Gines Francisco Soriano (July 6, 1928 – February 21, 2004), known professionally as Nestor de Villa, was a Filipino actor frequently cast in musical films. He was a gifted dancer, often paired with frequent on-screen partner Nida Blanca in both film and television. His dancing talent led some people to call him the "Gene Kelly of the Philippines".
Biography De Villa was born Gines Francisco Soriano on July 6, 1928, in then municipality of Cabanatuan in the province of Nueva Ecija. He was a pre-medical student when he was signed by LVN Pictures. His father was disappointed by his decision to become an actor, and the two became estranged. However, they were reconciled by LVN President Doña Sisang de Leon, who arranged to have de Villa's father secretly attend one of his movie premieres.
He made his first film with LVN, Amor-Mio (My Love), in 1951. The following year, he teamed up with another LVN contract star, Nida Blanca, for Romansa sa Nayon. The film's success popularized the Nestor-Nida "love team", though in real-life, de Villa would marry Marilu Cacho Soriano from the wealthy and socially prominent Cacho family.
He remained at LVN until 1961, when the studio discontinued making films. He then transferred to Sampaguita Pictures where in 1962 he made his Sampaguita debut in Tugtuging Bukid (Farm Music), together with Gloria Romero. In the 1960s, he was nominated three times for the FAMAS Best Actor award—for Mga Yapak ng Walang Bakas (1962); Naku Yabang (1964); and Siete Dolores (1968). De Villa and Blanca also appeared together on an ABS-CBN television show, The Nida-Nestor Show.
In 1967, de Villa attempted to run for vice mayor of Makati as the running mate of former ambassador Amelito Mutuc, but lost to incumbent vice mayor Teotimo Gealogo.
In the 1980s, de Villa made his screen comeback when he was again paired with Blanca in two films for Viva Films: Forgive and Forget, which also starred Sharon Cuneta and William Martinez and Saan Darating ang Umaga? (Where Will the Morning Come?), a family drama co-starring Maricel Soriano, Nida Blanca and Jaypee de Guzman.
He was posthumously inducted to the Philippines Eastwood City Walk of Fame in December 2005.
Personal life He was married to Marilu Cacho, has three sons and daughters-in-law, Jeric and Marissa, Gicky and Malu, Joby and Cindy. His only daughter Karel is married to Toti Belda. His grandson Paul Soriano is a son of Jeric, and is also a TV and commercial director.
Death De Villa remained active in films until his death of complications arising from hepatobiliary cancer on February 21, 2004.
Filmography Film Year Title 1951 Amor Mio 1952 Tenyente Carlos Blanco Dimas Dalawang Sundalong Kanin Haring Solomon at Reyna Sheba Romansa sa Nayon Rodrigo de Villa Tenyente Carlos Blanco 1953 Tumbalik na Daigdig Hijo de Familia Squatters Dalawang Pag-Ibig Hiyasmin 1954 Waray-Waray Tin-edyer Luneta Singsing Na Tanso 1955 Darling Ko 1 2 3 Ang Ibong Adarna Dalagang Taring Talusaling Ikaw Kasi 1956 Handang Matodas Easy Ka Lang Padre! Medalyong Perlas Big Shot Ganyan Ka Pala Bahala Na! Aling Kutsero 1957 Sebya, Mahal Kita Kalyehera Krisalis Turista Tignan Natin 1958 Villa Milagrosa Austerity Love Casa Grande Wala Kang Paki Mga Anak ni Waray Bayanihan 1959 Ang Langit Ko'y Ikaw Baguio Fever Chinita Surrender - Hell! Limang Punglo Tayo'y Magsaya 1960 Unos sa Laot Dahlia Kung Ako'y Mahal Ko Pitong Gabi sa Paris Sandakot na Alabok Lawiswis Kawayan My Serenade Anino ng Kahapon Bakit Ka Nagtampo Wala Kang Kapantay 1961 Nagbabagang Lupa Walang Sisihan Mga Yapak na Walang Bakas 1962 Tugtuging Bukid Sikat Na, Siga Pa! Oy... Akin Yata Yan! Jam Session Magtiis Ka Darling 1963 Adonis Abril Limbo Rock Asyang Ng La Loma Ang Bukas ay Akin Naku, Yabang! 1964 Ginintuang Ani Yeba Chiquicha Si Doray Naman... 1965 Utos ni Tale Hindi Mababale Everybody Dance 1966 Sound of Bwisit Mabilis Paa't Kamay Huwag Kang Sumingit Familia Galawgaw Espiya Contra Espiya 1967 Wow Na Wow! 1968 Siete Dolores 1975 Siya'y Umalis, Siya'y Dumating 1982 Mother Dear Forgive and Forget Cross My Heart 1983 Saan Darating Ang Umaga? 1984 Anak ni Waray, Anak ni Biday 1985 Hindi Nahahati ang Langit Like Father, Like Son 1986 Paglingon sa Kinabukasan 1987 Prinsipeng Gusgusin 1993 Ligaw-Ligawan, Kasal-Kasalan, Bahay-Bahayan 2002 Forevermore (Last film appearance)
Television Year Title Role 1960–1964 The Nida-Nestor Show 1994 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Dancing Shoes 2001–2002 Biglang Sibol, Bayang Impasibol Noel 2002–2003 Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan Gov. Federico Bustamante
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