Theater, film and television actor Chinggoy Alonso passed away last Sunday at the age of 67. He had been battling colon cancer for several years.
A revered figure in Philippine theater where he started his acting career, Alonso played several lead roles in numerous Repertory Philippines productions including “My Fair Lady” as Professor Henry Higgins, “The Sound of Music” as Captain Von Trapp, “The King and I” as the King of Siam, “Man of La Mancha” as Don Quixote and “Camelot” as King Arthur.
For his work in theater, he won the the Aliw Award for Best Actor in 1977 as well the Karilagan Award for Best Performer/Director for three successive years, 1974 to 1976, among other honors.
But the actor is perhaps best known to the general public as a cast member of several popular teleseryes including “Sana ay Ikaw na Nga,” “Dahil May Isang Ikaw,” “May Bukas Pa,” “Indio,” “Got to Believe,” “Hahamakin ang Lahat,” and, most recently, “Wildflower.”
On the big screen, Alonso was in the cast of films like “Ikaw Naman ang Iiyak,” “Santa Santita,” “Moments of Love,” “Resiklo,” “My Valentine Girls,” “The Healing,” and “Etiquette for Mistresses.” He received a FAMAS nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in “Ikaw Naman ang Iiyak.”
Known for his signature moustache which 8list.ph ranked as one of only eight “epic” facial hair in Philippine cinema history, Alonso often played dignified figures like politicians, tycoons and priests, among others.
Seasoned theater actor Audie Gemora, now the entertainment director of Solaire Resort & Casino called Alonso “an exemplary thespian who paved the way for many of us who followed the path of the Great White Way” in his Facebook post.
“He was full of life, and able to talk about anything and everything under the sun (and stars, during those late night tapings),” fellow actor and The Dawn lead singer Jett Pangan posted.
Theater actress Liesl Batucan also paid tribute to the actor on Facebook. “I will always remember your iconic roles: your Higgins in My Fair Lady, your Thenardier in Les Miz and my personal favorite–your Elvis-channeling Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! In all the times I worked with you at REP, you always had a ready warm welcoming smile for everyone. Everyone. You will be dearly missed,” Batucan wrote.
His son, Ralion, also briefly dabbled in acting.