MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: YOLANDA MARQUEZ, ELY RAMOS, WITH ANDRES CENTENERA, NATY RUBI, MIGUEL ANZURES, SOLEDAD AQUINO, PRECIOSO PALMA, BILLY VIZCARRA, LITA ZABALA IN "DAHONG LAGAS" (1938)

Overflowing with heartfelt emotion and gripping suspense, Sampaguita Pictures presents its latest contribution to Philippine cinema—“Dahong Lagas,” opening today at the Grand Theater. Hailed by film critics as one of the most exceptional love stories ever brought to the screen, this splendid production promises powerful entertainment that will surely captivate audiences.

 Heading the cast are Yolanda Marquez, the radiant star of numerous screen triumphs, and Ely Ramos, the matinee idol who gained fame as the dashing Romeo in Sampaguita’s “Madaling Araw.” Their performances, especially in the romantic sequences, vividly capture the passion of a modern-day Romeo and Juliet, charged with intense emotion.

 They are supported by an impressive ensemble featuring Andres Centenera, the heroic father of “Alipin ng Palad”; Naty Rubi, noted for her outstanding villainous portrayals; Miguel Anzures, one of the screen’s leading character actors; Soledad Aquino, the moving mother of “Inang Mahal”; Precioso Palma, the patriotic father from “Madaling Araw”, Billy “Surot” Vizcarra, the beloved comic and Lita Zabala.

 Enhancing the production’s appeal are three delightful songs composed by Miguel Velarde Jr. — “Maligayang Awit,” a lively native tune, “Dahong Lagas,” a tango sung by Yolanda Marquez and “Dinggin Mo, Irog,” a romantic danza performed by Ely Ramos.

 This touching and musically rich motion picture was written and directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa.

(The Tribune, December 30, 1938)

It was released and shown at Grand Theater, December 30, 1938.

"Dahong Lagas" (1938)

Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date: December 30, 1938- January 6, 1939/ Grand Theater

Music Miguel Velarde, Jr.
Story and Director Carlos Vander Tolosa

Cast Yolanda Marquez, Ely Ramos, Andres Cetenera, Naty Rubi, Miguel Anzures, Soledad Aquino, Precioso Palma, Billy Vizcarra, Lita Zabala

"Movie flyers have been used by theater owners as promotional ads to drum up business for movies. They would print them up from materials provided by the studio, adding information on local screening times and locations. Although they were cheaply produced, many of the flyers were quite nicely designed and are now considered highly collectibles. In many cases the original films have been lost, making the surviving flyers the only visual record of numerous movies."