“It was challenging to play a 102-year-old woman. Mind you, she raps. That’s neat, ayt?” – Celeste Legaspi
Executive producer of “Ang Larawan, The Movie” (2017) and “Contramundum: Ang Larawan All-Star Concert” (2023), Celeste Kalugdan Legaspi Gallardo, better known as Celeste Legaspi, a Filipino singer, actress, and advocate for artists’ rights, makes a rare appearance in an upcoming musical-fantasy film “Aster.”
In the film, Legaspi plays Apo Isyang. She is the Elder of Guadalupe, who remains forever young at heart. All respect her for her wisdom. She’s the key to understanding the history and secrets of the legends in the said place. The 73-year-old Legaspi shared that she got challenged with her role.
Appearing in films isn’t new to her since she has done several in the past via Lino Brocka‘s “Santiago” (1970), “Stardom” (1971) and “Sa Kabila ng Lahat” (1991),” Mamang Sorbetero” (1979) opposite the former president-and-actor Joseph Estrada, “Tatlong Ina, Isang Anak” (1987), “Anak ng Pasig” (1993), and Ishmael Bernal‘s “Wating” (1994). She was part of the cast of the 2017 film “Ang Larawan.” She also sang the main theme song of “Kahit ang Mundo’y Magunaw” (1975), a Manuel Cinco film starring Pilar Pilapil and Christopher de Leon.
Being Apo Isyang reflects how she has become a musical legend. Her singles and albums reached gold or platinum status during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
Her album “Ako at si Celeste” under Blackgold Records was awarded gold and produced hit singles “Saranggola ni Pepe,” “Tuliro” and “Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal?” The Celeste album which included “Mamang Sorbetero,” and her albums “Bagong Plaka” and “Lumang Kanta” Vol. 1 and 2 (under Wea Records), reached the double platinum mark.
She’s also one of the founders of the following artist organizations: Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang–aawit (OPM), Culturtain Musicat Theater Productions, Performers’ Rights Society of the Philippines, and the OPM Archive.
As the daughter of César Legaspi, a National Artist for Visual Arts, her inclination for the arts runs in the blood. She began singing professionally with The Ambivalent Crowd. While in college at St. Paul College of Manila in 1967, she played the lead role of “One Legendary Evening” and appeared in “Show Boat” as Magnolia (directed by the late Fr. James B. Reuter), followed by her performance as Nancy in the Philippine presentation of “Oliver.”
In “Aster,”, she shares her thoughts about the lead star, Gab Pangilinan-Salomon, “Gab is sweet and kind and hard-working. Sings very well.”
“Aster” is under MAN-G Production and opted to deliver a top-notch piece for the audience. It is intended for a VOD like Netflix and is looking for a 2024 release.
