- published: 14 Nov 2009
- views: 18869
Bayani Casimiro, Sr. (July 16, 1918 – January 27, 1989) was a Filipino dancer who was among the leading stars of bodabil (vaudeville) in the 1930s and 1940s. He also appeared in musical films and later in life, in comedic roles. A tap dancer, he was frequently dubbed as the "Fred Astaire of the Philippines".
Casimiro was born in Laguna. His parents were stage comedians, and at the age of 7, he would appear on stage, often dressed as a clown. By 1936, he would join a performing troupe in Hawaii headlined by Atang de la Rama.
By the late 1930s, Casimiro began headlining major bodabil productions in Manila. He made a name for himself as a tap dancer, often in top hat and tails, and was soon nicknamed as "The Fred Astaire of the Philippines". Casimiro also first appeared in film in 1938, when he was cast in Bayan at Pag-ibig, a production of Excelsior Pictures.
Upon the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in 1941, local film production was halted, allowing bodabil to thrive as the main source of public entertainment. Along with such actors as Rogelio de la Rosa, Norma Blancaflor and the comic team of Tugo and Pugo, Casimiro would perform at the Life Theater in Manila for the duration of the war. He would form his own comic tandem with Jose Cris Soto, and the pair would be promoted as the "Laurel and Hardy of the Philippines". Casimiro would also be paired with Dolphy, then appearing under the stage name "Golay", to form a comic dance team.
BAYANI CASIMIRO
BT: Dolphy, nakilala rin sa galing sa tap dancing
DOLPHY DANCING
babalik ka rin- Bayani Casimiro jr. Paul banga, Argie villamor and Randolph Belandres
RODERICK PAULATE
Pinoy Classic Comedy Movie - E.T. is Estong Tutong
Buhay Artista Ngayon (1979) - Dolphy
Dance Legends Ramon Zamora and Nida Blanca w/ the VIP
Henri Ellaine Casimiro
Teng-Teng De Sarapen (1983) Dolphy/FULL MOViE
Dolphy as BUGOY (1979) part 1
John & Marsha '80 (1980) THEATRiCAL TRAiLER