THE WAR YEARS (1942- 1945): "THE GOLDEN AGE OF PHILIPPINE THEATER"/ LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, ESTER MAGALONA IN LAMBERTO AVELLANA'S "BUKANG LIWAYWAY" (1943)

Big name stars like Rogelio de la Rosa, Leopoldo Salcedo, Fernando Poe, Carmen Rosales, Norma Blancaflor, Elsa Oria, Angel Esmeralda, Rosario Moreno, Puguing and Tuguing, Gregorio Ticman, among others were appearing in big theaters. Fans would lined up at Life Theater to watch Rogelio dela Rosa, Carmen Rosales at Strand,  Fernando Poe at State Theater or Leopoldo Salcedo at Avenue Theater. 

 

Stage plays were performed mostly daily and acted on by Salcedo. Most were directed by Lamberto Avellana.

Trivia--- Avellana felt reassured in returning to his first love, the theater, and he was allowed to direct the Philippine Artists League, but with a Japanese monitor. One time he was ordered to stage a Japanese play called "Bukang Liwayway" as a propaganda piece. It starred Leopoldo Salcedo as a Filipino guerrilla who had been captured by the Japanese. However, during the dramatic scene of his interrogation, he elicited supportive catcalls from the audience, distressing the Japanese monitor who ordered Salcedo to be replaced. Yet even with a different actor, the audience had the same emotional response, prompting the Japanese to shut down the play for good. 

(Source- An Exodus from Philippine Cinema to Live Theater/ Philippine Cinema (1897-2020) by Gabriel A. Vibal and Dennis S. Villegas)

(The Tribune, March 6 and 10, 1943)

Some of Leop

 

THE WAR YEARS (1942- 1945): LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, ESTER MAGALONA, CARLOS PADILLA, FRED CORTES, DEANNA PRIETO, GREGORIO TICMAN AND ANITA LINDA (IN HER FIRST SCREEN APPEARANCE) IN "TIA JUANA" (1943)

LVN Pictures’ Tia Juana, one of the few films completed or partially finished before the outbreak of the war, held its first public screening in 1943. Directed by Lamberto Avellana, the film starred Leopoldo Salcedo, Ester Magalona, Carlos Padilla, Fred Cortes, Deanna Prieto, and Gregorio Ticman. It also marked the screen debut of Anita Linda, then hailed as the “vibrant stage sensation.”

The movie was released and shown at Lyric Theater, May 27, 1943. 

THE WAR YEARS (1942- 1945): "THE GOLDEN AGE OF PHILIPPINE THEATER"/ ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, NORMA BLANCAFLOR, WITH KATY DE LA CRUZ, TUGUING & PUGUING, BIMBO DANAO, JOSE CRIS SOTO, BAYANI CASIMIRO, REBECCA GONZALES AND AN ALL-STAR CAST IN "BULAG NA PAG-IBIG" (1943)

After their successful stage appearance in "Si, Si Señorita," Rogelio de la Rosa and Norma Blancaflor came back to the theater in "Bulag na Pag-ibig," marking their first dramatic roles onstage. Billed as a gripping drama of love and prejudice, the production was presented by Filipinas Revue and directed by Gregorio Fernandez. The cast also featured Katy de la Cruz, Puguing and Tuguing, Bimbo Danao, Jose Cris Soto, Bayani Casimiro, and others.

The stage play smashed all previous box-office records and was hailed as "their greatest dramatic triumph." It ran for 5 weeks at Life Theater, from May 4 to to June 24.

(The Tribune, May 4, 1943)

(The Tribune, May 22, 1943)

(The Tribune, May 29, 1943)

(The Tribune, June 24, 1943)

THE WAR YEARS (1942- 1945): "THE GOLDEN AGE OF PHILIPPINE THEATER"/ MAY 1943

 “Movie theaters served not only as venues for stage shows but also as covert centers of resistance. Rafael Roces, Jr., manager of the prestigious Cine Ideal, home of MGM pictures, used his theater to store weapons and communication radios as well as to host secret meetings of resistance fighters. Emerito Ramos used his office in Life Theater to hire the unemployed journalists and staff members of the newspapers El Debate, Mabuhay and Herald, all owned by J. Amado Araneta. Naturally, the office became the communication center of guerillas and underground fighters."

(Source- An Exodus from Philippine Cinema to Live Theater/ Philippine Cinema (1897-2020) by Gabriel A. Vibal and Dennis S. Villegas)

(Ad cut-outs, The Tribune, May 1943)

"Bulag na Pag-ibig"

(The Tribune, May 4, 1943)

(Ad cut-outs, The Tribune, May 1943)

"Kayumangging Kaligatan""

(The Tribune, May 24, 1943)

THE WAR YEARS (1942- 1945): "THE GOLDEN AGE OF PHILIPPINE THEATER"/ ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, PACITA DEL RIO/ NORMA BLANCAFLOR, KATY DE LA CRUZ, PUGUING & TUGUING, SOTO & BAYANI AND AN ALL-STAR CAST IN "SI, SI, SENORITA" (1943)

A record-breaking production in 1943, Gerardo de Leon’s “Si, Si Señorita,” the stage adaptation of the hit film “Anong Ganda Mo,” enjoyed a five-week run at the Life Theater from March 16 to April 15. Set in the Maria Clara era and hailed as “the gayest musical comedy of the season,” the show starred the popular love team of Rogelio de la Rosa and Norma Blancaflor, who stepped in midway through the run to replace Pacita del Rio.

(The Tribune, March 16, 1943)

(The Tribune, March 30, 1943)

(The Tribune, April 13, 1943)

THE WAR YEARS (1942- 1945): "THE GOLDEN AGE OF PHILIPPINE THEATER"/ MARCH AND APRIL, 1943

Almost all the major movie theaters had their regular revue companies, but the big name stars like Rogelio de la Rosa, Gregorio Ticman, Rosa Aguirre, and Leopoldo Salcedo were appearing in the big theaters. Perhaps Lou Salvador's group was the biggest of them all, appearing at one time or other in three different theaters: the Dalisay, Strand, and the Palace. Thus the stage entertainment groups mushroomed one after another and all of them enjoyed capacity audiences since there was no rival entertainment. 

Federico Mangahas' article in the Tribune (10 January 1943) describes how popular the stage show was. A clear hour before show time the crowds outside had fought and sweated their way just to get near the ticket window. It was a definitely hazardous business to get your ticket. An enterprising lad had somehow managed to get on top of the shoulders of the mob milling about the ticket cage and for a while got himself tossed back and forth over a surface of arms without anywhere getting nearer his objective. And he further comments "that was not an unusual phenomenon in the downtown theater district on a holiday."

(Source: Philippine Studies: Historical and Ethnographic Viewpoints Volume 29 Number 1 Article 6 10-24-2018 Philippine Stage Performances During the Japanese Occupation by Motoe Terami Wada)

(The Tribune, March 15, 1943)

(The Tribune, March 15, 1943)

(The Tribune, March 18, 1943)

(The Tribune, March 20, 1943)

(The Tribune, April 10, 1943)

(The Tribune, April 24, 1943)

THE WAR YEARS (1942- 1945): "THE GOLDEN AGE OF PHILIPPINE THEATER"/ FEBRUARY 6, 13, 20 AND 27, 1943

In January 1943, the Roque Stage Revue presented "songs, dance and romance" with Elsa Oria, Angel Esmeralda, and others. The following month, the newly organized Associated Artists, headed by Fernando Poe began business and stayed with the Capitol for the rest of the occupation period. They had Lina Alva, Naty Bernardo, Maria Miranda, and others as stars.

Before they moved to the Capitol, the Poe group appeared at the State Theatre under the name of "Filipino Players' Show." Selected Filipino artists came after them at the State, and included such stars as Lilian Velez, Narding Anzures, Tito Arevalo, and Tolindoy. Joe Climaco directed the musical portion of their presentation. Jose Dayrit led the Star Revue Company at the Cine Star for a year or so in 1943.

(Source: Philippine Studies: Historical and Ethnographic Viewpoints Volume 29 Number 1 Article 6 10-24-2018 Philippine Stage Performances During the Japanese Occupation by Motoe Terami Wada)

(The Tribune, February 6, 1943)

(The Tribune, February 13, 1943)

(The Tribune, February 20, 1943)

(The Tribune, February 27, 1943)

THE WAR YEARS (1942- 1945): "THE GOLDEN AGE OF PHILIPPINE THEATER"/ JANUARY 5, 12, 19 AND 25, 1943

In 1943, stage revues flourished in Manila as major theaters formed their own entertainment companies. The Roque Stage Revue, led by the Roque family and directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa, became a prominent fixture at the Lyric until its closure due to wartime bombing. Other theaters such as the Palace, Strand (later renamed Premiere), Capitol, State, and Cine Star hosted various revue groups featuring well-known performers and directors, including Lou Salvador, Fernando Poe, and Jose Dayrit. Nearly all major theaters maintained regular stage shows, with top film stars also appearing live. With no competing forms of entertainment, these revue companies drew full-house audiences and rapidly multiplied throughout the occupation period.

(The Tribune, January 9, 1943)

(The Tribune, January 10, 1943)

(The Tribune, January 16, 1943)

(The Tribune, January 28, 1943)

THE 2025 METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL- "I'mPERFECT"- BEST PICTURE/ KRYSTEL GO- BEST ACTRESS/ VICE GANDA -BEST ACTOR

The movie, "I'mPerfect" won the Best Picture Award in this year's Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal, held at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City City, Saturday, December 27. It also won the Best Actress Award for Krystel Go.

Vice Ganda won the Best Actor Award for  “Call Me Mother” and Odette Khan as Best Supporting Actress for “Bar Boys.” 

"Un Marry" took home the 2nd Best Picture Award and  Best Director Award for Jeffrey Jeturian And Best Supporting Actor for Tom Rodriguez.

The Third Best Picture honor was shared by two films: Call Me Mother and Manila’s Finest.

“I’mPerfect” centers on Jessica and Jiro, two people with Down syndrome who fall in love and journey through life and shared memories together.

“Unmarry” explores the intense emotional upheaval between two married couples—one facing annulment and a bitter child-custody battle, the other fighting to save a crumbling marriage.

“Call Me Mother” follows an adoptive mother’s struggle to hold her family together when her son’s biological mother reenters his life and forges a bond with him.

“Manila’s Finest” chronicles a police officer’s investigation into a series of brutal murders targeting the urban poor in 1960s Manila.

Here is the full list of this year's MMFF winners:

Major Awards

Best Picture: I’mPerfect

2nd Best Picture: Unmarry

3rd Best Picture: Manila’s Finest (tie)

Call Me Mother (tie)

Best Actress in a Leading Role - Krystel Go (I’mPerfect)

Best Actor in a Leading Role - Vice Ganda (Call Me Mother)

Best Director - Jeffrey Jeturian (Unmarry)

Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Odette Khan (Bar Boys: After School)

Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Tom Rodriguez (Unmarry)

Best Child Performer - Lucas Andalio (Call Me Mother)

Best Screenplay - Chris Martinez & Therese Cayaba (Unmarry)

Best Editing - Benjo Ferrer (Unmarry)

Technical Awards

Best Cinematography: Raymond Red (Manila’s Finest)

Best Production Design: Digo Ricio (Manila’s Finest)

Best Sound: Roy Santos (Manila’s Finest)

Best Musical Score: Frederik Sandoval & Emerzon Texon (Manila’s Finest)

Best Original Theme Song: “Sandalan” by Vehnee Saturno (Manila’s Finest)

Best Visual Effects: Santelmo Inc. (Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins)

Special Awards

Gat Puno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award: Manila’s Finest

FPJ Memorial Award: Bar Boys: After School

Special Jury Prize (Best Ensemble): I’mPerfect

Breakthrough Performance Award: Zack Sibug (Unmarry)

 

"I'mPerfect" (2025)

"Call Me Mother" (2025)

"UnMarry"" (2025)

"Shake, Rattle Roll: Evil Origins" (2025)

"Rekonek" (2025)

"Manila's Finest" (2025)

"Love You So Bad" (2025)

"Bar Boys" (2025)

THE WAR YEARS (1942- 1945): CORAZON NOBLE, JOSE PADILLA, JR., ROBERTO ROSALES, WITH VIOLETA HERMOSA, TEDDY BENAVIDES IN "LANDAS NA GUINTO" (1942)

"Landas na Guinto" (1942)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date December 26, 1942/ Dalisay Theater

Direction Guillermo Mariano

Cast Corazon Noble, Jose Padilla, Jr., Roberto Rosales, with Violeta Hermosa, Teddy Benavides

THE WAR YEARS (1942- 1945): "THE GOLDEN AGE OF PHILIPPINE THEATER"/ DECEMBER 5, 12, 19 AND 25, 1942

Towards the last quarter of  1942, Tagalog stage plays enjoyed immense popularity and critical acclaim. Popular stars in the movie world performed in several biggest musical shows in several theaters around Manila. Rogelio de la Rosa, dubbed as "the greatest Filipino actor of all time," made its rare stage appearance in "Noche Buena," opposite Norma Blancaflor.

(The Tribune, December 5, 1942)

(The Tribune, December 12, 1942)

(The Tribune, December 19, 1942)

(The Tribune, December 25, 1942)

THE WAR YEARS (1942- 1945): FERNANDO POE, MONA LISA, WITH ANTONIA SANTOA, SALVADOR ZARAGOZA, CANULPLIN, LUPE VRLASCO, MANUEL LAREDO, JOSE TRONI, SONIA REYES, PEDRO FAUSTINO, MATI TORRES IN " PRINSESA URDUJA" (1942)

"Prinsesa Urduja" (1942)

X'Otic Films, Inc.

Release Date November 13, !942/ Ideal and Times Theaters

Written by Teodorico C. Santos

Music Prof. Francisco Santiago

Direction Eduardo de Castro

Cast Fernando Poe, Mona Lisa, with Antonia Santos, Salvador Zaragoza, Lupe Velasco, Manuel Laredo, Jose Troni, Sonia Reyes, Pedro Faustino, Mati Torres

THE WAR YEARS (1942- 1945): "THE GOLDEN AGE OF PHILIPPINE THEATER"/ PUGO AND TOGO AS "PUGUING" AND TUGUING" /UPDATED

Bald-headed comedy duo, Pugo (Mariano Contreras) and Togo (Andres Solomon) were a hit during the Second World War, where they poke fun of the Japanese. Their brand of humour consisted of short skits, slapstick, and funny dialogues where they performed live in Manila's theaters, most particularly Clover, Life and Avenue theaters. They changed their names to "Puguing" and "Tuguing" because Togo sounds similar to Tojo who was then the Prime Minister of Japan.

In one skit, Togo would ask the time and Pugo would hold up his wrist wearing four or five watches, satirizing the Japanese soldier's fondness for watches. In another skit, Pugo would ask Togo who he was waiting for and he would reply "Si Uncle", meaning Uncle Sam (the United States). In another skit, Pugo would give a monologue caricaturing a Japanese official proclaiming that he "love[d] the Philippines" but pronouncing the word "love" as "rob", making fun of the Japanese people's mispronunciation of the letter "l" and "r."

More often than not, the Japanese Kempetai would haul the two comedians to Fort Santiago for interrogation. After two or three days with bruises and cuts incurred from the Kempetai, the funny thing is that the Japanese always let them go.  (Source: wikipilipnas)

The popular comic duo appeared later as Japanese soldiers in the 1947 movie, "Tomadachi: Zona."

"Tomadachi: Zona" (1947)-Stars Patricia Mijares, Domingo Principe, Pugo & Togo and Katy dela Cruz/ Directed by Oscar del Rosario