Anecdotes

In May 2003, American authorities arrested the husband of Ms Blanca, sometime actor/lounge singer Rod Lauren/Rod Strunk. Ms Blanca was murdered in November 2001. Mr Strunk has continuously denied the charge.

Blanca was found bloody and lifeless in the trunk of her car in 2001. Her husband Rod Strunk was named as a person of interest. A man named Philip Medel was also one of the suspects. Strunk went back to the US in 2003, before charges could be filed against him. He jumped from the balcony of a California motel in 2007. Medel died later. Blanca's case remains unsolved.

Father: John William Jones Jr., who is half-American. Mother: Inocencia Guinto.

Has one daughter, Kay, from a previous marriage.

Has starred in over 163 movies and 14 TV shows and has received over 16 awards for movies and 6 awards for television during her 50-year film career.

Was an active member of the Movies and Television Regulatory Classification Board (MTRCB), attending screenings and rating movies twice a week, at the time of her death.

She and Ms Gloria Romero are considered the most enduring movie queens in Filipino cinema, their careers spanning from the 1950s to 2006 (2003 for the murdered Ms Blanca).

Admired, adored and idolized by millions of fans for her dancing skills and comedic prowess (circa 1950s & '60s) , she can be said to be the Philippines' own Debbie Reynolds or Doris Day.

At the Cinema One Originals Film Festival 2009, she received the Cinema One Legend Award.