| Pugo | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Mariano Contreras |
| Born | July 12, 1910 |
| Died | December 12, 1978 (aged 68) |
| Resting place | Manila Memorial Park, Parañaque, Philippines[1] |
| Medium | Film, vaudeville, television |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Years active | 1938–1978 |
| Relative(s) | Antonio P. Contreras (grandson) |
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.[2][3] He was sometimes credited as Mang Nano and was known as the original King of Philippine Comedy.[4]
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.[5] His popular TV shows were Tangtarangtang, Si Tatang Kasi, and Wanted Boarders.