Bert Marcelo

Norberto "Bert" Joya Marcelo Sr. (June 6, 1936 – December 16, 1995) was a Filipino actor, comedian, and television personality. His trademark high-pitched infectious laughter earned him the popular moniker "Tawa", the Tagalog word for laughter.

Background
Born in Baliuag, Bulacan, Marcelo's persona as the Filipino everyman, enhanced by his fluency in the Tagalog language and his easy-going friendly nature, made him ideal as the most recognized endorser of the popular San Miguel Beer. Apart from his classic commercials for San Miguel Beer such as Isang Platitong Mani, Marcelo was also best known as the co-host with Pilita Corrales in Ang Bagong Kampeon, a long-running television talent show which discovered Regine Velasquez among other talents. He was also an occasional actor in films, as well in television sitcoms such as Baltic and Company in 1974.

Personal life
He was married to Alicia Trinidad Castro; they had four sons.

Death
Marcelo died at the peak of his career when he suffered a fatal stroke on December 16, 1995. He was buried at Municipal Cemetery in Baliuag, Bulacan beside Jose C. Marcelo (February 2, 1902-August 16, 1970), Aljandra Joya Marcelo (May 18, 1896-March 27, 1992), Genoveva Joya Marcelo, Susana Joya Marcelo, Benita Marcelo and Girlie V. Marcelo.

Legacy
He was portrayed by comedian Jose Manalo on an episode in “Magpakailanman” in 2003.

Film

 * Pomposa: Ang Kabayong Tsismosa (1968)
 * Tore ng Diyablo (1969)
 * Teenage Escapades! (1969)
 * Brownout (1969)
 * Tisoy (1969)
 * D' Musical Teenage Idols! (1969)
 * Padre, si Eba (1971)
 * Ang Pangalan Ko'y Luray (1971)
 * The Panther (1973)
 * Oh Margie Oh (1974)
 * Hindi Kami Damong Ligaw (1976)
 * Wanakosey (1977)
 * Tisoy! (1977)
 * Kapten Batuten en his Super Batuta (1977)
 * Mga Mata ni Angelita (1978)
 * Tadhana (television film, 1978) – Tausi
 * Isang Platitong Mani (1985)
 * Payaso (1986)
 * Everlasting Love (1989)

Television

 * Baltic and Company (GMA Network, 1974–1976)
 * Prinsipe Abante (GMA Network, 1977–1981)
 * Kalatog Pinggan (BBC 2/ABS-CBN, 1985–1986/1987–1988)
 * Ang Bagong Kampeon (RPN 9, 1985–1988)
 * Tanghalan ng Kampeon (GMA Network, 1987–1993)
 * Agrisiyete (GMA Network, 1991–1995) - his last TV appearance