NEPOMUCENO PRODUCTIONS: TWO GENERATIONS OF FILM MAKING EXCELLENCE

JOSE ZIALCITA NEPOMUCENO (1893-1959) a.k.a. Don Jose — Acknowledged as the Father of Philippine Movies, Jose Nepomuceno established Malayan Movies in 1917. He was the producer, director, cinematographer and scenario writer of the first 100 percent Filipino full-length movie, Dalagang Bukid, shown on Sept. 25, 1919 at the Empire Theater. The movie was based on the zarzuela (the Spanish operetta or musical comedy) of the same title by dramatist Hermogenes Ilagan and Leon Ignacio; with the same cast, Atang de la Rama and Marcellano Ilagan (who later became a film director using the name Mar I.Esmeralda). It was in his 1926 movie, Ang Tatlong Hambog, that the first screen kiss was featured (by vaudeville actress Elizabeth "Dimples" Cooper and sportsman Luis Tuason). Nepomuceno trained young directors like Gregorio Fernandez (the father of Merle and Rudy Fernandez), shared his skills with other budding producers like Vicente Salumbides and Julian Manansala, discovered and honed the talents of early major stars like De la Rama, Fernando Poe Sr., Mary Walter, Leopoldo Salcedo, Rogelio de la Rosa, Carlos Padilla, Naty Bernardo (introduced in Punyal na Ginto, 1933) Maria Elsa Oria (introduced in Awit ng mga Ulila, 1936, with Tita Duran and Angelito Nepomuceno as the orphans) and Patrocinio Abad (whom he christened Corazon Noble in Anak ng Pari, 1937).

Due to budgetary constraints, Nepomuceno served as producer, director, story and script writer, camera and laboratory man, art consultant, editor, distributor and exhibitor of his own pictures. Great setbacks and personal adversities like the fires which gutted his house and studio in 1921 and 1923 did not deter him from pursuing his dreams and career. During those times, his wife, Isabel Acuna, stood by his side serving as talent scout, casting director, costume supervisor and make-up artist, and eight children (Jose Jr., Isabel, Antonio, Lubin, Victor, Angel, Luis and Carlos) ready to volunteer their services.

Nepomuceno died of a stroke in 1959 at the age of 66.

In 1967, his son, Luis formed Nepomuceno Productions with its initial movie venture, Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak. It became an instant hit and a box-office drawer during its theater run. Charito Solis, the lead star won the Best Actress award at the 1967 Asian Film Festival. The movie also figured prominently in that year's Famas awards being nominated in all major categories.

The following year, 1968 was the banner year for Nepomuceno Productions. They came up with three good quality movies that year- Luha sa Karimlan, Manila: Open City and the award-winning masterpiece Igorota. Igorota ran away with eight major awards in that year’s Famas awards--- Best Picture, Best Actress (Charito Solis), Best Director (Luis Nepomuceno), Best Supporting Actor (Fred Galang), Best Sound Editing, Best Film Editing, Best Music and Best Color Photography.

From 1967 to 1971, Nepomuceno Productions produced 8 movies, considered as masterpieces, all with contract star Charito Solis--- Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak, Ang Langit Sa Lupa, Luha Sa Karimlan, Manila Open City, Igorota, Ang Pulubi, Pipo and The Hunted.

Their last production, The Pacific Connection in 1974, was a major setback. The capital which they used to produce the movie was loaned from the Philippine National Bank with their property at Malugay Street, Makati as collateral. The loan amount originally at 4 million pesos went up to 7.5 million pesos. Nepomuceno Productions never recovered from that and eventually folded up. The case was later filed before the court (see PNB vs Nepomuceno Productions).

Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak (1967)- Stars Charito Solis, Ric Rodrigo, Paraluman, Rod Navarro, Ben Perez, Matimtiman Cruz, Joseph de Cordova, Mary Walter, Pianing Vidal and introducing Liza Lorena/ A Film by Luis Nepomuceno

Ang Langit sa Lupa (1967)- Stars Charito Solis, Ric Rodrigo, Liza Lorena, Greg Martin, Rod Navarro, Eva Darren, Norma Blancaflor/ A Film by Luis Nepomuceno

Luha sa Karimlan (1968)- Stars Charito Solis/ A Film by Luis Nepomuceno

Manila, Open City (1968)- Stars Charito Solis, James Shigeta, Alex Nicol, John Ashley, Ric Rodrigo, Mario Montenegro, Lauro Delgado/ A Film by Luis Nepomuceno

Igorota (1968)- Stars Charito Solis, Ric Rodrigo, Fred Galang and Mario Monte/ A Film by Luis Nepomuceno

The Legend of the Tree of Life {The adult, continental version of Igorota} (1968)- Stars Charito Solis, Ric Rodrigo, Fred Galang and Mario Monte/ A Film by Luis Nepomuceno

Ang Pulubi (1969)- Strs Charito Solis, Fred Galang and introducing Miguelito Nepomuceno/ A Film by Luis Nepomuceno

Pipo (1970)- Stars Charito Solis, Pancho Magalona, Fred Galang, Rod Webb, Miguelito, Angel Esmeralda, Eddie Garcia, Eva Darren, Yoshinori Mori, Rick Bacher, Teddy Benavidez, Ben Perez, Norma Blancaflor, Mary Walter/ A Film by Luis Nepomuceno

The Hunted (1970)- Stars Charito Solis, Fred Galang, Alan Martell and Mario Monte(negro)/ Written and Directed by Cesar Amigo

The Pacific Connection (1974)- Stars Roland Dantes, Nancy Kwan, Guy Madison, Alejandro Rey, Gilbert Roland, Dean Stockwell, Hiroshi Tanaka, Elizabeth Oropesa, Fred Galang, Gloria Sevilla, Vic Diaz, Cole Mallard/ A Film by Luis Nepomuceno