Who Is Weng Weng?

While recently perusing the Planet Urban forums I was inspired by a very entertaining post titled Weng Weng Rap. What was contained inside that post is some of the greatest footage ever dedicated to film.

The footage in question are excerpts from the secret agent spoof films For Yu’r Height Only (1981) and The Impossible Kid (1982); both produced in the Philippines, the thriving entertainment metropolis that it is, starring pint-sized superman Weng Weng (born Ernesto de la Cruz).

So this begs the question, who exactly is Weng Weng? How did he make it from obscurity in Manila to international movie star, recent popularity via YouTube (almost 15 years after his death) and subsequently finding a place in the hearts and minds of a new generation?

Despite the success his James Bond parodying efforts garnered in not only his native Philippines but in the United States and Europe as well, the story of the 2’9” (0. 84 cm) primordial dwarf with the heart of gold seems to have become almost folklore; a victim of a fickle public and their short attention spans (unintended pun).

Rumours about our heroic man/boy, whose nickname originally was reserved for toy dogs, have swirled around for years (alleged marriages, real-life career as a secret agent). In reality he was a shy martial-arts enthusiast living in a modest home, sheltered from the harsh outside world. A meeting with film producer Peter Caballes would change both of their lives forever.

Thrust into the usually cold-hearted entertainment industry he made his debut as the side-kick of Dolphy (you know, the king of comedy in the Philippines) for the spy film The Quick Brown Fox (1980), followed by the western parody Da Best In Da West (1981). Now a budding movie star, he was made an honorary secret agent by future Philippines president General Ramos.

This landmark event planted the seeds for a career altering turn, as Weng Weng geared up to become Agent 00 in the monumental parody For Y’ur Height Only. It was all gravy (or whatever the Philippines equivalent is) for the action hero born Ernesto de la Cruz, as the film became a hit the world over, launching him as the shortest lead actor in film history (take that Mini-Me!).

It was going to be a challenge to follow-up a classic, but the dream team of Weng and Caballes were up for it, crafting the overlooked masterpiece sequel that is The Impossible Kid (a.k.a. The Impossible Kid of Kung-Fu). There was more action and most importantly what the audience all wanted, more scenes of our bowl haircut-having boy mackin’ the honeys, as well as shots of him riding a badass yellow motorcycle.

As many genius films are, The Impossible Kid (and the third spoof film D’Wild Wild Weng) was overlooked and failed to make the same indelible impression in the minds of viewers and their pockets as his earlier work had, it's brilliance only being fully realised now. As Peter Caballes rode off into the sunset for a cushy government job, Weng Weng lost both a father figure and his acting career.

P. Cab (as his friends knew him) looked out for a brother though, getting Weng a less-cushy but still glorious job at Manila Airport patrolling the Arrival Lounge, following intensive paratrooper training from the government. It may have lacked the glamour of the entertainment business but it was fitting that the countries most successful export be the one to greet visitors upon their arrival at the airport.

Sadly he had trouble with his lifestyle change, apparently gaining weight and drinking heavily. After developing hypertension from eating crabmeat and months of declining health Weng Weng passed away on the fateful day of August 29 1992, shortly before his 35^th birthday. He was buried in Pasay City Cemetery, where he now rests with his parents, grandparents and great-grandmother.

Now in 2008 the little big man’s journey has come full circle, as his exploits are now being enjoyed by youngsters the world over, from Manila to Massapequa. Whether it is through DVD reissues of his two secret agent classics or the awe inspiring greatness that is the Weng Weng Rap by dynamic Canadian Hip Hopper’s the C.H.U.D.S; who not only capture the essence of Weng Weng but drive it home with their inventive wordplay, clever use of movie footage and ingenious sampling of possibly the most thrilling piece of film score ever conducted (the wondrous theme song from the Impossible Kid).

Weng Weng enthusiasts are going to get even more of a fix, as Aussie filmmaker Andrew Leavold is putting the finishing touches to his sure-to-be brilliant documentary The Search For Weng Weng; a work that has taken several years, experiencing many heart-crushing dead ends, before finally interviewing Weng’s brother Celing (his only living relative), former co-stars and friends.

If our diminutive hero has proven anything it’s that size doesn’t matter, it’s the heart inside the body that counts. For a person that wasn’t even expected to live by doctor’s it is ironic that he ended up living life to the fullest. Viva la Weng Weng!

Major props to Andrew Leavold for his intensive Weng Weng research, which assisted this blog greatly.