Biography

Josephine Samson was born in Zamboanga City in 1953. She was studying and working as a radio talent in Zamboanga City when lured to Manila by an illegal recruiter. She attracted attention when she doubled for Charito Solis in a nude scene in Nepomuceno Productions' Pipo (1970). Using the various screen names of "Yvonne" and "Rosemary Siason," she went on to play an Ermita whore in the Ishmael Bernal film Scotch on the Rocks to Remember, Black Coffee to Forget (1976), a film slated for international release but never shown in its homeland. Yvonne gained a reputation as a "bold" actress for her appearances in Climax of Love (1970), Naked in the Dark (1971) and the Laurice Guillen film Init sa magdamag (1983), also called "bomba" films. Among her other films are Bawat Saglit, Kaligayahan (1971), The Marijuana Kid (1971), Sino? (1971), Sinisisi Ko ang Aking Ina (1971), Sa Kamay ng Tatlong Takas (1971), and Buhay na Manikina (1971). When the Philippine government restricted the "bomba" films, Yvonne was forced into semi-retirement, stage performances, and a brief stint in Japan. In 1975, coming back onscreen in the widely acclaimed Ligaw na bulaklak (1976), under the masterly guidance of Ishmael Bernal, Yvonne won the Best Supporting Actress honor at the "Gawad Urian Awards" that year, besting noteworthy nominees Laurice Guillen and Marissa Delgado. Ten years later, Yvonne was again nominated for best supporting actress for her role in Chito S. Roño's Private Show (1984).
- IMDb mini biography by: Full Monty