Chiquito (actor)

Chiquito was born Augusto Valdes Pangan in Manila.^[1] His entertainment career began at the age of 13, when he appeared in a major musical production at the Manila Grand Opera House. In the next several years, he was a fixture in the Manila bodabil circuit, popular for his skill in dancing the boogie-woogie.^[2]

Chiquito was befriended by Fernando Poe, Sr., and with Poe's assistance, started a film career.^[2] He broke into films with Sanggano from Palaris Pictures. He would star in over a hundred films, mostly comedies, over the next five decades. He established his own production company, Sotang Bastos Productions, named after his favorite film role from the 1950s. He would ride on the crest of ever popular comedy spoofs of Hollywood genres such as the gangster film and the western.^[3]

In one of these Western spoofs, The Arizona Kid (1971), he co-starred with Hollywood sex symbol Mamie Van Doren.^[3] Chiquito portrayed the very first male version of Darna in the film Teribol Dobol, preceding Dolphy, who only later came out with his own "portrayal" of the superheroine in Darna, Kuno?.^[4] By the 1980s, his brother Rene served as president and general manager of their production companies Sotang Bastos and Archer Productions.^[5]

In 1984, Chiquito was nominated for a FAMAS Best Supporting Actor Award for his role in Lovingly Yours, Helen, a film dramatization of the radio and GMA television show hosted by Helen Vela.^[3] In 1988, a film reuniting Chiquito with Dolphy titled Basura Gang was planned but did not push through.^[6]

Chiquito also entered local politics. He was elected three times as member of the municipal council of Makati, serving from 1969 to 1972, 1988 to 1989,^[3] and from 1995 until his death. He served a brief stint as appointed Vice Mayor of Makati from 1989 to 1992. In 1992, Chiquito made an unsuccessful bid to the Senate of the 9th Congress.^[7] He was a member of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan during his political career.^[8]

In 1994, Chiquito made a brief showbiz comeback when he teamed up with rapper-comedian Andrew E. in the film Pinagbiyak Na Bunga (Lookalayk) under Viva Films. The movie was a big success and later on had a television spin-off that same year entitled Puno't Bunga aired over GMA Network. He later had supporting roles in films like Ang Pagbabalik ni Pedro Penduko (opposite Janno Gibbs), Bangers (with Joey de Leon and Andrew E.), and Strict ang Parents Ko (with Amanda Page).^[7]

He was survived by his widow, Vilma Isidro-Pangan. The couple had seven children.

Chiquito died at age 65 due to liver cancer at the Makati Medical Center on July 1, 1997. Philippine media called the day of his death "the day the laughter died".^[1]

• 1980 – Zodiac Connection [UNCONFIRMED] (Sotang Bastos Productions)
• 1980 – Si Ali-masag sa Maynila (Mercedes Films)
• 1983 – Estong Tutong, Ikalawang Yugto
• 1984 – Kung Tawagin Siya'y Bahala Na (Archer Productions)

In 1984, Chiquito was nominated for a FAMAS Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Lovingly Yours, Helen, a film dramatization of the radio and GMA television show hosted by Helen Vela.

• Maria Teresa Carlson

• Ma. Lourdes Maniquis; Lena Pareja (1994). "Philippine Film". In Nicanor Tiongson (ed.). CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art. Vol. VIII (1st ed.). Manila: Cultural Center of the Philippines. pp. 219–220. ISBN 971-8546-31-6.
• Garcia, Jessie B. (2004). A Movie Album Quizbook. Iloilo City, Philippines: Erehwon Books & Magazine. pp. 75–77. ISBN 971-93297-0-X.

• Chiquito at IMDb