Palito
Encyclopedia
Palito was a veteran Filipino
slapstick comedian
and actor
who was at the height of his career in the 1970s and 80s. He was well-known for his unusually light and thin anatomy, thus earning him the self-deprecating screenname Palito, which is Spanish for stick, understood in Filipino as matchstick or toothpick.
, near the house of Dr. Jose Rizal
or the Rizal Shrine
. As a teenager in the 1950s, he took job as a dishwasher in a restaurant called Alex Soda Fountain, located beside the Cine Odeon in Calle Azcarraga (now C.M. Recto). With the restaurant being a hangout of movie-stars, he would be discovered by Lauro Santiago of Santiago Productions.
He was only 21 when he first discovered the world of stage acting. A student of Arellano University
in Manila, he decided to choose acting over his studies around 1959. Palito started as an "extra" in the 1960 Prinsipe Amante movie, starring the then superstar Rogelio dela Rosa. One of his early movies was Pitong Zapata in 1965. His first non-extra role was that as a sidekick of Jun Aristorenas in the late 60s film Bingbong at Dodong. At first, he was cast in straight action films. But because of his thinness, he was groomed as a comedian. With moneymaking films, he would then join the cast of films with Fernando Poe Jr., Dolphy
, Chiquito, Panchito
, Pugo & Togo, Pugak at Tugak, Ramon Revilla, Sr., and many other big names in Philippine cinema.
In the late 1970s, the decline of Philippine movies and emergence of "Bomba" films hurt Palito's career. The action and comedy films which Palito made were not being made as they used to. Those were the times when Palito lost many of his investments.
Palito's career had a brief resurgence then later peaked in the 1980s. He starred in several comedy movies parodying American action films, such as Rambuto,a Rambo
spoof, the title being a pun of the Tagalog word buto which means "bone", again to capitalize on his being "thin-boned", and a James Bond
spoof, James Bone, where he plays an emaciated version of the secret agent
. Other popular movies of his were No Blood, Kumander Kalansalay, Walang Matigas na Buto sa Gutom na Aso, and Rambo Tango.
He would also been known as a star in a lot of kitsch Pinoy horror films as a zombie/corpse. His sunken hollow eyes and reed-thin body, while not aesthetically-pleasing in the popular sense, fit the corpse-like demeanor that local filmmakers love to utilize.
Palito laid low from Philippine cinema in the 90's, only occasionally playing bit parts, like in the 1992 film by contemporary comedian/actor Dolphy, Home Along The River, a send-up of the popular American Home Alone
franchise.
On June 17, 2004, burgeoning comedy actor Vhong Navarro
portrayed the veteran comedian in a TV real-life drama series, Maalaala Mo Kaya
, focusing on his life story as a survivor of the Japanese occupation during World War II
and his heyday as a slapstick comedian during the 1970s and 1980s.
Palito starred in an independent film, Enterpool: Senior Citizen in Action, released 24 August 2005, in the midst of the decline of Philippine cinema. While it was received well by nostalgic movie-goers and local movie critics, it failed to take the general public's notice due to lack of promotion and marketing. His last movie was M.O.N.A.Y. in 2007.
Palito's family, the Hipolitos, sold their house in Pacita Complex in San Pedro
, Laguna in 2004 and moved to Imus
, Cavite
for a smaller place in a low-cost housing subdivision in Cavite.
Once voted as one of the top ten Filipino comedians of all-time, Palito engaged in small stage shows to make a living in his last years. He had a low-paying job performing a live music show Tuesday evenings in a small casino in Sta. Cruz, Manila.
. After coming home from work on 6 April 2010, he was rushed to the Imus Family Hospital due to complaints of serious stomach pain. He was later transferred to the ward section of Philippine General Hospital
on the same night.
Mark Escueta, drummer of the band Rivermaya
who worked with Palito for the music video of their single “Ambotsa,” was the first to break the news of Palito's illness via Facebook
. Several young celebrities called for donations through respective Twitter
accounts while help was extended from showbiz colleagues. Among visitors was former Philippine president Joseph Estrada
.
Palito was declared dead at 7:05 a.m. on April 12, 2010 in the Philippine General Hospital from a lung complication
.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
slapstick comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
who was at the height of his career in the 1970s and 80s. He was well-known for his unusually light and thin anatomy, thus earning him the self-deprecating screenname Palito, which is Spanish for stick, understood in Filipino as matchstick or toothpick.
Biography
Born as Reynaldo Alfredo R. Hipolito, Sr., Palito was born in Calamba, LagunaCalamba City
Calamba City is a first class component city located in the province of Laguna, Philippines. Situated only 54 kilometers south of Manila, about an hour by chartered bus, Calamba City is a popular tourist destination with its hot spring resorts, most of the resorts are located in Barangay Pansol...
, near the house of Dr. Jose Rizal
José Rizal
José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda , was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot and is listed as one of the national heroes of the Philippines by...
or the Rizal Shrine
Rizal Shrine
The Rizal Shrine dedicated to the lifework of José Rizal is located on Santa Clara Street, Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila, 1002 Philippines....
. As a teenager in the 1950s, he took job as a dishwasher in a restaurant called Alex Soda Fountain, located beside the Cine Odeon in Calle Azcarraga (now C.M. Recto). With the restaurant being a hangout of movie-stars, he would be discovered by Lauro Santiago of Santiago Productions.
He was only 21 when he first discovered the world of stage acting. A student of Arellano University
Arellano University
Arellano University is a private, nonsectarian university located in Manila, Philippines, established in 1938 by Florentino Cayco, Sr. as the Arellano Law College which was later known as Arellano Colleges...
in Manila, he decided to choose acting over his studies around 1959. Palito started as an "extra" in the 1960 Prinsipe Amante movie, starring the then superstar Rogelio dela Rosa. One of his early movies was Pitong Zapata in 1965. His first non-extra role was that as a sidekick of Jun Aristorenas in the late 60s film Bingbong at Dodong. At first, he was cast in straight action films. But because of his thinness, he was groomed as a comedian. With moneymaking films, he would then join the cast of films with Fernando Poe Jr., Dolphy
Dolphy
Rodolfo Vera Quizon, Sr. , known by his screen name Dolphy, is a Filipino comedian-actor in the Philippines. He has appeared in a number of works on stage, radio, television and movies.-Biography:Dolphy was born on P. Herrera St...
, Chiquito, Panchito
Panchito Alba
Panchito Alba was a FAMAS award-winning Filipino film actor who almost exclusively appeared in comedy roles. He was billed as either "Panchito Alba" or simply "Panchito". Known for his swarthy looks and a prominent big nose, which was often the target of ridicule...
, Pugo & Togo, Pugak at Tugak, Ramon Revilla, Sr., and many other big names in Philippine cinema.
In the late 1970s, the decline of Philippine movies and emergence of "Bomba" films hurt Palito's career. The action and comedy films which Palito made were not being made as they used to. Those were the times when Palito lost many of his investments.
Palito's career had a brief resurgence then later peaked in the 1980s. He starred in several comedy movies parodying American action films, such as Rambuto,a Rambo
Rambo
Rambo is an action film series based on the David Morrell novel First Blood and starring Sylvester Stallone as John Rambo, a troubled Vietnam War veteran and former Green Beret who is skilled in many aspects of survival, weaponry, hand to hand combat and guerrilla warfare...
spoof, the title being a pun of the Tagalog word buto which means "bone", again to capitalize on his being "thin-boned", and a James Bond
James Bond (film series)
The James Bond film series is a British series of motion pictures based on the fictional character of MI6 agent James Bond , who originally appeared in a series of books by Ian Fleming. Earlier films were based on Fleming's novels and short stories, followed later by films with original storylines...
spoof, James Bone, where he plays an emaciated version of the secret agent
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
. Other popular movies of his were No Blood, Kumander Kalansalay, Walang Matigas na Buto sa Gutom na Aso, and Rambo Tango.
He would also been known as a star in a lot of kitsch Pinoy horror films as a zombie/corpse. His sunken hollow eyes and reed-thin body, while not aesthetically-pleasing in the popular sense, fit the corpse-like demeanor that local filmmakers love to utilize.
Palito laid low from Philippine cinema in the 90's, only occasionally playing bit parts, like in the 1992 film by contemporary comedian/actor Dolphy, Home Along The River, a send-up of the popular American Home Alone
Home Alone
Home Alone is a 1990 American Christmas comedy film written and produced by John Hughes and directed by Chris Columbus. The film stars Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister, an eight-year-old boy, who is mistakenly left behind when his family flies to Paris for their Christmas vacation...
franchise.
On June 17, 2004, burgeoning comedy actor Vhong Navarro
Vhong Navarro
Vhong Navarro is a Filipino actor, comedian, dancer, singer, and host at ABS-CBN. He is part of the dance group Streetboys in the Philippines.-Career:...
portrayed the veteran comedian in a TV real-life drama series, Maalaala Mo Kaya
Maalaala Mo Kaya
Maalaala Mo Kaya is a Philippine drama anthology series broadcast on ABS-CBN every Saturday evening and being hosted by Charo Santos-Concio. Currently, it became the longest-running drama anthology on Philippine television and on Asia...
, focusing on his life story as a survivor of the Japanese occupation during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and his heyday as a slapstick comedian during the 1970s and 1980s.
Palito starred in an independent film, Enterpool: Senior Citizen in Action, released 24 August 2005, in the midst of the decline of Philippine cinema. While it was received well by nostalgic movie-goers and local movie critics, it failed to take the general public's notice due to lack of promotion and marketing. His last movie was M.O.N.A.Y. in 2007.
Palito's family, the Hipolitos, sold their house in Pacita Complex in San Pedro
San Pedro, Laguna
The City of San Pedro is a first class Municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. It is named after its patron saint, Saint Peter. San Pedro is Laguna's gateway to Metro Manila since it lies on the boundary with Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila's southernmost city...
, Laguna in 2004 and moved to Imus
Imus
-Places:* Imus, Cavite, a Philippine municipality*Imus Ranch, an American cattle ranch and children's charity-People:* Don Imus, an American television and radio host* Fred Imus, an American radio host and the younger brother of radio talk show host Don Imus...
, Cavite
Cavite
Cavite is a province of the Philippines located on the southern shores of Manila Bay in the CALABARZON region in Luzon, just 30 kilometers south of Manila. Cavite is surrounded by Laguna to the east, Metro Manila to the northeast, and Batangas to the south...
for a smaller place in a low-cost housing subdivision in Cavite.
Once voted as one of the top ten Filipino comedians of all-time, Palito engaged in small stage shows to make a living in his last years. He had a low-paying job performing a live music show Tuesday evenings in a small casino in Sta. Cruz, Manila.
Personal life
He was married with Remedios Zapanta and 4 children: Cristy, Gerardo, Danilo and Reynaldo Jr. With stepson Kent with grandchildren.Illness and death
In the first quarter of 2010, Palito, a known smoker, was being confined at a hospital for a month due to lung problemsRespiratory disease
Respiratory disease is a medical term that encompasses pathological conditions affecting the organs and tissues that make gas exchange possible in higher organisms, and includes conditions of the upper respiratory tract, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, pleura and pleural cavity, and the...
. After coming home from work on 6 April 2010, he was rushed to the Imus Family Hospital due to complaints of serious stomach pain. He was later transferred to the ward section of Philippine General Hospital
Philippine General Hospital
The Philippine General Hospital is a tertiary state-owned hospital administered and operated by the University of the Philippines Manila, the University of the Philippines System's Health Sciences Center. It is the largest government hospital administered by the university, and is designated as...
on the same night.
Mark Escueta, drummer of the band Rivermaya
Rivermaya
Rivermaya is one of the most influential, critically acclaimed and significant Filipino rock band formed in 1993. They are one of the several bands who spearheads the 90s Philippine alternative rock explosion...
who worked with Palito for the music video of their single “Ambotsa,” was the first to break the news of Palito's illness via Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
. Several young celebrities called for donations through respective Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
accounts while help was extended from showbiz colleagues. Among visitors was former Philippine president Joseph Estrada
Joseph Estrada
Joseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada was the 13th President of the Philippines, serving from 1998 until 2001. Estrada was the first person in the Post-EDSA era to be elected both to the presidency and vice-presidency.Estrada gained popularity as a film actor, playing the lead role in over 100 films in...
.
Palito was declared dead at 7:05 a.m. on April 12, 2010 in the Philippine General Hospital from a lung complication
Complication (medicine)
Complication, in medicine, is an unfavorable evolution of a disease, a health condition or a medical treatment. The disease can become worse in its severity or show a higher number of signs, symptoms or new pathological changes, become widespread throughout the body or affect other organ systems. A...
.
Movies
| M.O.N.A.Y (Misteyks obda neyson adres Yata) ni Mr. Shooli | 2007 | |
| Enterpol | 2004 | |
| Home Alone da Riber | 2002 | Kumander Dengue |
| Tik Tak Toys: My Kolokotoys | 1999 | Man in All White |
| Wow... Multo! | 1997 | Elevator Man |
| Hataw tatay hataw | 1994 | Don Ramon |
| Baby Paterno | 1994 | Dugong pulis |
| Sobra talaga | 1994 | |
| Walang matigas na buto sa gutom na aso | 1993 | |
| Pempe ni Sara at Pen | 1992 | Pempe's Passenger |
| Isang salop na bala | 1990 | |
| Kabayo Kids | 1990 | Judas |
| Twist: Ako si ikaw, ikaw si ako | 1990 | Watch Buyer |
| Wooly Booly: Ang classmate kong alien | 1989 | |
| Bote, dyaryo, garapa | 1989 | |
| M & M: The Incredible Twins | 1989 | |
| Pardina at ang mga duwende | 1989 | Canuto |
| Magic to Love | 1989 | Payat |
| Yes, yes, yo kabayong kutsero | 1989 | |
| Pepeng Kuryente | 1988 | Toothpick |
| Sheman: Mistress of the Universe | 1988 | Skeleton |
| Super Inday and the Golden Bibe | 1988 | |
| Penoy... Balut | 1988 | |
| Kambal tuko | 1988 | Papay |
| Love boat: Mahal trip kita | 1988 | Mandurukot |
| Love Letters | 1988 | Hercules (segment "Episode 3: Eternally") |
| BoboCop | 1987 | |
| Family Tree | 1987 | |
| Balimbing (Mga taong hunyango) | 1986 | |
| Horsey-horsey: Tigidig-tigidig | 1986 | Ka Byong |
| Isang platitong mani | 1986 | |
| No Blood, No Surrender | 1986 | |
| Rocky Four-ma | 1986 | |
| Super Islaw and the Flying Kids | 1986 | Pepe |
| Working Boys | 1986 | Bogart |
| Inday Bote | 1985 | Duwende |
| Mama Said Papa Said I Love You | 1985 | |
| Rambuto | 1985 | |
| John & Marsha '85 (Sa probinsiya) | 1985 | |
| Mga kwento ni Lola Basyang | 1985 | Zambo (segment "Zombies") |
| Ride on Baby | 1985 | Punkistina's Henchman 1 |
| Super wan-tu-tri | 1985 | |
| Naku ha! | 1984 | |
| Barok Goes to Hong Kong | 1984 | |
| Give Me Five! | 1984 | |
| Rambo Tan-go | 1984 | |
| Atsay Killer | 1983 | |
| Mang Kepweng and Son | 1983 | |
| Tatlo silang tatay ko | 1982 | |
| Cross My Heart | 1982 | |
| Manedyer... si kumander | 1982 | |
| Mga kanyon ni Mang Simeon | 1982 | |
| Bilibid Gays | 1981 | |
| A Man Called 'Tolongges' | 1981 | Djangolat |
| Pabling | 1981 | |
| Enteng-Anting | 1980 | |
| Darna at Ding | 1980 | |
| Hepe | 1980 | |
| Juan Tamad Junior | 1980 | |
| Nognog | 1980 | |
| Kuwatog | 1979 | |
| Isa... Dalawa... Tatlo... Ang tatay kong kalbo | 1979 | |
| Mahal... ginagabi ka na naman | 1979 | |
| Mang Kepweng | 1979 | |
| Tatay na barok | 1979 | |
| Sabi barok lab ko dabiana | 1978 | |
| Barok | 1976 | |
| Buhawi | 1973 | |
| Pitong Zapata | 1965 |
Television shows
- Home Along Da Riles (ABS-CBN)
- Home Along Da Airport (ABS-CBN)
- O-Ha! (ABC)
- Quizon Avenue (ABS-CBN)