Tessie Agana
Tessie Agana was affectionately deemed “The Nation’s Little Sweetheart” and known as the “Shirley Temple of the Philippines.” Her movie career as a child actress in the Philippines is legendary. She starred in the dozens of movies as a child and teen with her most notable role as Roberta in the blockbuster movie Roberta in 1951.
The Legend of Tessie Agana: Beloved Child Star of the Philippines
A book titled “The Legend of Tessie Agana: Beloved Child Star of the Philippines: An Intimate Portrait of My Mother” launched in September of 2023 by Mylene Agana Jao Richardson.
Tessie Agana, Mylene’s mother, and Consuelo Agana, (stage name Linda Estrella), her grandmother, were the Philippines’ iconic mother/daughter film star duo of the 1950s, starring in 40 films collectively and winning the hearts of millions of fans worldwide.
The book chronicles the life stories of two separate yet inextricably connected film careers and the personal choices behind them. As the author learns more about her famous mother, she experiences her own voyage of self-discovery which provides insight into her life.
Mylene connects with her mom who today lives in Cave Creek with dementia. Mylene listens to her mother’s stories of yesteryear, and their candid discussions, described in the book, break barriers between mother and daughter.