Lucy Torres-Gomez
Lucy Torres-Gomez (born Lucy Marie Martinez Torres; December 11, 1974), is a Filipina actress and politician. She has served as Mayor of Ormoc and as the Representative for Leyte's 4th legislative district from June 2013 to June 2022, and previously from June 2010 to March 2013. This district includes the city of Ormoc, and the municipalities of Albuera, Isabel, Kananga, Matag-ob, Merida, and Palompon.[1]
Lucy Torres-Gomez | |
|---|---|
Torres-Gomez in 2019 | |
| Mayor of Ormoc | |
| Assumed office June 30, 2022 | |
| Vice Mayor | Leo Locsin Sr. |
| Preceded by | Richard Gomez |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Leyte’s 4th district | |
| In office June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Vacant |
| Succeeded by | Richard Gomez |
| In office June 30, 2010 – March 19, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Eufrocino Codilla Sr. |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Lucy Marie Martinez Torres December 11, 1974 Ormoc, Leyte |
| Political party | PDP–Laban (2016–present) Liberal (2009–2016) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Juliana Marie Beatriz T. Gomez |
| Education | University of the Philippines Cebu (BS) |
| Website | House of Representatives |
She is married to fellow actor turned politician Richard Gomez, who currently serves as the mayor of Ormoc.[2][3]
Early life and media career
Torres-Gomez was born on December 11, 1974, in Ormoc, Philippines to Manuel "Manoling" Torres Jr. and Julie Martinez, the second of four children. She has an older sister and two younger brothers.[4][5] For primary and secondary school, she attended the Benedictine founded Saint Peter's College in Ormoc.[6] Torres-Gomez later attended the University of the Philippines Cebu (then a college of the University of the Philippines Visayas), from which she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business management.[5]
In 1993, Torres-Gomez shot a TV commercial for Lux Shampoo at Lake Caliraya, Laguna, where she met her future husband, Richard Gomez. Five years later in 1998, the two starred in the ABS-CBN television sitcom Richard Loves Lucy, and married that same year.[2][5][7] Torres-Gomez has also hosted the TV5 reality dance competition show Shall We Dance? and the Q lifestyle show The Sweet Life, and endorses Philippine brands bench/, and Kashieca.[2][8]
Political career
Torres-Gomez was elected the Representative for Leyte's 4th legislative district as substitute candidate for her husband Richard Gomez on May 10, 2010. Gomez was disqualified by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) due to his lack of one year residency in the district, a requirement of eligibility for office.[9] On March 19, 2013, the Supreme Court, ruled on a protest filed by fellow congressional candidate Eufrocino Codilla Jr., ousting Torres-Gomez from office. The Courts said that she "did not validly substitute" her husband.[10] Her ousting did not affect her re-election bid, and she regained her seat in May of that same year, beating incumbent Ormoc Mayor Eric Codilla.[11] In May 2016, Torres-Gomez was again re-elected as representative, defeating Violeta Codilla.[12]
As congresswoman, Torres-Gomez has principally authored over 100 bills and co-authored 35. She is the chairperson of the House Committee on Disaster Resilience, and the vice chairperson of committees on Tourism, and Women and Gender Equality, and the special committee on Creative Industry and Performing Arts.[1]
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020, Torres-Gomez expressed her support for the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, stating that fear of the abuse of law is not a valid reason to reject needed legislation.[13] The bill was signed into law as Republic Act No. 11479 on July 3, 2020.[14] The law's constitutionality is currently being challenged in the Supreme Court by multiple groups.[15]
Torres-Gomez, together with husband Richard Gomez, was a member of the then-ruling Liberal Party during her early political career, but left in June 2016 to join the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP–Laban) shortly after Rodrigo Duterte won the presidential election.[16]
Personal life
Torres-Gomez married actor and Ormoc Mayor Richard Gomez on April 28, 1998 at the Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church in Ormoc, Leyte.[17] They currently reside in Ormoc, and have one daughter, Juliana Marie Beatriz (b. 2000).[2][18]
Torres-Gomez is Roman Catholic.[6] She speaks Cebuano, English, and Tagalog.
In 2018, Torres-Gomez was named Most Stylish Woman by Philippine Tatler.[19]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Film Producer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Panday Ang Ikalawang Yugto | Ina Engkantada | GMA Films |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Celebrity Dance Battle | Host | TV5 |
| 2013 | Showbiz Police: Intriga Under Arrest | ||
| 2010–2013 | Talentadong Pinoy | Judge | |
| 2010–2011 | P.O.5 | Host | |
| 2007 | Mga Mata ni Anghelita | Birheng Maria | GMA Network |
| 2007–2011 | The Sweet Life | Host | Q (now GMA News TV/GTV) |
| 2005–2010 | Shall We Dance? | ABC/TV5 | |
| 2004–2005 | Forever in My Heart | Herself | GMA Network |
| 2004–2007 | Bahay Mo Ba ‘To? | Lucinda | |
| 2003–2004 | All About You | Host | |
| 1998–2001 | Richard Loves Lucy | Lucy | ABS-CBN |
References
- ^ a b "House Members: Hon. Lucy Torres-Gomez". Republic of the Philippines: House of Representatives.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c d "Lucy Torres-Gomez Biography". TV Guide.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Fariola-Ruedas, Jenette (May 10, 2016). "At last, Richard Gomez wins an election". ABS-CBN News.
- ^ Ganal, FM (December 12, 2020). "Richard Gomez calls Lucy Torres his "Superwoman"". PEP.ph.
- ^ a b c Jose, MJ (January 11, 2019). "Asia's Most Stylish Lucy Torres-Gomez On Leading A Charmed Life". Tatler Asia.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b Dacumos-Lagorza, Kristel (September 20, 2012). "Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez: The Leading Lady". The Philippine Star.
- ^ Balante, Leo (February 7, 2018). "Lucy Torres Shares The Sweet Story Behind 25-Year-Old Photo". Cosmopolitan.ph.
- ^ "LOOK: Lucy Torres-Gomez brings back ladylike dressing with clothing line". ABS-CBN News. September 4, 2019.
- ^ Caliwara, Karen (April 29, 2010). "ELECTION WATCH: Lucy Torres-Gomez becomes substitute candidate for husband Richard Gomez". PEP.ph.
- ^ Pedrasa, Ira (March 19, 2013). "SC ousts Lucy Torres as Leyte rep". ABS-CBN News.
- ^ Ranada, Pia (May 14, 2013). "Winning and losing celeb bets". Rappler.
- ^ "Lucy Torres-Gomez reelected Leyte representative". Rappler. May 11, 2016.
- ^ Mercado, Neil Arwin (June 24, 2020). "Torres-Gomez: Fear of abuse of law not 'valid reason' to reject anti-terror bill". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
- ^ Republic Act No. 11479, 2020.
- ^ CNN Philippines Staff (July 23, 2020). "16 Supreme Court petitions seek to void anti-terrorism law". CNN Philippines.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ Lubiano, Art (October 8, 2021). "Lucy Torres foregoes senatorial nominations, aims for Ormoc City mayor". Rappler.
- ^ Pingol, Anna (May 2, 2008). "Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres-Gomez celebrate 10th wedding anniversary". PEP.ph.
- ^ "IN PHOTOS: Juliana Gomez celebrates 18th birthday". Rappler. September 9, 2018.
- ^ Jacinto, Frannie (November 25, 2018). "Lucy Torres Gomez named Most Stylish by 'Tatler'". The Philippine Star.