Alfonso Discher Tagle Sr., better known as Panchito Alba or simply Panchito (February 5, 1925 – December 18, 1995), was a Filipino film actor who almost exclusively appeared in comedy roles. He was known for his swarthy looks and a prominent big nose, which was often the target of ridicule, especially Dolphy calling him "baboy damo" (wild boar). Panchito frequently appeared as a comedic foil to Dolphy, with whom he was best friends in real life.
Biography
Panchito was born in Paco, Manila.[1] His mother, Etang Discher, became a prominent film actress beginning in the 1940s, often being cast in villainous roles. One of his brothers, Emil Tagle, also became a film actor. He was married with children. His aunt, Elaina Discher, was also a Filipina actress. Panchito's career in show business began in 1942 when he joined a bodabil troupe called "Travel Stage Show" which performed in various theaters in Japanese-occupied Manila.[1] The then-14-year-old Dolphy was also a member of the troupe, thus beginning a lifelong association.
Film career
Panchito's film career began when he, along with Dolphy, were cast by Sampaguita Pictures in the Tita Duran-Pancho Magalona musical Sa Isang Sulyap Mo, Tita. It was a career that lasted until his death. In 1955, Panchito was awarded the FAMASBest Supporting Actor award for his role in Lupang Kayumanggi. His film career thrived despite his involvement in a 1964 mauling incident in Quezon City that led to the filing of a criminal information against him and several others for frustrated murder,[2] though the case against him would be later dismissed.
Panchito is perhaps best known for his over 50-plus film team-ups with Dolphy in such films as Kalabog en Bosyo (1959); Beatnik (1960); Si Lucio at Miguel (1962); Pepe and Pilar (1966); Facifica Falayfay (1969); Fefita Fofongay (1973); Bugoy (1979); and Bakit Kinagat ni Adan ang Mansanas ni Eba? (1989). The partnership likewise extended to television, where the duo would co-star in an ABS-CBN variety show, Buhay Artista (1965–1972). The tandem was famous for a comedic duet routine wherein one would interrupt the other to offer a mangled translation of a Tagalog lyric into English or vice versa. On July 4, 1966, Dolphy and Panchito opened for The Beatles at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex during that band's infamously abbreviated concert tour of Manila.[3]
Apart from his partnership with Dolphy, Panchito became known as a supporting player in many other film comedies. He was frequently cast as an authority figure such as a policeman, a politician, a father-of-the-family, and memorably, as the hula skirt-clad music teacher of Jaena High School in the Joey de Leon-Rene Requiestas starrer Elvis and James (1989) and as "Paenguin" (a parody of Batman's arch-nemesisThe Penguin) in the comedy-spoof Alyas Batman en Robin (1991).
In 1993, Panchito lived for a while in the United States, purportedly to seek treatment after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In early 1995, his best friend Dolphy and nephew Babalu visited him in the States where he was convinced to appear in the film Home Sic Home, a comedy film shot both in the Philippines and San Francisco, U.S.A. and produced by Star Cinema. Though his movements were limited throughout the film due to his medical condition, his comeback was well-received by the viewers. Soon after he decided to come back to the Philippines to resume his showbiz career. His guesting in Home Along da Riles rated high and he was cast in Dolphy and Vandolph's film Father en Son. However, while doing some scenes for the film in October 1995, he suffered a stroke that left him comatose. A video of him lying incapacitated in bed aired on Philippine television.
During his comatose period at the hospital, he was able to receive medical and financial support from his former co-stars. Aside from Dolphy, Eat Bulaga main hosts Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon also visited him. He died two months later, on December 18, 1995, at the age of 70, two days after the death of Bert Tawa Marcelo, and two months before his 71st birthday.[4] It was also reported that Dolphy decided to include Panchito's partially-shot scenes in "Father en Son" at the final film cut as tribute to his long-time comic partner.
In 2007, Alpha Music Corporation released an album-compilation entitled The Best of Dolphy & Panchito, featuring 14 comedic duets of the comic tandem.
