JESS LAPID, JR. AND EFREN REYES, JR. : 80s ACTION STARS # 2

Kaliwete Brothers (1981)- Realization of a Dream

In 1954, Efren Reyes appeared in Gerardo de Leon’s Ifugao, where he won the Asian Film Festival Best Actor Award. In 1981, his son, Efren Jr. starred in Kami’y Ifugao, trying to duplicate what his father did some 27 years ago.

In 1964, a star was born in the person of Jess Lapid in Kardong Kidlat. In 1980, his son Jess Jr. tried to duplicate what his father accomplished some 16 years ago in the movie, Ang Bagong Kardong Kidlat.

The elder Reyes had directed the elder Lapid in some action movies, when the latter was still doing supporting roles. But their dream of doing lead roles together didn’t happen. But that dream finally realized in 1981 when their sons, Reyes Jr. and Jess Jr., teamed up in the movie Kaliwete Brothers.

Both actors, young, talented and promising, were making a name for themselves in the early 8os by capitalizing on the popularity of their late father. They did a number of lead roles but it seemed that there’s something wrong on how they were packaged and projected to the moviegoing public. They were eventually relegated into supporting roles later in their movie career.

Efren Reyes, Sr. and Efren Reyes, Jr.

Left- Ifugao (1954)- Stars Efren Reyes, Leila Morena, Juan 'Johnny' Monteiro, Gloria Sevilla, Fernando Royo, Leticia Ojeda/ Directed by Gerardo de Leon

Right- Kami'y Ifugao (1981)- Stars Efren Reyes, Jr., Dina Bonnevie, George Estregan, Carmi Martin, Rez Cortez, Perla Bautista, Raul Aragon/ Directed by Bebong Osorio

Jess Lapid, Sr. and Jess Lapid, Jr.

Left- Kardong Kidlat (1964)- Stars Jess Lapid, Max Alvarado, Mila Montanez, Bert Olivar, Manolo Robles, Victor Bravo and Rod Navarro/ Introducing Divina Valencia/ Directed by Armando Garces

Right- Ang Bagong Kardong Kidlat (1980)- Stars Jess Lapid, Jr., Ann Villegas, Divina Valencia, Max Alvarado, Johnny Wilson, Romy Diaz, Victor Bravo, Rolly Lapid, Val Iglesia/ Directed by Armando Garces

Left- Kaliwete Brothers (1981)- Stars Jess Lapid, Jr., Efren Reyes, Jr., Irene Celebre, Jonny Wilson, Val Iglesia, Mario Escudero and Baldo Marro/ Directed by Jerry Tirazona and Manuel Marcos

Right- Basagulero ang Lover Ko (1981)- Stars Jess Lapid, Jr., Myrna Castillo, Victor Bravo, Vic Varrion and Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia/ Directed by Tito Sanchez

Kami'y Ifugao (1981)

Kapwa Simaron (1981)- Stars Ace Vergel and Jess Lapid Jr., George Estregan, Veronica Jones, Johnny Wilson, Liz Alindogan/ Directed byJerry Tirazona

Mga Pambato (1981)- Stars Rudy Fernandez, Ace Vergel, Jess Lapid, Jr. and Phillip Salvador/ with Vic Diaz, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia,Liz Alindogan, Irene Celebre, Pia Moran/ Directed by Tito Sanchez