sa akin (1989)
  • SuperMouse and the Roborats (1989)
  • Elvis and James, the Living Legends! (1989)
  • Aso't Pusa (1989)
  • Starzan 2: The Adventure Continues (1989)
  • Bote, Dyaryo, Garapa (1989)
  • Long Ranger & Tonton: Shooting Stars of the West (1989) ... General Alfonso Gutierrez
  • Da Best in Da West (1989) ... Inkong Gaspar
  • Balbakwa: The Invisible Man (1989)
  • Bondying: The Little Big Boy (1989)
  • Starzan: Shouting Star of the Jungle (1989)
  • Bagwis (1989)
  • Si Malakas at si Maganda (1989) (as Panchito Alba) ... Ka Ponso
  • Haw-Haw De Karabaw (1988) ... Turo/Al Capone
  • Jack and Jill sa Amerika (1988)
  • Smith & Wesson (1988)
  • Sheman: Mistress of the Universe (1988) ... Tio Paeng
  • Enteng, the Dragon (1988)
  • Bakit Kinagat ni Adan ang Mansanas ni Eba (1988)
  • Jack and Jill (1987)
  • Binibining Tsuperman (1987)
  • Mga Anak ni Facifica Falayfay (1987)
  • Panchito Alba (1987)
  • Ano ka hilo? (1986)
  • Isang platitong mani (1986) ... Nanding
  • No Return, No Exchange (1986)
  • I won, I won (Ang s'werte nga naman) (1986) ... Procapio
  • The Crazy Professor (1985)
  • Momooo (1985)
  • Goatbuster (1985)
  • Isang kumot, tatlong unan (1985) ... Ponso
  • Kalabog en Bosyo Strike Again (1985) .... Bosyo
  • Charot (1984)
  • Sekreta ini (1984)
  • Nang maghalo ang balat sa tinalupan (1984)
  • Goodah (1984)
  • Mga Alagad ng Kuwadradong Mesa (1983)
  • My Juan en Only (1982)
  • Nang Umibig ang Gurang (1982)
  • Dolphy's Angels (1980) (as Panchito Alba) ... Lieutenant Gapos
  • Superhand (1980)
  • Darna at Ding (1980)
  • The Quick Brown Fox (1980)
  • Max & Jess (1979) ... Jess
  • Dancing Master (1979)
  • Kuwatog (1979)
  • Jack N Jill of the Third Kind (1979)
  • Bugoy (1979)
  • Binata ang daddy ko (1977)
  • Silang mga mukhang pera (1977) (as Panchito Alba)
  • Like father, like son: Kung ano ang puno siya ang bunga (1975)
  • My Funny Valentine (1974) ... Joaquin
  • Huli Huli 'Yan (1974)
  • Ang Mahiwagang daigdig ni Pedro Penduko (1973) (as Panchito Alba)
  • Love Pinoy Style (1972)
  • Hiwaga ng Ibong Adarna, Ang (1972)
  • Facifica Falayfay (1969)
  • Dakilang Tanga (1968)
  • Buhay Bombero (1968)
  • Good morning titser (1968)
  • Kaming taga bundok (1968)
  • Kaming taga ilog (1968)
  • Buhay Bumbero (1968)
  • King and Queen for a Day (1963)
  • Tansan vs. Tarsan (1963)
  • Si Adiang Waray (1962)
  • Lab na lab kita (1962)
  • Si Lucio at si Miguel (1962)
  • Tansan the Mighty (1962)
  • Hami-hanimun (1961)
  • Kandidatong pulpol (1961)
  • Operatang sampay bakod (1961)
  • Beatnik (1960)
  • Dobol Trobol (1960)
  • Isinumpa (1959)
  • Pakiusap (1959)
  • Kalabog en Bosyo (1959)
  • Pulot Gata (1958)
  • Silveria (1958)
  • Tawag ng Tanghalan (1958)
  • Colegiala (1957)
  • Diyosa (1957)
  • Lupang Kayumanggi (1956) (as Panchito Alba)
  • Mariposa (1955)
  • Sa dulo ng landas (1955)
  • Waldas (1955)
  • Anak sa Panalangin (1954)
  • Aristokrata (1954)
  • Menor de Edad (1954)
  • Reyna Bandida (1953)
  • D' Godson (1953)
  • Fefita Fofongay (Viuda de Falayfay) (1973)
  • Love Pinoy Style (1953)
  • Son of Fung Ku (1953) ... Gordon

TV shows
  • Buhay Artista (1964) TV Series

Notes
  1. Romel Bacquiran, Jr. (1994). "Philippine Film". In Nicanor Tiongson (ed.). CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art. VIII (1st ed.). Manila: Cultural Center of the Philippines. p. 201. ISBN 971-8546-31-6.
  2. Concepcion, C.J. (1968-07-23). "San Diego v. Hernandez, G.R. No. L-23796, 23 July 1968". Lawphil.net - Arellano University. Supreme Court of the Philippines. Retrieved 2008-01-19.
  3. Salanga, Elyas Isabelo (2007-08-16). "Comedy's dynamic duos". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved 2008-01-19.
  4. "Panchito dead at 70". Manila Standard. 1995-12-19.

He has an extended family in Texas, Washington, and California.

References
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