THE FIFTIES # 168: LEOPOLDO SALCEDO AND PARALUMAN IN "HIGHWAY 54" (1953)

"Highway 54" (1953)

LGS Productions

Direction Ben Calasanz

Cast Leopoldo Salcedo, Paraluman, Ben Perez, Carol Varga, Rolando Liwanag, Rosa Aguirre, Miguel Anzures, Romy Brion, Dely Atay-Atayan

THE FIFTIES # 167: ARMI KUUSELA AND VIRGILIO HILARIO IN "NOW AND FOREVER" (1953)

Real life couple, Armi Kuusela (the first Miss Universe, 1952) and Virgilio Hilario starred in "Now and Forever", the true-to-life story of  their romance. It opened December 30, 1953, almost 60 years ago.

"Now and Forever" (1953)

(The True-to Life Story of the Kuusela-Hilario Romance)

Deegar Cinema, Inc.

Release Date December 30, 1953- January 4, 1954/ Center

Music Miguel Velarde, Jr.

Direction Rolando del Mar

Cast Armi Kuusela, Virgilio Hilario, Oscar Keese, Ramon Olmos, Benjamin Lagmay/ Introducing Ricky Blake, Caviteno Ilano/ Guest Paraluman, Belle Gonzales, Manolo Valdez

Movie ad- From the collection of Celso Caparas

In 1952, Miss Finland Armi Kuusela was crowned Miss Universe, the first Miss Universe pageant held June 28, 1952 at Long Beach, USA. 

In 1953, some nine months after she won the Miss Universe title, Armi was invited by the Philippine International Fair Committee to crown that year’s Miss Philippines…in the course of her stay, she met Virgilio Hilario, a Filipino businessman, through a blind date in Baguio…the two were eventually married in Tokyo that year… luckily, Armi  was allowed to keep her title.

More on this, click here

Photos- from various sites

THE FIFTIES # 166: TESSIE AGANA AS "MUNTING KORONEL" (1953)/ Re-posted

Child star sensation Tessie 'Roberta' Agana, filmdom's "Shirley Temple of the Philippines" did a movie in 1953 titled "Munting Koronel," patterned over the 1935 Shirley Temple starrer "The Little Colonel."

See Tessie Agana as Roberta

Left- Munting Koronel (1953)- Stars Tessie Agana, Linda Estrella, Van de Leon, Tony Cayado, Boy Alano, Sylvia La Torre, Aruray, Bert Olivar, Pedro Faustino/ Directed by Octavio Silos

Right- The Little Colonel (1935)- Stars Shirley Temple, Lionel Barrymore, Evelyn Venable, John Lodge, Bill Robinson 

THE 2012 METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS NIGHT: "ONE MORE TRY" BEST PICTURE; NORA AUNOR, BEST ACTRESS; DINGDONG DANTES, BEST ACTOR

“One More Try” was named Best Picture during the 38th Metro Manila Film Festival Awards night held at the Meralco Theater in Ortigas, Pasig City on Thursday, December 27. The movie won a total of six awards, including the inaugural Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence and the Best Actor trophy for Dingdong Dantes.

Nora Aunor won the Best Actress for her role in “Thy Womb.”

“Thy Womb,” meanwhile, was also awarded the Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award and the Best Director award for Brilliante Mendoza. Mendoza urged moviegoers to support his film, which stars Nora Aunor and Bembol Roco.

“Showing pa po kami. Sana po makatulong yung award. At sana wag po kayong mag-pull out,” he said during his award acceptance speech.

His statement comes after it was reported that several cinemas were already pulling out the film from their line-up due to its poor box office performance. As of the latest report, “Thy Womb” is in last place in terms of box office results among the eight MMFF entries this year.

Cesar Montano won as Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film “El Presidente” and the Best Supporting Actress went to Wilma Doesnt of “Sisterakas.”

The glittering rites was hosted by Kris Aquino and KC Concepcion.

Director Ruel Bayani accepting the Best Picture award for "One More Try." With him are Angel Locsin, Zanjoe Marudo and child star Miguel Vergara.

 Nora Aunor for Best Actress in "Thy Womb" 

Dingdong Dantes as Best Actor for "One More Try"

Brilliante Mendoza as Best Director for "Thy Womb"

(Photos above courtesy of Yahoo! OMG!)

Here’s the list of Winners of MMFF 2012

MAINSTREAM SECTION

Best Picture: One More Try

2nd Best Picture: El Presidente

3rd Best Picture: Sisterakas

Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Awardee: Thy Womb

Best Actress: Nora Aunor “Thy Womb”

Best Actor: Dingdong Dantes “One More Try” (2nd consecutive win)

Best Supporting Actress: Wilma Doesn’t “Sisterakas“

Best Supporting Actor: Cesar Montano “El Presidente“

Best Director: Brillante Mendoza “Thy Womb“

Best Child Performer: Miguel Vergara “One More Try“

Best Screenplay: Anna Karenina, Jay Gazmin “One more Try“

Best Float: El Presidente

Best Sound Engineering: Albert Michael Idioma “El Presidente“

Best Theme Song: Apl de Ap & Jamir Garcia “El Presidente”

Best Musical Sore: Jessie Lazatin “El Presidente”

Best Original Story: Henry Burgos “Thy Womb”

Best Production Design: Thy Womb

Best Editing: One More Try

Best Make-up: Warren Munar, Benny Batoctoy & Virgina Apolinario “El Presidente“

Best Visual Effects: Shake, Rattle and Roll 14

Best Cinematographer: Odyssey Flores “Thy Womb”

Youth Choice Award: El Presidente

Most Gender-Sensitive Award (Mainstream): Thy Womb

First FPJ Memorial Award: One More Try

Female Star of the Night: Nora Aunor

Male Star of the Night: Joseph Estrada

SMDC Female Celebrity of the Night: Bianca King

SMDC Male Celebrity of the Night: Zanjoe Marudo

SHORT FILM SECTION

Best Student’s Short Film Award: Pukpok (DLSU)

Most Gender-Sensitive Award Short Film: Maribela (FEU)

Special Jury Prize: “Tagad” (USC)

NEW WAVE  SECTION

Best New Wave Full-Length Film: The Grave Bandits

New Wave Best Actress: Liza Dino “In Nomine Matris”

New Wave Best Actor: Allan Paule “Gayak”

New Wave Films Best Director: Tyrone Ancierto “The Grave Bandits”

New Wave Most Gender-Sensitive Award: In Nomine Matris

Special Jury Prize: Daniel Bautista from University of San Carlos

Special Jury Prize Award (New Wave Film Category): Quantum Films

Special Jury Prize Award (Full-Length Film): Ad Ignorantiam

"One More Try" (2012)
Star Cinema
Direction Ruel S. Bayani
Cast Angelica Panganiban, Dingdong Dantes, Zanjoe Marudo and Angel Locsin/ with Carmina Villarroel, Agot Isidro and Ms. Gina Pareno

"El Presidente (General Emilio Aguinaldo and the First Philippine Republic)" (2012)

Scenema Concept International

Direction by Mark Meily

Cast Nora Aunor, Christopher de Leon, Cesar Montano, Christine Reyes and Jeorge E.R. Ejercito (in the title role) plus an all- star cast

"Sisterakas" (2012)
Star Cinema/ Viva Films
Direction Wenn Deramas
Cast Vice Ganda, Kris Aquino and AiAi delas Alas/ with Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, Xyriel Manabat, Tirso Cruz III, DJ Durano, Epi Quizon & Gloria Diaz

"Thy Womb" (2012)

Center Stage Productions

Direction Brillante Mendoza

Cast Nora Aunor, Lovi Poe, Mercedes Cabral and Bembol Roco

THE 2012 METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL ENTRIES/ A PREVIEW

Here's the eight entries to the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival slated to open on Christmas Day. Take your pick...

"Thy Womb" (2012)

Center Stage Productions

Direction Brillante Mendoza

Cast Nora Aunor, Lovi Poe, Mercedes Cabral and Bembol Roco

"El Presidente (General Emilio Aguinaldo and the First Philippine Republic)" (2012)

Scenema Concept International

Direction by Mark Meily

Cast Nora Aunor, Christopher de Leon, Cesar Montano, Christine Reyes and Jeorge E.R. Ejercito (in the title role) plus an all- star cast

"Sisterakas" (2012)
Star Cinema/ Viva Films
Direction Wenn Deramas
Cast Vice Ganda, Kris Aquino and AiAi delas Alas/ with Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, Xyriel Manabat, Tirso Cruz III, DJ Durano, Epi Quizon & Gloria Diaz

"One More Try" (2012)
Star Cinema
Direction Ruel S. Bayani
Cast Angelica Panganiban, Dingdong Dantes, Zanjoe Marudo and Angel Locsin/ with Carmina Villarroel, Agot Isidro & Ms. Gina Pareno

"Shake, Rattle & Roll 14 (The Invasion)"

Regal Films

Three Episodes "Ang Pamana", "The Unwanted" and "Lost Command"

Direction Chito S. Rono

Cast Dennis Trillo, Lovi Poe, Janice de Belen, Herbert Bautista, Paolo Avelino, Martin Escudero and Vhong Navarro

"Si Agimat, Si Enteng Kabisote at si Ako" (2012)
Octoarts Films, M-Zet, APT, Imus & GMA Films
Direction Tony Y. Reyes
Cast Vic Sotto, Judy Ann Santos and Ramon 'Bong' Revilla, Jr./ with Gwen Zamora, Sam Pinto, Jolo Revilla, Oyo Sotto, John Lapus, Aiza Seguerra, Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Mikylla Ramirez, Amy Perez, Ryzza Mae Dizon

"Sosy Problems" (2012)
GMA Films
Direction Andoy Ranay
Cast Heart Evangelista, Solenn Heussaff, Bianca King and Rhian Ramos with Aljur Abrenica & Ruffa Gutierrez

"The Strangers" (2012)
Quantum Films
Direction Lawrence Fajardo
Cast Julia Montes, Enrique Gil, JM de Guzman and Enchong Dee/ with Cherry Pie Picache, Jaime Fabregas, Johnny Revilla, Spanky Manikan, Art Acuna, Tanya Gomez, Nico Antonio and Janice de Belen

Sources: articles- Yes Magazine/ December 2012 issue; Movie ads- Various internet sites; trailers- You Tube

THE FIFTIES # 165: EFREN REYES AND JOHNNY MONTEIRO IN "SOLITARYO" (1953): KOMIKS SERIAL AND MOVIE ADAPTATION/ Re-posted

"Solitaryo" (1953)- Stars Efren Reyes, Nena Cardenas Juan 'Johnny' Monteiro, Rosita Noble, Ruben Rustia, Lydia Resma, Ding Tello/ with Jaime Castellvi, Tony Tolman, Enteng Taba, Lito Anzures, Fernando Santiago, Purita Alma, Boy Francisco, Baby Corazon, Hector Reyes/ Directed by Cesar Gallardo

Serialized in Espesyal Komiks
Nobela ni Clodualdo del Mundo
Guhit ni Fred Carillo

---Ika-24-na labas---

click images to enlarge

---Katapusang Labas---

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komiks materials-
Steve Santos Collection

THE FIFTIES # 164: JAIME DE LA ROSA AND NIDA BLANCA IN "BATANGUEÑA" (1953)

Batangueña was a follow-up movie of Jaime de la Rosa and Nida Blanca, after a successful team-up in Korea in 1952. The two were reunited again in 1954 in the movie Galawgaw.

"Batangueña" (1953)- Stars Jaime de la Rosa, Nida Blanca, Lou Salvador, Letty Alonso, Chito Navarro, Cecilia Lopez, Nora Dy, Ike Jarlego, Jr., Lourdes Yumol, Tony Dantes and Levi Celerio/ Directed by F.H. Constantino

THE FIFTIES # 163: ARMANDO GOYENA AND EVELYN VILLAR IN "KAPITAN KIDLAT" (1953)

"Kapitan Kidlat Ngayon!" (1953)

LVN Pictures

Release Date April 20-29, 1953/ Life

Story Leonardo Abutin

Music Carlos Aguilar

Direction Oscar del Rosario

Cast Armando Goyena, Evelyn Villar, Milagros Naval, Eusebio Gomez, Jose Vergara, Oscar del Rosario, Miguel Lopez, Moario Roldan and Menandro Ramos as Ramon

Pinoy version of America's Captain Marvel, Kapitan Kidlat was introduced to Pinoy viewers in the 1950s with screen idol, Armando Goyena playing the title role. Kapitan Kidlat, created by Leonardo Abutin, was based on a popular DZRH radio program.

"Inocencio Santos was a shy and humble man who worked at a police station, until he was granted incredible powers by Zeus, "the Supreme God", to aid the innocent and helpless against criminals. By uttering the phrase "Kidlat Ngayon" or "Kapitan Kidlat Ngayon", he would transform into the heroic Kapitan Kidlat !"

THE FIFTIES # 162: LEOPOLDO SALCEDO AND ERLINDA CORTES IN "WALANG HANGGAN" (1953)

"Walang Hanggan" (1953)

Lebran Productions

Release Date October 7- 16, 1953/ Life

Cast Leopoldo Salcedo, Erlinda Cortes, Ben Perez

THE FIFTIES #161: ANITA LINDA AND EDUARDO DEL MAR IN FRANCISCO V. COCHING'S "AGILANG ITIM" (1953)

"Agilang Itim" (1953)

Premiere Productions

Release Date May 10-19, 1953/ Life

Story Francisco V. Coching

Direction Teodorico C. Santos

Cast Anita Linda, Eduardo del Mar, Fernando Royo, Oscar Keese, Patria Plata, Elena Mayo, Maria Norma, Johnny Monteiro, Rita Gomez, Ruben Rustia, Tony Tolman