Bert Marcelo

Norberto "Bert" "Tawa" Joya Marcelo (June 6, 1936 – December 16, 1995) was a prominent Filipino television personality whose trademark high-pitched infectious laughter earned him the popular moniker "Tawa", after the Tagalog word for laugh.

Background

Born in Baliuag, Bulacan, Marcelo's persona as the Filipino everyman, enhanced by his fluency in the Tagalog language and his easy-going friendly nature, made him ideal as the most recognized endorser of the popular San Miguel Beer. Apart from his classic commercials for San Miguel Beer such as Isang Platitong Mani, Marcelo was also best known as the co-host with Pilita Corrales of Ang Bagong Kampeon, a long-running television talent show which discovered Regine Velasquez among other talents. He was also an occasional actor in films, as well in television sitcoms such as Baltic and Company in the 1970s.

Death

Marcelo died at the peak of his career when he suffered a fatal stroke, shortly after losing the 1995 gubernatorial election for the province of Bulacan on December 16, 1995 and two days before the death of fellow actor/comedian Panchito Alba.

Memorabilia of Bert Marcelo (Baliuag, Bulacan museum).

Filmography

Television

• Ang Bagong Kampeon (RPN 9, 1985–1988)
• Kalatog Pinggan (BBC (now ABS-CBN) 1985-1989)
• Tanghalan ng Kampeon (GMA Network, 1987–1993)
• Prinsipe Abante (GMA Network, 1977–1980)
• Agrisiyete (GMA Network, 1991–1995)
• Negosiyete (GMA Network, 1991-1994)
• Baltic and Company (GMA Network, 1974–1976)

Cinema

• Everlasting Love (1989)
• Isang Platitong Mani (1986)
• Mga mata ni Angelita (1978)
• Kapten Batuten en his super batuta (1977)
• Tisoy! (1977)
• Wanakosay (1977)
• Oh Margie Oh (1974)
• The Panther (1973)
• Ang pangalan ko'y Luray (1971)
• Padre, si Eba (1971)
• D' Musical Teenage Idols! (1969)
• Tisoy (1969)
• Brownout (1969)
• Teenage Escapades! (1969)
• Tore ng diyablo (1969)
• Pomposa: Ang kabayong tsismosa (1968)

External links

• Bert Marcelo at the Internet Movie Database