Remembering Mang Ador and Tropicana Studio

"Master Photographer" of the 40s, 50s and 60s -- that would be none other than Dominador J. Cruz or "Mang Ador" of TROPICANA STUDIO.

On the same day we ate at Rosy's, I also dropped by TROPICANA STUDIO to reminisce about the late great Mang Ador. The studio interior is still very much the way I remembered it in the early 70s when I last stepped inside for my high school graduation picture. 

From a poster at the Malabon Public Library

Mang Ador founded TROPICANA STUDIO in 1945.  Some time after, he was taken in as official photographer of LVN Studios, and became known as "Photographer of the Stars."  1/   He photographed famous stars of the era like Fernando Poe, Jr., Susan Roces, Gloria Romero, Amalia Fuentes, Romeo Vazquez, Rosemarie, Luis Gonzales, Juancho Gutierrez, Lolita Rodriguez, Dolphy and others.  Looking at the framed line-up of stars photographed by Mang Ador on the studio wall, it seems there was no star of that era who was not photographed by him.  That's why during those days we were always excited to find out  who was the latest star whose portrait was displayed in their show window, that we would crane our necks whenever our jeepney passed by TROPICANA!

 (Tropicana portraits from Edward delos Santos)

With such a star-studded clientele, who would not want to have the chance to have his/her portrait also taken by Mang Ador?  Young as we were back then, it was definitely a thrill whenever we would find ourselves in Mang Ador's studio.  Not only was TROPICANA our school photographer for the annual class pictures;  all the important events of my youth were immortalized by them -- my first communion, and my elementary, high school and college graduations.  Too bad that I didn't go the whole nine yards by getting Mang Ador to do my wedding portrait as well!

What makes Mang Ador memorable is that he not only excelled at his craft; he was a warm, humble and good natured person, who had a way of making you feel at ease in front of the camera and look good on paper, too!  Honestly, sometimes I think that it was seeing Mang Ador's friendly smile behind the camera that made you smile right back.  He captured the essence of the person and the moment well, and you could happily hold that precious moment throughout your life.

From a video entitled "Maunlad na Malabon - Ituloy Natin 'To"

When Mang Ador passed away in 2008, Philippine photography lost one of its greats, while the people of Malabon lost someone we could proudly call our own.

TROPICANA STUDIO circa 1960s:

Tropicana Studio with its simple, homey facade  (Photo from Arch. Richard Bautista)

TROPICANA STUDIO - 2010:

The familiar Tropicana signature on their portraits

TROPICANA STUDIO
252 General Luna Street
Barangay Concepcion
Malabon City
Tel. No. 281.2987 (posted 4/13/11)


1/    Source:   "Tambobong, Malabong, Malabon sa Ika-Apat na raang Taon"

.