Efren Reyes Sr. started it all and Fernando Poe, Jr. popularized it.
Efren Reyes Sr., according to his son, Efren Jr. pioneered the so-call Pinoy Western in Philippine movies, when his father did Bandido in 1950. His colleagues then were reluctant and were not sold to the idea of doing the said movie because they saw it unrealistic as there were no cowboys in this country. The movie later turned out to be a big box-office hit that started the western genre in Philippine cinema.
It was Fernando Poe Jr. who popularized the genre in 1960 when he starred in Markado. He followed this up with a series of films--- Rancho Grande, Tatlong Baraha, Dakilang 9, Baril sa Baril, Pasong Diablo, Hari sa Barilan, Bilis ng Kamay, Angkan ng Matatapang, Baril na Ginto, San Bernardo, Baril sa Aking Kamay, Hanggang May Buhay, among others. However, he was best remembered as the fast-drawing gunslinger named “Daniel Barrion."
The 60s was the peak decade for Pinoy western--- other action stars followed the trend--- Jess Lapid, Sr. made numerous western movies during his brief stint at the top and was popular among his fans as "Kardong Kidlat" and "Leon Guerrero", Jun Aristorenas also made a name as “Tigre”, Tony Ferrer as "Markong Bagsik," and many more.
An article by Uro dela Cruz on Pinoy western---
…Then, one of the new matinee idols got out of urban Manila and rode on a horse into a mythical Filipino landscape — the Filipino Western. All conflicts became classic conflicts, the fight between good and evil, freedom against bondage. Those problems we understood. We had also grown up with Francisco V. Coching’s timeless komiks world of the lone warrior and seeing one come to life on the silver screen was sheer magic. The cinematic Pinoy cowboy was Fernando Poe Jr. as Daniel Barrion. Immediately we became his fans, even if he himself took his sweet time to establish, in a series of films, the distinctive persona that became a legend: soft-spoken, unassuming, clear-headed in the face of all kinds of adversity and always willing to sacrifice his own safety to save someone else’s life. It was this FPJ that at least two generations of Pinoys growing up from the 1960s to the 80s would admire: the hero who would never start a fight or be provoked into one, and who would even allow himself to be ground to the ground, to the point where the audience would already be begging, please fight back. And that would be the only time that he would. (http://www.pcij.org/imag/PublicEye/panday.html)
"Bandido" (1950)- Stars Efren Reyes, Virginia Montes, Enrico Pimentel, Fred Santos/ Directed by Ramon Estella
"Markado" (1960)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Lyn D'Amour, Rocky Rogers, Rosanna Recto, Mario Barri, Patricia Mijares, Joe Sison, Elvira Reyes/ with Vicente Liwanag, Martin Marfil, Bert Olivar/ Directed by Mario Barri
"Ubos-Lakas!" (1961)- Stars Jose Padilla'Jr., Gloria Sevilla, Edita Clomera and Rodolfo Garcia/ with Oscar Roncal, Lina Carino, Ramon D'Salva, Nello nayo, Bert Olivar, Vicente Liwanag, Ponga, Luis San Juan, Henry Duval/ Directed by Felix Villar
"Lalaban Kami" (1961)- Stars Pugo, Bentot, Mila Ocampo, Johnny Reyes, Caridad Sanchez, Miguel Lopez, Pabo Zapata, Gerry Gabaldon/ Directed by Tino Garcia
"Kambal na Baril" (1962)- Stars Romeo vasquez, Bernard Bonnin, Max Alvarado, Jess Lapid, Rosario Del Pilar, Arnold Mendoza and Lilia Dizon & Cecilia Lopez/ Directed by Alex M. Sunga
"Barilan sa Baboy- Kural" (1962)- Stars Dolphy & Panchito, Jose Mari, Jean Lopez, Katy dela Cruz, Wing Duo, Chichay/ with Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, Lucien Pan, Jaime Javier, Pamboy/ Directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa
"3 Desperados" (1963)- Stars Chiquito, Berting Labra, Jerry Pons, Edita Clomera, Vic Andaya, Tony Blade, Bert Martinez/ Directed by Sol Gaudite
"Daniel Barrion" (1964)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Johnny Monteiro, Lito Anzures, Bert Olivar, Nello nayo, Pablo Virtuoso, Dencio Padilla, Jay Ilagan, Victor Bravo, Avel Morado, Vic Varrion, Larry Silva and Paquito Diaz/ Featuring Nova Villa/ Directed by Efren Reyes
"Simbangis ng Tigre" (1964)- Stars Amalia Fuentes, Bernard Bonnin, Van de Leon, Carol varga, Chichay, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, Apeng Daldal/ Directed by Tony Cayado
"Kardong Kidlat" (1964)- Stars Jess Lapid, Max Alvarado, Mila Montanez, Bert Olivar, Victor Bravo, Manolo Robles, Ezar Visenio, Bruno Punzalan, Nort Nepomuceno, Greg Lansang and Rod Navarro/ Introducing Divina Valencia/ Directed by Armando Garces
"Dugong Tigre" (1964)- Stars Jun Aristorenas, Eddie Garcia, Max Alvarado, Victor Bravo, Rocco Montalban, Gina Laforteza, Rosario Del Pilar and Tony Ferrer/ Directed by Armando Garces
"Hari sa Lahat" (1964)- Stars Paquito Diaz and Joe de Castro/ with Yolanda Guevarra, Ollie de la Pena, Jose Vergara, Vicente Liwanag, Vince Juarez, Paquito Salcedo, Miguel Lopez/ Directed by Pablo Santiago
"Tatlo sa Tatlo" (1965)- Stars Jess Lapid, Tony Ferrer, JunAristorenas, Eddie Garcia, Max Alvarado, Rod Navarro, Divina Valencia, Elena Razon, Natalia Crisandra/ Directed by Armando Garces
"Sa Baril Magtuos" (1965)- Stars Bob Soler, Henry Duval, Jerry Pons, Carlos Padilla, Jr., Carlos Salazar, Bert Olivar, Manolo Robles, Luis Florentino, Gabriel Paile & Boy Alvarez/ with Diane Balen, Norma Ledesma, Tres Rosas & Vilma Santos/ Directed by Ronald Remy
"Magkakapatid na Jesse at James" (1965)- Stars Nida Blanca, Chiquito, Val Castelo, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, Elena Razon and Stella Suarez/ Directed by F.H. Constantino "Darmo Solo" (1965)- Stars Paquito Diaz, Tito Galla, Vic Diaz, Jose Romulo, Joji Crespo, Arsenio Alonzo, Margie Tanquintic, Paquito Salcedo, Angel Buenaventura and Nemia Velasco/ Directed by J.M. Dagumboy
"Guns of Billy the Kid" (1967)- Stars Romano Castellvi, Imelda Ilanan, Fe Galvez, Rolly Aquino, Fred Santos, Jr., Val Magno, Jose Garcia, Lyn D' Arce, Ben Peralta, Angel Casaje, Carlos Diaz, Angel Confiado/ Directed by Luis San Juan
"7 Bullets for Gringo" (1967)- Stars Vic Vargas, Dindo Fernando, Juvy Cachola, Shirley Moreno, Maria Victoria, Rey Tomenes, Jose Morelos, Renato del Prado, Venchito Galvez, Jaime Javier, Willie Dado, Pablo Raymundo, Verna Gaston/ Directed by Marcelino Navarro
"Hangganan ng Matatapang" (1967)- Stars Efren Reyes, Perla Bautista, Van de Leon, Johnny Monteiro and Ronaldo Valdez/ Directed by Rey Amigo
"Da Best in Da West' (1967)- Stars Dolphy, Divina Valencia, Panchito, Rod Navarro, Dolphy, Jr., Bayani Casimiro, Georgie Quizon, Marissa Delgado, Gina Stuart/ Directed by Romy Villaflor
"The Son of Dyango Meets Dorango Kid" (1967)- Stars Bino garcia, Eli Salas, Renato del Prado, Apeng Daldal, Popoy, Anna Ledesma and Merle Fernandez/ Directed by Wilthor "Durango" (1967)- Stars Max Alvarado, Anna Gonzales, Miriam Jurado, Marissa Delgado and Stella Suarez/ with Victor Bravo,Joe Sison, Vic Andaya, Rocco Montalban, Joaquin Fajardo & Nort Nepomuceno/ Directed by Leody Diaz
"Leon Guerrero: Laban sa 7 Kilabot" (1968)- Stars Jess lapid, Eddie garcia, Joe Sison, Martin Marfil, Abelardo Cortez, Rocco Montaban, Nort Nepomuceno and Johnny Monteiro/ with Sofia Moran, Maya Fuentes, Agnes Moran, Mona Morena & Cora Varona/ Directed by Cesar Gallardo
"Mekeni's Gold" (1969)- Stars Dolphy, Panchito, Rod Navarro, Verna gaston and Rossana Marquez/ with Teroy de Guzman, Ponga, Pugak, Jose Padilla, Jr., Ben Perez, Nello nayo, Bino Garcia & Menggay/ Directed by Luis San Juan
"Pagtutuos ng Dalawang Panginoon" (1969)- Stars Zaldy Zhornack, Vic Vargas, Shirley Gorospe, Daisy Romualdez, Johnny Monteiro, Jose Villafranca, Rocco Montalban, Ruben Ramos, Willie Dado/ Directed by Tony Cayado
