Stars come and go, and to remain visible and active in the television and movie scene after a long period of time is quite a feat in itself. Here are a few veteran actors who, like vintage wine, just grew even better with age. They have refined their craft, adapted to the times, and now serve as an inspiration to the actors of today.

Gloria Sevilla is the “Queen of Visayan Movies” and “The Swan of Visayan Cinema”, thanks to all her contributions to Visayan-made movies in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Her film Badlis sa Kinabuhi, which won her an Best Actress award plus a nomination at the Asian Film Festival, was shown at the Berlin International Film Festival. Her daughter, Nadia Veloso, inherited her acting skills, and in 1973, this mother-daughter tandem made history as they won the FAMAS Awards for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress for Gimingaw Ako. Her son, Matt Ranillo III, is also a noted actor in his own right. Gloria keeps herself busy producing and acting. She portrayed a gangster grandmom in 2013 MMFF entry Boy Golden: Shoot-to-Kill and was the grandmother of child boxers in 2104 Cinemalaya entry Children’s Show. Today, she is most known as Manang Fe, the trusty nanny of Ser Chief in Be Careful With My Heart, whose love story has had everyone melting and hoping for a similar end.

Mang Anastacio, loving partner of Manang Fe in Be Careful With My Heart, was actually one of the most popular “bida-kontrabida” actors of his time. Carlos “Rusty” Salazar acted alongside Amalia Fuentes and Juancho Gutierrez in Sampaguita Pictures’ Madaling Araw. He also worked with Gloria Romero in Alaalang Banal. He started his career in LVN pictures after he was discovered by Fernando Poe, Sr. in a play by FEU and went on to make several movies. After some time, though, he decided to take a break from the limelight to be a family man, focusing instead on caring for his wife and seven children.

Susan Roces, “The Queen of Philippine Movies” and “The First Lady of Philippine Cinema”, is a versatile actress. From Miss Tilapia, her first movie, she went on to star in box-office hits such as Tawag ng Tanghalan. Her love team with Eddie Gutierrez was one of the strongest ones, even though their fans knew that Eddie was with his feisty wife, Annabelle Rama, and Susan was with hubby Fernando “Da King” Poe Jr. Susan is also an effective comedienne. She can also act in horror films, such as playing the original Barbara in Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara, a role reprised by Lorna Tolentino and Kris Aquino. Susan remains active in showbiz, recently starring in the teleserye Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon with Bea Alonzo, Paulo Avelino and Albert Martinez.

Ronaldo Valdez, actor-comedian and father to singer-comedian Janno Gibbs, is another veteran actor who remains visible in many TV series and films today. His career took off when he played across Susan Roces in Kaming Taga-Ilog. Balancing comedic timing with dramatic prowess, Ronaldo won Best Supporting Actor from FAMAS and Urian, among others. He has numerous films under his belt, including The Mistress with Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz. His most recent projects include the teleseryes Ikaw Lamang and Ina, Kapatid, Anak and the 2014 film Sa Ngalan ng Ama, Ina at Mga Anak with the Padilla clan.

Another veteran actor in Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon is Eddie Garcia, who was also in Juan dela Cruz and Honesto. Eddie is the most awarded and nominated person in FAMAS, and the only one to be a Hall of Fame inductee in three categories, namely: Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Director. His recent awards include the Best Actor in a Drama Series for Kung Mawawala Ka in the 2002 Star Awards where he played a fictitious Philippine president, and Best Actor for the indie film Bwakaw in the 2012 Asia-Pacific Film Festival and the 2013 Asian Film Award where he played an old gay grump.