Mona Lisa, originally known as Gloria Lerma Yatco, was born on June 22, 1922, in Tondo, but she considered herself a proud Caviteña due to her long residence in San Roque, Cavite City. Her journey in the world of acting began with minor roles in films such as "Ang Pagbabalik" (1937) and "Bago Lumubog ang Araw" (1930). However, it was her appearance in Carlos Vander Tolosa's "Giliw Ko" (1939) that made history as she became the first actress to wear a bathing suit on the big screen.
Mona Lisa's career flourished in the 1940s, and she gained recognition for her versatile performances in films like "Princess Urduja" (1942) and "Siyudad sa Ilalim ng Lupa" (1949).
She fearlessly embraced challenging roles, including a guerilla leader in "Bisig ng Batas" (1947) and a deranged woman in "Ulila ng Bataan" (1952). Despite her retirement in the 1950s to focus on raising her family, Mona Lisa made a remarkable comeback in the 1970s, delivering outstanding performances in films such as Lino Brocka's "Insiang" (1976), which earned her Best Supporting Actress accolades. She continued to showcase her talent in notable films like "Cain at Abel" (1982) and "Oro, Plata, Mata."
Mona Lisa's legacy was immortalized in her biography, "Mona Lisa: A Portrait (From the Memoirs of a Grandmother)," published by her granddaughter, Celine Beatrice Fabie, and she passed away in 2019 at the remarkable age of 97, leaving behind a lasting imprint on Philippine cinema.
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