Aside from modern-day ‘It Girls’ and fashion icons, there are some out there who still consider personalities from the past decades as their role models. Take Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe, for example. They were the epitome of class back in the day, and they remain iconic in these modern times.

Of course, we also have our very own counterparts to these celebs! Here are some of the most admired celebrities during our lolo and lola’s time. Their beautiful faces will take your breath away!

8. Tita Duran

If you’re a fan of the Magalonas, you’d know that their artista roots date back to the early Philippine Cinema. And it all started with the late Pinoy rapper Francis Magalona’s mother, Tita Duran.

Duran is often called as the Philippines’ answer to Hollywood’s Shirley Temple. She has cemented her status as a versatile child actress on television before the Japanese occupation, and became leading lady in many films, and was most notably paired with Pancho Magalona, whom she married several years later.

7. Nida Blanca

Ask your grandparents, or even your mom and dad, about the most beautiful faces in Philippine cinema and the name Nida Blanca will always get a recall. She was a legend in the entertainment industry. Blanca had a stellar film career: she starred in less than 200 films and shows, and received 16 awards for movies and television in five decades. YES! Magazine even named her one of the 15 Best Actresses of All Time.

Her life sadly ended in a horrible and shocking way. Blanca was murdered less than 20 years ago—and it became a sensational case. Her murder remains unsolved.

6. Rosa Rosal

Many people know Rosa Rosal for her humanitarian acts, especially on her work with the Philippine National Red Cross. But before her philanthropic works, she was an actress with a flourishing film career during the 1950s to the early 1970s. She was a versatile actress, who has played brave roles like a prostitute, a villain and a housewife.

She remains one of the regal icons of local cinema to this day, and was awarded for her endeavours outside showbusiness : Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award, Gawad Plaridel, and Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service.

5. Paraluman

Long before the name Paraluman became a subject of affection in serenades, it was the screen name of a beautiful actress during the 1940s. Born Sigrid Sophia Agatha von Giese, she was given the screen name Paraluman by Fernando Poe Sr. because of her incomparable beauty. The name is actually a poetic Filipino word that means “muse”.

Paraluman’s most active years were from the 1940s to the 1970s.

4. Rosemarie Sonora

When you watch the shows of Sampaguita Pictures, it’s hard not to be transfixed on Rosemarie Sonora. She’s a Filipino born with a beautiful mix of Spanish, Chinese, American, French and Jewish genes.  She was dubbed as one of the princesses of Sampaguita Pictures and was among the talented group, Star ’66—the ‘60s equivalent of today’s Star Magic and Starstruck.

Her love team with Ricky Belmonte was a hit back then, and they would eventually marry each other.  They divorced a decade after though, and Sonora has since moved to the United States and married a US Navy man. She is the sister of Susan Roces and mother of Sheryl Cruz and Wowie Cruz.

3. Susan Roces

Susan Roces is still a household name, thanks to the primetime hit Ang Probinsyano. She is dubbed as the Queen of Philippine Movies. In fact, she has been acting almost her whole life—she joined Sampaguita Pictures when she was just 14-15 years old.

Roces was married to the late Fernando Poe Jr., and they’re definitely one of the power couples in showbiz.

2. Gloria Romero

During her 20s, Gloria Romero has that iconic beauty that can compete with any Hollywood actress. She has an angelic face coupled with great acting chops that earned her big and memorable roles in films. She was a big star during the 1950s, and still is: there is never a year that you won’t see her angelic face in television. She has been acting for more than six decades!

She married the late matinee idol Juancho Gutierrez, and their wedding was dubbed as the Wedding of the Year in the 1960s.

1. Amalia Fuentes

Amalia Fuentes is hands-down, one of the biggest superstars during her time. Aside from her top-grossing films, she’s an award-winning actress known for her uncanny resemblance to Elizabeth Taylor, one of the prettiest faces in old Hollywood. Her most notable films include Movie Fan (1956), Pretty Boy (1957), and Ibulong Mo sa Hangin (1966), the last one earned her the FAMAS Best Actress Award.

She is the mother of the late actress Liezl Martinez, wife of actor Albert Martinez ,and aunt of actors Aga Muhlach and Nino Muhlach.

Got other names you think should be part of the list? Share with us in the comments section below!