Néstor de Villa

Gines Francisco Soriano (July 6, 1928 – February 21, 2004), known professionally as Nestor de Villa, was a Filipino actor frequently cast in musical films. He was a gifted dancer, often paired with frequent on-screen partner Nida Blanca in both film and television. His dancing talent led some people to call him the "Gene Kelly of the Philippines".

De Villa was born Gines Francisco Soriano on July 6, 1928, in then municipality of Cabanatuan in the province of Nueva Ecija. He was a pre-medical student when he was signed by LVN Pictures. His father was disappointed by his decision to become an actor, and the two became estranged. However, they were reconciled by LVN President Doña Sisang de Leon, who arranged to have de Villa's father secretly attend one of his movie premieres.

He made his first film with LVN, Amor-Mio (My Love), in 1951. The following year, he teamed up with another LVN contract star, Nida Blanca, for Romansa sa Nayon. The film's success popularized the Nestor-Nida "love team", though in real-life, de Villa would marry Marilu Cacho Soriano from the wealthy and socially prominent Cacho family.

He remained at LVN until 1961, when the studio discontinued making films. He then transferred to Sampaguita Pictures where in 1962 he made his Sampaguita debut in Tugtuging Bukid (Farm Music), together with Gloria Romero. In the 1960s, he was nominated three times for the FAMAS Best Actor award—for Mga Yapak ng Walang Bakas (1962); Naku Yabang (1964); and Siete Dolores (1968). De Villa and Blanca also appeared together on an ABS-CBN television show, The Nida-Nestor Show.

In 1967, de Villa attempted to run for vice mayor of Makati as the running mate of former ambassador Amelito Mutuc, but lost to incumbent vice mayor Teotimo Gealogo.

In the 1980s, de Villa made his screen comeback when he was again paired with Blanca in two films for Viva Films: Forgive and Forget, which also starred Sharon Cuneta and William Martinez and Saan Darating ang Umaga? (Where Will the Morning Come?), a family drama co-starring Maricel Soriano, Nida Blanca and Jaypee de Guzman.

He was posthumously inducted to the Philippines Eastwood City Walk of Fame in December 2005.

He was married to Marilu Cacho, has three sons and daughters-in-law, Jeric and Marissa, Gicky and Malu, Joby and Cindy. His only daughter Karel is married to Toti Belda. His grandson Paul Soriano is a son of Jeric, and is also a TV and commercial director.

De Villa remained active in films until his death of complications arising from hepatobiliary cancer on February 21, 2004.