Mennen Torres Polintan (born July 8, 1969), known professionally as Gardo Versoza, is a Filipino

actor An actor (masculine/gender-neutral), or actress (feminine), is a person who portrays a character in a production. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. ...

and

comedian A comedian (feminine comedienne) or comic is a person who seeks to entertainment, entertain an audience by making them laughter, laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting foolishly (as in slapstick), or employing prop c ...

Career

According to George Vail Kabristante, a writer for ''

The Manila Times ''The Manila Times'' is the oldest extant English-language newspaper in the Philippines. It is published daily by The Manila Times Publishing Corp. (formerly La Vanguardia Publishing Corporation) with editorial and administrative offices at 2/F ...

'', Polintan's film career began in 1988, when his mentor Carlo Finioni cast him in the drama film '' Hamunin ang Bukas''. Early in his career, he used the screen name "Niño Espedilla" and appeared in films such as ''Sabik sa Halik'', ''Machete II'', ''Halimuyak ng Babae'', and ''Kirot''. He later starred in action movies, including roles in ''Cesar Climaco'', ''Mison'', and ''Ka Hector''. Versoza portrayed historical figures in films such as ''

José Rizal José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (, ; June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896) was a Filipino nationalist, writer and polymath active at the end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. He is popularly considered a na ...

'' (1998)'','' in which he played

Andres Bonifacio Andres or Andrés may refer to: * Andres, Illinois, an unincorporated community in Will County, Illinois, US * Andres, Pas-de-Calais, a commune in Pas-de-Calais, France *Andres (name) Andres or Andrés is a male given name. It can also be a ...

, and '' Sisa'', where he portrayed Jose Rizal / Pepe. His television credits include roles such as Domingo in '' Mula sa Puso'', Camilo San Carlos in ''

It Might Be You "It Might Be You" is a song with music written by Dave Grusin and lyrics written by Alan & Marilyn Bergman. It was performed by singer-songwriter Stephen Bishop in the 1982 film ''Tootsie'' starring Dustin Hoffman and Jessica Lange. The song wa ...

'', and Apo Abukay '' Sugo''. Versoza has also made guest appearances on various shows on

ABS-CBN ABS-CBN is a leading Philippine media and content company. It serves as the flagship media brand of ABS-CBN Corporation, a subsidiary of Lopez Holdings Corporation. Once the country's largest free-to-air television network, ABS-CBN has since ...

and the

GMA Network GMA Network (an acronym of its legal name, Global Media Arts and commonly known as GMA) is a Television in the Philippines, Philippine commercial broadcast network, serving as the flagship property of publicly traded GMA Network (company), ...

, including ''

Bubble Gang ''Bubble Gang'' is a Philippine television sketch comedy show broadcast by GMA Network. Originally directed by Uro Q. Dela Cruz, it was originally starred by Ogie Alcasid, Antonio Aquitania, Sunshine Cruz, Jackie de Guzman, Assunta De Rossi, ...

'', ''

Maalaala Mo Kaya (, abbreviated as ''MMK'') is a Philippine television drama anthology series broadcast by ABS-CBN and Kapamilya Channel. Hosted by Charo Santos-Concio, its first iteration was aired from May 15, 1991 to December 10, 2022. It is the longest ...

'', ''Hokus Pokus'', and ''

Magpakailanman () is a Philippine television drama anthology series broadcast by GMA Network. Hosted by Mel Tiangco, it premiered on December 2, 2002. The series concluded on December 27, 2007. The series returned on November 17, 2012 on the network's Sabado ...

''. In 2019, he portrayed policeman Ulysses Balthazar on ''

Sandugo The Legazpi-Sikatuna Blood Compact, or ''Sandugo'' ( Spanish: ''Pacto de Sangre''), was a blood compact, performed on the island of Bohol in the Philippines, between the Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna, chieftain of ...

'' and the villainous drug dealer Lazaro Enriquez on '' FPJ's Ang Probinsyano''. Both shows aired on ABS-CBN. In early 2016, he began using the moniker "Cupcake", a nickname given to him by his best friend,

Ai-Ai delas Alas Martina Eileen Hernandez delas Alas-Sibayan (born November 11, 1964), known professionally as Ai-Ai delas Alas, is a Filipino actress and comedian. Referred to as the "Queen of Comedy" for her comedic talent, she is best known for her role as ...

Personal life

Versoza is married to Ivy Vicencio and they have a son named Deity Uziel.

Filmography

Film

*'' Hamunin ang Bukas...'' (1988) *''Onyong Majikero'' (1991) as George *''Magdalena S. Palacol Story'' (1991) *''Ubos Na ang Luha Ko'' (1991) as Nando *''Zaldong Tisoy'' (1991) *''Ilalaban Kita ng Patayan'' (1991) as Val Saldivia *''Lumayo Ka Man sa Akin'' (1992) *''Sana Kahit Minsan'' (1992) as Tony *''Paminsan-minsan'' (1992) *''Stella Magtangol'' (1992) *''Nang Gabing Mamulat si Eba (Jennifer Segovia Story)'' (1992) *''Taong Gubat'' (1993) *''Isang Linggong Pag-ibig'' (1993) *''Kumusta Ka Aking Mahal'' (1993) *''Ayaw Ko ng Nangarap'' (1993) as Edward *''Isang Linggong Pag-Ibig'' (1993) *'' Bawal Na Gamot'' (1994) as Jimbo *''Machete 2: Pure Awesomeness'' (1994) as David *''Sana'y Laging Magkapiling'' (1994) *''Ka Hector'' (1995) *''Kandugan'' (1995) *''Kirot 2'' (1995) as Dino *''Sabik sa Halik'' (1995) as Rico *''Halimuyak ng Babae'' (1996) *''Medrano'' (1996) as David Medrano *''Kristo'' (1996) as Gestas *''Emong Salvacion: Humanda Ka, Oras Mo Na'' (1997) as Rocky *''Mabango'' (1997) *''The Mariano Mison Story'' (1997) as Dennis *'' Ang Lalaki sa Buhay ni Selya'' (1998) as Bobby *''Kid Manalo: Akin ang Ulo Mo!'' (1998) *''Bawal'' (1998) *''Kargado'' (1998) as Frido *''Notoryus'' (1998) as SPO1 Dalisay (as Police Syndicate) *''

Jose Rizal Jose is the English transliteration of the Hebrew and Aramaic name ''Yose'', which is etymologically linked to ''Yosef'' or Joseph. Given name Mishnaic and Talmudic periods * Jose ben Abin * Jose ben Akabya *Jose the Galilean * Jose ben Halaft ...

'' (1998) as

Andrés Bonifacio Andrés Bonifacio y de Castro (, ; November 30, 1863May 10, 1897) was a Filipino people, Filipino revolutionary leader. He is often called "The Father of the Philippines, Philippine Philippine Revolution, Revolution", and considered a nationa ...

*''Mula sa Puso: The Movie'' as Domingo (cameo) *''Sisa'' (1999) as

a.k.a. Pepe *''Ang Kabit ni Mrs. Montero'' (1999) *'' Sindak'' (1999) as Raul *''Sa Piling ng Aswang'' (1999) *''Huwag Mong Ubusin ang Bait Ko!'' (2000) as Franco Valero *'' Aagos ang Dugo'' (2001) as Gino *''Kailangan Kita'' (2002) *''Biyahera'' (2002) *''Kiskisan'' (2003) as Marvin *''Bigay Hilig'' (2003) *''Kerida'' (2003) *''Animal'' (originally titled ''Butakal: Sugapa sa Laman'', 2004) as Ferdie *'' Woman of Breakwater'' (2004) as Dave *'' Mano Po III: My Love'' (2004) *''Pinoy Blonde'' (2005) *'' First Day High'' (2006) as Rene Samartino *''The Bicycle'' (2007) *''Gulong'' (2007) *''Prinsipe Sabong'' (2009) *''Astig'' (2009) *''MNL 143'' (2012) *'' Bwakaw'' (2012) *'' Sisterakas'' (2012) as Husband of Bernadette *''Sundalong Kanin'' (2014) *'' Hustisya'' (2014) as Gardo *'' The Prenup'' (2015) as Agaton Cayabyab *'' Wander Bra'' (2018) as Amado *'' Ayuda Babes'' (2021) as Kapitana *''Third World Romance'' (2023) *'' Balota'' (2024)

Online series

Television

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Versoza, Gardo 1969 births Living people 20th-century Filipino male actors 21st-century Filipino male actors ABS-CBN people Arellano University alumni Filipino male comedians Filipino male film actors Filipino male child actors Filipino male television actors Filipino people of Indian descent GMA Network (company) people TV5 Network people Actors from Antipolo Male actors from Rizal (province) Comedians from Rizal (province)