Tuesday, July 7, 2009

EMMA HENRY: THE POLICEWOMAN

In the 70s, Hollywood actress Angie Dickinson starred in a weekly detective series Police Woman, one of my favorite TV shows then. She played the role of Sgt. Leann "Pepper" Anderson, an officer of the Los Angeles Police Department's Criminal Conspiracy Unit. The show became an instant hit.


Probably, the local counterpart was a certain “Emma Henry,” not a movie star, but a real police woman. Henry was a distinguished Filipino police officer who appeared in two film biopics with her as a star. Her credentials--- She was an expert in judo and karate, being an Asian Judo-Karate champion and undefeated for 7 years; sharpshooter; the most decorated policewoman in the Far East; a radio announcer, writer and a linguist; a martial arts degree holder (obtained from Japan-7th dan blackbelter); awarded the TOPP (Ten Outstanmding Policemen of the Philippines); a lieutenant of the Los Banos Police Force having promoted twice in a row and eventually became the first woman to be assigned as a police station commander.



Henry gained further fame after she agreed to play herself in a biopic on her life produced by Kinavesa Productions. Released in 1978, Emma Henry (Policewoman) showcased Henry's martial arts skills and was a success. A sequel, Ang Pagbabalik ni Emma Henry ("The Return of Emma Henry"), followed three years later. Henry starred in another film, Lady Cop.




Left- Emma Henry: Policewoman (1978)- Stars Emma Henry in the title role, Trixia Gomez, Barbara Luna and Beth Bautista/ with Geoge Estregan, Dindo Fernando, Laila Dee, Ruby ANa/ Directed by Armando Ruiz David

Right- Ang Pagbabalik ni Emma Henry (1981)- Stars Emma Henry in the title role and cast of 24 big guest superstars/ Directed by Armando Ruiz David

Despite her modest film career, Henry never gave up her day job as a police officer. In 1986, she was shot dead while in the line of duty. At the time of her death, it was widely suspected that she had been assassinated by members of the New People's Army, which was then waging a high-profile campaign to liquidate well-known police officials. (wikipedia)


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9 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 7, 2009 at 7:37 PM

    Simon,

    Na-meet ko yung tunay na EMMA HENRY, noong mid-70s, sa UPLB. Mi program siya noon sa DZLB, college station ng Dept. of Development Communication,UPLB. Kayumanggi ang kulay at ang features niya eh parang Indian. Ang napansin kong outstanding feature niya ay ang kaniyang mahabang buhok na parang longganisa ang style. Nag momotor din siya. Sayang at napatay siya. Nahuli ba ang mga perpetrators?


    Auggie

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  2. Video 48July 7, 2009 at 10:20 PM

    Thanks for sharing Auggie. I think Henry's murder was one of those unsolved crimes, but many believed that it was the Sparrow unit of the NPA who did it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJuly 8, 2009 at 7:26 AM

    I've met Emma Henry many times during Her daily routine walk at the public market in Cabuyao.

    Illigal Gambling (JUETENG) causes Her death, the Alimagnos from Cabuyao and Sanches "paminta"
    both greedy politicians was
    behind Emmma's murder... it's all
    about money. dirty money-

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJuly 8, 2009 at 1:28 PM

    Anonymous,

    Di ba nakakulong na sa Munti itong si Sanchez sa Munti dahil sa rape and murder doon sa dalawang UPLB students ? ito ba yung mi weird na hairdo , at panay ang dasal ki Mama Mary ?


    Auggie

    ReplyDelete
  5. istanyJuly 13, 2009 at 4:06 PM

    Great find though anyone know how can I find the copy of those two movies. are they available in phillipines video market or any source from internet

    thanks

    cheers

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2010 at 9:11 AM

    Thank you all for the comments you said about my lola (Emma Henry). I am one of her grandchildren to her daughter (Angelica).

    We're very happy even though my lola is already dead for 24 yrs she's still remembered. Thank you for the blog Video48. :)

    Via. ^^,

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownOctober 5, 2018 at 6:36 PM

    Napanood ko movie ny when i was a kid. I admire Emma Henry a lot...thanks' for being an inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownFebruary 24, 2020 at 1:05 PM

    I was an admirer of Emma Henry at my young age.After I saw her true to life story movie “Emma Henry”(Police Woman)I decided to follow her steps so after I graduated high school I’ve enrolled inPCCR(Philippine College of Criminology).Unfortunately due to some reasons I wasn’t able to finish my course.But she remained my idol even now.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousMarch 4, 2022 at 4:46 PM

    I am one of Emma Henry's grad daughter, is there anyone that I can get a copy of her two movies? And do you have any videos of her late 70's? We did not get a chance to meet her because according to my mother she was been ambush on 1986. My eldest sister born on the same year. So please can someone reach me. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete