ROMEO VASQUEZ: EARLY MOVIE CAREER 1950s-60s

Maruja (1967) - One of his best and memorable movies

Romeo Vasquez, another prized talent of Sampaguita Pictures, was first groomed to be a dramatic actor in the mold of established stars like Ric Rodrigo, Fred Montilla, Eddie Garcia, Luis Gonzales, Juancho Gutierrez, Eddie Arenas. He was being billed as the “James Dean of the Philippine movies,” because of his striking facial resemblance to the Hollywood movie icon. (Premiere had Zaldy Zshornack and LVN had Lou Salvador, Jr.). As a young dramatic star, he starred in such unforgettable movies as Mga Ligaw na Bulaklak (1957); Isinakdal ko ang Aking Ama (1960); Batas ng Lipunan (1961); Isinumpa Ko (1963). He was a recipient of the Best Actor Award in the Asian Film Festival in 1958 for his remarkable portrayal in the movie “Ako ang Maysala (1958).” He was often paired with another Sampaguita contract star, Amalia Fuentes in a number of memorable films. Their love team caught the fancy of the moviegoing public and their movies like Ang Mahal Ko’y Ikaw (1963), Sa Muling Pagkikita (1963), Sapagka’t Ikaw ay Akin (1965) and Ikaw ang Gabi at Awit (1966) were all certified box-office success and endeared them more to their fans (see separate post on Amalia Fuentes-Romeo Vasquez starrers). When he turned freelance, he shifted mostly to action movies pairing with action greats FPJ, Joseph Estrada, Jess Lapid and Zaldy Zshornack in movies like Mga Tigreng Taga Bukid, Limang Kidlat and Suicide Comandoes.

See Amalia Fuentes-Romeo Vasquez Starrers

Mga Ligaw na Bulaklak (1957)- a guest role with Susan Roces

Prinsesa Gusgusin (1957) with Susan Roces

Ako ang Maysala (1958) - Best Actor in the 1958 Asian Film Festival

Isinakdal Ko ng Aking Ama (1960)

Batas ng Lipunan (1961)

Habagat sa Tag-araw (1961) with Joseph Estrada

Kambal na Baril (1962) with Bernard Bonnin

Suicide Commandoes (1962) with FPJ, Joseph Estrada and Tony Ferrer

Mga Tigreng Taga-Bukid (1962) with FPJ, Joseph Estrada and Tony Ferrer

Isinumpa Ko (1963) with Eddie Rodriguez and Charito Solis

Limang Kidlat (1963) with FPJ

Tiger Unit (1963)

Pitong Kabanalan ng Isang Makasalanan (1963)

Bilis at Tapang (1964) with Jess Lapid

Daigdig ng Matatapang (1964)

Tres Bravos (1964) with Zaldy Zshornack and Eddie Rodriguez

Tatlong Siga sa Maynila (1964) with Zaldy Zshornack and Lou Salvador, Jr. (The three James Dean of Philippine Movies together in one movie)

Pag-ibig, Ikaw ang Maysala (1964) with Susan Roces

Isinulat sa Dugo (1965)

Doble Trece (1965) - in ala-James Bond Role


Mula Nang Kita'y Ibigin (1966) with Susan Roces

Bandana (1968)- another movie with Susan Roces before Maruja