Mariano Contreras (July 12, 1910 – December 12, 1978), better known by his stage name Pugo, was a
Filipino actor, comedian, vaudevillian, and film director, famous as one half of the comedy team
Pugo and Tugo during the 1930s up to 1950s.[2][3] He was sometimes credited as Mang Nano and was known as the original King of Philippine Comedy.[4]
As an actor, Contreras has performed in movies such as Nukso ng Nukso, released in 1960, 2 Sundalong Kanin (1952), and Kambal Tuko (1952), in which he portrayed Momoy. Pugo was also a film director and has worked on Kababalaghan o Kabulastugan?, released in 1960.
After Tugo's death in 1952, Contreras teamed up with
Bentot in movies, radio and television.[5] His popular TV shows were Tangtarangtang, Si Tatang Kasi, and Wanted Boarders.
Death
Pugo died on December 12, 1978, in Manila, Philippines at the age of 68.
Legacy
Pugo & his fellow on screen comedian partner Togo were both posthumously featured on the YouTube channel Graveyard Pinoy TV, a Filipino inspired version of Graveyard Hollywood TV of California was launched in 2020.