Mely Tagasa, 'Iskul Bukol's' Miss Tapia, dies at 82

ABS-CBN News

<div class='embed-wrap'><figure data-feedback='fb:likes,fb:comments'><img src='https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/life/03/24/mely-tagasa.jpg' ><figcaption>Mely Tagasa reprised her role as Miss Tapia in the 2008 big-screen sequel of 'Iskul Bukol.' <em>Screenshot/OctoArts/M-Zet/APT</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Mely Tagasa, best remembered for her decade-long role as the strict but endearing professor Miss Tapia in "Iskul Bukol," has passed away, her family announced Saturday morning.</p><p>The screen veteran, who would have turned 83 on April 16, had been comatose for a week after suffering a stroke. She was "weaned off her respirator" Thursday, according to her daughter Gina, in a "tough and painful decision" for their family.</p><p>"We accept," Gina wrote in a personal Facebook post prior to Tagasa's passing, cited here with permission. "We leave everything to the good Lord. If He wills her to continue enjoying a quality life at 83, then a miracle is bound to happen. If He decides to take Mommy home with Him, Eternal Life in Heaven awaits."</p><p>Gina is one of Tagasa's four children.</p><p>Becoming Miss Tapia was "serendipitous" for Tagasa, she told Inquirer in a 2017 interview. A scriptwriter prior to "Iskul Bukol," Tagasa had originally intended to submit her work to an agency, which happened to be auditioning, at that time, a role for a TV adaptation of the comic strip "Baltic and Co.".</p><p>With her hair in a bun and wearing glasses, she was instantly recognized by the comic strip creator, Roni Santiago, as the love-lorn and often-angry professor Miss Tapia who would complete the cast. In a stroke of luck for Santiago, Tagasa already had prior experience as an actress -- a radio talent to be exact, starting when she was 17.</p><figure class='op-interactive'><iframe height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/DmAxww_EUsc?enablejsapi=1' width='560'></iframe></figure><div class='iwantbar'>Watch more in <a href='~//www.iwantv.com.ph/'>iWantv</a> or <a href='~//tfc.tv/'>TFC.tv</a></div><p>In 1977, Miss Tapia's crossover appearance from "Baltic and Co." to the just-launched sitcom "Iskul Bukol" became a hit, and since then she had been a regular character in the series.</p><p>Tagasa became a staple on Philippine television for 15 years, as "Iskul Bukol" enjoyed one of the longest runs of a local sitcom. That series, starring the now-iconic trio of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon, also spawned four films -- most recently the 2008 reunion flick that re-visited the lives of Wanbol University graduates.</p><p>Fittingly, that film was one of Tagasa's last onscreen appearances -- a swan song of sorts with the same character she'd mastered for over a decade and made a household name.</p><p>Following her well-loved portrayal of Miss Tapia, Tagasa continued working in showbiz -- behind-the-scenes. She carried on her past work as a writer, and later as a producer.</p>

<p>Gina is one of Tagasa's four children.</p><p>Becoming Miss Tapia was "serendipitous" for Tagasa, she told Inquirer in a 2017 interview. A scriptwriter prior to "Iskul Bukol," Tagasa had originally intended to submit her work to an agency, which happened to be auditioning, at that time, a role for a TV adaptation of the comic strip "Baltic and Co.".</p><p>With her hair in a bun and wearing glasses, she was instantly recognized by the comic strip creator, Roni Santiago, as the love-lorn and often-angry professor Miss Tapia who would complete the cast. In a stroke of luck for Santiago, Tagasa already had prior experience as an actress -- a radio talent to be exact, starting when she was 17.</p><figure class='op-interactive'><iframe height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/DmAxww_EUsc?enablejsapi=1' width='560'></iframe></figure><div class='iwantbar'>Watch more in <a href='~//www.iwantv.com.ph/'>iWantv</a> or <a href='~//tfc.tv/'>TFC.tv</a></div><p>In 1977, Miss Tapia's crossover appearance from "Baltic and Co." to the just-launched sitcom "Iskul Bukol" became a hit, and since then she had been a regular character in the series.</p><p>Tagasa became a staple on Philippine television for 15 years, as "Iskul Bukol" enjoyed one of the longest runs of a local sitcom. That series, starring the now-iconic trio of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon, also spawned four films -- most recently the 2008 reunion flick that re-visited the lives of Wanbol University graduates.</p><p>Fittingly, that film was one of Tagasa's last onscreen appearances -- a swan song of sorts with the same character she'd mastered for over a decade and made a household name.</p><p>Following her well-loved portrayal of Miss Tapia, Tagasa continued working in showbiz -- behind-the-scenes. She carried on her past work as a writer, and later as a producer.</p>

<p>The screen veteran, who would have turned 83 on April 16, had been comatose for a week after suffering a stroke. She was "weaned off her respirator" Thursday, according to her daughter Gina, in a "tough and painful decision" for their family.</p><p>"We accept," Gina wrote in a personal Facebook post prior to Tagasa's passing, cited here with permission. "We leave everything to the good Lord. If He wills her to continue enjoying a quality life at 83, then a miracle is bound to happen. If He decides to take Mommy home with Him, Eternal Life in Heaven awaits."</p>

<div class='embed-wrap'><figure data-feedback='fb:likes,fb:comments'><img src='https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/life/03/24/mely-tagasa.jpg' ><figcaption>Mely Tagasa reprised her role as Miss Tapia in the 2008 big-screen sequel of 'Iskul Bukol.' <em>Screenshot/OctoArts/M-Zet/APT</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>Mely Tagasa, best remembered for her decade-long role as the strict but endearing professor Miss Tapia in "Iskul Bukol," has passed away, her family announced Saturday morning.</p>

<p>Mely Tagasa, best remembered for her decade-long role as the strict but endearing professor Miss Tapia in "Iskul Bukol," has passed away, her family announced Saturday morning.</p>

Mely Tagasa, best remembered for her decade-long role as the strict but endearing professor Miss Tapia in "Iskul Bukol," has passed away, her family announced Saturday morning.

Mely Tagasa, 'Iskul Bukol's' Miss Tapia, dies at 82 | ABS-CBN News

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Mely Tagasa, 'Iskul Bukol's' Miss Tapia, dies at 82

Mely Tagasa, 'Iskul Bukol's' Miss Tapia, dies at 82