Helen Vela
Helen Vela | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | February 14, 1992 Rochester, Minnesota, U.S. | (aged 45)
Nationality | Filipino |
Occupation | Actress, broadcaster, producer |
Years active | 1963–1992 |
Known for | Ate Helen |
Spouse(s) | Ben Hernandez
(m. 1973; died 1992) |
Children | 3 (including Princess) |
Relatives | Karen Punzalan (granddaughter) |
Helen Vela (October 31, 1946 – February 14, 1992) was a Filipina actress and radio/TV personality in the Philippines.
Early life[]
She was born on October 31, 1946 in Manila, Philippines.
Career[]
Vela started her career in broadcasting as a radio announcer.[2] She appeared on GMA Network (later BBC) show, Lovingly Yours, Helen. Followed by RPN shows are Heredero and Agila. She was also a presenter at GMA Balita, GMA's first early evening Filipino newscast.
Personal life[]
This section does not cite any sources. (July 2018) |
In 1967, Vela married broadcaster Orly Punzalan (1935–2005), with whom she had two children: Pastor Paolo Punzalan,[3] senior pastor of Victory Fort Bonifacio, and Princess Punzalan,[4] a nurse and former actress. They separated five years later.
In 1973, Vela married Ben Hernandez; they had one child.
Death[]
She died of lymphoma on February 14, 1992 (Valentine's Day) at St. Mary's Hospital, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, United States at the age of 45.[2] She was buried at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City. Alongside her lies her mother Virginia Vela, who died in 1995, and her estranged husband Orly Punzalan, who died in 2005.
Lifetime achievement award[]
In 2004, the Golden Screen Awards for Television instituted a "Helen Vela Lifetime Achievement Award" for outstanding contribution to the Philippine television industry.
Legacy and honors[]
She was posthumously inducted as a Star to the Eastwood City Walk of Fame Philippines in December 2011.
Filmography[]
Film[]
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
1969 | Halina Neneng Ko | |
Fiesta Extravaganza | ||
1983 | Roman Rapido | Mameng |
1984 | Lovingly Yours Helen: The Movie | Narrator |
1988 | Puso sa Puso | |
1990 | Kung Tapos na ang Kailanman (her last film) |
Television[]
Year | Title | Role | Network |
---|---|---|---|
1980–1992 | Lovingly Yours, Helen | Host | GMA Network BBC |
1984–1987 | Heredero | Nina | RPN |
1987–1992 | Agila | Ester | RPN ABS-CBN |
1989–1992 | Family 3 Plus 1 | Amy | GMA Network |
References[]
- ^ Rodrigo, Raul (2006). Kapitan: Geny Lopez and the Making of ABS-CBN. ABS-CBN Pub. p. 231. ISBN 978-971-816-111-1. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Helen Vela, 45". Toledo Blade. Associated Press. February 16, 1992.
- ^ Lo, Ricky (10 October 2011). "Christian and 'living it'". Philstar.com. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
- ^ National Mid-week. Lagda Pub. Incorporated. 1986. p. 33. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
External links[]
- Helen Vela at IMDb
- 1946 births
- 1992 deaths
- Actresses from Manila
- Filipino television actresses
- Filipino film actresses
- Deaths from cancer in Minnesota
- Deaths from colorectal cancer
- 20th-century Filipino actresses
- Burials at the Manila Memorial Park – Sucat
- GMA News and Public Affairs people
- Filipino television news anchors
- Women television journalists