Sylvia la Torre, beloved Queen of Kundiman and veteran actress, passes away

Sylvia la Torre, beloved Queen of Kundiman and veteran actress, has passed on, leaving behind a rich legacy in Philippine music and recording as well as unforgettable appearances in movie and television in the last seven decades.

Her granddaughter, singer-actress Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, announced her passing on social media.

Balik Samahan, the Manila-based organization of veteran artists, also mourned the death of Torre.

Best known for her crystal rendition of Manuel Velez and Levi Celerio’s
“Sa Kabukiran,” Torre started as a child singer on film in “Ang Maestra” in 1941 and went on to become an actress in several comedies in the 1950s.
Torre also recorded hundreds of kundiman and Pinoy novelty songs including “Waray Waray,” “Mutya ng Pasig,” “No Money No Honey,” “Alembong,” “ Sa Libis ng Nayon,” “Kalesa,” “Peksman,” “No Touch, Filipino Kostum,” and others.

She also became a household name in the 1960s in the long-running ABS-CBN early evening variety show “Oras ng Ligaya” as well as other TV programs.

She continued acting in film until the 1990s in such movies as “Jack n Jill” with Sharon Cuneta, and “Ligaw Ligawan, Kasal Kasalan, Bahay Bahayan” and “Biyudo si Mister, Biyudo si Mommy”.

Torre continued her singing career when she and her family migrated to the United States, constantly advocating for the preservation and promotion of Philippine music.

Her granddaughter, theater musical artist Anna Maria Maria Perez de Tagle, joined her in many stage appearances for Filipino-American communities.

The Tagle family has yet to finalize memorial services for the kundiman icon.