Phillip Salvador

About

Film and television actor who rose to fame as the protégé of director Lino Brocka. He starred in 20 of Brocka's films throughout his career, including Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim, Cain at Abel, Orapronobis, and The Marriage. He also went on to lead numerous biographical films, like Kumander Dante, the Joe Pring series, Mancao, Ka Hector, Bobby Barbers Parak, and Padilla: Bala Lang and Katapat mo.

Before Fame

He was discovered by Lino Brocka while he was filming a documentary called Seven Directors in 1975. He went on to star in several of Brocka's stage productions, including the Filipino adaptations of the Tennessee Williams plays A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, before they began shooting feature films together in 1978, starting with Mananayaw and My Father, My Mother.

Trivia

As of 2023, he shared the title of most awarded actor in the history of Filipino cinema with fellow stars Christopher De Leon and Eddie Garcia. He was named the Most Unique Actor of the Decade (1980s) in 1991 and has also been decorated with Best Actor wins from the Gawad Urian Awards, the PMPC Star Awards, and the FAP Luna Awards, among many others. In 2016, he ran for the office of Vice Governor of Bulacan with running mate Josefina Dela Cruz.

Family Life

He is the son of Corazon Reyes and movie/theater producer Lou Salvador. He reputedly had over 100 siblings and half-siblings fathered by Lou Salvador, including renowned actors Alona Alegre and Ross Rival. He has several nieces and nephews, including actress, singer, and model Maja Salvador. He is also the great-uncle of actress Janella Salvador. He married Emma Ledesma in 2003 and they are the parents of several children; however, he also has a son named Joshua from a previous relationship with actress Kris Aquino.   

Associated With

He co-starred with Vilma Santos in the films Baby Tsina and Sinasamba Kita. He also shared the screen with Charito Solis on multiple occasions, in films like Of the Flesh and Okay Ka Fairy Ko.