Fernandez files: The untold tragedies in Rudy Fernandez’s family

Before the late Rudy Fernandez became an action superstar, his family was already prominent — on both sides, actually.

His mother, Ma. Paz Padilla, belonged to the famous Padilla clan that includes pre-war and post liberation actors Jose Padilla, Carlos Padilla, Maria Clara Ruiz and Pilar Padilla. Pilar, still strong and lucid at 99 years old, was even able to attend the film industry-wide affair Araw ng Pagkakaisa ng Pelikulang Pilipino last Saturday at the Valencia Events Place in Quezon City.

Today’s generation, of course, is more familiar with Senator Robin Padilla, Zsa Zsa Padilla and Maritoni Fernandez. Before Robin’s time, there were the mother and son directors Ateng and Bebong Osorio and even actor Amado Cortez (the second husband of Gloria Sevilla).

They are all descendants of a Spanish friar — a Padre Calleja. Since the children of the fraile (priest) could not use their father’s surname, they had no choice but to embrace the last name of their mother — a Padilla maiden.

Had the friar allowed his children to use his name, Sen. Robin would have been Robin Calleja and singer Zsa Zsa would now be known as Zsa Zsa Calleja. The situation worked just as well. Calleja does not sound showbiz anyway.

It is now more identified with legal matters — thanks to Atty. Howard Calleja. Rudy’s father, Gregorio Fernandez, was famous on his own. Although he was a graduate of dentistry, he chose to become an actor. In time, he learned the ropes of filmmaking and became one of the most important directors before and after World War II. As a director, his most significant works were Garrison 13, Capas, Rodrigo de Villa, Prinsipe Tenoso, Malvarosa and Higit sa Lahat.

Birth of the bomba

Among the eight children of Ma. Paz and Gregorio (he looked very much like Rudy’s son, Mark Anthony Fernandez), two became screen icons: Rudy and Merle Fernandez. Rudy, of course, was legendary in the field of action. Eldest sister Merle, on the other hand, is credited to have been the first bomba (sexy) star.

She denies having been the first to disrobe completely on the big screen — claiming that there had been others shortly before her. Film historians, however, would not accept that — maybe because her movie Uhaw was so successful, it set a trend in local cinema: the “bomba.”

But for all the accomplishments of the Fernandezes who joined show business, the family circumstances had been tragic. In 1957, Ma. Paz went through a serious case of postpartum depression. She was unable to sleep for long stretches and started hallucinating. To end her misery, the poor woman killed herself.

The actress Rosa Rosal, who was a family friend, was witness to how Ma. Paz breathed her last. Mrs. Fernandez died cradled in Rosal’s arms.

In 1959, Merle, who used to do small roles in her father’s films, returned to the movies. She was in her teens and had yet to make a name for herself when all of a sudden, she became a public sensation. Her boyfriend, a popular sportsman, was killed in the Fernandez’s Mandaluyong residence. The crime would go unsolved.

For quite a time, all eyes were on Merle. Did she do it? Although no evidence pointed to her, she still could not go out in public because of the scandal. The case, after all, became daily front page news. She had to wait a whole decade before making a comeback. And what a spectacular return it was — she became the unchallenged queen of “bomba.”

During Merle’s hiatus, another tragedy hit home. A brother who had gotten into trouble panicked. He feared his father’s wrath. Gregorio Fernandez, after all, was known for his temper. Instead of facing his father’s fury, the boy decided to shoot himself and died instantly.

In the mid-1970s, Merle, who by then had retired from the movies, hit the front page again. Armed men entered her house in Quezon City — in the Banawe area. It was nighttime, but she was still awake.

The men carted off around P200,000 worth of jewelry. Those were a lot of gems considering the fact that a one-carat diamond ring then cost only a thousand pesos.

In the news report, it was said that it wasn’t only robbery that the burglars committed. Merle, now almost 88, no longer wishes to discuss what else transpired that evening. But to this day, she suspects that it was a friend of hers — an actress — who masterminded the crime, most likely out of envy.

That friend — a former Sampaguita Pictures star — died in a vehicular accident shortly after. The tragedy there was that nobody even shed tears for her — a pity since she had one of the most beautiful faces in the 1960s, an Amalia Fuentes look-alike, actually.

‘Best sister-in-law ever’

In 2007, Merle’s favorite brother, Rudy, was diagnosed with periampullary cancer. After more than a year of treatment here and abroad, Rudy died on 7 June 2008.

After Rudy’s death, his widow, grand-slam queen Lorna Tolentino, did not sever ties with the Fernandez family. She kept herself abreast of what is going on with her in-laws — always ready to extend help when necessary. Merle described Lorna as “the best sister-in-law ever.”

Beth Fernandez dies

Sadly, last 6 August, another tragedy hit the Fernandez family: Rudy’s sister, Beth, died in a fire. She was 78.

When Rudy was still alive, he built a row of townhouses for his siblings on Scout Rallos in Quezon City — very near Kamuning. There were six units and Beth occupied one.

Beth’s health began declining a few years ago — until she became bedridden. When the fire occurred, it was supposed to be just one of those ordinary days. Her children went out on errands and Beth was left at home with a caregiver. When Beth got thirsty, she asked the caregiver to fetch her a glass of water downstairs.

When the caregiver went to the kitchen, she was surprised to discover that part of the house was already being engulfed by flames. The blaze started from one electrical socket — until the fire spread all over. The caregiver rushed upstairs and tried to rescue Beth. Unfortunately, the caregiver — maybe because she inhaled smoke — suddenly fainted before she could even reach Beth’s room.

Luckily for the caregiver, she was rescued while unconscious. But no one was able to get to Beth’s bedroom anymore. It was too late to save her.

The residents of that unit — Beth’s children and her nephew, Ramon Araneta — lost everything they had in that fire. Most tragic, of course, is the circumstance of Beth’s passing.

Beth is scheduled to be buried any day now. She will be joining Rudy in the Fernandez mausoleum at Heritage Park in Taguig City.

When Rudy was at the peak of his career, every Filipino macho envied him. He had good looks (baby-faced until the end), acting skills and mass appeal. He was rich and famous. Rudy also had the most beautiful wife in Lorna, who was equally accomplished in the field of entertainment.

If only they knew the tragedy of his family — starting with his mother.

Fortunately, his children with Lorna, Ralph and Renz, seem to be doing okay. Mark Anthony Fernandez, sadly, became troubled, but he is basically a good boy.

May the death of Beth be the last in the string of tragedies that have hounded the Fernandez family.