Mona Lisa, born Gloria Lerma Yatco on June 22, 1922, was a Filipino film actress better known by her stage name. She became one of the better-known screen personalities of Philippine cinema in the mid‑20th century and is remembered for a long career that encompassed leading and character roles across several decades. For general information about her screen persona and credits see Mona Lisa.

Early life and career beginnings

Born in 1922, she entered the film industry at a time when Philippine cinema was expanding rapidly before and after World War II. She built a reputation during the 1940s as a popular actress, appearing in dramas and romances that reached wide audiences. Her professional name, Mona Lisa, became recognizable in a period when local studios cultivated distinctive screen identities for their stars.

Notable roles and screen work

Across her long career she took on a variety of parts, from lead roles in pre‑war and post‑war productions to important supporting performances later in life. Films frequently associated with her include titles such as:

  • Insiang
  • Giliw Ko
  • Cain at Abel

These films span different eras of Philippine filmmaking and illustrate how she moved between popular genres and more socially engaged cinema. In the 1970s she returned to acting after a hiatus and subsequently appeared in character roles that introduced her work to a new generation of viewers.

Later years and legacy

After decades in film, Mona Lisa continued to work into her later years, appearing on screen well into her eighties. Her longevity in the industry and the range of parts she played—leading lady, maternal figures, and supporting characters—contributed to a legacy as a durable and adaptable performer in Philippine movies.

She died at home in Manila on August 25, 2019; the family reported that she had been suffering from health problems related to Alzheimer's disease. The announcement of her passing noted her age and long association with Filipino cinema; local reports cited her death in Manila.

Today Mona Lisa is remembered as part of a generation of actors who helped shape Filipino film during its formative decades. Her career is often cited in discussions of classic Philippine cinema and its evolution through the 20th century.