Pugo (comedian)
Mariano Contreras (July 12, 1910 – December 12, 1978), better known by his stage name Pugo, was a Filipino actor, comedian, vaudevillian, and film director, famous as one half of the comedy team Pugo and Tugo during the 1930s up to 1950s. He has sometimes been credited as Mang Nano and was known as the original King of Philippine Comedy.
| Pugo | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Mariano Contreras |
| Born | July 12, 1910 |
| Died | December 12, 1978 (aged 68) |
| Resting place | Manila Memorial Park, Parañaque, Philippines |
| Medium | Film, vaudeville, television |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Years active | 1938–1978 |
| Relative(s) | Antonio P. Contreras (grandson) |
As an actor, Contreras has performed in movies such as Nukso ng Nukso, released in 1960, 2 Sundalong Kanin (1952), and Kambal Tuko (1952), in which he portrayed Momoy. Pugo was also a film director and has worked on Kababalaghan o Kabulastugan?, released in 1960.
After Tugo's death in 1952, Contreras teamed up with Bentot in movies, radio and television. His popular TV shows were Tangtarangtang, Si Tatang Kasi and Wanted Boarders.