Helen Gamboa Sotto (born Helen Albent Gamboa; May 7, 1945) is a Filipino actress, singer, dancer and former beauty queen.

Personal life

Gamboa was born Helen Albent Gamboa at 6:35 PM on May 7, 1945, at Maternity and Children's Hospital (now Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital) in Santa Cruz, Manila to Domingo Ponce Gamboa (1908–1987) and Eusebia Pangilinan Albent (1914–1986). She is also the sister of Elaine Gamboa (mother of Sharon Cuneta). Gamboa is married to Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III an actor, comedian, TV host and politician. They have four children: Romina Frances, Diorella Maria, Gian Carlo and Ciara Anna; eight grandsons: Romino Vicente, Victorio, Vicente IV, Carlos Edrigu, Alessandro Jose, Marciano, Juan Rossano, Domiku Yosef and Vincenzo Jose; and two granddaughters: Helena and Amaria Jiliana. Their son Vincent Paul died 5 months after his birth in 1975, due to side effects of contraceptives according to doctors at the Makati Medical Center. In the 2010 elections, her son Gian Carlo was elected councilor of Quezon City's 3rd District and served for three consecutive terms before being elected as the vice mayor of the city in the 2019 elections, while her daughter Diorella Maria "Lala" was elected in the 6th District of the same city before being appointed chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board in 2022.

Career

1960s: Early works

Gamboa became a runner-up to Cynthia Ugalde by a point in the Miss Press Photography of the Philippines contest in 1961. In the late 1960s, Gamboa was given the title "Dancing Queen" of Philippine cinema and TV musicals; this title was given to her prior to the popularity of the ABBA song with the same title, the title having been given eight years before the Swedish rock band's song was released in 1976.

2001–2017: Breakthrough

Gamboa made a brief TV comeback through the ABS-CBN Primetime TV series Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan in 2001–2003, playing the role of Nelia Santos. In 2009, she made her official comeback to Philippine primetime television in ABS-CBN network's Tayong Dalawa, where her son Gian also appeared. This marked Gamboa's 2nd Primetime TV series and comeback where she portrayed the antagonist Elizabeth Martinez in the TV series; the series also became a successful international phenomenon and featured a strong cast of award-winning actors from three generations of television, film, theater actors, some of whom came from appearances in internationally acclaimed indie films. In 2012, after a two-year hiatus, Gamboa played Margaret Montenegro in the highly acclaimed and most-watched program Walang Hanggan, featuring another ensemble cast where she was reunited with her Tayong Dalawa co-star Coco Martin who led the series. Gamboa's role was a main role in the series, Margaret Montenegro being the series' main antagonist. On October 21, 2012, Gamboa showed her knowledge of the dance "Gangnam Style" in her performance in the Walang Hanggang Pasasalamat Concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

2017–2019: Return to GMA

In 2017, she finally returned to GMA Network after twenty-one years and starred as Lolita Honorio in Super Ma'am, which is also her television comeback. She was supposed to play Liza Lorena's role in a past GMA drama, Akin Pa Rin ang Bukas, back in 2013 after signing an exclusive contract but dropped out for health reasons.

2019–present: Return to ABS-CBN

Gamboa returned to ABS-CBN for Kahit Minsan Lang but the series was cancelled before it could start filming because of restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. Gamboa was supposed to be part of Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin but dropped out and Gina Pareño replaced her said role.

Discography

Albums Singles 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1973 1974

Filmography

Television

Film

Awards and nominations