It was a sad week this past week for many people. A comedian and acting genius left us. Yes, Robin Williams checked out and moved on. Williams’ death was an apparent suicide, he had suffered from depression over the years, in addition to substance abuse problems. Apparently, Williams hung himself earlier this week. It left many people worldwide very saddened.
OK, so I can feel it now that many reading this are wondering what this really has to do with the Philippines, since this website focuses on the Philippines and Life in the Philippines.
The Philippine Connection
Did you know that Robin Williams had a Philippine Connection? Yes, it is true, he really did.
Robin Williams was married 3 times, and one of his ex-wives was Filipino. So, for the many people who read this site who are married to Filipinas or Filipinos, this is something we shared with the late, great Robin Williams.
In 1989 Robin Williams married Marsha Garces. The couple was divorced in 2009, so they were married for about 20 years.
Williams and Garces met when Garces was working for Williams as the nanny of his son, Zachary.
During their marriage, Garces worked on a number of Williams’ films, including:
- Mrs. Doubtfire
- Patch Adams
- Jakob the Liar
- Robin Williams Live on Broadway
- Extinction Soup
In fact, Garces won a Golden Globe award for her work on Mrs. Doubtfire, and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for her work on Live on Broadway. So, she was quite accomplished on the work that she did.
Williams and Garces had two children together, Zelda and Cody. Those children have maintained close ties with their Filipino relatives.
Interview with PDI
Although he was already divorced from Garces at the time, in 2011 Robin Williams did an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer in which he opened up and spoke about his ties to this extended family in the Philippines. In that interview, Williams spoke very lovingly of his ex-Father-in-Law, Leon Pantaleon Garces, who is from Bohol. Williams told the Inquirer that “My ex-Father-in-Law, Leon, was amazing, a great man.”
As part of that same PDI interview, Williams also joked that he had “picked up a Pinoy accent” over the years of his marriage. 🙂
Rest in Peace, Robin Williams. You have many fans worldwide, even in the Philippines.
He was one of the good ones in so many ways. Rest in Peace.
Yes, he sure was a unique individual, Tom. A real legend.
Wow Bob!
Thanks for sharing that.
You are welcome, Riley. Than you for stopping by!
Interesting
Thanks, Michael.
Bob,
He was my all time favorite Actor. I loved all his movies, but the one that really touched me was Patch Adams. I was not aware of his Philippine Connection though.
My other favorite Actor was John Candy. The world just doesn’t seem right without them.
Thank you for sharing this information and article.
Bill
Yes, indeed, Bill, he was a good one. I also liked John Candy, although he died before he really reached his peak potential, I think.
To be honest, I never saw Patch Adams, it was one of Robin’s movies that I missed, I’ll have to catch it now. I re-watched Good Morning Vietnam the other day and really enjoyed it.
Oh YES! Good Morning Vietnam was awesome!!! If you get a chance watch Patch Adams. It’s very good in its own right. The man is a legend.
I am going to do that, Bill, thanks!
Hi Bob,
I did not realize that Robin Williams was married to a Boholano like me. I was also disappointed at the loss of such a talented man. My wife did not even know who he was when I told her about his passing. I enjoyed his comedy. Do you know more specifically what part of Bohol his wife was from?
Hi Jay – The family is from Ubay, Bohol. 🙂
His current wife has said that he was suffering from early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, which contributed to his depression of late.
Small correction, Stephen… she said that he was suffering from early Parkinsons, not Alzheimers.
Nice article
Thank you Rease.
Hi Bob – I loved Robin’s acting. It’s a sad story about a great man!. I never knew that he was married to a Filipina.
Thanks, Brenton, I’m glad that you were able to pick up a new piece of information! It certainly was a sad event.
As a former member of the US Armed Forces and employee of Uncle Sam, I admire Robin Williams and his brand of comedy. One of my favorite from his jokes was this one: “We had gay burglars the other night; they broke in and rearranged the furniture.” Robin Williams contributed a lot to the morale of the US troops and US government employees overseas and in the US. RIP, Robin.
Robin Williams was indeed a big supporter of the troops! He did a lot of USO tours and such!
Hi Bob. Maybe this could help about about Mrs, Williams Filipino side:
” Pantaleon ”Leon” Marciano
Fernandez Garces
Age 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones in San Francisco, Saturday, March 9, 2002. His wife of sixty years, Ina Rachel Mattila Garces, was at his side. He was preceded in death by son, Victor Garces and is survived by daughters, Selina Garces of Tucson, Carmen Elsner of Phoenix and Marsha Williams of San Francisco; sons-in-law, James Fein, Richard Elsner and Robin Williams; daughter-in-law, Priscilla Garces of Fox Point; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Born July 27, 1909 in Ubay, Bohol, Philippines, he immigrated to the United States in 1929, served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and then chose Milwaukee as his home where he devoted himself to family, friends, and his work as a chef. During the last twenty-five years of his life, he enjoyed retirement close to family in Phoenix and San Francisco.
A private memorial service took place Tuesday, March 12, 2002 at Saint Monica’s Catholic Church, San Francisco. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in Mr. Garces’ name to UC Regents, Cardiovascular Research Fund by calling (415) 476-1157.”
Got this from an obit announcement online. Thought I’d share it.
Thanks for taking the time to look that up, Jose.
All roads lead to Bohol 🙂
All boats too, Joey.
Dave,
The best show I enjoyed of him was the Mork and Mindy show back in the early 80’s. He was also having financial difficulties. That’s one of the reasons why he was having to do movies and shows again. He was paying a huge amount of money for the divorces of his prior marriages.
Yes, I also heard that finances were forcing him to take on projects that he didn’t want to do.
Bob,
Sorry, don’t know what I was thinking when I put Dave instead of Bob.
No problem, PD.
His second wife is half Filipino (Filipino father and Finnish mother) who was born and raised OUTSIDE the Philippines. So, I’m not sure “how much” of a Filipina she is.
I know that my daughter, born and raised in the US and have never been to the Philippines, doesn’t speak the language and other than chicken adobo and pancit has not been exposed to the Philippine culture. She doesn’t really consider herself Filipino.
The children of Garces and Williams have strong connections in the Philippines and reportedly are in regular contact with the family here.
Strong connection? I don’t know. My observation is that Filipino or Philippine culture as a whole tend to claim celebrities as their own even it there’s only a drop of Filipino drop in them. Even if they’ve never been to the Philippines, speak the language or been expose to the Filipino culture.
meant to say… drop of Filipino blood. Sucks that we can’t edit our mistakes. :-p
According to Robin Williams himself, his children are close to the Filipino side of the family and to the Philippines. I don’t know the people, but I see no reason to distrust what Robin Williams said about the issue himself.
Just because someone denies their children their culture doesn’t mean that everyone does. My wife was born in the US, visits the Philippines often, speaks fluent Tagalog and Ilocano, and is very familiar with her culture. She very much considers herself a Filipino American.
That is really great, Gary. When we lived in the States we always tried to expose our kids to Filipino culture, and now that we are in the Philippines we do our best to expose them to American things. I feel it is important to do that.
First of all, I never denied my daughter the Philippine culture. As a family, we didn’t live like the rest of the Filipino in the US. So it not as easy to introduce her to the culture. We were never around Filipinos. I had very few Filipino friends while my daughter was growing up and didn’t really interact with them on a daily basis. I emigrated here when I was 18, and had no plans to go back to retire and live in the Philippines, up until a few years ago. Most Filipino I know have lived here for over 20 years and still can’t speak good English because they never fully integrated into the American culture. They have the OFW mentality, they are here to make money with the intent of going back to the Philippines. It’s the equivalent of an Expat in the Philippines who doesn’t immerse themselves in the culture.
When my daughter was in college, she was asked by one of her professor about her ethnicity (she doesn’t look like a half Filipino, most people think she’s Brazilian, with very exotic look). She told him she’s an American, father Caucasian and mother Filipino. She’s never say to anyone that she’s Fil-Am, because she doesn’t really feel or think like she’s a Filipino first, then American.
The main reason I question, “how much of a Filipina” this woman is, is because I don’t know. For all we know she’s never been to the Philippines or even speak the language. I’m sure a lot of you have some “other blood” in you. Do you say, oh I’m half British/half American, or half Australian/half American. I’ve never heard any Caucasian say that! So is someone a Filipino just because they have “half or 1/4th blood” in them, even if they were never raise in that culture, never been to the Philippines or speak the language? Does having a contact with their father’s relatives makes them Filipino?
I can’t speak about other countries, but in the USA, since all Caucasians are immigrants, it is very common to discuss our heritage. For example, I am mostly Irish, with a bit of German. It is a regular topic of conversation among Caucasian people in the USA.
It is very common for Caucasians to discuss their backgrounds. I am a mutt Scottish, Irish, French. and German. The difference is on my Fathers side we can trace the family history here in the States until 1689. I am pretty far removed from being European. My wife who is a second generation american should and does have a lot ties to the Philippines.
Bob, I read about his Philippine connection when I Wikipedia his name. But good article.
Glad you liked the article.
Rest in peace Robin Williams, You will be be missed.
Indeed.
Even as a Finnish born, I never knew about Marsha Garges mother was a Finn!??? We have such a small country and Robin WILLIAMS was such a favorite actor here that I am pretty sure the connections would be seen in our “yellow press” many times!? Marsha was born June 18. 1956 IN THE PHILIPPINES. Lived with Robin Williams for years before their marriage April 30 1989 and it was Marsha who filed a divorce on May 2008 before the final divorce 2011. About the parents of Marsha …I just doubt if August is mixing 2 different Williams… One of the most famous connection Finland/Philippines did happen when our Armi Kuusela, first Ms Universum in 1952 did traveled around the world and she did met in Manila (falled in love in Baquio!) a businessman Virgilio “Gil” Hilario and after only a very short time did marry him in Japan. They had a very happy family life in the Philippines ( A hotel “Gilarmi” still in Makati owned by their youngest son, I think) until a suddenly dead of Virgilio in 1975. Some years later Mrs. Kuusela-Hilario got her 2th marriage with a american diplomat Albert WILLIAMS and they still live as a couple, in San Diego California. What is so funny when I mention beeing a Finn in the Philippines to some elder people, their first reaction has been: “Oh how nice! Armi Kuusela!” We still love her so!” I`ve met those people everywhere in different parts in the Philippines, also in Davao it was the same! Also have met many filipinas named Armi, some of them baptized not so long ago after Armi Kuusela-Williams (or would I rather think Kuusela-Hilario!)
August, if you can put some facts on the table about Marsha Garces parents and her “finipino” mother, I would be very interested to know some more about them. Salamat! nano nano R.I.P. Robin Williams
Hi Leo, it is correct, Marsha Garces mother was Ina Rachel Matilla, a Finn.
No I wasn’t confusing Marsha Garces Williams with another person. According to what I read online, she was born June 18, 1956 in San Francisco, California. Her Filipino father emigrated to the US in 1929.
Interesting factoid, a Filipino who emigrated to the U.S. in 1929, and had a daughter born in San Francisco. Conjures up memories of the SECOND wave of Filipino immigration to the U.S. during the American colonial administration of the Philippines AND visions of the legendary Ilocano, Carlos Bulosan, but that’s another story for another time.
Another “interesting” trivia regarding Virgilio Hilario. Not only was he the first Filipino to have married a reigning Miss Universe at the time, he was also the first Filipino in the Philippines to have owned a Jaguar at the time.
August –
This is not meant to criticize your daughter for not acknowleding her Filipino roots. I just want to relate my own experience with regards to the perpetuation of Filipino culture, or lack thereof, within a Filipino family in diaspora even if that family was not exposed to Filipino culture on a daily basis
Like you, I came to the U.S. when I was only 15. My wife is a naturalized U.S. citizen of Palestinian Arab descent. Like your daughter, all my 3 kids were born and raised in the U.S. and have “exotic” looks, whatever that means, according to friends, relatives, and complete strangers at the mall.
Like you, I don’t have what I would consider many Filipino friends, although I have passing acquaintance with one or two, but who never stepped inside my home. Neither did we live like the “rest of the Filipinos”, as you put it, if what you mean by that is eating rice 3 times a day, speaking Filipino at home, doing the “mano po”, having a house with a picture of the “Last Supper” on the wall and smelling of ‘tuyo”, watching Filipino TV, or attending Filipino pot luck parties and ballroom dancing, and all the typical Pinoy bonggahan those gatherings engender. None of that. With the exception of myself, no one in the family even knows what “bongga” means. LOL
Amazingly, all my kids have acknowledged and appreciated their Filipino roots without any encouragement from me. They did it all their own. As mentioned, none of my kids look Filipino, but one of my sons took the trouble of ordering online a T-shirt with the words, “Philippine Pride” emblazoned on the back of the T-shirt. The other son had his basement decorated with Philippine memorabilla, complete with a pair of boxing gloves decorated with a replica of the Philippine flag.
None of my kids speak a word of any Philippine language. As completely Americanized as one can be, however, everyone of them still find in their hearts the pride of being half Filipino. And, yes, they were treated like rock stars in the only two times they had been to the Philippines.
John,
Do your kids recognize there Palestinian Culture?
Very much so, Randy. All three (2 sons and a daughter) are very familiar with the culture. Northern Virginia is home to a large Palestinian community. It is also home to my wife’s extended family, in Vienna, Falls Church, Ashburn, Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, McLean, all the way down to Culpepper and Fredericksburg, and as far away as North Carolina where some of their first cousins live.
While they were growing up, they were always with their Mom whenever she visited family, attended weddings and other social events. Because of constant exposure to their Mom’s culture, all three understand spoken Arabic well, and speak it passably. Watching my daughter in her Arabic dress dancing the “dabke” at a Palestinian wedding, you would never guess she is half Filipino.
As to whether my kids identify more with Palestinian or Filipino culture, the thought never occured to me until now. If it’s any indication, though, remember that all three speak Arabic, but they do not speak, nor understand a word of Filipino.
“As to whether my kids identify more with Palestinian or Filipino culture, the thought never occured to me until now. If it’s any indication, though, remember that all three speak Arabic, but they do not speak, nor understand a word of Filipino.”
To me this would indicate that they identify more with the Palestinian culture than the Filipino culture because they live it and speak it. I know that they are American through and through. But, because they speak the language, and probably live the culture through visiting their mother’s country, they are exposed to it more than the Filipino culture.
That’s exactly what I meant when I say we didn’t live like other Filipinos. One time, I was asked “What kind of Filipino are you”, not having white rice in my pantry. I try not to eat too much white rice because of weight gain in the belly. So I eat quinoa or organic brown rice. My daughter doesn’t deny her ethnicity. If she’s ask what her ethnicity is, she tells them that her mother is Filipino.
Weird but slightly funny observation: “Not Filipino enough?”
Yeah, not sure how you become “Filipino enough”??
On a more serious note, I’m not happy to learn that Robin Williams was in the initial phases of Parkinson’s and being plagued with depression. It hits extremely close to home, especially with there being no causal relationship between the two, and the depression coming on first.
Baket ko (Asawa ko) [my Wife] appears to be keeping an extra eye on me, now. Hope she doesn’t hide all of my belts and consign me to wearing sweatpants everywhere. 🙁
Hi Paul – Sorry to hear that. Sweatpants could be a bad move, especially in the Philippines where it is already so hot! 🙂
Bob,
Very informative article.
Sad at hearing of his death and the circumstances contributing to it.
The London Daily Mail is my primary news source and have had very good evenhanded reporting in many articles.
I have had a marathon of watching his past appearances on YouTube this week.
RIP Robin you are the best. No one will ever come close to your unique style.
Too bad he never stumbled across LIP, he would have been a he’ll of a contributor.
My son had a phil/am girl friend about 12 years ago when he was in high school.
She never really identified with her Philippines culture as her parents died when she was very young, and her us aunt and uncle raised her and were unable to give her the cultural back ground she could have had. She hated her ‘chinky’ eyes as she called them. She and my son lost touch when she went to college. He was lucky to have known her. She had 1 1/2 years of college credit already when she graduated from high school. I hope she will embrace her Philipina side as she matures. She chased after my son until she caught him at that time..
Hi Jade – I agree with you, I hope that she will embrace the Philippines side of her heritage site now time. I think it is important for a person of mixed heritage to do that, and that is something we have always encouraged in our children.
Sad that someone who had brought so much joy and laughter to so many people, himself couldn’t find joy and peace in the end. You just never know what the current is like under the calm top of the river.
There are many many movies that he had made that I really love. But my favorite is “The Birdcage”.
I never saw that one, James. I will be doing a marathon of watching all of his movies that I missed. He certainly had some great ones! A few duds too, but nobody is perfect.
I will have to do a marathon watching too. There have been so many that I have forgot about like Popeye in 1980. and allot more I haven’t seen either.
maybe my favorite will change then.
http://youtu.be/FbBgLQ1yfZk