Sigrid Sophia Agatha de Torres von Giese (December 14, 1923 – April 27, 2009), known professionally as Paraluman, was a Filipino actress whose career spanned four decades. Dubbed as "the Greta Garbo of the Philippines," she is often cited as one of the greatest screen figures in the country.
She first appeared in the film Flores de Mayo (1940) and rose to fame in the self-titled film opposite Fernando Poe Sr. She has since appeared in over 90 motion pictures including several foreign films such as Elephant Girl (1951) and Surrender - Hell! (1959). Paraluman has received two FAMAS Awards and has been inducted at the Eastwood City Walk of Fame.
Early life Paraluman was born Sigrid Sophia Agatha de Torres von Giese in Tayabas to Lothar Hans von Giese and Tecla de Torres. Her father emigrated to the Phillippines from Hamburg, Germany, and her mother was a native of Tayabas.
Educated at Assumption College, the young Paraluman herself was an avid movie fan. She loved reading magazines about her favorite celebrities. Her interest in showbiz increased when she learnt that their next-door neighbour was the actress Corazón Noble, and she would often climb their fence to catch glimpse of the actress. Her curiosity yielded positive results because Noble's younger sister, Lily, noticed her and they soon became friends.
Career Her extraordinary beauty led the seventeen-year-old Paraluman to be recommended by another sister of Corazón Noble, Norma, to film producer Luis Nolasco. Her first movie was Flores de Mayo (1940), and she initially used the screen name Mina de Gracia. She was rechristened "Paraluman" (archaic Tagalog for "muse" or "magnetic needle") by Fernando Poe, Sr., who signed her as a full-fledged star in X’otic Films' Paraluman (1941). This was followed by the actresses' roles in the films Bayani ng Bayan and Puting Dambana.
After World War II, she came back to cinema as a contract star of Sampaguita Pictures. She then became a famous leading lady in romantic movies, but when she made a comeback, her image was repackaged by Sampaguita Pictures owner Dr. José "Doc" Pérez. She was given character roles, playing nemesis to Gloria Romero in Hongkong Holiday, then as a disabled woman in Tanikaláng Apoy (1959). She won a FAMAS Best Actress Award for her role in Sino ang Maysala?
Paraluman was also nominated by FAMAS four times: twice in 1959 for Best Actress for the movies Bobby and Anino ni Bathala, in 1972 as Best Supporting Actress for Lilet, and in 1976 as Best Supporting Actress for Mister Mo, Lover Boy Ko. Her last films were Viva Films' Kailan Sasabihing Mahal Kita in 1985, NV Productions' "Tatlong Ina, isang Anak" in 1987 as one of the spinster aunts of Miguel Rodríguez, and Seiko Films' Isusumbong Kita sa Diyos in 1988.
Personal life Paraluman's first marriage was to Yoshifume Abe, which ended in divorce. She remarried in December 1949 in Manila to airline pilot Anthony Joseph "Tony" Barretto O'Brien, the son of Peter O'Brien and Dolores Barretto y Barretto of Zambales. Baby O'Brien, her daughter from her first marriage to Abe, took her stepfather's surname and was herself a television actress and advertising model. O'Brien's daughter, Rina Reyes, is also an actress. Paraluman's great-granddaughter and Reyes's daughter, Sophie Reyes, is also an actress under Star Magic Batch 2019.
Death Paraluman died of cardiac arrest from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases complications on 27 April 2009 at her home in Parañaque. She was 85 years old.
Filmography + Year Title Role Notes 1940Flores de MayoMina de Gracia1941ParalumanPalarisBayani ng BuhayPuting DambanaManilena1947La PalomaIna1948AmapolaSor RemediosAwit ng Bulag1949Good Morning ProfessorBiro ng TadhanaKaputol ng Isang AwitPinaghating Isangdaan1950Batong BuhaySinag sa KalbarioDalawang Bandila1953Now and ForeverHighway 54May Karapatang Isilang1954SarawakPusong Ginto1955Sintu-Sinto1956LydiaBabaluRodoraClara/RosaGigolo1957Hongkong HolidayVeronicaVeronicaSonataTaga sa BatoSino ang Maysala?1958Anino ni BathalaDoloresUlilang AnghelTatang EdyerBobbyElephant Girl1959Ipinagbili Ko Ang Aking AnakPitong PagsisisiTanikalang ApoyKahapon LamangSurrender - Hell!PilarBaby FaceRosana RossiniKamandag1960Isinakdal Ko Mag Aking AmaKuwintas ng AlaalaAmy, Susie & TessieEstrela MondragonLimang Misteryo ng Krus19615 Yugto ng BuhayDalawang Kalbaryo ni Dr. MendezHarangan Man ng SibatMakasalanang DaigdigSa Linggo ng Bola1962The Big BroadcastMagbayad ang May-utangAko ang KatarunganPitong PusoPitong Makasalanan1963Pitong Kabanalan ng Isang MakasalananTagumpay ng LangitAng Class ReunionMs. DimalantaPedring Arenas, Alyas Ice Pick1964Moro Witch DoctorSelisa Noble1965Isinulat sa Dugo1966Bakit Pa Ako Isinilang?Ang Tao ay MakasalananNais Ko Pang Mabuhay1967Dahil sa Isang BulaklakVictoria1969StoneyMargaret Suwono1970The LosersMama-San1971LiletAmanda1972Daughters of SatanJuana Rios1973Super Gee1975Mister Mo, Lover Boy KoDugo at Pag-ibig sa Kapirasong LupaVicente's wifeMother and DaughterAlat1976Nahirit, Nasipol Ang Biyaheng BikolMalikot na Mata Maraming NakikitaMalamig, Mainit ang MagdamagIkaw... Ako Laban sa Mundo!1977Pulot-gata: Puwede Kaya?The Lineman1978Ligaya Mo ay Kasawian ko1979Bakit May Pag-ibig Pa?1985Hello Lover, Goodbye FriendRita Delgado-SmithKailan Sasabihing Mahal KitaLuz Tuazon
Legacy Filipino rock band The Eraserheads mentioned her in the opening lyrics of Ang Huling El Bimbo. She is also mentioned in the lyrics of the songs Binibini by Filipino pop group The Rainmakers The song Paraluman by Filipino singer and model Adie is about a woman whose beauty is like hers. A Filipino rock band, Paraluman, is also named after the late actress. Ahtisa Manalo paid tribute to Paraluman with glamorous curls in her latest sepia-colored photo shoot.
Accolades + Organizations Year Recipient Category Result FAMAS Awards1958Sino ang Maysala?Best Actress1959BobbyAnino ni Bathala1966Isinulat sa Dugo1972LiletBest Supporting Actress1976Mister Mo, Lover Boy Ko2008ParalumanLifetime Achievement Award
References
External links
Paraluman at AllMovie Paraluman at Rotten Tomatoes