Soledad Ballon Magdaluyo, better known by her screen nameSofia Moran, is a Filipina Actress, Singer and Record Artist, credited with over 50 Filipino and International films. The Philippine actress began her film career in the Philippines in 1967 shortly after Joseph Estrada, then the country's biggest box-office draw and action star, discovered her in Manila during a Talent Showcase. She was then known with her birth name, Soledad Ballon who was born in Nabua, Camarines Sur in the province of Bicol. Joseph Estrada, who later was elected as the 13th President of the Philippines , with his agents, named her Sofia Moran and inevitably became dubbed the Sophia Loren of the Philippine cinema due to her sophistication, beauty, class, and one of the most in demand and sexiest leading ladies in the movie/film industry during this period.
Career
Sofia Manila, Philippines Sofia was immediately featured in Valiente Brothers, starring Joseph Estrada, Jess Lapid Sr., and Jun Aristorenas, the biggest action stars in the country in 1968, and famously Directed by Augusto Buenaventura. Sofia Moran made a remarkable 54 movies between 1967 and 1974, sharing and starring next to the biggest leading male movie stars in the business to include Joseph Estrada, Fernando Poe Jr., Tony Ferrer, Eddie Garcia, Zaldy Zshornack, Vic Vargas and Bernard Bonnin Her most memorable films were Sofia starred in many of the Philippines’ historical movie classics, notably 7 Infantes de Lara as Princess Gismenia, with legendary co-star and award-winning filmmaker, Manuel Conde. During the 1970s up until her migration to the United States, Sofia was busy with her Live performances in Manila entertainment venues, such as the legendary Victoria Peak, as well as within the islands in the Philippines, Southeast Asia and major cities in Japan. Her Live performances were compared to Ann-Margret and Cher productions shows in Las Vegas. In 1971 an internationally acclaimed genre filmWomen in Cages, Sofia Moran starred with Pam Grier in this cult movie directed by the legendary and the most awarded Director of the Philippines, Gerardo de León, produced by Oscar winner and icon Roger Corman. Women in Cages was one of the most successful independent films ever released, and was prominently featured in the Planet Terror portion of the 2007 film Grindhouse directed by Quentin Tarantino In August 2007, Grindhouse Director Quentin Tarantino said of the film, "I'm a huge, huge fan of Gerry de Leon.... the film Women in Cages is just harsh, harsh, harsh," he said, and described the final shot as one of "devastating despair." Sofia generated critical international reviews from her role as Theresa in Women in Cages and was nominated as Best Actress in a Supporting Role during the Manila Film Festival
Personal life
Retirement
Sofia with son, Marco in Nabua, Camarines Sur Soledad Magdaluyo famously known in Philippine Show Business from 1967 - 1974 as Sofia Moran, resides with her husband Dante Magdaluyo between her hometown of Nabua, Camarines Sur, Bicol and Manila, Philippines Sol's husband Dante A. Magdaluyo passed away in Camarines Sur on February 24, 2019.
Civic, Philanthropic and Religious Engagement
Sofia has been very active with philanthropic work at Holy Cross Catholic Church in her hometown of Nabua, Camarines Sur and the Catholic Women's League based in Naga City As the President of the Patron Saint of Nabua, the Nuestra Senora de Angustia, Soledad is the main donor, benefactor and sponsor of its annual Fiesta of Nuestra Senora de Angustia every year in May and multiple other events in Santiago Old - Nabua, Camarines Sur.
Filmography
The Magic Fighters 1974 Napahiya ka, 'No? 1974 Dial 717 1974 No Tears for the Brave 1974 Kingpin 1973 Siete Infantes de Lara as Princesa Gismenia 1973 I Shall Return 1973 Karateka Boxer 1973 Los compadres 1972 Secret Witness 1972 Bandolera 1972 Walang impiyerno sa Matatapang 1972 Parehas ang Laban 1972 The Smugglers 1972 Batwoman and Robin as Catwoman 1972 Sigaw ng Katarungan 1971 San Cristobal 1971 Women in Cages as Theresa 1971 Ang mga Palaban 1971 Playpen 1971 Castigo 1971 Inday 1971 Huwag kang makiapid 1971 Sophia 1971 Arkong Bato 1971 Isla de Amor 1971 Pigilin mo ang Umaga 1970 Baligtaran 1970 Marupok 1970 Blue Boy 1970 San Diego 1970 Target, Hongkong 1969 Musmos na mandirigma 1969 Franco Negro 1969 Palos Fights Back! 1969 Ronquillo Brothers 1969 Kalinga 1969 Seven Deadly Roses 1969 Ang ninong kong Nazareno 1969 Liquidation Squad 1969 Dolpe de Gulat 1969 Magnificent Karatista 1968 Agents wen Manong 1968 Cuadro de Jack 1968 Dambana ng Kagitingan 1968 Daredevil 1968 Giyera patani 1968 Kapwa walang panginoon 1968 Leon Guerrero: Laban sa 7 Kilabot 1968 Palos Strikes Again 1968 Quinto de Alas 1968 The Magnificent Zorro 1968 Tigre Gitano 1968 Valiente Brothers 1968 Walang Hari sa Batas 1967 Baril at Rosaryo 1967 Buhay Marino 1967 Eagle Commandos 1967 Kidlat Meets Gringo 1967 Magnificent Bandit 1967 Pambihirang Tatlo 1967 Roman Montalan 1967 Pambihirang Pito 1967 Alamid 1967
