Three beauty queens were cast in the 1963 Sampaguita movie Bird of Paradise, with Eddie Gutierrez and Vic Vargas as leading men. They are Josephine Estrada (Miss Philippines-Universe ’62), Sylvia Gumabao (Miss Philippines Press Photography ’62-’63), and Cynthia Ugalde (Miss Philippines-International ’62).
Remember When focuses on Cynthia, who emerged Miss Photogenic second placer at the Miss International pageant held in Long Beach, California.
Aside from Bird of Paradise, Cynthia’s movies include Reynang Nakabakya, Tarzan vs. Tanzan (opposite Dolphy), Bathing Beauties, Big Boss (with Joseph Estrada) and The Diosdado Macapagal Story (opposite Fred Montilla).
Cynthia married Dr. Oscar Pelaez Tan in 1965 and migrated to the US, where they stayed for decades. The couple is back in the Philippines for good with their family. — RKC