Dante Varona (born 1953) is a former Filipino actor, stuntman and film director. He is considered one of the more famous action stars of the 1970s and 1980s. One of his famous stunts involved jumping from the San Juanico Bridge in Hari ng Stunt (King of Stunts). This gave him the title of "King of Stunts".
Dante Varona | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1953 (age 70–71) Marikina, Philippines |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, stuntman, director |
| Children | Tanya Varona |
Early life
editVarona grew up in Boystown in Marikina, where children were voluntarily surrendered.[1][2] According to him, his parents couldn't take of him so they left him at the care of Boystown. There, he graduated elementary and high school. Once he graduated, he reunited with his parents.[1]
Career
editIn his time at Boystown, Varona developed an interest in gymnastics. He decided to apply that desire in becoming a stuntman. After joining the SOS Daredevils, a stuntmen's association, he started doubling for action stars such as Jess Lapid Sr. and Jun Aristorenas.[1][3] He also signed a contract with Tower Productions.[3]
Varona began his movie career in 1968 with Mangificent Siete Bandidas.[3] Leading roles in his early career included Master Stuntman (1970) and Leon Dimasupil (1973). He also made the movie Gulapa (1977) with Ramon Revilla, based on the true-to-life-story of former Mayor Patrocinio Z. Gulapa of Maragondon, Cavite, and the movie Carding Estrabel: Tirador ng Malabon, based on the life story of Ricardo Luciano. In the film Ang Sisiw ay ang Agila, he had a cameo role.[4] He then got to act with Gloria Diaz in a leading role in Kung Tawagin Siya’y Bathala.[5] In 1981, Varona jumped the San Juanico Bridge for a scene in "Hari ng Stunt" without a harness.[1] The stunt became a selling point for the film, which used the tagline "The most death-defying action thriller of the year!" Both Varona and the film became very popular following their release, with him gaining the title "Hari ng Stunts".
He then directed some of his films, including Raging Anger (1984), and Bangkay Mo Akong Hahakbangin (1986), which he also starred in.[1]
Varona and his wife then started their own production company, Bathala Films. Eventually, they quit the company and moved to America, where he became a janitor. Before moving to America, he did one more film, Tiger Commando.[4] In America, he got to join the Hollywood movie Dune Warriors, starring David Carradine, Rick Hill, Blake Boyd, and Maria Isabel Lopez.[6]
Varona returned to the Philippines in 1996. With the help of his stuntman friend Lito Lapid, who was also the governor of Pampanga at the time, he booked a role in Tapatan ng Tapang, which also starred Lapid.[4] In 1999, he directed Ratratan.[1] His final film would be Ako ang Lalagot sa Hininga Mo, which was shown in the 2000 Metro Manila Film Festival.[7] After that, he returned to his life in America, this time taking a job as a security guard. There, he raised his family and now helps raise his grandchildren.[8][1]
Personal life
editVarona has two children.[1] His daughter is 2001 Metropop Songfest finalist and singer Tanya Varona.[9]
Dante is now retired from stuntman showbiz and currently resides in California.
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Ako ang Lalagot sa Hininga Mo | Final film |
| 1999 | Ratratan | Final directorial film[1] |
| 1998 | Alamid: Ang Alamat | |
| 1998 | Isang Lahi, Isang Dugo... Sa Lupang Pangako | |
| 1997 | Alyas Baby Chino | |
| 1997 | Tapatan ng Tapang | Comeback film[4] |
| 1991 | Dune Warriors | Hollywood film |
| 1988 | Tiger Commando | Final movie before acting hiatus[4] |
| 1988 | Patron | |
| 1987 | The Brown Ninja | |
| 1987 | Kamandag ng Kris | |
| 1986 | Bangkay Mo Akong Hahakbangin | Director, lead role |
| 1986 | Bukas... Uulan ng Bala | |
| 1985 | Grease Gun Brothers | |
| 1985 | Ulo ng Gang-Ho | |
| 1985 | Siklab sa Lupa ng Araw | |
| 1985 | Anino ni David Crusado | |
| 1984 | Padre Hudas | |
| 1984 | Bitag | |
| 1984 | Ubusan ng Lahi | |
| 1984 | Moises ang Sugo | |
| 1984 | Raging Anger | Director[8] |
| 1983 | Ganti | |
| 1983 | Heroes Hill | |
| 1983 | Pugante | |
| 1983 | Rebelde ng Mindanao | |
| 1983 | Lintik Lang ang Walang Ganti | |
| 1983 | Wanted: Turong Ahas | |
| 1983 | Commandos | |
| 1982 | Hinahamon Kita | |
| 1982 | Lakas Kapwa Lakas | |
| 1982 | Berdugo | |
| 1982 | Isinusumpa Ko | |
| 1982 | Sabayan | |
| 1982 | Mga Hayop sa Paraiso | |
| 1981 | Indio | |
| 1981 | Dos Bravos | |
| 1981 | Ben Gatilyo | |
| 1981 | Cleopatra Wong | |
| 1981 | Nagbabagang Lupa, Nagbabagang Araw | |
| 1981 | Agent 00 | |
| 1981 | Asal Hayop | |
| 1981 | Kalabang Mortal | |
| 1981 | Commander Lawin | |
| 1981 | Landong Kabal | |
| 1981 | Bertong Barako | |
| 1981 | Ang Taong Bundok | |
| 1981 | Ermitanyo | |
| 1981 | Hari ng Stunt | Featured San Juanico Bridge stunt[8] |
| 1980 | Carding Estrabel: Tirador ng Malabon | |
| 1980 | Estibador | |
| 1980 | Sagisag ng Batingaw | |
| 1980 | Kung Tawagin Siya'y Bathala | Lead role[5] |
| 1980 | Kosa | |
| 1979 | Ang Sisiw ay Isang Agila | Cameo[4] |
| 1979 | Objective 2400 | |
| 1979 | Tonyong Bayawak | |
| 1979 | Pag-ibig at Kagitingan | |
| 1979 | Dakpin... Killers for Hire | |
| 1979 | Scout Ranger | |
| 1978 | Shanghai Joe | |
| 1977 | Gulapa | |
| 1977 | Mga Dragon sa Gubat | |
| 1977 | Phandora | |
| 1977 | Tao Ikaw Ba ang Gumaga sa Daigdig? | |
| 1977 | Alas Tres ng Hapon... Lumuhod ang Maton | |
| 1977 | Trinidad Is My Name | |
| 1977 | Walang Bakas na Naiiwan | |
| 1976 | Pagbabalik ng Apat na Alas | |
| 1976 | Ang Lihim ni Rosa Henson sa Buhay ni Kumander Lawin | |
| 1976 | Isang Pag-ibig, Isang Pangarap, at Isang Bulaklak | |
| 1976 | Silang Matatapang | |
| 1975 | Hell-0 400 Hour | |
| 1975 | Diwang Kayumanggi, Prinsesang Mandirigma | |
| 1975 | Nasa Lupa ang Langit at Impiyerno | |
| 1975 | Nagbabagang Silangan | |
| 1975 | Dugo at Pag-ibig sa Kapirasong Lupa | |
| 1975 | Anong Lahi Mayroon si Adan | |
| 1975 | Silakbo | |
| 1974 | Durugin ang mga Diyablo sa Punta Fuego | |
| 1974 | No Tears for the Brave | |
| 1974 | Angkan ni Watari | |
| 1973 | Dimas-Guerrero | |
| 1973 | Pugante: Numero 3-11 | |
| 1973 | Leon Dimasupil | |
| 1973 | Alyas Blackie | |
| 1972 | Walang Impiyerno sa Matatapang | |
| 1971 | Sa Kamay ng Tatlong Takas | |
| 1971 | Almorciga | |
| 1971 | Digmaan ng mga Pasiklab | |
| 1971 | Ipaubaya sa Langit | |
| 1971 | Malupit na Tadhana | |
| 1971 | Luray | |
| 1971 | Ang Pangalan Ko'y Luray | |
| 1970 | Usapang Lalake | |
| 1970 | The Champion and the Saboteurs | |
| 1970 | Silang Tatlo | |
| 1970 | The Singer and the Bouncer | |
| 1970 | The Black Roses | |
| 1970 | Hiwaga ng Lagim | |
| 1970 | Ang Matitinik | |
| 1970 | Inside Job | |
| 1970 | The Bold and the Beauties | |
| 1970 | Master Stuntman | |
| 1970 | Queen of the Wild Bunch | |
| 1970 | Igorota Squad | |
| 1970 | Wild, Wild Pussycat | |
| 1969 | Men of Action Meet Women of Dracula | |
| 1969 | Ponso Villa and the Sexy Mexicanas | |
| 1969 | Zoom-Zoom Apollo | |
| 1969 | Kill: The Magnificent Agents | |
| 1969 | Kuwatro | |
| 1969 | Born to Be Wild | |
| 1968 | Chaku-Judo Aikido | |
| 1968 | Magnificent Siete Bandidas | Debut[3] |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i Franco, Bernie V. (August 16, 2021). "Former action star Dante Varona reveals why he left showbiz for good". PEP.ph. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ Soriano, Gia Allana (March 9, 2017). "Paolo Contis spends time with the kids at Boystown in Marikina". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ a b c d Silverio Jr, Julio (March 16, 2020). "Showbiz Tribya". Retrieved May 2, 2024 – via PressReader.
- ^ a b c d e f Red, Isah V. (December 4, 1996). "The ties that don't bind". Manila Standard. pp. 28B. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ a b Valera, Nini (September 17, 2004). "For Mark Joseph, his past as a stud is just 'a hazy dream'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. pp. A36. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ "DUNE WARRIORS | Philippine Film Archive". philippinefilmarchive.fdcp.ph. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ "This week". Philippine Daily Inquirer. January 2, 2000. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ a b c "'Hari ng Stunt' na si Dante Varona, alamin ang naging buhay sa US". Balitambayan. August 17, 2021. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ Samio, Veronica R. (July 21, 2001). ""Anak ni Dante Varona, tries again"". The Philippine Star.
External links
edit- Dante Varona at IMDb