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- The 1981 Manila International Film Festival was designed by First Lady Imelda Marcos as an elaborate showcase of Filipino culture. To everyone's horror, the only film that sold to the world was a midget spy film - a miniature mockery of Western pop iconography, and a joyously naïve celebration of Filipino Goon Cinema - called For Y'ur Height Only. Its star, a two-foot nine primordial dwarf named Weng Weng, became the most famous Filipino celebrity of his generation both inside the Philippines and abroad, yet curiously, less than 30 years later, the real Weng Weng story has all but been forgotten even by those who worked alongside him. Blame faulty or selective memories, or a fad-driven culture that never pauses long enough to ask "who?", "what?" or "why?" - truth is, the story of Weng Weng has become one of the Philippines' greatest urban legends, and the wildest and woolliest of stories fill in the gaps. Stand-up comedian married to a porn actress, real-life secret agent, hit karaoke chanteur with Imelda, the flow is endless. Once the horsecrap hardens, it's almost impossible to extricate truth from fiction, the right from the rot.
It's taken me over a year, three visits to the Philippines and more than 40 interviews with the people closest to him, including his only surviving relative, brother Celing de la Cruz, to glean the following information. There are still enormous gaps, but this is the most detailed portrait of Weng Weng I am able to put together; my documentary The Search For Weng Weng is as complete as it ever will be.
Weng Weng was born Ernesto de la Cruz, the youngest of five brothers, on 7th September 1957 in Balacaran, a district of Pasay City (now part of the sprawling 17-city Metro Manila). A condition known as primordial dwarfism caused him to be born, in the words of his brother Celing, "no bigger than a coke bottle", and he spent the first 12 months of his life in an incubator. He was not expected to live. Naturally, it was declared a miracle when he did, and in a country that venerates miraculous acts of faith, it is no surprise that Weng Weng was dressed as the Christ-child figure at the head of Baclaran's yearly Santo Nino parade.
A cheerfully mischievous child, his family nicknamed him Weng Weng, an epithet usually reserved for toy dogs. He was obsessed with martial arts and trained almost daily, until his instructor contacted film producer Peter Caballes and said, "You just have to see THIS." Peter and his wife, the successful businesswoman Cora Ridon Caballes, took Weng Weng on the rounds of film producers, including Bobby A. Suarez, whose novelty kiddie films The Bionic Boy (1977) and Dynamite Johnson: The Bionic Boy Part 2 (1978) were already international hits. Suarez turned down the idea of Weng Weng as a midget Superman, but successful indie producer/director Luis San Juan, who specialized in kung fu films for the export market, cast Weng Weng in a cameo in a film whose name is now lost to the sands of time. Peter Caballes then introduced Weng Weng to the King of Philippines Comedy, Dolphy, who cast him as his kung-fu kicking sidekick in his spy caper The Quick Brown Fox (1980) and western parody Da Best In Da West (1981).
Weng Weng, meanwhile, was a frequent visitor of the Marcos family at the Presidential Palace, where he was made an honorary Secret Agent by future President General Ramos, and was presented with a badge and a 25-callibre pistol. This act may have been the direct inspiration for Weng Weng's first starring role as Agent OO in the James Bond parody For Y'ur Height Only, produced by Peter and written by Cora Caballes for their company Liliw Productions. Eddie Nicart, renowned stunt director for the SOS Daredevils, trained Weng Weng every day for three months to be a professional stuntman, and was given his first opportunity to direct.
It's hard to pin down the appeal of For Y'ur Height Only - whether it's the inadvertently genius deconstruction of both Western action films and their Pinoy counterparts, surreal pot-addled dubbing by American expats (and Apocalypse Now survivors) Jim Gaines and Nick Nicholson, or inspired casting of every Bad Guy (or "Goon") still alive at the time, and the James Bond of the Philippines himself, Tony Ferrer aka Agent X44, as Weng Weng's boss. It all adds up to an absurdist masterpiece of gloriously bad cinema, one which was sold all over the world and became one of the Philippines' most successful exports.
Weng Weng became an instant superstar, appearing on TV and at parties, film festivals, movie openings. Liliw Productions quickly cranked out a much less successful Agent OO sequel, The Impossible Kid (1982), and a modern Pinoy western D'Wild Wild Weng (1982), starring Weng Weng as a government agent known as "Mr Weng", which doesn't appear to have made it beyond the Philippines borders. There may be other Weng Weng film appearances, including a starring role in Agent OO (c.1981) and a guest cameo alongside the stick-thin Palito's character "James Bone", but even in the Philippines information is sketchy at best, if not non-existent.
As the profits diminished, Cora Caballes moved on to a political career and Liliw Productions folded. As a result, Weng Weng found himself no longer flavour of the month and without a film career. According to his brother, his family was poor before he became famous, and afterwards remained as poor as ever. In a bizarre twist of fate, General Ramos decided to put Weng Weng through paratrooper training; this time he was given a genuine Agent badge and was sent on infiltration missions where his size would been used to its maximum advantage. Thanks to the Caballes' connections at Manila Airport, Weng Weng was seen patrolling the Arrivals Lounge in the mid-Eighties in his blue uniform as the unlikeliest "Welcome To Manila" banner.
He continued to live in the family home in Baclaran, gained weight and, according to some reports, drank heavily, and developed hypertension after a severe reaction to eating crabmeat. His health declined steadily over the next twelve to eighteen months, and he died of heart failure on 29th August 1992, just short of his 35th birthday.
The Philippines' tiniest film icon is buried in a modest white marble tomb with his parents, grandparents and great-grandmother in Pasay City Cemetary. - Cristine Reyes was born on 5 February 1989 in Marikina City, Metro Manila, Philippines. She is an actress, known for UnTrue (2019), El Presidente (2012) and Kristine (2010). She has been married to Ali Khatibi since 27 January 2016. They have one child.
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Ian Veneracion was born on 7 February 1975 in Metro Manila, Philippines. He is an actor, known for Nanahimik ang gabi (2022), Block Z (2020) and The Iron Heart (2022).- Actress
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Rhian Ramos was born on 3 October 1990 in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines. She is an actress and producer, known for Ang panday (2009), Silong (2015) and Ouija (2007).- Actor
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Alfred Vargas was born on 24 October 1981 in San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines. He is an actor and producer, known for Supremo (2012), ZsaZsa Zaturnnah Ze Moveeh (2006) and Bridal Shower (2004).- Actress
- Soundtrack
Cherry Pie Picache was born on 27 May 1970 in Metro Manila, Philippines. She is an actress, known for Foster Child (2007), Kaleldo (2006) and Manay po! (2006).- Tito Sotto was born on 24 August 1948 in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Luzon, Philippines. He is a producer and actor, known for Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After (The Ungasis and Escaleras Adventure) (2008), Naku...Ha! (1984) and Iskul bukol (1980). He is married to Helen Gamboa.
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Belinda Angelito Mariano, better known by her screen name "Belle Mariano" is a Filipina actress and singer. Belle Mariano started her showbiz career at an early age of 9 years old, appearing on television commercials, playing young supporting roles, and starring in the comedy-themed kids show Goin' Bulilit as a part of the regular cast.
She made her acting debut in Lorenzo's Time, a television series starring Zaijian Jaranilla. She has since consistently appeared in various Maalaala Mo Kaya episodes, often portraying the young roles of the main cast. She also played supporting roles in various films including Rekorder (2013), Can't Help Falling In Love (2017), Love You To The Stars And Back (2017), and Yours Truly, Shirley (2019).
Belle later on gained popularity through her first ever leading role as Maxpein/Max of He's Into Her', an iWantTFC original series directed by Chad Vidanes adopted from a popular wattpad novel of the same name written by Maxinejiji. She is also known for portraying the role of Gabbie Salazar in the film Four Sisters Before The Wedding (2020). Mariano is set to team up with her He's Into Her on-screen partner Donny Pangilinan again in the upcoming film Love Is Color Blind where she takes up the role of the female lead, Cara Arevalo.- Actor
- Special Effects
Ray Ventura was a resident of Poblacion, Makati City. He was a stage, film and television actor and director who gained recognition from playing various supporting yet memorable roles. Born in Makati on Jan 3, 1944, Raven passed away on October 24, 2001 in his home in Makati City due to complications brought about by liver and bone cancer. He was married to Amelia Leaño, with whom he had three children, and six grandchildren.- Dexter Doria was born on 16 April 1955 in Metro Manila, Philippines. She is an actress, known for Mulawin vs Ravena (2017), Memories of Forgetting (2020) and Please - Care (2017).
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Luis Manzano was born on 21 April 1981 in San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines. He is an actor, known for In My Life (2009), All About Love (2006) and Pilipinas Got Talent (2010). He has been married to Jessy Mendiola since 27 February 2021.- Actress
- Producer
Chynna Ortaleza was born on 6 December 1982 in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Luzon, Philippines. She is an actress and producer, known for Sana ay ikaw na nga (2012), Mulawin vs Ravena (2017) and Migrante (2012).- Actor
- Writer
- Camera and Electrical Department
Ping Medina was born on 23 July 1983 in Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines. He is an actor and writer, known for Etheria (2005), Transit (2013) and Ang pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (2005).- Director
- Producer
- Writer
Marilou Diaz-Abaya was born on 30 March 1955 in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. She was a director and producer, known for Muro-ami (1999), New Moon (2001) and José Rizal (1998). She was married to Manolo Abaya. She died on 8 October 2012 in Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines.- Director
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Script and Continuity Department
Frasco Mortiz was born on 31 December 1978 in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Luzon, Philippines. He is a director and assistant director, known for Pagpag: Nine Lives (2013), La luna sangre (2017) and Luv U (2012). He has been married to Ellen Angeles - Mortiz since 4 January 2007. They have one child.- Cinematographer
- Director
- Writer
Martika Ramirez Escobar was born in 1992 in Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines. She is a cinematographer and director, known for Leonor Will Never Die (2022), Pusong bato (2014) and Living Things (2020).- Soundtrack
Armando Cruz was born on 24 February 1987 in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Luzon, Philippines.- Producer
- Actress
- Writer
Maria Imelda Josefa Remedios "Imee" Romualdez Marcos is a Filipina politician and former actress serving as a Senator since 2019. She is the daughter of Ferdinand Marcos and former first lady Imelda Marcos and the older sister of the current president, Bongbong Marcos. She previously served as governor of Ilocos Norte from 2010 to 2019 and as representative of Ilocos Norte's 2nd district from 1998 to 2007.- She was born on 23 February 1941 in Taguig to Eugenio Adriano and Elvira Jamon Soriano. She spent her early years in Pateros. She completed her high school at the Rizal High School. She studied at University of the East (UE) but her busy shooting schedule prevented her from finishing her degree. It was always her dream to become a movie star. She and her classmates always cut classes to go to the movie studios. They would hire a jeep to visit LVN Pictures, Sampaguita Pictures, and Premier Productions, in the hope of meeting their favorite movie stars. Her big break in the movies came when she auditioned for the film I Believe. She read in a news magazine that Premiere Productions was about to produce a movie and was looking for a leading lady. She mailed her prettiest picture to the studio. Of the thousand aspirants, she was chosen for a screen test. During the screen test, she delivered the lines she memorized by heart. She was first signed under Premier Productions. The film company's matriarch, Dona Adela vda de Santiago, told Lucia to keep her real name in honor of movie actress Lucita Goyena. Her name stuck in moviegoers' minds and soon, she was on her way to stardom. One picture led to another. Lucita was known for some of Philippine cinema's critically-acclaimed films such as "Macho Dancer" (1988), "Bayan Ko, Kapit sa Patalim" (1984)," Ang Babae sa Breakwater" (2003), "Curacha: Ang Babaeng Walang Pahinga" (1998), and "Paradise Inn" (1985). As a bread winner of the family, she accepted any role that would be offered to her. In 1967, she did Ako... Laban sa Lipunan", a controversial film about the tragic incident in the life of Lucila Lalu. Several body parts of the 29-year-old Lalu were found scattered in different parts of Manila. Her headless body was discovered on a vacant lot along EDSA. Four men, all of whom were romantically linked to Lucila, were considered suspects for the murder. Soriano and her friends were worried about her safety but she decided to do the role. She did the movie with Boy Garcia and Etang Discher. Artemio Marquez directed the movie. When her contract with Premier Productions ended, she became a freelancer. It was when sexy movies were a hit. She accepted roles, even those that required her to wear bikinis, as she was the bread winner of the family. Soriano was also a fixture on television and starred on Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK), Valiente, and Familia Zaragoza. She also appeared on Pangako Sa 'Yo, a hit telenovela starring Kristine Hermosa and Jericho Rosales in 2000. Lucita lived with Rodolfo "Boy" Garcia as his partner in reel and real life for many years. They were blessed with two sons, Garry Boy Garcia and Marco Polo Garcia. Their union ended in separation for a while. They event fought in a court battle over child custody. When Lucita lost, she changed her heart and decided to give the relationship another try for the sake of their children. Boy passed away on 17 July 1997. Garry Boy is based in the United States and works as a network programmer. Marco Polo became a regular in the TV Program That's Entertainment. He passed away on 5 March 2010 due to cirrhosis, a chronic liver disease. After 11 years of being widowed, she met Michael Charles Mayr, a retired civil engineer. She had been based in California with Mayr, whom she married in 2009. She flew back to the Philippines in February 2015 to visit her 94-year-old mother.
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Yasmien Kurdi was born on 25 January 1988 in Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines. She is an actress, known for Saan darating ang umaga? (2008), Pati ba pintig ng puso? (2007) and Babangon ako't dudurugin kita (2008).- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Hero Angeles was born on 8 December 1984 in Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines. He is an actor and director, known for Stockroom (2007), Can This Be Love (2005) and Paano ba ang mangarap? (2009).- Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos Jr., commonly referred to by the initials PBBM or BBM, is a Filipino politician who is the 17th and current president of the Philippines. Marcos is also the secretary of agriculture, holding the post in concurrent capacity. He previously served as a senator from 2010 to 2016.
- Bobby Gonzales was born on 15 January 1935 in Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines. He was an actor, known for Bakasyon grande (1957), Close to You (1967) and Titong Robinhood (1965). He died on 5 October 2002 in the Philippines.
- Say Alonzo was born on 6 August 1979 in San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines. She is an actress, known for ZsaZsa Zaturnnah Ze Moveeh (2006), Stairway to Heaven (2009) and Nandito ako... Nagmamahal sa 'yo (2009).
- Hazel Hernan-Tabulinar was born on 29 September 1982 in Marikina City, Metro Manila, Philippines. She is an actress, known for Boys Over Flowers (2009), Battle Spirits: Shounen Gekiha Dan (2009) and Jet and the Pet Rangers (2020).