Actress Tessie Agana’s Life Immortalized in Daughter’s Memoir
Mylene Agana Richardson, daughter of actress Tessie Agana, penned a book about her mom’s life called The Legend of Tessie Agana: Beloved Child Star of the Philippines: An Intimate Portrait of My Mother.
Today’s generation would probably be asking who is Tessie Agana, an actress known during her time as the Shirley Temple of the Philippines and this could be answered in a book written by her daughter.
Mylene Agana Richardson, the daughter of the screen actress, announced in September that the book she has written The Legend of Tessie Agana: Beloved Child Star of the Philippines: An Intimate Portrait of My Mother was released on September 20. The book also came in time for Filipino-American History Month.
Fifteen years to come out
In an interview with Scottdale Progress, Mylene, who resides with her mom in the same area, said that it has been a long journey to write about her mom’s story, which took 15 years.
“It’s pretty exciting. It’s been a long road for me to get to this point,” she said. “So I think for me, it’s very surreal to even get here. It was definitely the best journey to get to this destination. Even at this destination, I still feel like there’s so much more to do and to say.”
Tessie, now 81, is excited for the release of the book along with her family according to Mylene.
“I wanted this physical thing for my mom.She has been a part of my journey from the very beginning. I’ve read every chapter to her,” Mylene shared.
She even added that Tessie would look at the book and hug it every now and then.
An eye opening experience
During an interview with the Inquirer, Mylene said that writing about her mom’s life not only gave her insights into the challenges she went through as an actress but also became an eye opener for their family.
“The process of writing this book was an eye-opener in every way, and my mother and I have rebuilt a more fulfilling relationship. We have learned to embrace the past and celebrate the present,” she said.
Tessie Agana rose to fame as a child actress in the 50s. She became a big star in the 1951 Roberta and would do several films until she left for the United States to start a new life with her parents.
In 2022, Tessie was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences.
More stories about Filipino and culture abroad:
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Keeping Traditions Alive: How This Fil-American Family Celebrates Thanksgiving
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