<----photo is courtesy of video 48 
Late 40's studio pictureBy: Paolo Carantes-San Juan
When one thinks of mystery and glamour, the Divine Greta Garbo always manages to bat her doe eyes in our minds and and pose languidly on a gilded banister, delivering her lines with her signature dramatic intensity. Paraluman is said to be the Philippines answer to the "monalisa" of the 20th centruy, her svelte body and long brown hair may seem similar to Garbo's look, but I must say that Paraluman was no Garbo, but an actress who made her own name and her own legendary Movie Star image. Born to German father and a Filipino mother in 1923, siegrid von giese (paralumans real name) was a drop dead beauty who adored movie stars and ultimately became one after she was discovered by Luis Nolasco of the Nolasco Brothers pictures via the recommendation of the sister of actress Corzon Noble who was Paralumans friend.
Our Glamour Gal holding a cigarette(mid 50's)
MOVIE STAR
She started her career in 1940 and was praised for her extraordinary beauty, nobody had a face like hers, she was a natural beauty, she need not rely much on makeup unlike the other movie stars then, who relied heavily on makeup to make them look fabulous in the pictures. It was reported by her equally beautiful daughter actress, model and host, Baby O'Brien that Paraluman always maintained her glamorous image even though she was at home. She would bath regularly and wear full makeup with her hair coiffed to perfection and joked that "Pag may sunog ayoko mag mukhang bruha pag labas ng bahay" , as Hollywood's ultimate movie star, Joan Crawford said, "when i go out, I have to look like Joan Craword" same can be said with Paraluman, her image was too be well care for.
Paraluman resumed her career after world war II in Sampaguita pictures playing obligatory romantic roles in the early 50's until Doc Perez the owner of the studio, repackaged her image and gave her character roles that added to her status as an actress besides that of a movie star, she chopped off her long locks and opted for the short curly coiffure that was worn by most femme fatales of the Phi. cinema. dressed sexily and exuded sensuality in the films she made during this time. She played nemesis to Gloria Romero in Hongkong Holiday and then a lame woman in Tanikalang Apoy (1959). She won a FAMAS Best Actress Award for her role in Sino ang maysala?. 
Paraluman winning her first FAMAS award for "Sino and may sala?"(1959)
Paraluman was also nominated four times in FAMAS: twice in 1959 for Best Actress for the movies Bobby and Anino ni Bathala, in 1972 as Best Supporting Actress for Lilet, and in 1976 as Best Supporting Actress for Mister Mo, Lover Boy Ko. Her last film was Kailan Sasabihing Mahal Kita (1985).(wickipedia)
Paraluman winning her first FAMAS award for "Sino and may sala?"(1959)Paraluman was also nominated four times in FAMAS: twice in 1959 for Best Actress for the movies Bobby and Anino ni Bathala, in 1972 as Best Supporting Actress for Lilet, and in 1976 as Best Supporting Actress for Mister Mo, Lover Boy Ko. Her last film was Kailan Sasabihing Mahal Kita (1985).(wickipedia)
POP CULTURE
Paraluman was somehow introduced to a younger generation during the 90's via the eheads song "And huling el bimbo", somehow the people clamored to know who is Paraluman? the woman they were refering to as a comparison to the beauty of the female in their song:"kamukha mo si Paraluman, nang tayo ay bata pa", little did people know it was the beauteous actress who's fame resurfaced when she was featured in the Inquirer updating us on what has happened to the legend, to everyone's surprise,She still looked beautiful for her age, her beauty still intact showed the lovely facial contours that made her a star and an actress.
We will miss PARALUMAN, the ultimate movie star, the glamour gal, the actress, She now shines brighter than ever, watching over us with her alluring eyes, everlasting in our memory.
