Gardo Versoza

Gardo Versoza, born Mennen Torres Polintanon November 8, 1969, is a popular Filipino actor who has appeared in over forty movies and dozens of television shows. He started out in roles such as Sabik Sa Halik, Machete II, Halimuyak Ng Babae and Kirot. Later, he went on to star in action movies such as Cesar Climaco, Mison, and Ka Hector. He has also appeared in critically acclaimed movies such as the 1998 Marilou Diaz-Abaya version of Rizal where he played the role of hero Andres Bonifacio and Sisa where he played the role of Jose Rizal / Pepe. He has recently even tried his hand in comedy starring in Pinoy Blonde. His success is not limited to movies alone. He also has been the focal point of some of the highest rated shows in Philippine television including Mula sa Puso where he portrayed Domingo, It Might Be You as Camilo San Carlos and Sugo where he was Apo Abukay. At the onset and during his heyday, Gardo Versoza was tagged "Asia's Sexiest Man." In his latest production, Sugo, Gardo plays the role of Apo Abukay. Apo Abukay is an evil chieftain who possesses black magic coming from the anito or spirit of darkness. He is characterized for embracing the old world or the pre-Spanish era. He battled the Spanish friars who came to the Philippines and it was only through the intervention of Conde Vergonze, a blind but powerful warrior that he was defeated. However, he made a pact that he could be resurrected with the blood of a certain woman from his bloodline (alay). After years of trying to resurrect Apo Abukay, the Binhi-lans (descendants of Apo Abukay) succeeded because the chosen one (sugo) of the Carag-Ayans (descendants of Conde Vergonze) fell in love with the alay and refused to kill her. In the end Apo Abukay was defeated and the Binhi-lan and Carag-Ayan tribes ended their centuries long war. The chosen one and the alay married and peace was restored. As of late, Versoza has been busy with guest appearances in various shows in both ABS-CBNand GMA - 7. He has been spotted lately in Bubble Gang, Maalaala Mo Kaya, Hokus Pokus and Magpakailanman. He is also taking up directing classes and hopes to be a director some day.