KARATE STAR ROBERTO GONZALEZ DIES AT 66
By Jay de Leon

On Feb. 5, 2009, Roberto Gonzalez passed away in Quezon City, in the Philippines at the age of 66 years.

Known as the Karate King of Philippine Movies, Roberto Gonzalez was one the most popular action stars of the 60’s. His contemporaries in the action genre’ included such screen luminaries as Tony Ferrer, Alberto Alonzo, Jun Aristorenas, Joseph Estrada and Fernando Poe, Jr.

In addition, he was a real deal karate master, the son of Latino Gonzalez, known as the Father of Philippine Karate, who popularized the style of shorin-ryu in the Philippines. Other movie stars at this time who were also martial artists included Rolando Gonzalez (Roberto’s brother), Bernard Belleza, Bernard Bonnin and my own judo instructor Vic Vargas.

Here are some pictures to remind us martial artists as well as his cinematic fans of the martial artist, the actor and the man who was Roberto Gonzalez.

The Funeral Wake

These three pictures taken at the wake of Roberto Gonzalez are courtesy of friend and fellow Eskrima Digest list member Gabe Rafael. In turn, Gabe wishes to thank his shorin-ryu friends in the Philippines who provided him with these pictures.

Filmography of Roberto Gonzalez

1. Ako ang lalagot sa hininga mo (1999)
2. Heroes Hill (1983)
3. Objective 2400 (1980)
4. Deadly Fighters (1980)
5. Pangkat Do or Die (1980)
6. Ahas sa Pugad Lawin (1979)
7. Habang ako'ng batas (1971) (as Roberto Gonzalez)
8. Kontra hari (1971) (as Roberto Gonzalez)
9. Sa kamay ng tatlong takas (1971) (as Roberto Gonzalez)
10. Battle of Champions (1968)
11. Bulag na matador (1968)
12. Chaku Judo Aikido o Karate (1968)
13. Deadly Trio (1968)
14. Hari ng slums (1968) .... Hari ng slums
15. Ito ang digmaan (1968)
16. Karate Commandos (1968)
17. Karate, samurai, at pagibig (1968)
18. Kidlat sa karate (1968)
19. Suntok o karate (1968)
20. That Man Mr. Impossible (1968)
21. Bertong karate (1967) (as Roberto Gonzalez)
22. Digmaan sa karate (1967)
23. Master Fighter (1967) (as Roberto Gonzalez) .... Master Fighter
24. Pambihirang pito (1967) (as Roberto Gonzalez)
25. Cobra (1966) (as Roberto Gonzalez)
26. Hari ng karate (1966)

Posters of Roberto Gonzalez’s Movies

Photos of Funeral Wake courtesy of Gabe Rafael, California, USA