Helen Cruz: A fairy tale

If Helen Cruz were to write an autobiography, it would certainly be a bestseller. For like a fairy tale, Helen’s life is full of drama, comedy and, yes, romance.

Helen hails from Davao City where she belonged to a family of four boys and three girls. In the early ’50s, Helen fled to Manila as her free (and gay) spirit found the conservative atmosphere in the south stifling. In the late ’50s, Helen joined the radio program of Luz Mat Castro and Constancio de Guzman, The Big Broadcast, which was searching for the Julie London of the Philippines. Helen won first prize. By that time Helen was already wearing women’s clothes with aplomb and sophistication.

From then on, there was no stopping Helen Cruz. She sang at the Bulakeña supper club along Dewey Blvd. for three years along with Margie Greenwood, Lucille Lavides, and later Carmen Soriano. After this came a long-running engagement at Jade Vine. Wherever Helen performed, the audience came, requesting ballads, Spanish and English love songs, jazz numbers and, of course, naughty tunes.

Helen appeared in several films, including Luneta, Hiwaga sa Balete Drive, and Matandang Pa-Charming.

Helen also sang at Bayside, Nile, Hong Kong Bayside, and Tito Rey of the Island in Daly City (San Francisco).

Helen had a most exciting and colorful love life. She had affairs with actors, society boys, athletes, businessmen, diplomats. As to their identities, Helen’s lips are sealed. But there were also heartaches along the way, personal and professional ups and down.

The singer remembers the late Indonesian strongman Sukarno with a hearty laugh. During a visit, he heard Helen sing and was smitten by the singer’s charm. He offered to bring Helen to Jakarta and was quite insistent. A mutual friend, Serging Osmeña, Helen recalls, found a way out. He told President Sukarno, "Helen is happily married with several children."

Helen Cruz nowadays sings mostly at private parties. Her voice, style and appeal still there. Helen is not rich in material wealth but rich in friends and experiences. Remember When? features Helen in photos with foreign celebrities who visited the country.