Ludo Vika

On a sultry July 7th evening in Barahona, Dominican Republic, little Milagros Padilla (a.k.a. Ludo Vika) merengued into this world. The vivacious daughter of Manuel and Teresa Padilla, never stopped dancing. When her father moved the family to Puerto Rico, Ludo snuck out of the house to attend Sarita Ayala's dance school. Sarita was so impressed with Ludo's talent that she gave her a full scholarship and for Ludo there was no turning back. It wasn't long before she set her sights on Europe, where her dancing graced the stages of Italy, France, and Germany. Vegas was next. She and dance partner Bill Spinning would go on to become one of the premier and most respected Adagio acts in Vegas history. After the loss of her sister Matilde to AIDS, Ludo knew the silent beauty of a dancer would have to give way to powerful words if she was going to spread the message of safe sex in honor of her fallen sister. The tenacious Island girl would turn to the world of stand-up comedy to spread that message. She soon positioned herself to open for some of the great comedians of our times including Paul Rodriquez and George Lopez. The witty Ludo was then noticed by Hollywood, getting her first big break in the cult classic comedy, "The Crazysitter" with Ed Begley Jr. and Carol Kane. Ludo was also asked to star in two groundbreaking American-style sitcoms for Telemundo and produced by Sony television. The shows, "Solo En America" and "Viva Vegas" saw a whole new Spanish speaking audience fall in love with the gifted actress. Next, Ludo chronicled her incredible story in a one-woman show called, L.V.'s Under the Mango Tree to huge critical and popular success. Its message would go on to inspire countless young Latina women to embrace the dance of life with courage and persistence. A dance in which Ludo Vika has not yet finished.