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==Early life and career==
==Early life and career==
Weng Weng was born in [[Baclaran]], in [[Parañaque City]].<ref name="imdb">{{imdb name|0911067}}</ref> He was discovered by Eddie Nicart in a circus<ref>http://www.nanarland.com/divers/divers.php?id=25</ref>. His first movie part is believed to be that of the baby Moses in the 1972 Filipino biblical epic "Go Tell It On The Mountain", which also starred future Philippine president [[Joseph Estrada]] as the adult Moses. Most of Weng Weng's early movie roles involved him either playing babies, children, small cuddly animals or strange alien beings in a number of low budget Filipino sci-fi features. In 1973 he appeared in filmmaker [[Pedro Manoy]]'s super-low-budget science-fiction fantasy "MoonBoy From Another Planet" in which he played a lovable three foot alien who befriends a poor Filipino boy. Manoy later claimed and unsuccessfully attempted to sue Hollywood filmmaker Steven Spielberg for ripping off the idea for "ET"
Weng Weng was born in [[Baclaran]], [[Parañaque City]].<ref name="imdb">{{imdb name|0911067}}</ref> He was discovered by Eddie Nicart in a circus<ref>http://www.nanarland.com/divers/divers.php?id=25</ref>. His first movie part is believed to be that of the baby Moses in the 1972 Filipino biblical epic "Go Tell It On The Mountain", which also starred future Philippine president [[Joseph Estrada]] as the adult Moses. Most of Weng Weng's early movie roles involved him either playing babies, children, small cuddly animals or strange alien beings in a number of low budget Filipino sci-fi features. In 1973 he appeared in filmmaker [[Pedro Manoy]]'s super-low-budget science-fiction fantasy "MoonBoy From Another Planet" in which he played a lovable three foot alien who befriends a poor Filipino boy. Manoy later claimed and unsuccessfully attempted to sue Hollywood filmmaker Steven Spielberg for ripping off the idea for "ET"


==Agent 00==
==Agent 00==

Revision as of 20:21, 5 March 2010

Weng Weng
Occupation(s)Actor, martial artist
Years active1972-1990(?)

Ernesto de la Cruz (September 7, 1957 — August 29, 1992), better known as Weng Weng, was a Filipino actor and martial artist. Only 83 cm (2 feet, 9 inches) tall, he is listed in the Guinness World Records as the shortest adult actor in a leading role.[1] He played Secret Agent 00 in For Y’ur Height Only [2] and The Impossible Kid, [3][4][5] and also starred in the western "D’Wild Wild Weng".

Early life and career

Weng Weng was born in Baclaran, Parañaque City.[6] He was discovered by Eddie Nicart in a circus[7]. His first movie part is believed to be that of the baby Moses in the 1972 Filipino biblical epic "Go Tell It On The Mountain", which also starred future Philippine president Joseph Estrada as the adult Moses. Most of Weng Weng's early movie roles involved him either playing babies, children, small cuddly animals or strange alien beings in a number of low budget Filipino sci-fi features. In 1973 he appeared in filmmaker Pedro Manoy's super-low-budget science-fiction fantasy "MoonBoy From Another Planet" in which he played a lovable three foot alien who befriends a poor Filipino boy. Manoy later claimed and unsuccessfully attempted to sue Hollywood filmmaker Steven Spielberg for ripping off the idea for "ET"

Agent 00

In the late 1970's, he came to the attention of Hong Kong movie maker Raymond Jury, who cast him in the role of Agent 00 in the 1981 James Bond-style spoof For Your Height Only. In the movie, the brilliant scientist Dr. Kohler is kidnapped by an evil organization headed by "Mr Giant". Secret Agent 00 is called to rescue the doctor, and 00 does so by using a combination of kicking people in the knees or the genitals, shooting with remarkable accuracy, and sliding across the floor firing his pistol as he goes. The film ends with Agent 00 locating the secret island that Mr. Giant uses for a hideout, dispensing with the red beret wearing guards, and meting out his special form of justice. Weng Weng learned the martial arts from fellow Filipino Dan Inosanto and international martial arts pioneer and Ju Gran Chaud founder Laurent Painchaud. The movie was a huge hit throughout the Philippines and Asia as well as countries as far apart as Iceland, Uganda, Tonga, Bolivia and Papua New Guinea.

In the 1982 sequel The Impossible Kid, Weng Weng is now working for the Manila branch of Interpol. The Chief sends him in the pursuit of Mr X, an arch villain with a white sock on his head, who is holding the Philippines for ransom. Two businessmen, Maolo and Simeon, pay the demands but Weng Weng suspects foul play and goes deep undercover to reveal the identity of Mr X.

Later career

Weng Weng also starred in the 1982 western D'Wild Wild Weng, playing a character called "Mr. Weng". In the film, he and sidekick Gordon (Max ZUMA Laurel) are sent to the countryside to investigate the murder of Santa Monica’s mayor. The town is now overrun by the corrupt governor Sebastian (played by Romy Diaz) and his army of banditos, all dressed up to look like Mexican revolutionaries. The ending has Weng cranking a Gatling gun - on the back of a jeep - mowing down wave after wave of sombreros, while a tribe of dwarf Indians launch a counterattack with bows and arrows.

D’Wild Wild Weng shares much of the cast from both For Y’ur Height Only, and The Impossible Kid: Yehlen Catral (Lola in For Y’ur Height Only) plays Elsa the barmaid, Max (For Y’ur Height Only’s tartan-clad villain in shades and cloth cap) Alvarado takes a turn at playing a sympathetic character as the mute Lupo, and Nina Sara (later in The Impossible Kid) is Weng’s love interest Clara.

In the Philippines, Weng Weng became a household name and he was constantly in demand for appearances on TV chat shows, shopping centre appearances and the occasional political rally. In 1990 he was awarded a special citation for services to the Filipino film industry from first lady Imelda Marcos, and joined her at the presentation in a special karaoke "duet" version of "My Way". An unauthorized recording of their performance was later released on bootleg cassette and sold 200,000 copies.[8]

Weng Weng demonstrated martial artistry in his films. It is said that he trained in many disciplines including Jeet Kune Do under fellow Filipino Dan Inosanto and the hybrid martial style Ju Gran Chaud which he was taught by Ju Gran Chaud's founder Laurent Painchaud who travelled through Southeast Asia preaching the discipline [9]

By the late 1980s, film and television roles had dried up, and according to some sources Weng Weng had begun drinking heavily. Weng Weng died in Pasay City, Philippines in 1992 of a heart attack, at age 34.[10]

Posthumous interest

Weng Weng is the subject of Australian cult video store owner-turned-guerrilla filmmaker Andrew Leavold's documentary, titled The Search for Weng Weng.[11] Leavold has confirmed that there are 11 confirmed Weng Weng films with 2 awaiting verification. Three Dolphy films (Da Best In Da West, Stairiray, The Quick Brown Fox) are in the TV archives in Manila, but the Liliw Productions titles are still owned by producer Cora Caballes, and she claims they are on Betacam and stored somewhere in Manila[12].

Weng Weng's online recognition grew in April 2007 with the release of a "Weng Weng Rap" video by The Chuds and John R of R Room. This video was picked up by Australian music forum Fasterlouder.com.au, making Weng Weng a popular meme amongst members.

  • "Mini-site dedicated to Weng Weng". Nanarland. Template:Fr
  • Video on YouTube. Weng Weng tribute rap by The Chuds and R Room.

Notes

  1. ^ "Editorial". Manila Standard Today. February 10, 2006.
  2. ^ "Synopsis of For Y'ur Height Only". Bad Movies.
  3. ^ Kehr, Dave (December 30, 2005). "Hailing the DVD Distributors: The Best Vault Raiders of 2005". New York Times.
  4. ^ "Review of For Y'ur Height Only". Monsters at Play.
  5. ^ "It Came From The Rental Store - For Y'ur Height Only". Poptique.
  6. ^ Weng Weng at IMDb
  7. ^ http://www.nanarland.com/divers/divers.php?id=25
  8. ^ http://www.boingboing.net/2003/05/26/weng-weng-and-lost-p.html
  9. ^ http://www.americancombatassn.com/adam_sarver_videos.html
  10. ^ "IMDB Weng Weng Biography".
  11. ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1073143/plotsummary
  12. ^ http://209.85.175.104/search?q=cache:B6rzvcTcxX0J:www.digital-retribution.com/forum/index.php%3Faction%3Dprintpage%3Btopic%3D7823.0+weng+weng+hollywood&hl=tl&ct=clnk&cd=27&gl=ph&client=firefox-a


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