Sex symbols then

BY RONALD CONSTANTINO

Looking back, who were the sex symbols then?

Let’s start with the stars launched by Papa Jesse Ejer­cito.

Lorna Tolentino, Elizabeth Oropesa, Alma Moreno, Rio Locsin, Chanda Romero, Amy Austria, Beth Bautista, Daria Ramirez.

All of them turned out to be fine actresses.

Come to think of it, Papa Jes­se launched to stardom Piolo Pascual and Janna Victoria in “Lagarista.”

More of sex symbols back then.

Glora Diaz, Cristina Gonza­lez, Priscilla Almeda, Rossana Roces, Gretchen Barretto, Rita Avila, Claudia Zobel, Ara Mina, Jacklyn Jose, Stella Suarez Jr., Irma Alegre, Carmi Martin, Ina Raymundo, Ynes Veneracion, Rita Magdalena, Via Veloso, Lara Morena.

Joyce Jimenez was the “Pantasya ng Bayan.” Sunshine Cruz was “Materiales Fuertes.” Or was it Patri­cia Javier?

Maribel Lopez, Tetchie Ag­bayani.

Much earlier sex symbols were Rossana Ortiz, Divina Valencia, Stella Suarez, Marissa Delgado, Rossana Marquez, Lucita So­riano, Merle Fernandez.

Of course, there were male sex symbols.

As they come to mind:

Vic Vargas, Ricky Belmonte, Ronaldo Valdez, Orestes Ojeda, Al Tantay, Jimi Melendez, Jay Manalo, Anton Bernardo, Le­andro Baldemor, Jomari Yllana, Greggy Liwag, Rodel Velayo, Allen Dizon, Gerald Madrid, Mark Gil, Michael de Mesa.

Yes, Boyet de Leon was a sex symbol. And so was Phillip Salvador.

Also Richard Gomez – the “Brown Adon­is.”