Helen Vela
Filipina actress, broadcaster and producer (1946-1992)
Helen Vela (October 31, 1946 – February 14, 1992) was a Filipino actress and radio/TV personality.
Early life
She was born on October 31, 1946, in Manila, Philippines.
Career
Vela started her career in broadcasting as a radio announcer.[2] She appeared on GMA Network (later BBC) show, Lovingly Yours, Helen. Followed by RPN shows are Heredero and Agila. She was also a presenter at GMA Balita, GMA's first early evening Filipino newscast.
Personal life
In 1967, Vela married broadcaster Orly Punzalan (1935–2005), with whom she had two children: Pastor Paolo Punzalan,[3] senior pastor of Victory Fort Bonifacio, and Princess Punzalan, born Bernadette Vela Punzalan,[4] a nurse and former actress. They separated five years later and divorced. In 1973, Vela remarried, to Ben Hernandez. They had a son, Reuben.[citation needed]
Death
She died of lymphoma on February 14, 1992 (Valentine's Day) at St. Mary's Hospital, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, United States at the age of 45.[2]
She was buried at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City. Alongside her lies her mother Virginia Vela, who died in 1995, and her first husband Orly Punzalan, who died in 2005.[citation needed]
Lifetime achievement award
In 2004, the Golden Screen Awards for Television instituted a "Helen Vela Lifetime Achievement Award" for outstanding contribution to the Philippine television industry.
Legacy and honors
She was posthumously inducted as a Star to the Eastwood City Walk of Fame Philippines in December 2011.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Halina Neneng Ko | |
| Fiesta Extravaganza | ||
| 1983 | Roman Rapido | Mameng |
| 1984 | Lovingly Yours, Helen (The Movie) | Narrator |
| 1988 | Puso sa Puso | Wilma |
| Angelica, Sugo sa Lupa | ||
| 1990 | Kung Tapos na ang Kailanman (her last film) |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980–1992 | Lovingly Yours, Helen | Host | GMA Network BBC |
| 1984–1987 | Heredero | Nina | RPN |
| 1987–1992 | Agila | Ester | RPN ABS-CBN |
| 1989–1992 | Family 3 Plus 1 | Amy | GMA Network |
References
- ^ Rodrigo, Raul (2006). Kapitan: Geny Lopez and the Making of ABS-CBN. ABS-CBN Pub. p. 231. ISBN 978-971-816-111-1. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
- ^ a b "Helen Vela, 45". Toledo Blade. Associated Press. February 16, 1992.
- ^ Lo, Ricky (October 10, 2011). "Christian and 'living it'". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
- ^ National Mid-week. Lagda Pub. Incorporated. 1986. p. 33. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
External links
- Helen Vela at IMDb
