Luciano "Lou" Mariñas Veloso (born January 7, 1948)[1] is a Filipino actor, comedian, director and politician. He is known for his supporting roles in over 30 comedy films, which include Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang (1985), Pulis Patola (1993), Ang Cute ng Ina Mo (2007), and Desperadas 2 (2008).[2] As an actor, Veloso has also performed in films such as Kabayo Kids, released in 1990, in which he portrayed Loreiga, Buddy en Sol (Sine Ito!) (1992), and M & M: The Incredible Twins (1989).[3]
Early career
Veloso's first film was Working Girls under VIVA Films in 1984 in which he played a security guard in a bank office. Veloso was also a TV host of AgriSiyete, which he replaced original host the late comedian Bert Marcelo in 1996. He also appeared in a various educational programs are Batibot and K-High which he plays as a grandfather.
Senakulo stage play
He is also the founder and musical stage play director of "Martir sa Golgota", a senakulo or passion play, launched in 1979 which was traditionally held every Holy Week of every year in Manila.[4]
Political career
Veloso was elected councilor of the 6th district of Manila from 1995 to 2004 and from 2007 until 2013. He ran for vice mayor on the 2013 midterm elections under the Liberal Party with Mayor Alfredo Lim but lost to incumbent Vice Mayor Isko Moreno.[5] He ran in 2016 for councilor under KABAKA but lost, placing eighth.
He successfully returned to the city council in 2019, running under the Team Legacy ticket of PMP led by Mayor Joseph Estrada. He was re-elected in 2022, this time under Asenso Manileño.[1]
He was notably the author of a resolution in 1996 seeking the renovation of the Manila City Hall's Clock Tower.[6] The renovation only started years later, until it was completed and inaugurated as the Manila Clock Tower Museum in 2022.[7][8]
Tanghalang Pilipino production of an original play adapted by Palanca Award-winning playwright Rody Vera from the novel of the same title by Benjamin Pimentel
a production of Palanca Award-winning plays about contemporary Philippine society such as Our Lady of Arlegui by Chris Martinez (First Prize, 2007) J. Dennis Teodosio's Baka Sakali (Second Prize, 2007) and Ang Kalungkutan ng mga Reyna by Floy Quintos (First Prize, 2008)
Benjamin Pimentel's two-act drama, inspired by the life and times of Indonesia’s Pramoedya Ananta Toer presented at Cultural Center of the Philippines' Virgin Labfest
a senakulo play based on the life and passion of Jesus Christ staged by The Manila Mobile Theater Foundation (Tanghalang Sta. Ana) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater)
