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Wikipedia / Chanda Romero

Chanda Romero-Alejandrino (born February 26, 1954) is a Filipino actress. She started in 1967, and is still active today.

She first started in 1972 in the film Kundoktora with Vilma Santos, which was shown on the exact date of the declaration of Martial Law. During the 1970s, she became known as a sexy actress. Her prolific work in sexy films and dramas caught the attention of many directors, and in the 1980s, she showed her serious work as an actress in Ishmael Bernal's Working Girls and Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin? Both were released in 1984.

Biography

Chanda Romero is the daughter of Enrique Romero, son of Francisco Exequiel Romero, Jr. and Gloria Villanueva y Baena of Negros Oriental, and Remedios Valenzuela, daughter of hispanofilipino Ramiro Valenzuela and Josefina de la Victoria y Burgos of Cebu.

Career

In the 1970s and the 1980s, she had a staple of films in which she starred with award-winning actresses such as Elizabeth Oropesa, Hilda Koronel, Gloria Diaz and Daria Ramirez. As a result, she caught the attention of directors Celso Ad Castillo, Ishmael Bernal, Danny Zialcita and Lino Brocka. Her leading men include Philip Salvador, Eddie Garcia, Christopher de Leon, Dindo Fernando, Joel Torre, etc. In the 1990s, her work in television also brought her success. Shows such as Villa Quintana. She was also praised for her role in the 1997 movie Ligaya Ang Itawag Mo Sa Akin which was directed by Carlos Siguion-Reyna. Romero is a freelancer but does more projects in GMA Network. She has starred in ABS-CBN projects as well like the religious-centered drama series Kapalaran and the role of Vida Mojica in the Vietnamese-Filipino teleserye starring Maricel Soriano and John Estrada, Vietnam Rose. During 2012, she transferred to TV5 for the first time and became part of Kidlat as Minerva Megaton. In 2025, Romero became part of ABS-CBN's hit primetime action series FPJ's Batang Quiapo as one of the main villains as the scheming politician Olivia Guerrero-Torres.

Personal life

She married Jose Mari "Mayi" Alejandrino on October 25, 2013. On May 17, 2014, Chanda and Mayi professed their vows in a commitment ceremony at the Tierra de Maria Chapel in Tagaytay.

Her mother died on July 6, 2020, as one of the casualties of COVID-19 in Cebu City.

Her father Enrique, also known as Bobby, was the paternal grandson of Francisco Domingo Romero Sr., presidente municipal of Tanjay, Negros Oriental from 1909 to 1916 and later a member of the Provincial Board of Negros Oriental, and Josefa Muñoz, daughter of Tanjay presidente municipal Don José Muñoz Teves and Alejandra Ines Calumpang . Her father was also the maternal grandson of Enrique Cayetano Villanueva, Sr., governor of Negros Oriental from 1916 to 1925 and later representative of the 2nd district of Negros Oriental from 1925 to 1931, and Francisca Baena Gómez, Negros Oriental Carnival Queen in 1905.

Other relations include her mother's sister Milagros Valenzuela de Urgello, Cebu Carnival Queen in 1937; her grandfather's brother José María Emeterio Romero, the first Philippine ambassador to the Court of St. James's and later Secretary of Education; Eddie Romero, National Artist for Film; Jose Romero, Jr., former Philippine ambassador to Italy; Hector R.R. Villanueva, Press Secretary of former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos and later Postmaster-General of the Philippines during the Arroyo administration; among others.

Filmography

Denotes films or TV productions that have not yet been released

Key

Film

Year

Title

Role

1967

Maruja

Aling Angie

Ang Pangarap Ko'y Ikaw

All Over the World

Anong Ganda Mo!

Because of a Flower

Doña Ameila

1968

To Love Again

Buy One, and Take One

Doon Po sa Amin

Abdul Tapang

Analyn

Summer Love

Tiririt ng Maya, Tiririt ng Ibon

Pablo S. Gomez' Triple

Brianna

Ngitngit ng Pitong Whistle Bomb

1974

Kundoktora

1975

Alat!

1976

Hindi Kami Damong Ligaw

1977

Banta ng Kahapon

1978

Mananayaw

Mercenario

1979

Ang Agimat ni Pepe

Annie Batungbakal

1980

Beach House

Aguila

Diwata

Gabi ng Lagim Ngayon

The Last Reunion

Rita

Taga ng Panahon

1981

Kapitan Kidlat

Karma

Cristy

1982

My Only Love

Tiffany

Batch '81

Jenny Estrada

Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan?

Charley

1984

Bagets

Christine

Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin?

Glacilda Gancayco

Soltero

RJ Juan

Working Girls

Anne

Hindi Mo Ako Kayang Tapakan

Thelma

1985

Bituing Walang Ningning

Edith

Bakit Manipis ang Ulap?

Jocelyn

1986

Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

Sensual

Sobra Na... Tama Na... Asiong Aksaya!

Always & Forever

Agaw-Armas

Lucia

1987

Stolen Moments

Paano Kung Wala Ka Na

Connie

Walang Karugtong ang Nakaraan

Tess

Olongapo... The Great American Dream

Martha

1988

Rosa Mistica

Lucila

Paano Tatakasan ang Bukas?

Paloma Aguilar

Langit at Lupa

1990

Kasalanan Bang Sambahin Ka?

Jenny

1993

Hindi Kita Malilimutan

Cita

Inay

Prosecutor attorney

1994

Binibini ng Aking Panaginip

1995

Campus Girls

Aling Pilar

Bagong Bayani

Maga

1997

Ligaya ang Itawag Mo sa Akin

Lolay

2003

My First Romance

Josie

2004

Naglalayag

Maita

2005

Room Boy

2007

Eddie Romero's Faces of Love

2008

Love Me Again (Land Down Under)

Migo's mother

2009

When I Met U

Sylvia

2010

Rosario

Tenant

2014

Shake, Rattle & Roll XV

Aling Lina

2015

The Last Pinoy Action King

Herself

2022

Deception

2023

Voltes V: Legacy – The Cinematic Experience

Contessa

2024

Espantaho

Adele

2025

Call Me Mother

Mutya Sidro

Television / digital series

Year

Title

Role

Notes

Source

1995–1997

Villa Quintana

Illuminada "Lumeng" Samonte

Episode Guest: "Abito"Credited as "Chanda Romero"

2000

Maalaala Mo Kaya

Charito

2001–2002

Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin

Amarra Luna

Supporting cast

2002–2003

Kapalaran

Magda

2003–2004

Narito ang Puso Ko

Clara Bautista

2005–2006

Vietnam Rose

Vida Mojica

2006

Now and Forever: Linlang

Gina Dimaano

Supporting cast / antagonist

2007

Princess Charming

Doña Amparo Vda. de Saavedra

Episode Guest: "Black Jewel in the Palace"

Credited as "Chanda Romero"

Magic Kamison

Maja

Supporting Cast / Protagonist

Impostora

Doña Anatella Vda. de Cayetano

Eps

Maalaala Mo Kaya

Estella

2008

Mars Ravelo's Dyesebel

Doña Felicia Montemayor

2008–2009

Luna Mystika

Doña Benita Sagrado

2009

Zorro

Agida

Adik Sa'Yo

Doña Aurora Manansala

Sine Novela: Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit

Doña Lucia Enriquez-Recto

2010

The Last Prince

Dama Rosata

2011

Dwarfina

Celia

Sisid

Mommy L

Sinner or Saint

Racquel

Episode Guest: "Ang Mama Kong Mamaw" Credited as "Chanda Romero"

Spooky Nights

Mommy Glo

2012

My Beloved

Elsa Quijano

Faithfully

Amanda Quillamor

Episode Guest: "Pulang Laso"Credited as "Chanda Romero"

Maalaala Mo Kaya

Mrs. Miranda

2013

Kidlat

Minerva Megaton

My Husband's Lover

Soledad "Sol/Sinag" Del Mundo

Episode Guest: "Family Picture"

Credited as "Chanda Romero"

Maalaala Mo Kaya

Fatima

2014

Kambal Sirena

Doña Victorina Villanueva

Ismol Family

Mama China "Mommy C"

2014–2015

Strawberry Lane

Ms. Digna Castro

Episode Guest: "Paano Mo Nagawa Ito?"

Credited as "Chanda Romero"

2015

Ipaglaban Mo!

Zeny

Pari 'Koy

Madam Martha Buenavista

Episode Guest: "Sa Ngalan ng Anak" Credited as "Chanda Romero"

Magpakailanman

Mama

Princess in the Palace

Doña Pilar Buenaventura

2015–2016

The Half Sisters

Cielo

15 episodes

2016

Once Again

Carmen Mateo

Episode Guest: "Davao Bombing: Mga Kuwento Ng Pag-Asa" Part 1 and 2Credited as "Chanda Romero"

Magpakailanman

Euphemia

Episode Guest: "Tungkod", credited as "Chanda Romero"

Maalaala Mo Kaya

Mrs. Pacita Piano

2017

Legally Blind

Marissa Reyes-Evangelista

Episode Guest: "Batik: Ang Santa Claus Ng Tarlac"Credited as "Chanda Romero"

Magpakailanman

Tess

Episode Guest: "Bagong Bahay, Bagong Away"Credited as "Chanda Romero"

2018

Dear Uge

Maui

Contessa

Charito Castillo vda. de Imperial / Black Scorpion

Episode Guest: "Mommy's Home"Credited as "Chanda Romero"

Dear Uge

Remy

2018–2019

Cain at Abel

Belenita "Belen" Castillo-Larrazabal / Fe Ledesma

Episode Guest: "Ang Halimaw na ng biyenan, at impaktong manugang"Credited as "Chanda Romero"

2019

Dear Uge

Violy

2019–2022

Prima Donnas

Lady Primarosa Claveria

2023

Voltes V: Legacy

Contessa

Magandang Dilag

Sofia Veneracion vda. de Robles

2024

Black Rider

Doña Salvacion Valerio vda. de Nadela (Romana's Mother)

2024–2025

Forever Young

Guada

2025–2026

FPJ's Batang Quiapo

Vice Mayor Olivia Montenegro/Guerrero-Torres†

Supporting Role / Antagonist

2026

Sigabo

Deborah Zafra

Awards and nominations

Year

Film Award/Critics

Category

Work

Results

1978

Gawad Urian Awards

Best Supporting Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktres)

Inay

1979

Gawad Urian Awards

Best Supporting Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangalawang Aktres)

Boy Pena

1979

Gawad Urian Awards

Best Actress (Pinakamahusay na Pangunahing Aktres)

Mananayaw

1982

FAMAS Awards

Best Supporting Actress

Karma

1986

FAMAS Awards

Best Actress

Bakit Manipis ang Ulap?

2014

40th Metro Manila Film Festival

Best Supporting Actress

Shake, Rattle & Roll XV

2017

31st PMPC Star Awards for Television

Best Drama Supporting Actress

Legally Blind

2024

50th Metro Manila Film Festival

Best Supporting Actress

Espantaho

References