Gardo Versoza


Mennen Torres Polintan, known by his stage name Gardo Versoza, is a popular Filipino actor who has appeared in over forty movies and dozens of television shows.

Early career

He started out in roles such as Sabik Sa Halik, Machete II, Halimuyak Ng Babae and Kirot. He was known as "NINO ESPEDILLA" in true life. Later, he went on to star in action movies such as Cesar Climaco, Mison, and Ka Hector. He has also appeared in critically acclaimed movies such as the 1998 Marilou Diaz-Abaya version of Rizal where he played the role of hero Andres Bonifacio and Sisa where he played the role of Jose Rizal / Pepe. He has recently even tried his hand in comedy starring in Pinoy Blonde.
His success is not limited to movies alone. He also has been the focal point of some of the highest rated shows in Philippine television including Mula sa Puso where he portrayed Domingo, It Might Be You as Camilo San Carlos and Sugo where he was Apo Abukay.
At the onset and during his heyday, Gardo Versoza was tagged "Asia's Sexiest Man".
In his latest production, Sugo, Gardo plays the role of Apo Abukay. Apo Abukay is an evil chieftain who possesses black magic coming from the anito or spirit of darkness. He is characterized for embracing the old world or the pre-Spanish era. He battled the Spanish friars who came to the Philippines and it was only through the intervention of Conde Vergonze, a blind but powerful warrior that he was defeated. However, he made a pact that he could be resurrected with the blood of a certain woman from his bloodline. After years of trying to resurrect Apo Abukay, the Binhi-lans succeeded because the chosen one of the Carag-Ayans fell in love with the alay and refused to kill her. In the end Apo Abukay was defeated and the Binhi-lan and Carag-Ayan tribes ended their centuries long war. The chosen one and the alay married and peace was restored.
As of late, Versoza has been busy with guest appearances in various shows in both ABS-CBN and GMA - 7. He has been spotted lately in Bubble Gang, Maalaala Mo Kaya, Hokus Pokus and Magpakailanman. He is also taking up directing classes and hopes to be a director some day.
In 2014, in an interview with the press, he mentioned that he carried over some of the gay mannerisms he used to portray during his previous movies and sitcoms. In early 2016, he began taking the moniker, "Cupcake", which was originally been given by his best friend, Aiai Delas Alas.
As of 2019, Gardo Versoza currently plays policeman Ulysses Balthazar on Sandugo and the villainous drug-dealer Lazaro Enriquez on FPJ's Ang Probinsyano. Both shows are aired on ABS-CBN.

Personal life

Gardo proposed to Ivy Vicencio after 13 years together. The two have a son, a boy named Deity Uziel.

Filmography

Television Shows, and Series

Film