Lito Legaspi

Lito Legaspi (born Ludovico A. Legaspi, September 10, 1941 – September 8, 2019)[1] was a Filipino actor both in movies and television in the Philippines. He was the father of actors Zoren Legaspi, Kier Legaspi, and Brando Legaspi. He won Gawad Urian Award for Best Supporting Actor in Sinong Kapiling? Sinong Kasiping? (1977).

Lito Legaspi
Born
Ludovico A. Legaspi

(1941-09-10)September 10, 1941[1]
Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Philippine Commonwealth
DiedSeptember 8, 2019(2019-09-08) (aged 77)[1]
San Juan, Metro Manila[1]
Resting placeCaryana Monastery, Magalang, Pampanga, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
OccupationActor
Years active1959–2019
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Children

Personal Life

He was born in Marikina City (when it was still part of Rizal) to Augusto Legaspi and Florentino Angeles. He has 10 siblings.[2]

Early career

He appeared in 1959 comedy film Ipinagbili Kami Ng Aming Tatay, starring Dolphy. In 1963, Sampaguita Pictures introduced Legaspi together with teenage stars such as Rosemarie Sonora, Gina Pareño, Dindo Fernando, Pepito Rodriguez, Romeo Rivera and Bert Leroy, Jr., among others. Legaspi made his debut in Sampaguita Pictures' Lab na Lab Kita alongside Susan Roces then appeared in Joey, Eddie & Lito, paired with Liberty Ilagan.[3] He became a matinee idol like Eddie Gutierrez, Jose Mari Gonzales, Romeo Vasquez, Greg Martin and Juancho Gutierrez.

After his contract with Sampaguita expired, he went freelancing in the 70s. He played an impotent husband in the movie Uhaw (1970) with Merle Fernandez and Tito Galla, directed by Ruben Abalos.

Later career

He played Mayor Joaquin Montejo in Esperanza on ABS-CBN, starring Judy Ann Santos in 1997. He also played as Governor in Makapiling Kang Muli, GMA Network's primetime television series.

As a veteran actor, he appeared in more than 120 movies and television shows since 1959.

He was inducted to the Eastwood City Walk of Fame in December 2014 for his contribution in movie and TV acting.[4]

Personal life

Legaspi had 3 children with Hershey, Zoren, Kier and Brando who are also prospective movie actors. His daughter-in-law (Zoren's wife), Carmina Villaroel-Legaspi is an actress and TV presenter. His grandchildren, fraternal twins Maverick and Cassandra (children of Zoren and Carmina) and Dani Barretto (daughter of Kier and actress Marjorie Barretto) are in show business as well. In 2019, Dani Barretto wed Xavi Panlilio with child Millie, born in 2019.[5][6]

Health and death

On September 6, 2019, Legaspi was rushed to the Cardinal Santos Memorial Medical Center after having chest pains. He later died from cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at around 10:00 AM on September 8, 2019, two days before his 78th birthday. He was buried at Caryana Monastery in Magalang, Pampanga.[7]

Selected filmography

Film
YearTitleRoleProducer
1959Wedding BellsLito
1961Joey, Eddie, LitoLito
1963Ang Class ReunionJoselito Moran
1970Marupok
1976Escolta; Mayo 13; Biyernes ng Hapon!
1977Sinong Kapiling? Sinong Kasiping?
Banta ng Kahapon
1990Alyas Baby Face
Angel Cremenal
Alyas Baby FaceSeiko Films
1991Markang Bungo: The Bobby Ortega StoryCol. OrdoñezBonanza Films
Kung Patatawarin Ka ng Bala Ko!RomanMega Films
1992Kapatid Ko si HudasDon Ramon Cordova
Mario SandovalMr. Retareno
1993Tikboy Tikas at Mga Khroaks BoysRafael Montejo
1994Bawal Na Gamot
Iukit Mo sa BalaCongressman ValdezStar Cinema and RRJ Productions Inc.
1995Judge Max Asuncion: Hukom BitayCol. Orlando AberillaViva Films
Markang Bungo 2: Iligpit Si Bobby OrtegaCol. Ordoñez
1996SPO4 Santiago: SharpshooterCol. Deogracias D'Bayan
1997Paano ang Puso Ko?CesarStar Cinema
Sambahin ang Puri KoKara Films
Kulang Ka Lang sa Lambing
1998Dahil Mahal Na Mahal KitaRyan's fatherStar Cinema
Init ng DugoDon ConradoLeo Films and GMA Films
1999TigasinCol. AngelesStar Cinema
Esperanza: The MovieMayor Joaquin Montejo
2005Terrorist HunterGen. CruzDouble Impact Films
2011Catch Me, I'm in LoveMr. MoralesStar Cinema
2012Every Breath U TakeLeo's dad

Television
YearTitleRoleNetwork
1987AgilaRecurring RoleRPN
1997–1998EsperanzaMayor Joaquin MontejoABS-CBN
1998BayaniJosé Abad Santos
1999Tabing IlogFrancisco Ledesma
2004HiramDon Felipe Verdadero
2008Komiks Presents: DragonnaRecurring Role
Eva FondaToshiro Fonda
2009The WeddingLawrence
2010I Love Betty La FeaVirgilio Arellano
Precious Hearts Romances Presents: KristineDon Leon Fortalejo
2011Mula sa PusoLuis Vergara
2012The Good DaughterMiguel GuevarraGMA Network
Makapiling Kang MuliGovernor
Isang Dakot na LuhaMr. VergaraTV5
2013GenesisManuel MacalintalGMA Network
Bukas na Lang Kita MamahalinMelchor AntonioABS-CBN
Jim Fernandez's Galema, Anak Ni ZumaAgustin Carriedo
2014NiñoManuel ReyesGMA Network
IlustradoPadre Amado
2015MarimarDon Fernando Aldama
2016Princess in the PalaceManuel Gonzaga
Ika-6 na UtosAllan
2017FPJ's Ang ProbinsyanoJonathan WuABS-CBN
HaplosEduardo "Lolo Doods" DizonGMA Network
2018–2019My Special TataySimon Villaroman (his last appearance)

References
  1. "Veteran actor Lito Legaspi passes away". GMA News Online. September 8, 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  2. Navarra, Lidinila C (August 1, 1960). "In Focus: Lito Legaspi". Literary Song - Movie Magazine. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  3. Lo, Ricky. "'60s matinee idol Lito Legaspi dies, 77". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
  4. "Lani ready for concert debut at NYC's Town Hall on Nov. 22 | philstar.com". The Philippine STAR. Archived from the original on 2016-09-17. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  5. Bueno, Leah (October 16, 2022). "Marjorie, Dani Barretto greet Kier Legaspi's mom a happy birthday". ABS-CBN Digital Media. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  6. Acar, Aedrianne (October 18, 2022). "Dani Barretto writes love letter for her Lola Hershey Legaspi". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  7. "Veteran actor Lito Legaspi passes away due to cardiac arrest". PEP. September 8, 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
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