Actress, screenwriter Mely ‘Miss Tapia’ Tagasa, 82
in coma a week after suffering a massive stroke.
“It was a tough and painful decision to make since she has been quite dependent on this machine,” she wrote before adding, “We continue to monitor her condition — her vital signs fluctuate every hour so I can’t say everything is OK.”
Ms. Tagasa’s role as the strict teacher in Iskul Bukol’s Wanbol University — a role which she played for 15 years — made her an icon of pop culture at the time alongside Victor Ungasis played by Marvic Valentin “Vic” Sotto and the Escalera brothers played by Vicente “Tito” Sotto III (now a senator) and Jose Maria “Joey” de Leon.
The series ran from 1977-1990 and spawned several spin-offs — Back to Iskul Bukol (1999), Iskul Bukol ( 2011, TV5’s remake) — and films, Iskul Bukol the Movie ( 1977), Iskul Bukol Freshmen (1980), The Best of Iskul Bukol: The Movie ( 1987), and Iskul Bukol 20 Years After ( Ungasis and Escaleras Adventure) which premiered in 2008.
Her last film project was Sundo (2009), a horror film directed by Topel Lee. She has 70 film and TV credits to her name, according to IMDB.com.
But beyond portraying Miss Tapia, Ms. Tagasa also a wellrespected screenwriter. Among many others, she wrote three Mario O’ Hara films: Kastilyong Buhangin ( 1980), To Mama With Love ( 1983), and Uhaw sa Pag- ibig ( 1984). Ms. Tagasa also wrote the radio-play which eventually became Mr. O’Hara’s Insiang (1976).
Ms. Tagasa also served as dubbing director for many Korean series aired on GMA as well as films including Patient X (2009) by Yam Laranas and I.T.A.L.Y (I Trust and Love you) a 2008 film by Mark A. Reyes V.
“To our beloved teacher on and off the screen. I will miss you. May you rest in the bosom of our Lord. I love you!” Vic Sotto said in a Twitter post.
“RIP Mely Tagasa. Most folks remember her for her comic performances; I remember her for some unforgettable scripts: Uhaw na Pagibig, Kastilyong Buhangin, Insiang,” author and BusinessWorld’s film critic Noel Vera, said in a Facebook post. —