Nida Blanca

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Guinto and the surname or paternal family name is Jones.

Nida Blanca
Blanca in 1954
Born	Dorothy Guinto Jones (1936-01-06)January 6, 1936 Gapan, Nueva Ecija, Commonwealth of the Philippines
Died	November 7, 2001(2001-11-07) (aged 65) San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines
Cause of death	Murder (stab wounds)
Occupations	Actress Comedian
Years active	1951–2001
Spouses	Victorino Torres ​ (separated)​ Rod Lauren ​ (m. 1979)​
Children	1

Dorothy Guinto Jones (January 6, 1936 – November 7, 2001), known professionally as Nida Blanca, was a Filipino actress and comedian. In a career spanning five decades, she is known for her dramatic and comedic roles in film and television in the Philippines. After signing with LVN Pictures, she starred in films during the 1950s; in most of the films, she co-starred alongside Nestor de Villa. She gained further prominence in the television sitcom John en Marsha (1973–1990). Blanca was found dead at the Atlanta Centre in San Juan City on November 7, 2001.

Biography

Born as Dorothy Guinto Jones on January 6, 1936, in then municipality of Gapan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines (then a U.S. territory) to an American soldier father of mestizo descent named John William Jones, Jr. (1916-1942) and a local Filipina mother with Tagalog roots named Inocencia Vélez Guinto (1913-2006), she appeared in her first film at age 15. Actress Delia Razon successfully urged the head of LVN Pictures, Doña Sisang de Leon to hire Blanca. She was screen tested on October 6, 1951, by LVN Pictures where she reigned as "queen" of movies for more than a decade, doing mostly comedies opposite the late Nestor de Villa. In the movies, she has played a wide range of roles from a butch lesbian to a nun. She also starred in the hit TV comedy series, John en Marsha, where she played the wife who sticks by her poor husband despite her rich mother's constant harping. In 1958, she appeared opposite her contemporary, noted singer/actress Sylvia La Torre, and Leroy Salvador, in the LVN movie Tuloy ang Ligaya.

Blanca was married twice. As divorce is not legal in the Philippines, she separated from her first husband, Victorino Torres, when their daughter Kay was two years old. She later married her second husband Roger Lawrence Strunk (1941-2007) an American singer and actor, known by his screen name Rod Lauren in Las Vegas in 1979. The couple relocated to Manila.

Murder

On November 7, 2001, Blanca was found murdered; beaten and stabbed 13 times in the back seat of her car in the parking lot of Atlanta Centre in Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila where she worked for the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, attending screenings and rating movies twice a week, at the time of her death.

The prime suspect was Blanca's husband Rod Strunk whom the prosecutors said had hired a hitman to kill her because Blanca had disinherited him from her will. Investigators found that Blanca had up to ₱85 million in properties, including a Greenhills, San Juan condominium worth ₱10 million and a house in California worth US$300,000. If Blanca had annulled her marriage, Strunk would get nothing. But if Blanca died before she was able to terminate her marriage, under the law, Strunk being the legal spouse would be entitled to a portion of his estranged wife's inheritance even though Blanca's will stated that all her properties would go to her daughter.

The case rested on the statements of witnesses and Philip Medel, a self-confessed killer who surrendered to PNP Task Force Marsha on November 19, 2001, and confessed that Strunk had hired him to kill Blanca. Medel recanted his testimony four days later, claiming the police had tortured him into confessing. The prosecutors said medical examinations had found no evidence to back his claim of torture.

Blanca's old house in Lumang Gapan

Nida Blanca's tomb in Loyola Memorial Park, Marikina

Despite Medel's recantation, Strunk remained the prime suspect according to Philippine prosecutors, based largely on circumstantial evidence and statements of new witnesses. Strunk was in the U.S. in 2003 when he was charged with the murder of Blanca. He left the Philippines in January 2002 to visit his mother who was dying at the time and never returned. He was later arrested at his home and detained at the Sacramento County Jail after the Philippine government filed an extradition request against Strunk to stand trial in the Philippines. The U.S. court denied the extradition request and Strunk immediately was released from jail. The Philippine government had filed a second extradition case against Strunk but did not receive any official response from the United States government.

Strunk committed suicide on July 11, 2007 by jumping from a second-floor balcony of the Tracy Inn in Tracy, California where he had been staying for the previous three days.

Kaye Torres lamented in 2008 that after seven years, the criminal case is still pending trial. She stated that she is convinced Philip Medel is guilty of the crime.

Philip Medel remained the suspect and was held in jail until his death on April 7, 2010 at the age of 62. Medel died of sepsis caused by pneumonia at the Philippine General Hospital.

The pending murder case on Nida Blanca was featured in the Philippine television documentary series Case Unclosed as its sixth episode titled "Nida Blanca Murder Case."

Legacy

The MTRCB named a conference room after her during a ceremony in 2017.

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Director	Production Company	Ref(s):
1951	Prinsipe Amante sa Rubitanya		Lamberto V. Avellana	LVN Pictures
	Amor mio
	Venus		F.H Constantino, Manuel Silos
1952	Tia Loleng		Manuel Silos
	Korea		Lamberto V. Avellana
	Digmaan ng damdamin		Artemio Marquez
	2 sundalong kanin		F.H Constantino
	Haring Solomon at Reyna Sheba		Lamberto V. Avellana
	Tenyente Carlos Blanco		Tony Arnaldo
	Babaeng hampaslupa		Nemesio E. Caravana
	Romansa sa nayon		Susana C. de Guzman
1953	Tumbalik na daigdig		Tony Arnaldo
	Squatters		Gregorio Fernandez
	Batangueña		F.H Constantino
	Hijo de familia
	Hiyasmin		Lamberto V. Avellana
1954	Dalaginding		F.H. Constantino
	Waray-waray	Upeng
	Galawgaw	Pilar
	Luneta
	Tin-edger		Tony Arnaldo
1955	Darling ko		F.H. Constantino
	Saydwok Bendor		Lamberto V. Avellana
	Ang ibong Adarna		Manuel Conde
	Indian pana
	Ikaw kasi
	Talusaling	Julieta	F.H Constantino
1956	Handang matodas	Luping	Manuel Conde
	Easy ka lang, padre!		F.H Constantino
	Aling Kutsero		Fred Daluz
	Medalyong perlas (Episode 4: Grand Finale
	Ganyan ka pala		F.H Constantino
1957	Sebya, Mahal kita
	Kahelyera		Fred Daluz
	Turista		F.H Constantino
	Tingnan natin		Manuel Conde
	Bahala	Bella Miraflor
1958	Kastilaloy	Patring	F.H Constantino
	Tuloy ang ligaya		Manuel Silos
	Casa Grande (Episode:Third Story)		Manuel Conde
	Wala Kang Paki		Artemio Marquez
	Rosalina		Lamberto V. Avellana
	Anak ni Waray
	Limang dalangin		Susana C. de Guzman
1959	Baguio Fever		F.H Constantino
	Tayo'y magsaya
1960	Navy Blues
1961	My Serenade
	Bakit ka nagtampo		Tony Santos
	Pitong gabi sa Paris		Eddie Romero	Cirio H. Santiago Film Organization
	Walang sisihan		Natoy B. Catindig	Dalisay Pictures
	Sikat na, Siga pa		F.H Constantino
	Awat na Adyang	Adyang	Efren Reyes Sr.	Premiere Productions
1962	Jam Session		F.H Constantino	Dalisay Pictures
	Gulo kung gulo		Armando Garces	Ideal Productions
	Bulung-bulungan		Susana C. de Guzman	Sampaguita Pictures
	Oy... Akin yata 'yan		F. H Constantino	Dalisay Pictures
1963	Sa atin ang daigdig		Cesar Amigo	Filipinas Productions and Premiere Productions
	Limbo Rock		Susana C. de Guzman	Dalisay Pictures
	Ang Babaeng Sputnik	Babaeng Sputnik (Lead Role)	Efren Reyes Sr.	Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions
	Adiang Waray	Adiang	Abraham Cruz	Lea Productions
	Sosaything Tindera		Tony Villaflor	Sampaguita Pictures and VP Pictures
	Away na		Fely Villar	Ambassador Productions
	Asyang ng La Loma		F.H Constantino	Dalisay Pictures
	Ecu tatacut!		Abraham Cruz	First Anniversary Presentation and Lea Productions
	Isputnik vs Darna		Natoy B. Catindig	Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions
	Naku... Yabang!		F.H Constantino	Dalisay Pictures
	Yeba!!! Chi! Qui! Chai!
1964	Utos ni Tale hinde Mababale		F.H Constantino
	Bumunot ka't Lumaban		Romy Villaflor	VP Pictures
	Patsamba-tsamba		Nemesio E. Caravana	People's Pictures
	Everybody dance		F.H Constantino
	Pulis walang kaparis		Luis San Juan	Magna East Productions
	Si Doray naman...	Doray	Armando De Guzman	Vitro Films
	Walang duwag na Bisaya		F.H Constantino	Dalisay Pictures
	Mabilis... Paa at kamay			Kayumanggi Cinema
	Pampatay Kaliwa at Kanan...!		Larry Santiago	Larry Santiago Productions
	Pamilya Galawgaw		F.H Constantino	Dalisay Pictures
1965	Magkapatid na Jesse at James	Jesse	F.H Constantino	Kayumanggi Cinema
	The Sound of Buwisit
1966	Huwag kang sumingit
	Utos Ni mayor		Abraham Cruz, Luis San Juan
	Wow na Wow!!		F.H Constantino, Leroy Salvador	Gold Stars Production and Gold Star
	Adyang Batibot	Adyang Batibot
	Shake Baby Shake
1967	Together Again		F.H Constantino	Greta's Production
	Ayaw ni mayor		Luis San Juan	GM Film Organization
1968	Tiririt ng maya, tiririt ng ibon
1969	Goin' to a Go-Go
	Pag-ibig masdan ang ginawa mo
1970	Tulak ng bibig, kabig ng dibdib
	Tayo'y mag up, up and away
	Laugh Story
1971	Family Planning
	At the top
	Laff Story
	The Red Flag is up
1980	John & Marsha'80	Marsha
	The Quick Brown Fox
1981	Familia Antik
1982	My Heart Belongs to Daddy
	Forgive and Forget	Nelly
	Dancing Master 2: Macao Connection
1983	Always in my heart	Rose
	Saan darating ang umaga?	Lorrie Rodrigo
1984	The Best of John en Marsha sa Pelikula	Marsha
	Da Best of John & Marsha	Marsha
	Anak ni Biday vs anak ni Waray
	Sa hirap at ginhawa
1985	John & Marsha'85	Marsha
	Public Enemy No.2: Maraming Number 2
	Miguelito
	Like Father, Like Son
1986	Magdusa ka!
1987	Prinsesang gusgusin
	Family Tree
	Kid, huwag Kang susuko
	Ako si Kiko, ako si Kikay
1988	Ibulong mo sa Diyos
	Guhit ng Palad
	Sa akin pa rin ang bukas
1989	Impaktita
	Elvis & James
	Rosenda
1990	Too Young
1990	Mundo man ay magunaw
	Hot Summer
	Pangako ng Puso
1991	Darna
	John en Marsha ngayon'91
1992	Tayong dalawa
	Kamay Ni Cain
	Shake Rattle & Roll IV			Regal Films
	Mahal kita, walang iba
	Aventures of Gary Leon at Kuting
1993	Ligaw-Ligawan Kasal-kasalan bahay-bahayan (Segment: Bahay-bahayan)
	Pido Dida 3: May Kambal na
	Humanda ka Mayor!Bahala na ang Diyos
	Di na Natuto (Sorry na, puede ba?)
1994	Pinagbiyak na Bunga-Lookalike	Dorie	Ben Feleo	Viva Films
	Geron Olivar	Aling Corazon	Lito Lapid	Regal Films
	Kadenang Bulaklak	Elsa Abolencia	Joel Lamangan	Viva Films
	Vampira	Nena	Joey Romero	Regal Films
	Deadly Brothers		Leonardo L. Garcia	Pacific Films
1995	Ipaglaban Mo: The Movie	Magdalena	Marilou Diaz -Abaya	Star Cinema
	Ikaw pa... Eh love kita	Korina's aunt	Danilo Cabreira	Regal Films
	Hataw na	Connie Tejeros	Jose Javier Reyes	Star Cinema
1996	April Boys: Sana'y mahalin mo rin ako	Inay	Emmanuel H. Borlaza	Vicor Records and Viva Films
	Madrasta	Fides	Olivia M. Lamasan	Star Cinema
	Ang TV Movie: The Adarna Adventure	Cedes	Johnny Manahan
1997	Batang PX	Cedes	Jose Javier Reyes
	Babae	Lola Adora	Lupita Aquino-Kashiwahara	Gem Communications
	Minsan lang magmahal	Auring	Jose Javier Reyes	MAQ Productions
1998	Ikaw pa rin ang iibigin	Dr. Tagle	Mario J. Delos Reyes	Regal Films
	Mother Ignacia:Ang uliran		Nick Deocampo	Mowelfund Film Institute
	Hiling	Lola Melyang	Jose Javier Reyes	Star Cinema
	Sana pag-ibig na	Linda Perez	Jeffrey Jeturian	Regal Films
1999	Mula sa puso: The Movie	Carmen	Wenn V. Deramas	Star Cinema
	Soltera	Sandra's Mother	Jerry Lopez Sineneng
2000	Yakapin mo ang umaga	Pacita	Jose Javier Reyes	Regal Films
	Biyaheng Langit	Lola Amor	Tikoy Aguiluz	Viva Films
2001	Abakada...Ina	Matilda	Eddie Garcia
	Love text	Cielito	Rowell Santiago	GMA Films
	Ano bang Meron ka?	Mother Tering	Maryo J. Delos Reyes	Regal Films
2002	Kung ikaw ay isang panaginip (Last movie appearance)	Fairy	Wenn V. Deramas	Star Cinema

Television

Year	Title	TV Network	Remarks
1960	The Nida-Nestor Show	ABS-CBN
1966	Tangtarantang
1973–1990	John en Marsha	RPN
1990–1996	Lovingly Yours, Helen	GMA Network
1991	Maalaala Mo Kaya	ABS-CBN	Episode: Valedictorian Medal
1992	Mana-Mana
1993	GMA Telesine Specials	GMA Network	Episode: Tatlong Anino Ng Kahapon
	Maalaala Mo Kaya	ABS-CBN	Episode: Munting Bituin
1993–1995	Haybol Rambol	GMA Network
1994	Maalaala Mo Kaya	ABS-CBN	Episode: Dancing Shoes
1994–1997	GMA True Stories	GMA Network
1996–2002	Anna Karenina
1997	Mula sa Puso	ABS-CBN	Main cast with Special Participation Carmen Buencamino
	Maalaala Mo Kaya		Episode: Pabango, lipstik at tsokolate
1998			Episode: Pipa
			Episode: Family Album
1999			Episode: Forcep
1999–2001	Pwedeng Pwede
2000	May Himala	GMA Network
2001	Daddy Di Do Du (Last TV appearance)

Awards and nominations

Year	Film or TV Title	Award-giving body	Category	Result
1953	Korea	1st FAMAS Awards	Best Supporting Actress	Won
1955	Waray-waray	FAMAS Awards	Best Actress	Nominated
1963	Oy... Akin yata 'yan	FAMAS Awards	Best Actress	Nominated
1964	Naku...Yabang!	FAMAS Awards	Best Actress	Nominated
1975	Batu-bato sa Langit	1975 Metro Manila Film Festival	Best Supporting Actress	Won
1984	Saan darating ang umaga?	FAMAS Awards	Best Actress	Nominated
1986	Miguelito	Catholic Mass Media Awards	Best Actress	Won
		PMPC Star Awards for Movies		Won
		Luna Awards		Won
		Gawad Urian Awards		Won
1987	Magdusa Ka	Catholic Mass Media Awards	Best Supporting Actress	Won
		Star Awards for Movies		Won
		Luna Awards		Won
		Gawad Urian Awards		Won
		35th FAMAS Awards		Won
1988	Kid Huwag Kang Susuko	Catholic Mass Media Awards		Won
		Luna Awards		Won
		36th FAMAS Awards		Won
1988	John en Marsha	2nd PMPC Star Awards for Television	Best Comedy Actress	Nominated
1989	Ibulong mo sa Diyos	FAMAS Awards	Best Supporting Actress	Nominated
1990	John en Marsha	PMPC Star Awards for Television	Best Comedy Actress	Won
1995	Vampira	FAMAS Awards	Best Supporting Actress	Nominated
1997	---	FAMAS Awards	Lifetime Achievement Award	Won
1997	Babae	1997 Metro Manila Film Festival	Best Supporting Actress	Won
1998	Sana Pag-ibig Na	PMPC Star Awards for Movies	Best Actress	Won
		FAMAS Awards		Won
1999	Sana pag-ibig na	Young Critics Circle Award	Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role	Won
2000	---	Gawad Urian Awards	Lifetime Achievement Award	Won
2002	---	FAP Awards	Lifetime Achievement Award (Posthumously)	Won
2009	---	Cinema One Digital Film Festival	Cinema One Legend Award	Won

External links

• Media related to Nida Blanca at Wikimedia Commons
• Nida Blanca at IMDb
• Case Unclosed: The Nida Blanca Murder - 11/07/2008