It is heartening to know that Carla Abellana and Tom Rodriguez are now happily married. My wish is for them to stay that way forever.
Based on what came out on TV and on social media, their Batangas wedding was beautiful. But one important person in Carla’s life was missing. I’m sure Carla’s happiness would have been complete if her grandmother, Delia Razon, was able to make it to the festive affair. At 90 years of age, however, Delia is already of frail health and can no longer leave the house.
Today’s generation may no longer know Delia Razon and that is sad because she was one of the most important leading ladies of her time. On the occasion of Carla’s wedding, I guess now is a good time to re-introduce to the public former movie queen Delia Razon.
Of German-Spanish lineage, Delia was born Lucy May Grytz in Iloilo on August 8, 1931. Her father was Karl Grytz, while her mom was the former May Duling.
The Second World War was the catalyst that changed Delia’s life. Had it not been for the Japanese Occupation, perhaps she would still be in Iloilo today and could have missed the chance of becoming an actress in the movies.
The arrival of Japanese foot soldiers in that former Queen City of the South, however, began to worry Delia’s mother. They were fairer than most other mestizas in Iloilo and could easily be targeted by the Japanese who could have mistaken them for Americans.
Sure, they were of German extraction and Germany was a friend of Japan during the Japanese interlude. But in that kind of war, the policy was shoot first, ask later. Or maybe they didn’t even bother to ask at all.
Delia’s mother decided to bring the family to Manila – hoping they wouldn’t be too conspicuous in the big city, unlike in that small neighborhood where they were staying in Iloilo.
In Manila, they chose to live in Sta. Mesa. The concern of Delia’s mother in the city then turned to the nutrition of the children. Unlike in the province where they still had a source of fresh produce, food in Manila was scarce. The situation got so bad that dogs and cats started disappearing from the streets of the city, particularly toward the end of the war.
To make sure the Grytz children were not lacking in calcium, they ate clams – or tulya – practically every day. They ate so much of this shellfish variety that a small hill of clam shells steadily rose beside their house.
A couple of years after liberation – when life had normalized in the country – Delia found herself ogling at her favorite stars during an open house at Sampaguita Pictures. What she didn’t know was that some talent scouts were also checking her out – fascinated by her mestiza looks. She was offered to do mostly tertiary parts by the studio.
Not long after, she was sent on loan by Sampaguita to LVN Pictures where she was made to do another small role in Malaya, Mutya ng Gubat. Fortunately for her, the matriarch, Narcisa de Leon or Dona Sisang, saw the rushes of the film and thought she was star material. She was immediately put under contract by LVN.
Delia was initially made to do three films at P300 each. The plan was for her to do three more after that, but at P500 this time for every picture.
Her first contract was eventually junked because she became a full-fledged star shortly after and got P3,000 per picture. The name Delia Razon was taken after a character she played in one of her earlier films.
Although she was a movie queen at LVN, she languished mostly in costume pictures – usually the overdressed princess. This must have been the reason why Delia was always left out in awards races.
But she really couldn’t complain much because she had always been top box-office draw. She was so popular that she became a magnet for autograph-seekers. Her public wasn’t always polite, sadly.
One time, during a break in the shoot, an ill-mannered man approached her and rudely asked for her autograph. She was going to oblige, of course. But this person wanted the autograph on the sole of his shoes.
Sensing Delia’s discomfiture, one of the stuntmen came to her rescue and tried to take her away from the scene. That thug of an autograph-hound, however, stabbed the stuntman with a knife. The stuntman died and this incident is one of the saddest chapters in Delia’s life.
Although she was a big star, Delia was always nice to the crew. And unlike most other movie queens, she selflessly helped other showbiz aspirants to realize their dream of making it in the movies. Nida Blanca was the best example.
Nida was only 14 – an amateur performer – when she became a front act to one of Delia’s personal appearances. Desperate to make it in show business, she approached Delia and appealed to the actress to help her enter the movies.
The following day, Nida appeared at the actress’ home – as per Delia’s instruction. Delia was willing to present the young girl to LVN’s big boss Dona Sisang. But she was afraid the lady producer would find Nida a bit young at 14 to be in the movies.
To make Nida look more mature, Delia lent the aspirant her own clothes and shoes. Nida passed the standards of Dona Sisang and eventually became the new toast of LVN. But Delia didn’t mind that at all. She was just too happy to help a young girl realize her dream.
And by then, Delia was just about ready to slow down and focus on married life. In those days, most respected actresses married into rich families. Nita Javier became known in affluent circles as the rich matron Nita Ng. Lita Gutierrez, on the other hand, married a scion of the Paternos, an old and distinguished family in Philippine society.
In Delia’s case, she married Aurelio Reyes, a prosperous businessman whose family owned the 21-hectare Santa Ana racetrack. For decades, she and her husband also lived in a fabulous residence in upscale Horseshoe Drive in Quezon City. They never had children of their own and eventually raised three foster kids: Jojo, Mia, and Rea, Carla’s mom.
Sadly, Delia’s marriage to Aurelio ended in separation when they were already in their twilight years. Aurelio’s family also had to sell the racetrack, which is now known among mall goers as Circuit Makati.
Not that long ago, Delia’s house in Horseshoe was also sold since it had gotten too big for her needs. She now lives in a condo unit in Mandaluyong with son Jojo. She is in very good hands, especially since Jojo’s wife, Olet, is quite attached to Delia.
At this point of her life, Delia is already having memory lapses and at times no longer recognizes the people around her. But she is never lacking in love and care from her children. Oh, even her grandchildren adore her, particularly Carla who loves her lola dearly.
Yes, this brand-new bride could have been over the moon had her beloved grandma Delia been there at her most special day.
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The Butcher | How Carla Abellana's wedding could have even been happier
Source: Pinoy Ako News
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