A book signing for the release of “The Legend of Tessie Agana: Beloved Child Star of the Philippines: An Intimate Portrait of My Mother” by author Mylene Agana Jao Richardson drew crowds and curiosity seekers Friday, Sept. 22 at the Barnes & Noble in Valparaiso.
Retired movie star Tessie Agana, joined her author daughter to sign books and pose for photos, following a short talk by Richardson and audience questions. After her self-described legendary movie career in the Philippines, Agana, now 81, settled in Northwest Indiana, first Gary and now Valparaiso, where she has lived for more than 60 years. Following her youth in movies, her parents moved her from the Philippines to Maryland in 1956 and in 1957, Tessie and her family moved to Lafayette, where she graduated in 1959 from Lafayette Central Catholic High School.
Author Richardson has much to say, and has written a fascinating work detailing not only her mother Tessie, but also grandmother Linda Estrella, since the two were the Philippines’ iconic mother/daughter film star duo of the early 1950s, starring in more than 40 films together and winning the hearts of millions of fans worldwide.
Tessie was affectionately deemed “The Nation’s Little Sweetheart” of her country and known as the “Shirley Temple of the Philippines,” the latter association likely coming from her role as the title character in the 1951 film “Roberta,” which was then the highest grossing Philippine film of all time. Produced by Sampaguita Pictures on a low budget after a fire destroyed the studio’s film library, “Roberta” was released in 1951, and was an unprecedented box office success and has since been credited with propelling the financially strapped studio’s revival in the early 1950s.
Two decades earlier, during the Great Depression, Shirley Temple was similarly credited with saving her film studio 20th Century Fox from bankruptcy with her box office hit films such as “Curly Top” and “The Littlest Rebel.”
Written with the uneasy aspects of truth, fame and fortune, author Richardson offers an intimate portrait of her mother, whose early exposure to the public eye led to dark shadows that impacted her entire life.
“The process of writing this book was an eye-opener in every way, and my mother and I have rebuilt a more fulfilling relationship,” Richardson said.
“We have learned to embrace the past and celebrate the present. This story, I believe, can only be told from the lens of a family member revealing details with love, respect, and honor.”
Mylene Richardson grew up in Valparaiso and attended Andrean High School.
She is a first-time author who in 2009 decided to write this book as a way for her sons to learn about their grandmother and great-grandmother, and her effort turned into years of interviews with family members and friends.
Today, Richardson lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, with her husband and their two teenage sons.
For more information visit https://www.mylenerichardson.com/. Barnes & Noble in Valparaiso also has copies of the book for sale by calling 219-531-6551.
An Enterprise event
The last time television and movie star William Shatner was in Northwest Indiana was to host the 2001 Miss USA Pageant telecast broadcast live from the Genesis Center in Gary.
Shatner, 92, will once again be “in our backyard,” but just over the state line in Michigan, next month at Lake Michigan College on stage at the Mendel Center in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
It’s been years since I’ve been to this beautiful performing arts center.
But in the 1990s while I worked at The South Bend Tribune, I interviewed many legendary names who performed on that stage such as Roy Clark, Patti Page, comedian Jerry Lewis, Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash and Wayne Newton, just to mention a roster of luminaries who have trekked to that collegiate stage.
The 7 p.m. EST Oct. 14 evening with Shatner includes a screening of his 1982 film “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” followed by a stage Q&A with the actor which promises “sharing fascinating and humorous behind-the-scenes stories from his life and illustrious career and including answering audience questions.”
Tickets range from $45 up to $200, with the latter including a photo op with Shatner.
I’m also told: “Mr. Shatner and the producers at Mills Entertainment support SAG/AFTRA and have worked with them to adjust this event to adhere to the guidelines of the ongoing and necessary strike.”
For more information or tickets called 269-927-8700 or www.themendelcenter.com.
Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and the director of marketing at Theatre at the Center. He can be reached at pmpotempa@comhs.org.
