"HIMALA NG BIRHEN SA ANTIPOLO" (1947): A FILM BY SUSANA C. DE GUZMAN # 2

"Himala ng Birhen sa Antipolo' (1947)- Stars Rogelio dela Rosa, Rosa del Rosario, Tony ARnaldo, Rosa Rosal, Jaime Castellvi, Rosa Mia, Engracia Ibarra/ Directed by Susana C. de Guzman

Penned and directed by Susana C. de Guzman, Himala ng Birhen sa Antipolo, tells of Ramon (Rogelio de la Rosa), a graduating medical student, who fell in love with Pacing (Rosa del Rosario), a strong devotee of the Virgin of Antipolo. Though Ramon was not that religious and seldom goes to church, he courted Pacing, even going to church with her. Pacing gifted Ramon a framed image of the Virgin of Antipolo that would guide him, particularly with his studies. Ramon eventually finished his medical course and successfully passed the board. He became a topnotch surgeon.

The touching and beautiful song, "Tayo na sa Antipolo," is captured in the clip below---

Courtesy of LVN Pictures

Ramon’s father, Don Julian remarried a very young woman, Lolita (Rosa Rosal). Ramon felt that the woman was only after his father’s wealth. Lolita had eyes on Ramon but was having an affair with another man.

When Pacing’s mother got ill, Ramon was tapped to do the operation. But he was nowhere to be found and when he did the operation it was too late. Pacing’s mother died and was blamed for it. It was Lolita who orchestrated on why Ramon can’t be found.

Ramon later discovered Lolita’s immoral relationship but his father thought that it was his son who was having an affair with his wife. The incident made Ramon more depressed. He was devastated more when he received a letter informing him of the hospital’s decision to replace him. He turned his anger to the framed image of the Virgin of Antipolo and smashed it that resulted in an ugly cut in his palm.

Guilt dawned on Lolita and she bared the whole truth to her husband and to Pacing. As Pacing and his brother headed towards Ramon’s place, they figured in a vehicular accident. Pacing was badly injured and needed a surgical operation. Ramon was tasked to do the operation but it was impossible because of his injured hand. Pacing asked Ramon to seek guidance and forgiveness to the Virgin of Antipolo. A miracle occurred and his hand was healed. The final scenes on the movie can be viewed on the clip below---

Courtesy of LVN Pictures

"MUTYA NG PASIG" (1950): A FILM BY RICHARD ABELARDO # 1

Mutya ng Pasig, directed by Richard Abelardo, is a supernatural melodrama of a woman's misfortune and suffering interwoven with the legend of the Pasig. The legend itself is inspired by the immortal kundiman of the director's brother, Nicanor Abelardo. The movie, released in 1950, starred screen legends Jose Padilla, Jr., Rebecca Gonzales, Teody Belarmino and Delia Razon.

Mercedes (Rebecca Gonzales), aside from being the town's current mutya (fiesta queen), is about to be married to his childhood sweetheart. (Roger Nite). Unknown to them, Dr. Modesto Millar (Jose Padilla Jr.), is also secretly in love with Mercedes. One night, Modesto's house is robbed and the blame is placed on Mercedes' groom-to-be. He is arrested and imprisoned after which Modesto courts Mercedes and eventually marries her. When the former fiancé is finally released, gossip spreads about him and Mercedes.

Consumed by anger and jealousy and believing the superstitious talk that the baby girl is not his because of an ugly birthmark, he banishes Mercedes and the child, chased by his monstrous dog, and she drowns in the river. From that point on, a legend spreads about a woman, a sirena, haunting the river singing a sad but beautiful song.

Mercedes' daughter is saved by a childlesss couple (Tolindoy and Angge) and grows into a lovely woman (Delia Razon) inheriting her mother's love for music. She is betrothed to Basilio (Teody Belarmino), the son of Mercedes' former flame. When Delia becomes the town's mutya, a commotion ensues and in the dead of night, she takes a banca and ventures into the dark river. Basilio is frantic and searches for her, believing she may have drowned.

He hears the haunting song and witnesses the apparition, but it is no sirena, but the ghost of the lovely Mercedes, hovering over a bed of water lilies with the practically lifeless body of her daughter at her feet. Mercedes is singing the haunting kundiman "… ako ang Mutya ng Pasig…"

The townspeople take the unconscious Delia to Don Modesto but at first he refuses to treat the young woman until he sees the birthmark on the young woman's shoulder. He finally realizes the truth and finally accepts Delia as his daughter.
(Stills and synopsis- from LVN-Kabayan Central site)

Here's the movie's final 10 minutes---

Courtesy of LVN Pictures

MACAPAGAL-ROXAS: THE 1965 POLITICAL CAMPAIGN POSTER

In the 1965 presidential election, then incumbent President Diosdado Macapagal (father of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) and then Senator Gerardo Roxas (father of Senator Mar Roxas) were in tandem running for President and Vice President respectively.

XYRIEL ANNE MANABAT AS "AGUA BENDITA" (2010) : TV TELESERYE AND KOMIKS SERIAL

This young, very talented, adorable and cute girl portraying the role of both Agua and Bendita in ABS-CBN Channel 2 new top rating TV soap titled Agua Bendita has caught the fancy of most TV viewers. Her name is Xyriel Anne Manabat, a five-year old child wonder. She was supposed to have just a month long exposure in the said TV series and will soon be replaced by newcomer Andi Eigenmann as the adult Agua/Bendita. However, because of the people’s clamor and the show’s unprecedented high ratings, Xyriel’s role has been extended. It's up to Andi to take the challenge and show her worth when her time comes and hope she can sustain the phenomenal success of the series.

Courtesy of ABS-CBN

Here's one of the several TV clips from"Agua Bendita," uploaded by a certain MoviesniPinoy, showing Xyriel's outstanding and superb acting prowess.

Xyriel had played various roles in the past--- as Bea in May Bukas Pa, the young Marchela in Betty La Fea, as Nini in Dahil May Isang Ikaw and the young Rubi in Rubi. We hope to see her paired with another lovable child star, Zaijian Jaranilla in future projects.

Photos- Source: Xyriel Manabat Facebook

Agua Bendita was a popular komiks serial in the 80s created by Rod Santiago. It was serialized in Liwayway magazine.

Liwayway magazine/ 1985

Komiks materials- Steve Santos Collection

THE YOUNG MARICEL [SORIANO]: CHILD STAR OF THE 70s (Circa 1971-75)

Bahay-Bahayan (1972)- TV show/ Channel 5/ with Roderick Paulate, Joe ALvarez, Beth Manlogat, Zernan Manahan, Maricel/ Over-all director-Butch Bautista

"New Breeze" detergent ad (left) with Nida Blanca and the young Maricel Soriano; and Newton' Coco- Egg Spread (right), two of Maricel's early product endorsements/ 1974 and 1975

Dubbed as the Diamond Star of Philippine movies, Maricel Soriano, born February 25, 1965, started acting at the age of six using the single screen name of 'Maricel' with the 1971 movie My Heart Belongs to Daddy with fellow child actress Snooky [Serna]. She also appeared in a TV sitcom, Bahay-Bahayan in 1972, with child stars Roderick Paulate, Joe Alvarez, Beth Manlongat and Zernan Manahan. In 1974, she received her first award as Best Child Actress at the age of nine at the 9th Manila Film Festival for Virgo Film's Alaala mo, Daigdig ko. She won her second acting award in the 1974 Iloilo Film Festival for the movie version of John En Marsha, the longest-running and highly successful TV sitcom in the history of Philippine television.

"My Heart Belongs to Daddy" (1971)- Stars Tirso Cruz III, Auro Salve and Snooky/ with Norma Blancaflor, Romy Lapuz, Jigger Roces, Ven Medina, Evelyn Bonifacio, Naty Mallares, Tita de Villa and Maricel/ Directed by Mar S. Torres

Left- "Dalawang Mukha ng Tagumpay" (1973)- Stars Nora Aunor, Leo Angelo, Lotis Key, Tita Munoz, Tommy Abuel, Eddie Vilamayor, Maricel, Louie Acosta/ Directed by Jun Raquiza

Right- "Captain Barbell Boom" (1973)- Stars Dolphy, Lotis Key, Panchito, Babalu, Katy dela Cruz, Bayani Casimiro, Martin Marfil, Georgie Quizon, Rocco Montalban, Joaquin Fajardo/ Featuring Maricel Soriano / Directed by Ading Fernando

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow (1974)- Stars Nora Aunor and W

alter Navarro/ with Caridad Sanchez, Lorli Villanueva, German Moreno, Matimaman Cruz, Teroy de Guzman, Alice Mendez, Roderick Paulate, Jingle, Maricel/ Directed by Orlando Nadres

"Ala-ala Mo... Daigdig Ko" (1974)- Stars Eddie Rodriguez and Boots Anson-Roa/ with Renato Robles, Maricel Soriano, Mary Walter, Patricia Mijares, Andrea Santa, Dely Villanueva & Rosemarie Gil/ Directed by Luis Enriquez

The cast of "John & Marsha"- Dolphy, Nida Blanca, Rolly Quizon, Maricel Soriano, Matutina and Dely Atay-Atayan

Left- "John & Marsha" (1974)- Stars Dolphy, Nida Blanca, Rolly Quizon, Maricel Soriano, Matutina and Dely Atay-Atayan/with Rod Navarro,Panchito, Babalu/ Directed by Ading Fernando

Right- "John & Marsha sa Amerika" (1975)- Stars Dolphy, Nida Blanca, Rolly Quizon, Maricel Soriano, Matutina and Dely Atay-Atayan/with Panchito, Georgie Quizon, Edie Mercado/ Directed by Ading Fernando

JAIME DE LA ROSA IN "KONTRABANDO" (1950): A FILM BY DR. GREGORIO FERNANDEZ # 6

Kontrabando, serialized in the “Bagong Buhay” magazine and adapted into the screen in 1950, tells of a dashing, wily and sleek G-2 spy agent, Lt. Diego (Jaime de la Rosa) who infiltrated a notorious smuggling syndicate dealing with guns, jewelries, drugs (opium) and even alien infiltrators. He gained the confidence of the alleged boss (played by Director Gregorio Fernandez), but some of the gang members doubted him and kept their distance. Equipped with a spy camera attached to his belt buckle, he uncovered and recorded vital information and sent them over to his headquarter. The gang’s operations were gradually exposed, their goods intercepted and the whole gang was eventually dismantled, the last one at Jolo, one of the vital drop-off points of the syndicate. He learned later on that the mastermind turned out be Mr. Chua (Eusebio Gomez), the father of Celia (Celia Flor), the woman he loved.

One of the exciting scenes of the movie can be viewed on the short clip below---

Courtesy of LVN Pictures

"Kontrabando" (1950)- Stars Jaime dela Rosa, Celia Flor, Tony Santos, Milagros Naval, Gregorio Fernandez, Eusebio Gomez, Ezar Visenio, Armando Garces, Martin Marfil, Jose Corazon de Jesus, Jr./ Directed by Gregorio Fernandez

Alien infiltrators being smuggled into the country were been cornered and apprehended by the authorities.

A suspected government spy being questioned by the syndicate.

---A fight scene at the airport tarmac---

Lt. Diego being tortured by the syndicate.

The mastermind, Mr. Chua (Eusebio Gomez) intercepting a call from her daughter Celia (Celia Flor).

(Stills: LVN Pictures)

"ANAK NG LASENGGA" (1958): KOMIKS SERIAL AND MOVIE ADAPTATION

"Anak ng Lasengga" (1958)- Stars Alicia Vergel, Edna Luna and Zaldy Zshornack/ with Lopito, Belen Velasco, Nello Nayo, Lily Marquez, Abraham Cruz/ Directed by Cesar Gallardo

Here’s one movie that touches the controversial theme of alcoholism. Based from the Liwayway novel by Augusto E. Fuentes, Anak ng Lasengga tells of a mother, Aling Doray (Alicia Vergel) who resorts to drinking when her husband dies. She blames herself for his death. Her son, Lino (Zaldy Zshornack), a medical student, quits schooling to be with his mother in order to help her escape from the clutch of the bottle. Lino is doubly hurt when his friends abandon him and even the girl he is engaged to marry backs out. However, he finds love in another woman, Alicia (Edna Luna), daughter of the doctor who helps his mother escape the power of alcohol.

According to a review, “Alicia Vergel comes off with a portrayal so vivid, powerful yet appealing, dwarfing all her past performances. The swagger, the hollow laughter, the idiotic drunken stare, the ceaseless tramping around for wine, wine and more wine, and the ultimate anguish of an alcoholic’s losing battle with a merciless destroyer--- all these come alive with such shocking realism on the screen in the person of Aling Doray, the ‘lasengga,’ played by Vergel.”

Liwayway Magazine/ Pebrero 17, 1958
Nobela ni Augusto E. Fuentes
Guhit ni E.R. Cruz

PACQUIAO OUTPOINTS, DOMINATES CLOTTEY IN A ONE-SIDED FIGHT

DALLAS – Manny Pacquiao did not get the knockout most people wanted, but he did get all the points needed to beat the defense-minded Joshua Clottey and retain his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt late Saturday night at the Cowboys Stadium. A huge crowd of 50,944, the third biggest in modern history, came to see the fight, and for 12 rounds they watched Pacquiao dominate an opponent who was so busy defending he almost forgot to throw punches.

It was the first boxing event ever held at the $1.2-billion stadium, and Pacquiao, the greatest fighter in the planet today, made sure it was worth remembering, even for the millions who watched from around the globe. For the first time in his last five fights, Pacquiao had to listen to ring announcer Michael Buffer go to the scorecards. And unanimously, he was declared winner “and still” the reigning WBO welterweight champion.

Right from the start Pacquiao went after Clottey, but right there as well, he and his cornermen knew it was going to be a long night because the former champion hardly engaged, contrary to what he said he’d do. Clottey did prove he was tough because after all the punches he took, especially those to the body, he remained standing until the end, never really getting hurt. He covered up so well it looked like his gloves were glued to his face. Still, the crowd loved the fight because it was a very busy one for Pacquiao who threw a total of 1,231 punches, landing 246 of them, against Clottey, who threw only 399 punches, and was lucky to land 108 of them, including a few good ones.

Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, said the size of the crowd that showed up in his stadium was beyond his imagination. It was third largest in modern history, next only to the 72,000 that watched the Muhammad Ali-Leon Spinks 2 at the Superdome in New Orleans in 1978, and the 60,000-plus of the Pernell Whitaker-Julio Cesar Chavez fight at the Alamodome in San Antonio in 1993. “He’s a good fighter and he’s strong. Yeah, his punches hurt, too. I was not in a hurry to knock him out because I knew he was just looking for the big shot. He was waiting for the perfect timing to land a good counter-punch,” said Pacquiao. “I felt his power. And I was cautious of his power throughout the fight,” said Pacquiao who stretched his incredible win streak to 12, and improved his ring record to 51-3-2 with 38 knockouts, including his last four fights.“Joshua fought a defensive fight. That’s his game. That’s why it was hard to knock him out. But the chance to fight the best only comes once in a lifetime so I felt he should have fought more,” said Roach.

During the post-fight press conference, Clottey admitted that for the first time in his career he felt that he truly lost a bout, because his three previous losses were all questionable.Against Carlos Baldomir, he was disqualified due to head butts, and against Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto last year he said he felt he won. “He has the speed so I think I really lost the fight. He has very good movement and he has the speed that was hard for me to handle. His speed was really difficult for me,” he said.
Source- (by Abac Cordero/ The Philippine Star)

Pacquiao in the February 2010 issue of Ring Magazine

ROGELIO DE LA ROSA & LILIA DIZON IN "SA PAANAN NG BUNDOK" (1953): A FILM BY SUSANA C. DE GUZMAN

Susana C. de Guzman (1912-1992) was one of the very few successful woman directors in Philippine cinema. She was a prolific writer and many of the films she made for LVN were serialized in Liwayway and other popular magazines. She was best remembered for her movies, like Sarrung Banggi (1947), Sumpaan (1948), Sonny Boy, (1955), Krisalis (1957), Villa Milagrosa (1958), among others. She was the recipient of Natatanging Gawad Urian in 1991.

One of De Guzman's works was Sa Paanan ng Bundok, which appeared on the pages of Liwayway Magazine in 1953. It was adapted into the screen which she also directed.

"Sa Paanan ng Bundok" (1953)- Stars Rogelio de la Rosa, Lilia Dizon, Rosa Aguirre, Jose de Cordova, Maria Norma Mendoza, Jose Cris Soto, Ike Jarlego, Jr./ Directed by Susana C. de Guzman

Sa Paanan ng Bundok tells of Ric (Rogelio de la Rosa), a doctor who finds love in a remote resort when he was asked by a friend to be his best man in the wedding. Ric and Gloria (Lilia Dizon) met accidentally while fishing at the foot of the mountain. They soon fall in love.

However, Lukas (Joseph de Cordova), who is also in love with her, is against of the relationship. Lukas is the son of Gloria’s stepfather. Her mother (Rosa Aguirre) remarries after her father dies. It turns out to be a miserable life for Gloria and family. Lukas is able to succeed in cutting the ties between Ric and Gloria.

Ric, heartbroken, goes back to Manila and continue his medical profession. He met Elvie (Maria Norma Mendoza), the socialite-daughter of a medical director. Ric is very close to the father, from which he is fully grateful for of what he is now. Elvie is suffering from a serious heart ailment and was advised to take it easy. Ric is tasked to take care of Elvie. Elvie thought that Ric is in love with her and not to hamper her health condition Ric decides to pretend that he also likes her, all upon the advice and orchestration of the father. Unexpectedly, both get married.

On the other hand, Gloria, her brother (Ike Jarlego,Jr.) and mother are able to escape from the clutches of Lukas and head towards Manila. They ask Ric for help for temporary shelter. Gloria learns that Ric is now married. Though married, Ric still sees and visits Gloria now and then. When Elvie learns about it, she confronted Gloria. The confrontation can be viewed on the short clip below---

Courtesy of LVN Pictures

Elvie's health deteriorates and dies.

The movie ends with Ric going back to the foot of the mountain where he finally reconciles with Gloria.

"RAMADAL" (1958): PINOY VERSION OF THE INVISIBLE MAN/ KOMIKS SERIAL & MOVIE ADAPTATION

"Ramadal" (1958)- Stars Efren Reyes, Cynthia Zamora, Ramon D'Salva, Melita de Leon, Oscar Roncal, Jose Garcia,Resty Sandel/ Directed by Nemesio E. Caravana

The 1958 movie, Ramadal, a popular serialized novel by Jose D. Karasig and Nemesio E. Caravana, tells of a young man named Carlito (Efren Reyes), who in a fit of jealousy, injects himself with a mysterious drug that makes him invisible. Such movie plot and story that time poses a challenge to the ingenuity of a director, producer or the production staff. It is very difficult to produce, yet it is too good to let go. The problem lies on how to film the story in its entirety, which calls for a complicated camera tricks--- with the hero emphatically present yet invisible.

The movie starts with Dr. Rafael Martinez Dalte (Jose Garcia), Carlito’s father, discovering a rare kind of tree sap during one of his hunting trips in the jungle. The doctor first saw the potency of the sap manifested in one of the birds he took home whose wings he could feel with his fingers but could not see. This started a series of experiments culminating in the successful application of the drug to higher forms of animal life. Realizing the importance of his discovery, Dr, Dalte named the sap Ramadal from the first syllables of the three words that make up his name.

Liwayway Magazine/ 1958
(Komiks Material- From Steve Santos Collection)