Veteran Filipino film producer Tony Gloria has passed away at the age of 79. His niece Anna Bigornia confirmed the news on March 26. The urn viewing will be from March 25-28, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m., and March 29, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., at Capilla Del Senor Chapel, Santuario de San Antonio Parish, Makati City.
Gloria is recognized as a pillar of Philippine cinema, who helped many new filmmakers. According to director Mark Meily, she was the first to believe in his screenplay for Crying Ladies, which opened up many opportunities in his career. Gloria is also known for discovering Sharon Cuneta when she was 13 years old, supporting Pinoy disco group Hagibis, and being the producer of Bagets (1984).
Apart from filmmaking, he has received many awards. In 2003, he was recognized as one of the 25 Mavericks of the Advertising Industry, and in 2005, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Creative Guild of the Philippines. The film Inang Yaya (2006), which he produced, was nominated at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards for Best Children’s Feature Film.
Gloria is the founder and chairman of Unitel Straight Shooters Media Inc., one of the leading multi-media production houses in the Philippines. The company is behind films like Isang Himala (2024), Mujigae (2024), Crying Ladies (2003), and many more. They have also produced trailers and ads for Jollibee, Smart Communications, and Nestlé Philippines.
