Rita Theresa “Teresita” Laforteza Hermosa (born October 31, 1950), better known by her stage name, Tessie Tomas, is a Filipino actress, screenwriter and stand-up comedian. Regarded as the original "Queen of Daytime TV", she is best known for hosting some of the most successful TV programs in the Philippines such as Teysi ng Tahanan (1991), Compañero y Compañera (1997), and sitcoms including Onli in da Pilipins (1997), and Abangan ang Susunod Na Kabanata (1991). She was the first Filipino actress to score a nomination in the Best Actress category at the International Emmy Awards for her performance in the 1989 film, A Dangerous Life.
Early life and education Tomas was born in Catbalogan, Samar to actress and radio voice talent Laura Hermosa and lawyer Fernando Hermosa, who was also a part-time voice talent. She has five brothers, including actor Leo Hermosa and musician Cesar Hermosa, They move to Manila when she was 5 years old, She went to Espiritu Santo Parochial School and Far Eastern University and graduated with a degree in broadcasting from the Institute of Mass Communications of the University of the Philippines.
Career She began doing stints as a radio voice talent at the age of 10, including at radio programs of Tiya Dely and spent a decade working in the advertising industry at several companies before becoming the first Filipino creative director of McCann Erickson.
She first appeared in television through the gag show Champoy from 1981 to 1984. She was praised for her effective impersonation of weather presenter Amado Pineda. She then embarked on doing live shows, notable for her performances as Meldita, a satiric portrayal of then-first lady Imelda Marcos, Loida Dimagiba and Carmeling Lawiswis. She became a resident performer at the Music Museum, headlining successful shows as a standup comedy career throughout the 1990s. Dubbed as the second lady of television and the "Queen of Stand-up Comedy", she is cited as one of the pioneers of impersonation, famous for portraying the likes of Amanda Pineda, Miriam Defensor Santiago, Bonnie Buendia and Imelda Marcos.
Tomas returned to TV as main host of the morning talk show Teysi ng Tahanan and the weekly political satire Abangan ang Susunod Na Kabanata, playing the wealthy but eccentric Barbara Tengco along with the short-lived weekly miniseries Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako, playing Sonia Enriquez as her supporting role and antagonist. Separada (for which she created the screenplay), Ploning, and 100 are some of her other critically acclaimed films. She gained further success as an actress in the 1988 film, A Dangerous Life. Her performance was praised by critics and viewers, earning her nominations at the International Emmy Awards and American Cable Awards.
In her later years, she played several supporting roles in both film and television. She was praised by critics and viewers for her portrayal as the "cane-wielding" Doña Cielo Fierro in the ABS-CBN television series, Dirty Linen (2023). In 2024, she played Doña Bettina Caballero in the television series FPJ's Batang Quiapo.
Philanthropy Tomas served as a trustee of the Community and Family Services (CFSI), a non-governmental association affiliated with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, from 1992 to 2002. She also participated in advocacies relating to Samar, the Mindanao peace process and Vietnamese refugees in the Philippines.
Personal life Tomas is married since 1994 to Roger Pullin, a British marine biologist. Their wedding in Manila was broadcast on Tomas' television show Teysi ng Tahanan. She has one son from her first husband, Robert P. Tomas, whom she separated with in 1979 following a seven-year relationship. Following Pullin's retirement, Tomas also became a resident of the Isle of Man in 2018 and has two stepchildren with him. She is also a fluent Waray speaker.
Accolades Tomas is celebrated as one of the "country’s most brilliant artists" and one of the greatest comedians of all time, noted for her "style and distinctive approach on comedy." In recognition of her contributions to the entertainment industry, she has won many accolades including "Best Actress" at the Gawad Tanglaw Awards, "Entertainer of the Year" at the Aliw Awards, Creative Guild's Hall of Fame award, Best Actress at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, "Best Actress" at the QCinema International Film Festival, "Best Actress" at the Subic Bay International Film Festival and several nominations from Gawad Urian Awards and American Cable Awards.
Filmography Film As an actress Year Title Role Note(s) . 1982 Schoolgirls Teacher 1983 Hula Broken Marriage Director 1984 Akin ang Iyong... Katawan Erpat Kong Forgets 1985 Menudo at Pandesal 1986 Napakasakit, Kuya Eddie Susan Paalam... Bukas ang Kasal Ko Payaso 1987 Once Upon a Time Forward March Jack en Poy: Hale-Hale Hoy! 1991 Barbi for President 1992 Cordora: Lulutang Ka sa Sarili Mong Dugo 1993 Tikboy Tikas at Mga Khroaks Boys The mother Kamusta Ka, Aking Mahal? Gagay: Prinsesa ng Brownout Aling Timang Dino... Abangan ang Susunod Na... Barbara Tengco Mama's Boys: Mga Praning-ning 1994 Bala at Lipistik Barbara Tengco Walang Matigas Na Pulis sa Matinik Na Misis Tiya Lucing 1995 Pare Ko Pempe ni Sara at Pen Mrs. Grace Salamat sa Lotto: Linggo-Linggo, Doble-Pasko! 1997 Yes Darling: Walang Matigas Na Pulis... 2 Tiya Lucing Hanggang Dito Na Lang Also writer 1998 Dahil Ba sa Kanya? Helen Carmona 2000 Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin 2001 Narinig Mo Na Ba ang L8est? 2004 Otso-Otso Pamela-Mela-Wan Mrs. Go 2005 Pinoy Blonde 2006 Rome & Juliet 2008 Ploning Seling / Old Celeste One True Love Julie Robles 100 Eloisa 2009 Sanglaan Olivia 2010 The Red Shoes Madame Vange Two Funerals Pilar 2012 This Guy's in Love with U Mare! Blessie Reyes Supporting role 2013 Coming Soon 2014 Alienasyon 2015 Piring Water Lemon Josepina Alboleda Old Skool Lola Fely 2017 Extra Service Lolly Smaller and Smaller Circles Gilda Salceda 2024 Senior Moments Segundina
As screenwriter only Year Title Note(s) . 1994 Separada
Television Year Title Role Ref. 1980–1985 Champoy Amanda Pineda 1988 A Dangerous Life Imelda Marcos 1991–1997 Teysi ng Tahanan Herself / host 1991–1997 Abangan ang Susunod na Kabanata Barbara Tengco 1997–1998 Onli In Da Pilipins Precious 1998–1999 Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako Sonia Enriquez 2000–2002 Feel at Home Herself / host 2001 Eto Na Ang Susunod Na Kabanata Barbara Tengco 2003–2004 Buttercup Erlinda 2003–2004 Teysi Herself / host 2004Maalaala Mo Kaya: PunoMiriam Defensor-Santiago 2004–2007 Bahay Mo Ba 'To? Baby Mulingtapang-Benoit / Anying 2008 Ako si Kim Samsoon Sonia Buot 2009–2010 George and Cecil Maribel Murillo 2010 Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla Tonyong Bayawak Belen Dela Cruz 2010–2011 Noah Sarah Perez 2011 Carlo J. Caparas' Bangis Mama Mia 2012 Mundo Man ay Magunaw Donya Alicia La Peña Maalaala Mo Kaya: Papag Juaning 2012 Coffee Prince Elizabeth "Beth" Gomez 2013 Kahit Nasaan Ka Man Corazon 2014 Kambal Sirena Doña Margarita "Rita" Natividad Strawberry Lane Margaret Jaymalin My Destiny Dr. Obispo 2015 Once Upon a Kiss Mérida Almario 2015–2016 Buena Familia Marissa Agravante 2016 Naku, Boss Ko! Ms. F 2018 The Blood Sisters Dr. Rosemarie "Mamita" Bermudez 2023 Dirty Linen Doña Cielo Fierro 2024 FPJ's Batang Quiapo Señora Bettina Caballero 2025 Lolong: Pangil ng Maynila Lola Grasya 2026 Born to Shine Amelia Halari
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