If being an achiever can be largely attributed to one’s mother, then actor-turned-politician Richard Gomez should agree that he got it from his celebrity mother, Stella Suarez, who is a multifaceted talent—a detail many of us may not be aware of.
There is a reason why. The actress, who had her heyday back in the 1960s, has been away from the Philippines for long. She moved to the US during the Martial Law years. Thus, most Filipinos purely recall her as a sex symbol back in the decade of The Beatles.
Stella Suarez has evolved far beyond her early image. Now a versatile artist, she writes songs, directs music videos and short films, and walks the runway for charity.
“My most treasured memory in showbiz,” she recalled, “was when fans hugged me after watching my first movie, Ubos Lakas. That’s when I knew I truly belonged in the movies.”
A few decades later, Philippine showbiz would witness the rising star of Stella’s son—Richard Gomez—who became famous for being a film actor, a star of the sitcom Palibhasa Lalake, and, for a time, the face of Bench. He has a race car driver by the name of Eddie Kelly Gomez for a father.
Goma, as he is fondly called by fans, later entered politics with considerable success as he became the mayor of Ormoc and now serves as the representative of Leyte’s 4th district.
Beaming with pride, Stella Suarez said she’s proud of her son Richard for becoming a serious and successful actor. “He didn’t waste his popularity,” she said, noting how he maintained a good image and inspired others.
A recent chat with San Diego Filipino Cinema co-founder Ben Bautista reminded me that Stella remains active in the arts. Once a ‘60s screen siren, she has since become a songwriter and director. Two of her songs, “Minsan May Isang Awit” and “Unawain Mo Ako,” were recorded by Fil-Am singer Jules Graeser—the latter dedicated to Richard.
Soon to be released are her works for the music video of “Minsan May Isang Awit” and a short film of the same name, with its story and script she likewise wrote.
Last month, Stella was recognized at the AmerAsia International Awards both for her artistic work and ageless beauty.
“Richard and his family visit me every now and then, and we communicate on Messenger every day. We are just a phone call away,” she said. “I sent him photos of awards I received here in the States, like last year’s Life Achievement in Los Angeles and the Mother of the Year in Las Vegas, as well as the awards I received from AmerAsia Awards International. I also sent copies of the songs I wrote and published.”
Come May 24, Stella will serve as a model for Musa For All Season Runway Show. The event will be held at 1 p.m. at the Dance Headquarters in San Diego, California.
The fashion show’s promoter, Liza Douglas Jack, stressed it is a charity fashion show where proceeds will be donated to the Art of Care Outreach Foundation for women in prison. These women weave clothes made of banana material to be worn by the models.
At the height of Martial Law, Stella owned a company called Stellar Films International, and she was still making movies and accepting singing engagements when she and her husband felt the need to relocate abroad. She said it was devastating because she had to leave her kids, Richard and Pinky. They remained intact despite the separation.
