Celeste Legaspi makes a rare appearance in ‘Aster’

Celeste Kalugdan Legaspi Gallardo, better known as Celeste Legaspi, a Filipino singer, actress, and advocate for artists' rights, and the executive producer of “Ang Larawan, the Movie” (2017) and “Contramundum: Ang Larawan All-Star Concert” (2023), is set to make a rare appearance in an upcoming musical-fantasy film, “Aster.”

In the film, Legaspi portrays Apo Isyang, the Elder of Guadalupe, who remains forever young at heart and is highly respected for her wisdom. She holds the key to understanding the history and secrets of the legends in the said place.

Celeste Legaspi as Apo Isyang

The 73-year-old Legaspi revealed that she was challenged by her role, saying, “It was challenging to play a 102-year-old woman. Mind you, she raps. That's neat, right?”Appearing in films is not new to her, as she has previously been part of productions like Lino Brocka's “Santiago” (1970), “Stardoom” (1971), “Sa Kabila ng Lahat” (1991), “Mamang Sorbetero” (1979) opposite the former president and actor Joseph Estrada, “Tatlong Ina, Isang Anak” (1987), “Anak ng Pasig” (1993), and Ishmael Bernal's “Wating” (1994). She was also part of the cast of the 2017 film “Ang Larawan” and sang the main theme song of “Kahit ang Mundo'y Magunaw” (1975), a Manuel Cinco film starring Pilar Pilapil and Christopher de Leon.

Being Apo Isyang reflects how she has become a musical legend, with her singles and albums achieving gold or platinum status during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.Her album “Ako at si Celeste” under Blackgold Records was awarded gold and included hit singles like “Saranggola ni Pepe,” “Tuliro,” and “Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal?” The Celeste album also featured “Mamang Sorbetero.” Her albums “Bagong Plaka” and both “Lumang Kanta” Vol. 1 and 2 under Wea Records reached the double platinum mark.

She's also one of the founders of several artist organizations, including Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), Culturtain Musicat Theater Productions, Performers' Rights Society of the Philippines, and the OPM Archive.

As the daughter of César Legaspi, a National Artist for Visual Arts, her inclination for the arts runs in the blood. She began singing professionally with The Ambivalent Crowd and, while in college at St. Paul College of Manila in 1967, she played the lead role of One Legendary Evening and appeared in Show Boat as Magnolia (directed by the late Fr. James B. Reuter), followed by her performance as Nancy in the Philippine presentation of Oliver.

In “Aster,” she shares her thoughts about the lead star, Gab Pangilinan-Salomon, stating, “Gab is sweet, kind, and hardworking. She sings very well.”

“Aster” is produced by MAN-G Production and aims to deliver a top-notch piece for the audience. It is intended for release on a VOD platform like Netflix and is expected to be released in 2024.