Aside from being a Quezonian and a CALABARZON resident, actress Iza Calzado is a native of Llorente, Eastern Samar.
This we recently discovered when we went to Barangay Cabay in Balangkayan town in Samar. “Maraming Calzado dito sa amin at sa kapitbayan naming Llorente. Alam namin, tagarito si Iza Calzado. Ang sabi nga ng mga pinsan ko, pag naggi-get together silang mga Calzado kasama si Iza (There are many Calzados here in our town and in our neighboring town Llorente. We know that Iza Calzado is from her. I was told by my cousin that whenever the Calzados get together, Iza is always with them),” said Delma Calzado Amida, a native of Balangkanyan whose father was from Llorente.
Entertainment journalist Art Tapalla also confirmed that Iza’s dad, the late actor and choreographer Lito Calzado was a Visayan, a Waray. “Naku, nang buhay pa si Lito Calzado, lagi ‘yang nagsasalita ng Waray sa amin at kahit sa TV. Talagang Waray-Waray ‘yan (Oh! When Lito Calzado was still alive, he always spoke in Waray to us and even on TV. He was really a Waray-Waray,” shared Art.
Knowing Iza, she is a very down-to-earth person not just as an artist but as a human being. She would disown anyone even if she is identified as a probinsiyana.
The Calzados in Quezon, particularly from Infanta and General Nakar are very proud that Iza has not forgotten them when they identified themselves as Calzados from Quezon, particularly Annabelle Calzado Travel. “Napakabait ni Iza. Hindi niya ikinakahiya na siya ay may mga pinsan sa Infanta at sa General Nakar. Kaya ipinagmamalaki namin siya (Iza is very kind. She isn’t ashamed we are her cousins from Infanta and General Nakar. That’s why we are proud of her),” said Annabelle.
The Balangkayan and Llorente residents are hoping they would still meet up with Iza in person one of these days to experience her humility and kindness.
