Abimaela Palomo Tagasa (April 16, 1935 – March 24, 2018), better known as Mely Tagasa, was a Filipino actress, screenwriter and dubbing producer. She was widely known for playing Miss Tapia in the sitcoms Baltic & Co. (GMA) and Iskul Bukol (IBC).[1][2]
Tagasa was raised in La Paz, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija, Philippines. At age 9, her family moved to Manila following the end of World War II.[citation needed]
She was already enamored with radio. Once, she joined some friends and auditioned in a singing contest, which she won. At 17, Tagasa was playing roles on radio and set aside her college studies.[3]
Tagasa had three daughters and one son. Her eldest daughter Gina Marissa Tagasa is a writer for movies and television in the Philippines.[4]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974–1976 | Baltic & Co. | Liwayway Gawgaw Tapia / Miss Tapia | |
| 1978–1988 | Iskul Bukol | ||
| 1987–1989 | Agila | Lola Belen | |
| 1989–1992 | |||
| 1991–1996 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Various | 10 episodes |
| 1993 | Noli Me Tangere | Hermana Sepa | |
| 1995–1997 | Wansapanataym | Various | 3 episodes |
| 1997 | Esperanza | Principal | |
| Calvento Files | Episode: "Savage Murder of Maria Teresa Solante" | ||
| !Oka Tokat | Guest cast | ||
| 2002–2003 | Ang Iibigin ay Ikaw | Miling | |
| 2003 | Ang Iibigin ay Ikaw Pa Rin | ||
| 2005–2006 | Daisy Siete: Ang Pitong Maria | Tiya Magda | |
| 2008 | Ako si Kim Samsoon | Judge |
| Year | Title | Role | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Dabiana | ||
| Sa Piling ng Mga Sugapa | |||
| 1978 | Sabi Barok, Lab Ko Dabiana | ||
| Isinilang Ko'y Hindi Ko Tunay Na Anak | |||
| 1979 | Vontes V | ||
| Mahal... Ginagabi Ka Na Naman | |||
| Bokyo | |||
| 1986 | Super Islaw and the Flying Kids | Lola Cuna | |
| Payaso | |||
| 1987 | No Retreat... No Surrender... Si Kumander | Honorata | |
| Black Magic | |||
| 1988 | Rosa Mistica | Segment "Mga Dilaw Na Rosas ni Rosario" | |
| Wake Up Little Susie | Roda | ||
| Ompong Galapong: May Ulo, Walang Tapon | Miss R. Concepcion | ||
| I Love You 3x a Day | Spelling bee umpire | ||
| 1989 | Everlasting Love | ||
| 1990 | Elvis and James 2 | Cher | |
| Paikot-ikot | |||
| Hindi Ka Na Sisikatan ng Araw: Kapag Puno Na ang Salop Part-III | |||
| Hulihin si Nardong Toothpick | |||
| 1991 | Barbi for President | ||
| Tukso, Layuan Mo Ako! | |||
| 1992 | Boy Recto | Ms. Ampalaya | |
| Shake, Rattle & Roll IV | Mrs. Baltazar | Segment "Kapitbahay" | |
| 1994 | Once Upon a Time in Manila | Salome Yu | |
| Suwapings | |||
| Walang Matigas Na Tinapay sa Mainit Na Kape | |||
| Abrakadabra | Miss Checheburetse | ||
| Lab Kita, Bilib Ka Ba? | Yaya | ||
| 1995 | Run Barbi Run | Decia | |
| Indecent Professor | Atty. Honorata Morata | ||
| Best Friends | |||
| Ang Titser Kong Pogi | School principal | ||
| 1996 | Where 'D' Girls 'R' | Auntie Pacita | |
| 1997 | Biyudo si Daddy, Biyuda si Mommy (She Loves Me... He Loves Me Too...) | ||
| Honey, Nasa Langit Na Ba Ako? | Noel's lola | ||
| 1998 | Sabong | ||
| Tong Tatlong Tatay Kong Pakitong Kitong | |||
| Hiling | Pura | ||
| 2000 | Ayos Na... ang Kasunod | ||
| 2002 | Hula Mo, Huli Ko | Lola Apols | |
| 2008 | Iskul Bukol 20 Years After: The Ungasis and Escaleras Adventure | Liwayway Gawgaw Tapia / Miss Tapia |
Under a month shy of her 83rd birthday, Tagasa died of stroke on 24 March 2018, aged 82, after being in a coma for two weeks.[5][6]
 | This article about an actor in the Philippines is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
