BEFORE NORA AUNOR and Vilma Santos, the rival movie queens of the 60s were Susan Roces and Amalia Fuentes, the hottest properties then of Sampaguita Pictures. Susan was launched to stardom in “Boksingera Daw” when she was 15 and Amalia was discovered in the Miss Number One contest for the Gloria Romero movie, “Prince Charming”, with the late Juancho Gutierrez as her counterpart as Mr. Number One from the “Hindi Basta-Basta” search for new stars. She was launched to stardom in “Movie Fan”. Just like Nora and Vilma, each has her own camp of Susanians and Amalians. They did several movies together: “Amy, Susie and Tessie”, “The Big Broadcast”, “Tulisan”. But they also have their own hits like “Amaliang Mali-Mali” and “Susanang Daldal”. They later on did “Amaliang Mali-Mali Vs. Susanang Daldal”, but their last film together was “Cover Girls” in 1968. Amalia married Romeo Vasquez but they eventually separated. Susan married Da King FPJ and their marriage is one of the most stable in local showbiz.
Now, the two movie queens are reunited in ABS-CBN’s new soap, “Muling Buksan ang Puso”, which topbills young stars Julia Montes and Enrique Gil. They will play rivals over Dante Rivero, with whom they did several films during their heydays, directed by Manny Palo of “Sta. Nina” and Nuel Naval of “A Secret Affair”.
We’re wondering if this show of Amalia with ABS would be the instrument for her and Manay Ethel Ramos to kiss and make up. They had a misunderstanding because of Aga Muhlach (Amalia’s nephew and Ethel’s talent) several years ago and haven’t been on speaking terms ever since. Since Ethel usually hosts the presscons of new ABS shows, then there’s no way she can avoid meeting Amalia anew. Manay Ethel was also in conflict with before with Erap Estrada but they’re the best of friends now.
