Marita: Demure on, off camera

Then and now, Marita Zobel is noted for her demure ways, her sweet face perfect for lady-like roles. A Spanish mestiza, Marita (Mary Ann Blanche in real life) started her acting career in late ‘50s at LVN, where she was paired with the likes of Lou Salvador Jr., Bernard Bonnin, Robert Campos and Diomedes Maturan.

Marita’s most memorable movie to date is the Manuel Silos classic Biyaya ng Lupa (LVN, 1959), where she played a rape victim, the daughter of Tony Santos and Rosa Rosal.

She is still acting in movies and on television, playing mostly self-sacrificing mother roles. But the few times Marita was given so-called ‘mataray’ parts she did them well.

Marita is the widow of Boy Roxas, former San Beda basketball player and businessman from Bulacan. She remains in touch with her contemporaries, among them Delia Razon, Luz Valdez, Lilia Dizon, Pepito Rodriguez, Liberty Ilagan, all belonging to Balik Samahan headed by Pempe Rodrigo.  — RKC