“I would highly appreciate very much if you would at least acknowledge any materials used or at least ask for a permission first. Unless specified, all other materials are from the private collection of the blog owner. Thank you very much!”

Friday, November 30, 2012

THE FIFTIES # 141: MARIO MONTENEGRO, TESSIE QUINTANA AND ROSA ROSAL IN "DAGOHOY" (1953)

"Dagohoy" (1953)
LVN Pictures
Release Date November 21-30, 1953/ Dalisay
Music F. Buencamino Jr.
Direction Dr. Gregorio Fernandez
Cast Mario Montenegro, Tessie Quintana, Rosa Rosal, Tony Santos, Alfonso Carvajal, Gil de Leon, Jose de Cordova, Ven Medina, Frank Gordon, Jose Vergara, Arturo Moran, Natoy Katindig, Mario Roldan, Casmot, Simplicio Pajarillo, Mario Taguibulos, Ezar Visenio, Nora Dy, Antonio Medina/ Introducing Lorna Mirasol


Thursday, November 29, 2012

THE FIFTIES # 140: ARMANDO GOYENA AND TESSIE QUINTANA IN "HAWAYANA" (1953)

"Hawayana" (1953)
LVN Pictures
Release Date June 14-23, 1953/ Dalisay
Direction Manuel Silos
Cast Armando Goyena, Tessie Quintana, Jose de Cordova,  Jose Cris Soto, Angge, Frank Gordon, Casmot, Arturo Moran


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

THE FIFTIES # 139: EFREN REYES SR. IN NEMESIO E. CARAVANA'S "KAPITAN BERONG" (1953): KOMIKS SERIAL & MOVIE ADAPTATION/ Re-posted



"Kapitan Berong" (1953)
Manuel Vistan Production 
Released thru Premiere Productions
Release Date October 17- 26, 1953/ Life
Story and Direction Nemesio Caravana
Cast Efren Reyes, Rosita Noble, Carol Varga, Oscar Keese, Amado Cortes

"First in Spectacle!...in Thrills!... and in Romance!, says the blurb of the 1953 action-adventure movie, “Kapitan Berong.” It thrilled fans and went on to shatter box-office records when it was shown that year. I have seen the movie countless times in the 60s when it was shown on TV and as a young kid I was impressed and overwhelmed. Set during the Spanish period, the story revolves around a young man named Berong (Efren Reyes) who was born with a saber and a horse who can talk, sing and fly. Based on the novel penned by Nemesio E. Caravana, “Kapitan Berong” was serialized in Liwayway Magazine in 1952. Here's the first three installments of the popular komiks novel drawn by Ben Alcantara---


click images to enlarge


click images to enlarge


Komiks materials courtesy
of Steve Santos of Unang Labas blog


Monday, November 26, 2012

DIREK CELSO AD. CASTILLO, 69


MANILA, Philippines – Filipino filmmaker Celso Ad. Castillo passed away, at 2 a.m. on Monday in his home in Siniloan, Pampanga.He was 69. 
Wife Ophelia Lopez-Castillo told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that her husband complained of chest pains late Monday night. “He was tired. He just came from the printing press to check on his book,” his wife recalled. Entitled “Celso Ad. Castillo: An Autobiography and His Craft,” the book was set to be released soon, according to the filmmaker’s Facebook account. “He kept revising the last few chapters,” his wife related. “He wanted it to have a beautiful ending.” 
Castillo got his wish, as tributes keep pouring in from colleagues from the entertainment industry. 
Batangas Governor and actress Vilma Santos hailed him “as brilliant.” “I had the privilege of working with him in films like ‘Burlesk Queen’ and ‘Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak,” Santos said. She recalled that her staff had been texting Castillo two days ago. “He was coordinating with us. We sent him pictures for his book.” 
Actress Maria Isabel Lopez, who starred in “Isla,” said Castillo was “a passionate artist. He was able to ‘physicalize’ the movie in his mind.” 
Fellow filmmaker Elwood Perez described him as a “true maverick”, while another filmmaker Peque Gallaga praised him as one of the “three great Filipino directors,” along with the late National Artists Gerry de Leon and Ishmael Bernal. 
Cannes-winning director Brillante Ma. Mendoza, who worked as production designer under Castillo, called him a “genius. I learned a lot from him.” 
He was dubbed the “Messiah of Philippine cinema,” for creating hit movies that broke new ground in the 1970s: from the action flick “Asedillo” (starring Fernando Poe Jr.) to the erotic drama “Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa” (Gloria Diaz), from the horror film “Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara” (Susan Roces) to the masterpiece on the dying days of bodabil “Burlesk Queen” (Vilma Santos). 
Indie filmmake Ron Bryant, who made a documentary on Castillo, said that the acclaimed director was “a vanguard of the indie spirit.” 
British critic and distributor Pete Tombs told the Inquirer that Castillo was “an original and visionary filmmaker.” Tomb’s Boum/Mondo Macabro released Castillo’s 1984 bold film “Snake Sisters” on DVD in the United States four years ago. 
Apart from his autobiography, he was also working on a film on Laguna that was to be included in the masters’ edition of the Sineng Pambansa, scheduled next year by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). 
“His demise is a great loss to Philippine cinema,” said Santos, chair of the FDCP. 
His body lies in his residence in Siniloan, Laguna. 
By Bayani San Diego
Philippine Daily Inquirer
http://entertainment.inquirer.net/69205/director-celso-ad-castillo-passes-away



HIGHLIGHTS IN CELSO AD CASTILLO'S CAREER:
  • Celso Ad Castillo is ranked along with Directors Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal, Marilou Diaz-Abaya and Mike de Leon for bringing about the Philippine cinema’s so-called Second Golden Age in the 70s.
  • Celso was only 21 when he did his first film, Misyong Mapanganib (1965), which signaled his independent filmmaking years. The movie gave Tito Galla, brother of Gloria Romero, his first starring role opposite Helen Gamboa.
  • At 27, he directed Fernando Poe Jr. in Asedillo (1971), a biographical sketch of one of the more charismatic local dissident leaders in Southern Tagalog which gave the action star a Famas best actor award. Celso went on to direct FPJ in other films: Ang Alamat (1971), Sto. Domingo (1972) and Esteban (1973).
  • Castillo was also known for such classic as Nympha, an erotic film ahead of its time; Celso Ad Castillo made his mark in local movies by creating a stir in the early '70s, with his sex flicks which were once even condemned as "pornography." His original Nympha was hailed as one of the best movies of the decade, along with his Asedillo. Nympha became the second Filipino movie that qualified for competition category in the 1971 Venice Film Festival, after Manuel Conde's Genghis Khan. Nympha was shot in black and white and starred a relative newcomer whom Celso simply christened as Rizza (Estrella Fabian in real life). The film earned for Celso his first Famas nomination as best director, up against Gerry de Leon's "Lilet," which starred Celia Rodriguez.
  • Celso further reinforced his reputation as director of sex flicks with "The Virgin" which again starred Rizza, "Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa" with Gloria Diaz in the original version and Ruffa Gutierrez in the remake, "Ang Madugong Daigdig ni Salvacion with Pilar Pilapil, "Virgin People" with Pepsi Paloma, Janet Bordon and Myrna Castillo, "Isla" with Maria Isabel Lopez, "Brown Emmanuelle" with Myrna Castillo and "Paradise Inn" with Lolita Rodriguez and Vivian Velez.
  • Celso, however, tried in hand in other film genres. He wrote and directed even horror flicks like the Susan Roces-Rosanna Ortiz classic, Patayin Mo sa Sindak si Barbara in 1974 and Susan Roces award-winning movie, Maligno in 1977.
  • Pagputi ng Uwak Pagitim ng Tagak (1976), a love story interwoven with the Hukbalahap Movement in the country, established Celso's identity as a filmmaker.
  • Burlesk Queen (1997), which starred Vilma Santos, gave Celso his first best director award, besting other film greats such as Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal, Mike de Leon, Eddie Romero and Augusto Buenaventura
  • Celso also directed Christopher de Leon in Ang Alamat ni Julian Makabayan, Dante Rivero and Hilda Koronel in Ang Gangster at ang Birhen, Jay Ilagan in Ato Ti Bondying, Elizabeth Oropesa in Uhaw na Dagat, Lito Lapid in Pedro Tunasan (1983), Dina Bonnevie and Gary Estrada in Tag-araw, Tag-ulan, German Moreno in Payaso, Gloria Diaz in Ang Daigdig ay Isang Butil na Luha, Sunshine Cruz in Lihim ni Madonna and Ramon Zamora in Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig ni Pedro Penduko (1973) and Return of the Dragon (1974).
Excerpts from the article, "Celso Remains a 'Kid' at Heart"
by Leah Salterio
/Philippine Daily Inquirer

Misyong Mapanganib (1965) - Celso's first film / Stars Tito Galla and Helen Gamboa
Zebra (1965) - Stars Tito Galla, Stella Suarez and Ruby Regala in the title role
Mansanas sa Paraiso (1965)- Stars Stella Suarez in her first starring role
Nympha (1971) - released during the 'Bomba" era/ Stars Rizza
Asedillo (1971)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr. and Barbara Perez
Ang Alamat (1971) - Stars Fernando Poe, Jr. and Pilar Pilapil
Sto. Domingo (1972) - Stars Fernando Poe, Jr. and Boots Anson-Roa
Esteban (1973) - Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Alona Alegre and Boots Anson-Roa


Return of the Dragon (1974)- Stars Ramon Zamora and Lotis Key

Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa (1974)- stars Gloria Diaz, Elizabeth Oropesa and Vic Vargas in a very special role. It started the so-called 'wet look' in local cinema.
Patayin Mo sa Sindak si Barbara (1974) - Stars Susan Roces, Dante Rivero and Rosanna Ortiz
Ang Madugong Daigdig ni Salvacion (1975)- Stars Ricky Belmonte, Pilar Pilapil and Leila Hermosa
Daluyong at Habagat (1976) - Stars Vic Vargas, Ricky Belmonte, Alma Moreno and Pinky de Leon
Burlesk Queen (1977) - Stars Vilma Santos
Maligno (1977) - Stars Susan Roces, Dante Rivero, Celia Rodriguez and Eddie Garcia


Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak (1978) - Stars Vilma Santos and Bembol Roco


Aliw-iw (1979)- Stars Rio Locsin
Totoy Boogie (1980) - Stars Lloyd Samartino
Pedro Tunasan (1983_ - Stars Lito Lapid and Tina Revilla
Paradise Inn (1984) - Stars Lolita Rodriguez and Vivian Velez

Sunday, November 25, 2012

THE FIFTIES # 138: OSCAR MORENO AND JOAN PAGE IN "ANG ASAWA KONG AMERIKANA" (1953)

"Ang Asawa kong Amerikana"
Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date January 19- 29, 1953/ Life
Music Juan Silos, Jr.
Screenplay Luciano Carlos
Direction Enrique Moreno (Eddie Romero)
Cast Oscar Moreno. Joan Page, Rudy Francisco, Chichay, Tolindoy, Sylvia La Torre, Boy Alano, Bella Flores, Aring Bautista, Horacio Morelos, Marcela Garcia, Herminia Caranza, Eddie garcia, Apolonia Aguilar

Friday, November 23, 2012

THE FIFTIES #137: OSCAR MORENO AND ALICIA VERGEL IN "DUGONG BUGHAW" (1951)

"Dugong Bughaw" (1951)
Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date April 1- 10, 1951/ Life
Direction Nardo Vercudia
Cast Oscar Moreno, Alicia Vergel, Tessie Martinez, Norma Vales, Ernesto Garcia, Bert Olivar, Jose de Villa, Tony Suarez, Ricardo Mirasol, Ruben Arcangel, Totoy Torrente, Batotoy, Rebecca del Rio

Thursday, November 22, 2012

THE FIFTIES # 136: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, DELIA RAZON AND ROSA ROSAL IN AVELLANA'S "PRINSIPE AMANTE SA RUBITANYA" (1951)

"Prinsipe Amante sa Rubitanya" (1951)
LVN Pictures
Release Date June 30- July 9,1951/ Life
Story Clodualdo del Mundo
Direction Lamberto V. Avellana
Cast Rogelio de la Rosa, Delia Razon, Rosa Rosal, Tony Santos

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

THE FIFTIES # 135: EFREN REYES IN GERARDO DE LEON'S " 10th BATTALION SA 38th PARALLEL, KOREA" (1951)

"10th Batallion sa 38th Parallel, Korea" (1951)
Premiere Productions
Release Date September 28- October 7, 1951/ Life
Story Cirio H. Santiago
Music Ariston Avelino
Direction Gerardo de Leon
Cast Efren Reyes, Lopito, Eddie Infante, Oscar Keese, Arturo Lerma, Tony Tolman, Ruben Rustia, Pancho Pelagio, Nita Ramos, Alice Contreras, Mercedes Cruz, Francisco Cruz, Tony Liwanag, Lito Anzures, Nello Nayo

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

THE FIFTIES # 134: FRED MONTILLA, TESSIE AGANA AND MYRNA DELGADO IN "ANG PRINSESA AT ANG PULUBI" (1951)

"Ang Prinsesa at ang Pulubi" (1951)
Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date June 20- 29, 1951/ Life
Direction Enrigue Moreno (Eddie Romero)
Cast Fred Montilla, Tessie Agana, Myrna Delgado

Monday, November 19, 2012

THE FIFTIES # 133: ARMANDO GOYENA AND DELIA RAZON IN "HARANA SA KARAGATAN" (1952)


"Harana sa Karagatan" (1952)
LVN Pictures
Release Date February 5- 14, 1952/ Life
Music Juan Silos, Jr.
Direction Joe Climaco
Cast Armando Goyena, Delia Razon, Lila Luna, Enrique 'Ike' Jarlego, Jr., Naty Bernardo, Maria Cristina, Eusebio Gomez, Armando Garces, Armando Cortes, Joe Climaco, Mario Roldan, Miniong Alvares

Sunday, November 18, 2012

THE FIFTIES # 132: ARMANDO GOYENA AND TESSIE QUINTANA IN "TALISMAN" (1951)

"Talisman" (1951)
LVN Pictures
Release Date June 16-25, 1951/ Dalisay
Story Nemesio Caravana
Music F. Buencamino Sr. & Jr.
Direction Enrique Jarlego
Cast Armando Goyena, Tessie Quintana, Tony Santos, Frankie Gordon, Eusebio Gomez, Gil de Leon, Nela Alavarez, Elena Acosta



Saturday, November 17, 2012

THE FIFTIES # 131: LEILA MORENA AND JESUS RAMOS AS "OG" (1952)


"Og" (1952)
Premiere Productions
Release Date April 5, 1952/ Life
Story Teodoro Virrey
Direction Cesar Gallardo
Cast Leila Morena, Jesus Ramos, Lopito, Oscar Keese, Boy Francisco 



Leila Morena and Jesus "Og" Ramos 
on the cover of Literary Song-Movie Magazine 
April 1952


Photo credit: courtesy of Baul ni Juan (James de la Rosa)

More on: Jesus 'Og' Ramos 


Friday, November 16, 2012

THE FIFTIES # 130: "KUWENTONG KUTSERO" (1952)

"Kuwentong Kutsero" (1952)
Dramatic Philippines
Release Date June 29- July 8, !952/ Dalisay
Music Ariston Avelino
Direction Narciso Pimentel, Jr.
Cast Original Radio and Stage players


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