Mona Lisa: Muslim Princess in Sagur

Exotic beauty Mona Lisa played a Muslim princess in the 1949 south sea adventure movie Sagur. Her leading man was Fernando Poe, who portrayed a sultan.

Sharing stellar billing with Poe and Lisa were Fernando Royo, Luningning, Bimbo Danao. She also appeared with Poe in Giliw Ko, Datu Talim, Palaris, Puting Dambana, Viuda Alegre, Intramuros.

Mona Lisa, originally named Fleur de Lis, is one of several pre-World War II actresses still alive. The others are Mila del Sol (her co-star in Giliw Ko), Paraluman (earlier known as Mina de Gracia), Lota Delgado, Fely Vallejo, Yolando Marquez (Mary Prieto, the socialite).

In the ’70s, after an absence of more than 20 years, she came back in films directed by Lino Brocka, notably Insiang, Cain at Abel, Bayan Ko.  —RKC