Ronaldo Valdez

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Dulaca and the surname or paternal family name is Gibbs.

Ronald James Dulaca Gibbs (November 27, 1947 – December 17, 2023), popularly known by his screen name Ronaldo Valdez (Tagalog: [ɾɔˈnɐldɔ bɐlˈdɛs]), was a Filipino actor whose career spanned almost five decades.

Ronaldo Valdez
Valdez on a film poster for Seven Sundays (2017)
Born	Ronald James Dulaca Gibbs (1947-11-27)November 27, 1947 Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines
Died	December 17, 2023(2023-12-17) (aged 76) Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1966–2023
Spouse	Maria Fe Ilagan Gibbs (separated)[1]
Children	2 (including Janno Gibbs)[2]
Relatives	Bing Loyzaga (daughter-in-law) Gerardo De Leon (father-in-law; deceased)

Career

Valdez started his earlier career as a leading man and was known for portraying paternal roles and antagonists in both TV and film.

Valdez was discovered by Dolphy at a neighborhood basketball court while he was searching for a new actor to pair with Susan Roces in the 1966 film Pepe En Pilar.^[3] His first major break came in the 1969 movie The Mad Doctor of Blood Island.^[4]

Valdez subsequently did many films in the 1970s and 1980s, where he gained popularity playing important father roles and rich father figures. He continued to be cast in this role in the 1990s and 2000s, most notably in TV dramas such as Mula sa Puso (1997–1999), Ang Munting Paraiso (1999–2002) and Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan (2001–2003), and the romantic comedy movie Labs Kita... Okey Ka Lang? (1998). To later generations, he was known for starring in TV series such as Los Bastardos (2018–2019) and 2 Good 2 Be True (2022), and films such as The Mistress (2012), All You Need Is Pag-ibig (2015) and Seven Sundays (2017). He also guest-hosted several television programs such as SOP Rules, Nuts Entertainment, Eat Bulaga!, Kakasa Ka Ba sa Grade 5?, Power of 10, All Star K! and Sunday All Stars.^[5]

In 2017, Valdez was selected by KFC to become the first Filipino Colonel after appearing in a viral comedic audition video for the role alongside Leo Martinez and Pen Medina.^[6][7]

His last two films that he was part of, GG (Good Game): The Movie (co-starring Donny Pangilinan, Maricel Laxa, Baron Geisler & Gold Aceron) and Itutumba Ka ng Tatay Ko (top-billed by his son Janno Gibbs in his directorial debut and starring Xia Vigor and Jeric Raval), were both posthumously released on January 24, 2024.^[8][9]

Personal life

Valdez was married to Maria Fe Ilagan with whom they had two children, Janno and Melissa, who are both actors.^[10][3] He is also related to the Ilagan clan through his father-in-law Gerardo De Leon, Maria Fe's father, among whom are actors Jay Ilagan, Robert Arevalo and wife Barbara Perez, and Kenneth Ilagan, and to cousin Angelo Castro Jr. and wife June Keithley, and nephew Mondo Castro through his uncle, the former Chief Justice Fred Ruiz Castro.

In 2022, Valdez underwent surgery for prostate cancer.^[11]

Death

Valdez died at the age of 76 on December 17, 2023, in Quezon City.^[12] The Daily Tribune, citing police investigators, reported that he had died from a gunshot wound to the head,^[13] although the Quezon City Police District said it was waiting for the results of laboratory testing to be released.^[14][15] Authorities later confirmed that a .45 caliber pistol with an empty magazine was found near Valdez’s body.^[12] He was discovered by his driver in his room at his home in New Manila and was rushed to hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.^[16][14]

Following his death, three police officers were fired after graphic footage taken by first responders of the immediate aftermath of Valdez being found shot was leaked online. The Quezon City government ordered an investigation into the leak while Valdez's manager Jamela Santos threatened legal action against those responsible. Three civilians who also uploaded the footage on social media were also charged for cybercrime offenses and breaches of privacy laws.^[17][18][19] On January 16, 2024, the Quezon City Police District apologized to Valdez's family over the footage and subsequent leak.^[20]

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Company
1966	Pepe en Pilar		RVQ Productions
1969	The Mad Doctor of Blood Island	Carlos Lopez	Hemisphere Pictures
1971	Lumuluha Pati Mga Anghel		Lea Productions
	Lilet	Dr. Edgar Leynes	Velarde & Associates Productions, Inc.
1974	Kung Bakit Dugo ang Kulay ng Gabi		AA Productions
	Fe, Esperanza, Caridad	Ronaldo / Satan	Premiere Productions
	Daigdig ng Sindak at Lagim		MVN Cinema
	Dalawa ang Nagdalantao sa Akin		Rosas Productions
1975	Banaue: Stairway to the Sky	Aruk	NV Productions
	Sa Ibabaw ng Lahat		Gloria Diaz Productions
	Niño Valiente		L.V. Productions
	Langit, Lupa at Impiyerno (Pandemonium)		Emperor Films International
	Ang Pag-ibig Ko'y Huwag Mong Sukatin		Lea Productions
1976	Hindi Kami Damong Ligaw		Lyra Ventures
	Tatlong Kasalanan		Sampaguita Pictures
	Magsikap: Kayod sa Araw, Kayod sa Gabi		Regal Films
	Kung Bakit May Ulap ang Mukha ng Buwan		Archipelago Films Inc.
	Mapang-akit... ang Dilim ng Gabi		LM Film Productions
1977	Electrika Kasi, Eh!		Alleluia Pictures, Inc.
	Ang Diwata		GPS Productions
	Hagkan Mo ang Dugo sa Kamay ni Venus		Celoro Films
	Pang Adults Lamang		Emperor Films International
	Babae... Ngayon at Kailanman		Melros Production
1978	Iwasan: Kabaret		Regal Films
	Sari-Saring Ibong Kulasisi		Zap Film Productions
1979	Iskandalo!		Regal Films
	Ikaw... at ang Gabi		Diosa Productions
1981	Karma	Eric	Sining Silangan Productions
	Mahinhin vs Mahinhin	Peter	Sine Silangan
1982	Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan?	Eric	Viva Films
1983	Palabra de Honor
1984	May Daga sa Labas ng Lungga	Ador/Adora the Adorable	Essex Films
1985	Lalakwe	Eric Verbo
1986	Napakasakit, Kuya Eddie	Mello	Special People
1987	Bunsong Kerubin	Carding / Carling	Regal Films
	Walang Karugtong ang Nakaraan	Mel	Viva Films
1989	Huwag Kang Hahalik sa Diablo	Satan	Regal Films
1990	Bad Boy	Ninong Rustico	Viva Films
1991	Sa Kabila ng Lahat	Mayor Ventura Velasco
1993	Ronquillo: Tubong Cavite, Laking Tondo	Cesar Moreno	Star Cinema Regal Films
	May Minamahal	Cenon Fernandez
1995	Campus Girls	Ramon	Viva Films
	Ipaglaban Mo! The Movie	Rosendo de Castro	Star Cinema
	I Love You Sabado!!!	Juan’s father	Viva Films
	The Flor Contemplacion Story	Atty. Romeo Capulong
	The Grepor Butch Belgica Story	Don Porfirio Belgica
	Karanasan: The Claudia Zobel Story		Venus Films
1996	Tubusin Mo ng Bala ang Puso Ko	Alfredo	OctoArts Films
	Virgin People 2	Ama	Four Aces Films
	Cedie	Earl of Dorincourt	Star Cinema
	Isla (The Young Version)		Four Aces Films
1998	Labs Kita... Okey Ka Lang?	Kanor	Star Cinema
	Armadong Hudas	Miguel Reyes / Don Leo Segovia	OctoArts Films GMA Films
1999	Tik Tak Toys, My Kolokotoys	Don Martin	Star Cinema
	Oo Na, Mahal Na Kung Mahal	Tito Paul
2003	Till There Was You	Alfonso Robles
2006	Sukob	Fred
2008	When Love Begins	Leo Caballero	Star Cinema Viva Films
2010	Rosario	The priest	Cinemabuhay International Studio 5
2011	Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow	Donald	Regal Films
2012	The Mistress	Frederico "Rico" Torres Sr.	Star Cinema
2013	My Lady Boss	Carlos Strella	Regal Films GMA Pictures
2015	All You Need Is Pag-Ibig	Jaime	Star Cinema
2016	Girlfriend for Hire	Bernard "Abuelito" Stanford	Viva Films
2017	Seven Sundays	Brgy. Capt. Manuel Bonifacio	Star Cinema
2018	I Love You, Hater	Cesar
	Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles	Antonio Montenegro	APT Entertainment CCM Film Productions M-Zet Productions
2021	Mang Jose	Super Lapu-Lapu	Viva Films
2023	Ikaw at Ako
2024	Itutumba Ka ng Tatay Ko
	GG (Good Game): The Movie		MediaQuest

Television

Year	Title	Role	Network
1983	BLU: Bernardo, Lorenzo, Ulysses		City2 Television
1997–1999	Mula sa Puso	Benjamin	ABS-CBN
1998	Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako	Recurring Role
1999–2002	Ang Munting Paraiso	Martin Dionisio
2001–2003	Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan	Don Teodoro / Miguel Crisostomo
2002–2003	Bituin	Amante Montesilverio
2004	Maalaala Mo Kaya: Upuan	Rene Cayetano
	Marinara	Don Juan Miguel	GMA Network
2005–2006	Sugo	Arando
2005–2007	Bahay Mo Ba 'To?	Nene Mulingtapang / Unyo
2007	Asian Treasures	Ulysses Agoncillo / Plaridel
2007–2008	Carlo J. Caparas' Kamandag	Don Pepe
2008	Full House	Lorenzo Lazatin
	My Girl	Gregory "Greg" Abueva	ABS-CBN
2008–2009	I Love Betty La Fea	Hermes Tingson
2009	Maalaala Mo Kaya: Bisikleta	Lolo Uge	ABS-CBN
2009–2010	Full House	Lorenzo Lazatin	GMA Network
2010	Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo	Rustico "Supremo" Crisanto	ABS-CBN
2011	Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin	Gen. Jaime Sebastiano
	100 Days to Heaven	Attorney Galileo "Leo" Fonacier
2011–2012	Glamorosa	Don Manolo Herrera / Lolo Rambo	TV5
2012	Dahil sa Pag-ibig	Don Ramon Velasco	ABS-CBN
2012–2013	Ina, Kapatid, Anak	Zacharias "Lolo Zach" Apolinario
2013	Kahit Nasaan Ka Man	Lolo Tino Gomez	GMA Network
	Wansapanataym: Sako Lantern	Santa Claus	ABS-CBN
2014	Ikaw Lamang	Don Maximo Salazar
2015	Healing Hearts	Benjie	GMA Network
	Pasión de Amor	Don Bernardo Elizondo	ABS-CBN
	FPJ's Ang Probinsyano	Leonardo Demetrio / Conrado "Ninong" Villegas
	Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal	Himself/lucky player
2016	My Super D	Don Ramoncito "Ramon" Zulueta
	Magpahanggang Wakas	Antonio "Tony" Sandoval
2017	Meant to Be	Enrico "Ric" Villaroman	GMA Network
2018–2019	Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Los Bastardos	Don Roman Cardinal	ABS-CBN
2021	John en Ellen	Don Lucky	TV5
2022	2 Good 2 Be True	Sebastian Hugo "Lolo Sir" Agcaoili	Kapamilya Channel / A2Z / TV5

Awards and nominations

Ronaldo Valdez was one of the few actors who have won all four of the major awards in the Philippines for the same work. He joined the exclusive Grand Slam club in 1994, when he won the Best Supporting Actor awards in the Film Academy of the Philippines Awards, FAMAS Awards, Gawad Urian, and the Star Awards for his role in May Minamahal.^[21]

Year	Award	Category	Nominated work	Result	Ref.
1994	Film Academy of the Philippines Awards	Best Supporting Actor	May Minamahal	Won	[22]
	Gawad Urian			Won	[21]
	FAMAS Awards			Won
	Star Awards for Movies			Won
1997	Metro Manila Film Festival	Best Supporting Actor	Nasaan ang Puso?	Won	[23][24]
2013	27th Star Awards for TV	Best Drama Supporting Actor	Ina Kapatid Anak	Nominated	[25]
2014	28th Star Awards for TV	Best Drama Supporting Actor	Ikaw Lamang	Nominated	[26]
2015	Golden Screen TV Awards	Helen Vela Lifetime Achievement Award for Drama	—	Won	[27]