Super Tekla
Romeo Librada (born January 13, 1982), better known in his stage name Super Tekla or simply Tekla, is a Filipino actor, comedian and television host. He is best known for appearing in GMA Network's variety show, Wowowin as one of its hosts.[1]
| Super Tekla | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Romeo Librada |
| Born | January 13, 1982 Pigcawayan, Cotabato, Philippines |
| Medium | Television |
| Nationality |  Philippines |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Genres | |
| Notable works and roles | |
Early life
Librada was born in the small town of Pigcawayan, a town in Cotabato wherein he was raised by the Manobo tribe and was trained to be a farmer. His mother died at an early age, according to him.[2] Due to this, he supported his own education until he finished high school. He has seven siblings.[3]
Career
Stand-up comedy
Out of curiosity, Librada went alone to Manila wherein he found himself singing on stage at malls and comedy bars for fun. He was then discovered and got regular stints as a singer first, then a stand-up comedian, at a popular comedy bar.[2] He is best known for his Celine Dion and Whitney Houston voice impersonations.[3]
Television
In 2016, Librada appeared as a contestant in GMA Network's game show, Wowowin main host Willie Revillame saw his potential in comedy and hired him as one of his co-hosts. He later formed a comedic duo with Donita Nose in the said show.[4][5] A year after, he was allegedly fired by Revillame due to his alcoholic and gambling vices, in which Librada denied. On 2020, he was once welcomed again by Wowowin after guesting.[6][7]
In 2017, Librada was signed by GMA Artist Center and appeared on several GMA Network shows like Alyas Robin Hood, Trops, and Celebrity Bluff.[8]
In 2018, Librada got his first major role in Inday Will Always Love You when he was cast as Kimberlou, the gay sidekick of lead actress Barbie Forteza.[9] His life story has been featured on the Kapuso drama anthology Magpakailanman, which gained high ratings for the show. Since then, he has been guested by the drama show twice, appearing in various true-to-life lead roles.
He is currently hosting comedy talk show The Boobay and Tekla Show along with comedian Boobay.[10]
Personal life
Although visually presented as gay, Librada identifies himself as a straight man. He has a daughter from his ex-wife named Irene Gonzales.[11][2][12]
Sexual misconduct allegation
In October 2020, Librada's live-in partner, Michelle Bana-ag, alleged in Raffy Tulfo in Action that the comedian had repeatedly sexually abused her and her child from an earlier marriage. This included demanding sexual intercourse in exchange for food while Michelle was ailing due to side-effects of contraceptive injection.[13][14] Librada denied any wrongdoing, contending he would never rape Bana-ag as he has a daughter. Librada was later exonerated when Bana-ag was unable to provide sufficient evidence against the comedian, and testimonies from Librada's colleagues revealed past abuses from Bana-ag, namely her methamphetamine addiction as well as her lesbian relationship with a female partner.[15] This ultimately led to Raffy Tulfo withdrawing his previous pledge to support Bana-ag after the latter declined to take a drug test to prove her innocence.[16]
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | All-Out Sundays | Co-host / Performer | GMA Network |
| 2019 | Magpakailanman: Lotto Winner naging Loser | Erwin | |
| 2019–present | The Boobay and Tekla Show | Host | |
| 2018 | Studio 7 | Host | |
| Inday Will Always Love You | Kimberlou | ||
| All Star Videoke | All Star Laglager | ||
| Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: Tatlong Bibe | Bibingi | ||
| 2017 | Alyas Robin Hood | Yvonne Lady | |
| Sunday PinaSaya | Himself / Performer | ||
| Trops | Tiffany | ||
| Celebrity Bluff | Himself / Celebrity Bluffer | ||
| 2016–2018; 2020 | Wowowin | Himself / co-host | |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Studio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Kiko en Lala[17] | Kiko / Lala | GMA Pictures |
References
- Anarcon, James Patrick (October 8, 2018). "Super Tekla cried when Willie Revillame hired him as Wowowin co-host". PEP.ph.
- Sun, Cherry. "MUST-READ: Ang tunay na buhay ni Super Tekla" [MUST-READ: The real life of Super Tekla]. www.gmanetwork.com (in Filipino).
- "Super Tekla, nagpapasaya sa kabila ng pangungulila" [Super Tekla, amusing despite loneliness]. GMA News Online (in Filipino). October 2, 2016.
- "Wowowin: Super Tekla, magiging regular na sa 'Wowowin'" [Wowowin: Super Tekla, will be regular on 'Wowowin']. GMANetwork (in Filipino) – via YouTube.
- Gonzales, Vir (October 16, 2016). "Pagbu-bold ni Lovi kasama ang sawa, kinainisan ng mga lalaki!" [Lovi boldly with the python, hated by the men!]. philstar.com (in Filipino). Manila, Philippines.
- Serato, Arniel C. (July 7, 2017). "Super Tekla breaks silence on sudden exit from Wowowin". PEP.ph.
- Rule, Karla (June 9, 2018). "How Super Tekla went from ground zero to TV star". philstar.com.
- Sun, Cherry (October 25, 2017). "Super Tekla and Boobsie Wonderland sign contract with GMA Artist Center". GMANetwork.com.
- Anarcon, James Patrick (February 20, 2018). "Super Tekla gets first full-length teleserye; joins Barbie-Derrick reunion show". PEP.ph.
- Bigtas, Jannielyn Ann (January 15, 2019). "The Boobay and Tekla Show promises to bring fresh comedy". GMA News Online.
- Bigtas, Jannielyn Ann (January 15, 2019). "Super Tekla wants to reconcile with the mother of his child". GMA News Online.
- Santos, Jamil (August 18, 2018). "Super Tekla, sinubok muna ang sexual identity bago nakumpirmang straight siya" [Super Tekla, first tested his sexual identity before confirming he was straight]. Balitambayan (in Filipino).
- Santiago, Ervin (October 21, 2020). "Super Tekla inireklamo ng live-in partner: 'no sex, no sustento'" [Super Tekla complained by live-in partner: 'no sex, no sustenance']. INQUIRER.net (in Filipino). Retrieved October 21, 2020.
- Severo, Jan Milo. "Super Tekla goes viral due to alleged sexual abuses". philstar.com. Manila, Philippines. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
- Bukas, Leo. "Live-in partner ni Tekla na si Michelle Lhor Bana-ag, abusado at manloloko ayon sa isang singer-actor at sa manager ng Klownz". Push. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
- Severo, Jan Milo. "'Nanaig na ang katutuhanan': Super Tekla on conclusion of sex abuse scandal with partner". Philstar.com. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
- Nardo, Jun (December 20, 2018). "Derrick Monasterio bibida sa comeback movie ng GMA Films" [Derrick Monasterio stars in GMA Films' comeback movie]. Bandera Inquirer (in Filipino).