BY GAY ACE DOMINGO
Leo Dominguez, founder of the talent agency LVD Management, passed away last Friday, May 24, 2024. He left Philippine show business with a legacy of over three decades of building up stars who are now among the brightest in the industry: Ogie Alcasid, Paulo Avelino, Lovi Poe, Janine Gutierrez, Dina Bonnevie, Lotlot de Leon. He was also the manager of Solenn Huessaff, Snooky Serna, Aljur Abrenica, Nathalie Hart, Emilio Garcia, among other acclaimed actors and actresses.
The tall and bearded but baby-faced Leo had a warm personality. Without saying a lot, he won people with his calm voice and gentle nature. He was personal with his approach, opting to take care of only a handful of artists instead of many.
Another noticeable attribute about him: His name is pronounced as “Li-yo” not “Le-yo.”
Leo V. Dominguez cared not just for the artists he managed, but cared for the entire showbiz industry that he loved all his life.’
A search on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) would disclose that Leo produced films for his talents as well. Among these were the comedy “Manila Girl” (which starred Ogie), the indie drama-romance “Selda” (for which Emilio Garcia won awards from Gawad Tanglaw, Star Awards, and Urian), and the drama “Koronang Itim” (which starred his fave, Snooky, and was written by Floy Quintos, JJ Henson, and Noel Orosa).
In the early years of Cinemalaya, now considered as the premiere independent film festival in the Philippines, Leo allowed and encouraged his artists to accept Cinemalaya projects. The honorarium for the projects was extremely modest compared to the per teleserye taping day-talent fee, but the edgy roles showcased the star’s acting talent. Moreover, the indie route could prove to be career-defining.
So that was how Lovi Poe got to be in Dan Villegas’ “Mayohan” and Jerrold Tarog’s “Sana Dati,” and how Paulo Avelino starred in Alvin Yapan’s “Gayuma” and “Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa.”
“Ang Sayaw…” producer Alemberg Ang said, “Leo was one of the catalysts that made ‘Sayaw’ possible. His support, especially with pushing Paulo to be part of the cast and eventually helping us get Rocco (Nacino), was crucial in making the film work.”
After “Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa,” Paulo won an Urian Best Actor award – an accolade that helped pave the way for the leading man status that he continues to enjoy until now.
For Leo, the winning formula was good looks plus talent and character equals star. All three must be present preferably in more than ample quantity. His LVD Management artists can be considered the most beautiful, talented and professional in the Philippines today.
His track record would also reveal that he preferred mestizo/mestiza looking talents. In the 1990s, one of Leo’s first batch of talents included Close-Up toothpaste commercial model-turned-actor Robin da Roza who starred in a few Star Cinema movies. Robin’s leading ladies were the likes of Miss Universe Dayanara Torres, Agot Isidro, and Gelli de Belen. Had Robin not chosen to lie low from showbiz and become an interior designer, who knows how his acting career would have turned out?
Yet Leo’s greatest success story (and one of the few who defied his mestizo mold), is Ogie Alcasid.
In a heartwarming tribute posted on Facebook, the singer-actor-host would reveal that he and Leo were friends since their days at La Salle Greenhills. Ogie said, “When we were in 4th year high school and members of the high school singing group the Kundirana, Leo Dominguez told me that I should be a professional singer- songwriter and I thought he was kidding me.
“As fate would have it, he eventually became my manager for almost 34 years. Leo was family to me. He was my carpool mate, my classmate, my neighbor, my kachismisan, my travelling companion, my critic, my fan, my brother, and perhaps my biggest protector.”
Ogie gave credit to Leo for being the first to believe in him. “As far as my film and tv career was concerned, siya ang unang humihikayat sa akin that I could do it as he was a huge music and movie fan as well.”
Regal Entertainment producer Roselle Monteverde, Leo’s close friend, affirmed his love for the showbiz industry when she wrote a Facebook post dedicated to the manager. She said, “You inspire me in so many ways and exemplified unwavering love for the industry. You’re loved by so many because of your good, selfless, kind, and generous heart.”
Leo V. Dominguez cared not just for the artists he managed, but cared for the entire showbiz industry that he loved all his life. Thank you so much, Leo.
