DIREK DANNY ZIALCITA, 72

MANILA, Philippines—Filmmaker Danny Zialcita passed away on Sunday, according to industry insiders. 

 

The Philippine Daily Inquirer learned of the news during a meeting of the Nagkakaisang Manggagawa ng Pelikulang Pilipino on Tuesday.

 

Actor Rap Fernandez, son of actress Lorna Tolentino, posted the news on his Twitter account on Tuesday as well.

 

Zialcita was 72, according to Ronald Arguelles, channel head of Cinema One. Zialcita received a lifetime achievement award from Cinema One in 2009.

 

 

Among the films he directed were the glossy adult dramas “Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan,” “Karma,” “Palabra de Honor,” “Nagalit ang Buwan sa Haba ng Gabi,” among others

 

He also megged sex comedies like “Mahinhin vs. Mahinhin,” “May Lamok sa Loob ng Kulambo,” “May Daga sa Labas ng Lungga” and “Lalakwe.”

 

He was also credited for introducing singer Sharon Cuneta to the movies via the 1981 teen romance “Dear Heart.” 

 

By Bayani San Diego Jr

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Left- "Lady Killer" (1965)- Stars Romano Castellvi, Maggie dela Riva, Stella Suarez and Lourdes Medel/ with Jose Romulo, Ben Perez, Jose Vergara/ Directed by Danny Zialcita

Right- "Target Domino" (1966)- Stars Romano Castellvi, Liberty Ilagan, Stella Suarez, Bessie Barredo, Tito Arevalo, Leni Trinidad, Val magno, Rolando Aquino/ with Roberto Gonzales, Marissa Delgado/ Directed by DLZ

He directs his movies with no scripts on hand. According to one of his actors, Noel Colet in a comment he made in a blog post, "He taught me how to come to the set with no script, learned my lines by dictation on the set for the first rehearsal and changed a few paragraphs on the second rehearsal and then on final take to mentally delete some lines and add a few more lines here and there. No other director can make a masterpiece using this process... on the set, impromptu. Ang galing!" That's how Director Danny Zialcita works!

Danny L. Zialcita or DLZ is one of the most underrated filmmakers in Philippine cinema. He started his career in the mid 60s directing action movies, mostly spin-offs of James Bond movies. That was the trend that time--- remember Tony Ferrer portraying the role of Tony Falcon, Agent X-44, Eddie Fernandez as Lagalag, Anthony Alonzo as Agent 69, Eddie Rodriguez as Paolo Stacatto or Cobra and many more. Zialcita's early works like Lady Killer (1965), Cabonegro (1966), Target Domino (1966) and Tiger Lady (1966) propelled a young Romano Castellvi to stardom. He sometimes used the acronym DLZ in the title credits in his early movies. In 1970, he did some sex-oriented movies, Gutom, Ina Ko Patawarin Mo Ako Ako'y Nagugutom, Hidhid and Polyanna (Bertigo) and by the middle of the 70s, Zialcita shifted to a more serious themes touching on sensitive and controversial topics like adultery and infidelity.

"Cabonegro" (1966)- Stars Romano Castellvi, Divina Valencia, Ben Perez, Flor Bien, Roberto Gonzales, Chito Reyes, Ben Manalo/ Directed by DLZ


"Tiger Lady" (1966)- Stars Romano Castellvi, Josephine Estrada, Rolly Aquino, Val Magno and Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia/ Directed by DLZ


"Hammerhead" (1967)- Stars Bernard Bonnin, Liberty Ilagan, Elsa Bouffard, Leni Trinidad, Vivian Larrain, Eva Marie, Ben Perez and Eddie Arenas/ Directed by DLZ

"Incognito" (1967)- Stars Bernard Bonnin, Perla Bautista, Ronald Remy and Timi Yuro/ Directed by DLZ

"Palos Strikes Again!" (1968)- Stars Bernard Bonnin, Sofia Moran, Alfonso Carvajal, Ely Ramos, Liza Belmonte, Vic Andaya and Joe Sison/ Directed by DLZ

"Palos Fights Back!" (1969)- Stars Bernard Bonnin, Sofia Moran, Marion Douglas, Ben Perez, Alfonso Carvajal, Rolly Aquino/ Directed by Danny Zialcita


"Tres Pistoleros" (1970)- Stars Johnny Vicar, Conrado Cordova, Paolo Baron, Rhodora, Merle Fernandez and Rossana Marquez/ Directed by DLZ

"Gutom" (1970)- Stars Rossana Marquez, Conrado Cordova, Alicia Montemayor, Vic Andaya, Mario Escudero, Renato del Prado, Mar Quijano, Angel Confiado/ Directed by DLZ


"Ina Ko Patawarin Mo Ako Ako'y Nagugutom" (1970)- Stars Rossana Marquez, Roldan Aquino/ Story and Directed by DLZ


"Hidhid" (1971)- Stars Rosanna Ortiz, Annabelle and Jessica/ with Johnny Madrid, Frank Zarate and Rod Navarro/ Directed by Danny L. Zialcita


Polyanna (Bertigo)/ 1972- Stars Rosemarie Gil, Jessica and Johnny Madrid/ with Johnny Vicar, Frank Zarate/ Directed by DLZ


"Ugat" (1974)- Stars George Estregan, Rosanna Ortiz and Pinky de Leon/ with Elizabeth Oropesa, Rod Navarro, Rusty Salzar, Roderick Paulate, Dondon Nakar, Alfonso Carvajal, Teody Belarmino/ Directed by Danny Zialcita


"Ang Biyuda ay Misteryosa" (1975)- Stars George Estregan, Imelda Ilanan, Lito Legaspi and Chanda Romero/ with Mario Escudero, Bella Flores, Ruben Rustia, Alfonso Carvajal/ Directed by Danny Zialcita


"Ito'y Isang Baliw na Baliw na Diagdig" (1975)- Stars Gina Pareno, Pinky de Leon, Elizabeth Oropesa, Rosanna Ortiz and George Estregan/ Directed by Danny Zialcita


"Laging Umaga" (1975)- Stars Gina Pareno, Anna Gonzales, Rebecca, Eddie Garcia and George Estregan/ with Mario Escudro, Pancho Pelagio, Ernie Ortega/ Directed by Danny Zialcita

Left- "Escolta: Mayo 13...Biyernes ng Hapon!" (1976)- Stars George Estregan, Hilda Koronel, Vivian Velez, Dick Israel, Johnny Vicar and Chanda Romero/ with Mario Escudero, Nello Nayo, Ben Delgado/ Directed by Danny Zialcita

Right- "Kapag Tumabang ang Asin (1976)- Stars Chanda Romero, Daria Ramirez, Carmen Ronda, Edna Diaz, Barbara Luna, Johnny Vicar, Anita Linda, Mario Escudero, Ruben Rustia, Nello nayo, Ruel Vernal/ Directed by Danny Zialcita

Courtesy of Sining Silangan, Inc.
(Uploaded by Sineng Pinoy Channel- Jojo Devera)

While Zialcita began his career in the ‘60s directing action films like a few from the Palos series, and even dipping his feet on the bomba trend in the early ‘70s (he directed films such as Gutom and Hidhid when movie titles at the time were Uhaw, Hayok, Daing), his career peaked in the late ‘70s to the mid-‘80s when he started pursuing themes about marriage, adultery and homosexuality. His movies were famous for their kilometric titles—Nagalit Ang Buwan Sa Haba ng Gabi (or, as a joke said, Nagalit ang Buwan Sa Haba ng Title), Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan, Bakit Manipis ang Ulap?—and their dialogue: witty, poetic, delivered in rapid fire speed. His characters were always incredibly articulate, from the leads down to the yaya. “Bawal ang bobo sa pelikula ni Danny Zialcita,” says Mark Gil who starred in several of the director’s films including Sugat Sa Dangal. When Zialcita says “Action!” he doesn’t watch his actors do the scene, he turns his back and listens only to how his dialogue is delivered (Martin Nievera had to do 12 takes once on the set of Always and Forever. His line: “Goddamit.”). “For him, every dialogue is a song,” says Mark. “May intro, may refrain. You don’t go to the refrain right away.”

Consider this confrontation scene between Vilma Santos and Nora Aunor in T-bird at Ako. Nora’s character, a lawyer, has just expressed her romantic intentions to Vilma, a nightclub dancer, who responds to the proposition, quietly, with “Nandidiri ako.” Nora: Bakit, sino ka ba? Ano bang pinagmamalaki mo? Katawan lang yan ah, sa’n ba galing yan? Sa putik! Vilma: Putik nga ako pero kahit ganito ‘ko nagsisimba ako kahit papa’no. At ang sabi ng nasa itaas ang sala sa lamig, sala sa init, iniluluwa ng langit, isinusuka ng Diyos!

Courtesy of Film Ventures
(Uploaded by Frida Manalo)

Which takes us back to Mark’s statement. First, you have to be a competent actor to come to work without a script. Danny is famous for not doing scripts, only rough storylines and sequence guides that get revised easily on the set when a new idea strikes him. “I don’t want them coming to the set with a planned line, a planned movement. So that they can surpass their own,” says Danny. Second, you have to be an intelligent actor to deliver lines like the ones above, to convince the audience that the character is capable of churning out knockout philosophical punches at the tip of a hat—which, incidentally, people wore in Zialcita films.

From 1979 to 1986, Zialcita was on a roll, doing one film after another, pulling off nine hits in a row beginning with Gaano Kadalas in 1981 up to his sex comedies that include May Lamok Sa Loob ng Kulambo. He could demand anything from a producer and his wish would be granted. When Viva Films asked him to do Gaano Kadalas, he told Vic and Mina del Rosario that he will only do it if they get George Canseco to write the theme song (most of his popular films had songs by Canseco), and that Hilda Koronel would be one of the leads. Viva granted him both—even if it had to pay more for Hilda than for Vilma. “May utang ako kay Hilda eh, I took her out of Langis at Tubig.” He was in his late ‘40s and there was a time he was doing three movies all at once, all of them without scripts. Up to now, he seems amazed at what he was able to do. And it is amazing, especially when you are familiar with his films, and how complex the stories are, how six to 10 characters weave themselves into each others’ lives, how each one is able to make an impact. “Divine intervention,” he tells me now, seems the only reason he can think of.

 Source: Article of Jerome Gomez/ MetroHim (September 2008)
See: Danny Zialcita: Ready For Another Project by Bibsy Carballo

Left- "Lalaki, babae Kami!" (1977)- Stars Pinky de Leon, Chanda Romero, Janet Bordon and ALona Alegre/ with George Estregan, Eddie Garcia, Raul Aragon and Tommy Abuel/ Directed by Danny Zialcita

Right- "Hindi Sa Iyo ang Mundo, Baby Porcuna (1978)- Stars Beth Bautista, Joseph Sytangco, Dick Israel, Anthony Alonzo, Josephine Garcia, Suzanne Gonzales/ Directed by Danny Zialcita

Left- "Ikaw at ang Gabi" (1979)- Stars Dindo Fernando, Chanda Romero, Ronaldo Valdez and Beth Bautista/ Directed by Danny Zialcita

Right- "Si Malakas, Si Maganda at Si Mahinhin" (1980)- Stars Elizabeth Oropesa, Alma Moreno and Dindo Fernando/ Directed by Danny Zialcita

Left- "Kaladkarin!" (1980)- Stars Jean Saburit, Eddie Garcia/ Directed by Danny Zialcita

Right- "Langis at Tubig" (1980)- Stars Vilma Santos, Dindo Fernando, Amy Austria/ Directed by Danny Zialcita

"Dear Heart" (1981)- Stars Sharon Cuneta, Gabby Concepcion,Eddie Garcia, Liza Lorena, Rosemarie Gil, Ronaldo Valdez, Johnny Wilson/ Directed by Danny Zialcita

Left- "The Betamax Story (1981)- Stars Pinky de Leon, Elizabeth Oropesa, Beth bautista, Cherie Gil, Jean Saburit, Chichay and Alma Moreno/ with George Estregan, Raul Aragon, Johnny Vicar, Joe Garcia/ Directed by Danny Zialcita

Right- "Mahinhin vs Mahinhin (1981)- Stars Dindo Fernando, Ronaldo Valdez, Edu Manzano, Carmi Martin/ Directed by Danny Zialcita

"Karma" (1981)- Stars Vilma Santos, Ronaldo Valdez, Chanda Romero, Tommy Abuel/ Directed by Danny Zialcita


"Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan?" (1982)- Stars Vilma Santos, Hilda Koronel, Dindo Fernando, Suzanne Gonzales, Alvin Joseph Enriquez/ Directed by Danny Zialcita


"T-Bird at Ako" (1982)- Stars Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Dindo Fernando, Tommy Abuel/ Directed by Danny Zialcita


"Tinimbang ang Langit" (1982)- Stars Kuh Ledesma, Christopher de Leon, Rio Locsin/ Directed by Danny Zialcita

Left- "Palabra de Honor" (1983)- Stars Hilda Koronel, Elizabeth Oropesa, Beth Bautista, Amy Austria, Jackie Lo Blanco & Gloria Diaz/ with Dindo Fernando, Ronaldo Valdez, Tommy Abuel, Mark Gil and Eddie Garcia/ Directed by Danny Zialcita

Right- "Nagalit ang Buwan sa Haba ng Gabi" (1983)- Stars Dindo Fernando, Laurice Guillen, Janice de Belen, Alvin Enriquez, Tommy Alvarado with Eddie Garcia and Gloria Diaz/ Directed by Danny Zialcita

"To Love Again" (1983)- Stars Sharon Cuneta and Miguel Rodriguez / Directed by Danny Zialcita

"May Lamok sa Loob ng Kulambo" (1984)- Stars Gloria Diaz, Amy Austria, Eddie Garcia, Tommy Abuel, Suzanne Gonzales/ Introducing Lyka Ugarte / Directed by Danny Zialcita

Left- "Nang Masugatan ang Gabii" (1984)- Stars Dindo Fernando, Alona ALegre, Jean Saburit, Criselda 'Dang' Cecilio and Romeo Vasquez/ Directed by Danny Zialcita

Right- "Sugat sa Dangal" (1984)- Stars Rio Locsin, Criselda 'Dang' Cecilio and Mark Gil/ with Johnny Vicar, Suzanne Gonzales, anita Linda, Ramon D' Salva Directed by Danny Zialcita

Left- "Menudo at Pandesal" (1985)- Stars Gloria Diaz, Carmi Martin, Tanya Gomez and Janice de Belen/ with Paquito Diaz, Max Alvarado, Lou Veloso & Caridad Sanchez/ Directed by Danny Zialcita

Right- "Lalakwe" (1985)- Stars Gloria Diaz, Rio Locsin, Lyka Ugarte, Elsa Agana, Tommy Abuel and Ronaldo Valdez/ Directed by Danny Zialcita

Left- "Bakit Manipis ang Ulap?" (1985)- Stars Chanda Romero, Laurice Guillen, Tommy Abuel, Mark Gil and Janice de Belen/ Directed by Danny Zialcita

Right- "Heartache City" (1985)- Stars Chanda Romero, Barbara Luna, Ma. Isabel Lopez, Lyka Ugarte, Liz Alindogan & Tanya Gomez/ with Tommy Abuel and Ronaldo Valdez/ Directed by Danny Zialcita

Left- "Bakit Madalas ang Tibok ng Puso?" (1986)- Stars Aga Muhlach, Janice de Belen, Dante Rivero, Liza Lorena, Laurice Guille, Isabel Granada, Anita Linda, Joonee Gamboa, Odette Khan, Johnny Vicar/ Directed by Danny Zialcita

Right- "Always and Forever" (1986)- Stars Pops Fernandez, Martin Nievera, Liza Lorena, Chanda Romero, Dang Cevilio, Miguel Rodriguez and Tommy Abuel/ Directed by Danny Zialcita

Filmography (1965-1986)

Bakit Madalas ang Tibok ng Puso?(1986)/ Regal Films
Si Mister at si Misis (1986)/ Essex Films
Always and Forever (1986)/ Essex Films
Sugat sa Dangal (1985)/ Bukang Liwayway Films
Bakit Manipis ang Ulap (1985)/ Essex Films
Heartache City (1985)/ Essex Films
Menudo at Pandesal (1985)/ Essex Films
Lalakwe (1985)/ Essex Films
Hawakan at Pigilin ang Kahapon (1984)
May Daga sa Labas ng Lungga (1984)/ Essex Films
May Lamok sa Loob ng Kulambo (1984)/ Essex Films
Nang Masugatan ang Gabi (1984)/ HPS Film Productions
To Love Again (1983)/ Viva Films
Palabra de Honor (1983)/ Viva Films
Nagalit ang Buwan sa Haba ng Gabi (1983)/ Essex Films
Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan? (1982)/ Viva Films
T-Bird at Ako (1982)/ Film Ventures, Inc.
Tinimbang ang Langit (1982)/ Film Ventures, Inc.
Dear Heart (1981)/ Sining Silangan, Inc.
The Betamax Story (1981)/ Octa Films
Ang Kabiyak (1981)/ Trigon Cinema Arts
Karma (1981)/ Sining Silangan, Inc.
Mahinhin vs. Mahinhin (1981)/ Sining Silangan, Inc.
Langis at Tubig (1980)/ Sining Silangan, Inc.
Kaladkarin (1980)/ Sining Silangan, Inc.
Si Malakas Si Maganda at si Mahinhin (1980)/ Trigon Cinema Arts
Ikaw at ang Gabi (1979)/ Diosa Productions
Tatlong Bulaklak (1979)/ Diosa Productions
Kulang sa Init, Kulang sa Lamig (1978)/ Alaminos Films, Inc.
Hindi sa Iyo ang Mundo, Baby Pocuna (1978)/ JV Productions
Anak sa Una, Kasal sa Ina (1978)/ Alaminos Films, Inc.
Lalaki, Babae Kami! (1977)/ Alaminos Films, Inc.
Basag na Kristal (1977)/ Alaminos Films, Inc.
Kapag Tumabang ang Asin (1976)/ Alaminos Films, Inc.
Escolta: Mayo 13…Biyernes ng Hapon! (1976)/ Sunshine Films, Inc.
Ang Biyuda ay Misteryosa (1975)/ Crown Seven Film Productions
Ito ang Baliw na Baliw na Daigdig (1975/ Alaminos Films, Inc.
Laging Umaga (1975)/ Alaminos Films, Inc.
Gumapang Ka sa Lupa (1974)/ Alaminos Films, Inc.
Ugat (1974)/ Alaminos Films, Inc.
Polyanna (1972)/ Tuit-Tuit Productions
Hidhid (1971)/ MOD Films Organization
Gutom (1970) /Layson Productions
Ina Ko Patawarin Mo Ako Ako’y Nagugutom (1970)/ Layson Productions
Tres Pistoleros (1970)/ Essex Films, Inc.
Palos Fights Back (1969)/ SS Films Co.
Palos Strikes Again (1968)/ Adroit Productions
Bart Salamanca (1968)/ Adroit Productions
Masquerade (1967)/ Emar Productions
Incognito (1967)/ Zeta Productions
Hammerhead (1967)/ Bonanza Productions
Cabonegro (1966)/ Magna East Productions
Tiger Lady (1966)/ GM Film Organization
Target Domino (1966)/ Magna East Productions
Lady Killer (1965)/ Magna East Productions