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Cast Vilma Valera (in the title role), Rodolfo Cristobal, Bert Silva and Toto/ With the special performance of Amado Cortez, Van de Leon, Charlie Davao, Vic Diaz and Willie Sotelo
Cast Jess Lapid, Divina Valencia, Eddie Garcia, Joe Sison, Rod Navarro, Bert Olivar, Manolo Robles, Rocco Montalban and Max Alvarado/ Guest stars- Nello Nayo, Manolo Noble and Bessie Barredo
Cast Paquito Diaz (in the title role), Oscar Keesee, Jerry Pons, Arsenio Alonzo, Avel Morado, Boy Alvarez, Evelyn Lee and Lito Anzures/ with Aida Roxas (in a special role)
Cast Susan Roces, Eddie Gutierrez, Liberty Ilagan/ Also starring Ramil Rodriguez, Meldy Corrales, Johnny Misa, Bella Flores, Boy Alano, German Moreno and Panchito (Alba)/ Co-starring Venchito Galvez, Matimtiman Cruz, Lillian Laing, Ven Medina
Cast Eddie Fernandez, Carlos Salazar, Maggie de la Riva, Lito Anzures, Celia Rodriguez and Lauro Delgado/ Also starring Ruben Rustia, Johnny Long, Tommy Romulo, Bando Berroya, Paquito Salcedo, Lope Policarpio and Nancy Roman (in a special role)
Synopsis: A monument was built at the town plaza of Masili to honor the heroics and bravery of a group of ten men who rose up and took up arms against the Japanese Imperial forces, sacrificing their very lives and with only the welfare of the populace of Masili on their minds.
But the peace enjoyed by the townsfolk was short-lived when a band a bandits headed by Van de Leon came in and sowed fear and terror on the beleaguered residents.
Meanwhile, a young man, played by FPJ, entered town, saw the monument; he was befriended by a young boy, Jay Ilagan; he narrated to the boy a story behind the monument and the heroics of the ten men.
While in town, FPJ got a menial job in a small ‘carinderia.’ He became the butt of jokes and always got the ire of some of the bandits who visited the place and began taunting and harassing him. The boy told him to stand up and fight, but he chose not. Branded a coward, he made sure to just shy away from the scene.
As things got worse, people were worried and prayed that a group of men will rise again to protect them from the oppressors. Their prayers were answered as one by one, the bandits were neutralized and killed.
In the end, FPJ bid farewell as he viewed the monument again.
"Saan Man Sulok ng Daigdig" (1964)
People's Pictures, Inc.
Release Date August 27, 1964/ Dalisay
Story and Screenplay Fred Navarro
Music Tony Maiquez
Direction Cirio H. Santiago
Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Cecilia Lopez, Van de Leon, Juliet Pardo/ Also starring Victor Bravo, Bruno Punzalan, Ruben de Jesus, Johnny Long, Tommy Romulo, Vic Varrion, Larry Silva, Paquito Salcedo, Francisco Cruz, Rosa Santos, Cesar Leyson, Ben Sanchez/ Featuring Jay Ilagan, Mona del Cielo/ Special performances by Jose Romulo, Carlos Padilla, Jr., Lito Anzures
FPJ being harassed and intimidated by Victor Bravo
Cast Mario Montenegro, Eddie Ilarde, Lillian Leonardo, Toto, Pilita Corrales, Ken Loring, Edna Rossana and Lalaine Bennett (in the title role)/ Also starring Johnny de Leon, Nela Alvarez, Manny Ojeda, Vic Pacia, Henry Duval
Cast Jun Aristorenas (in his first starring role), Eddie Garcia, Max Alvarado, Victor Bravo, Rocco Montalban/ Also Starring Gina Laforteza/ Featuring Rosario del Pilar and Tony Ferrer
Cast Nida Blanca, Bernard Bonnin, Gloria Sevilla/ Also starring Pat Salem & Dinky Doo, Malony Antonio and Martin Marfil/ Supported by Lolita Lopez, Tony Dantes, Vicky Garcia, Angel Confiado, Tony Blade, Amer Gutierrez, Rod Francisco/ Introducing Ross Rival, Rosalinda
Three movies, Bonifacio, ang Unang Pangulo, English Only, Please and Kubot: Aswang Chronicles 2 bagged the most numbers of awards during the 40th Metro Manila Film Festival, which was held Saturday night., December 27 at the PICC in Manila.
Robin Padilla (Best Picture)/ Photo: Phil. Star
The historical movie, Bonifacio ang Unang Pangulo won nine (9) awards including Best Picture. The romantic-comedy film, English Only, Please took home seven trophies, including Second Best Picture, Best Director and top acting honors for Derek Ramsay and Jennylyn Mercado for best actor and best actress awards respectively. The horror/adventure/comedy film Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles received six awards, including Third Best Picture.
Jennylyn Mercado (Best Actress)/ Photo- Phil Star
Eight films competed for the the mainstream category of the film festival, while there were five full-feature, five Student Short Films, and Five Animations for the New Wave category. Here is the list of winners at the 40th Metro Manila Film Festival: Best Actress: Jennylyn Mercado for "English Only Please" Best Actor: Derek Ramsay for “English Only Please” Best Picture: “Bonifacio ang Unang Pangulo” 2nd Best Picture: “English Only Please” 3rd Best Picture: “Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2” Best Supporting Actress: Lotlot de Leon for “Kubot: Aswang Chronicles 2” Best Supporting Actor: Joey Marquez for “Kubot: Aswang Chronicles 2” Best Child Performer: Ryzza Mae Dizon for “My Big Bossing's Adventures” Best Director: Dan Villegas for “English Only Please” Best Screenplay: “English Only Please” Best Original Story: “English Only Please” Best Cinematography: Carlo Mendoza for “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo” Best Editing: Marya Ignacio for “English Only, Please” Best Production Design: Ericson Navarro for “Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2” Best Visual Effects: “Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2” Best Makeup: “Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2” Best Original Theme Song: Von de Guzman for “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo” Best Musical Score: Von de Guzman “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo” Best Festival Sound Engineer: “Bonifacio Ang Unang Pangulo” Best Float: “Bonifacio Ang Unang Pangulo” New Wave: New Wave Best Picture: “Magkakabaung” New Wave Special Jury Prize: “M: Mother's Maiden Name” New Wave Best Actor: Allen Dizon “Magkakabaung” New Wave Best Actress: Zsa Zsa Padilla for “M: Mother's Maiden Name” New Wave Best Director: Jason Paul Laxamana “Magkakabaung” New Wave Best Supporting Actor: Kristoffer King for “Maratabat” New Wave Best Supporting Actress: Gloria Sevilla “M: Mother's Maiden Name” New Wave Short Film Special Jury Prize: “Kalaw” by Asia Pacific Institute Special Awards: Commemorative Award: Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito-Estrada Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award: “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo” FPJ Memorial Award for Film Excellence: “Bonifacio Ang Unang Pangulo” Gender Sensitive Award (Main Category): Gender Sensitive Award (New Wave): Gender Sensitive Award (Student Short Film): Youth Choice Award: “Bonifacio Ang Unang Pangulo” Female Face of the Night: Nadine Lustre
Here's the eight entries in the 2014 Metro Manila Film Festival
"Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo"
(Hindi Pa Tapos ang Rebolusyon)
Philippians Productions
Direction Enzo Williams
Cast Robin Padilla, Vina Morales, Daniel Padilla
"English Only, Please" (2014)
Quantum Productions
Direction Dan Villegas
Cast Derek Ramsay and Jennylyn Mercado
"Feng Shui 2"
Star Cinema
Direction Chito S. Rono
Cast Kris Aquino, Coco Martin, Cherry Pie Picache, Carmi Martin, Ian Veneracion
"Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2" (2014)
Reality Ent, GMA Films and Agostodos Pictures
Direction Erk Matti
Cast Dingdong Dantes, Isabelle Daza, KC Montero, Lotlot de Leon and Elizabeth Oropesa
"Magnum Muslim .357" (2014)
Viva Entertainment and Scenema Concept
Direction Jun Posadas
Cast Jeorge Estregan, Sam Pinto
"My Big Bossing" (2014)
Octoarts, MZET, APT Entertainment
Direction Joyce Bernal, Marlon Rivera, Tony Reyes
Cast Vic Sotto, Ryzza Mae Dizon, Nikki Gil, Zoren Legaspi, Pauleen Luna, Jose Manalo, Maricar de Mesa, Nino Muhlach, Manilyn Reynes/ Introducing Alonzo Muhlach
"The Amazing Praybet Benjamin" (2014)
Star Cinema and Viva Films
Direction Wenn Deramas
Cast Vice Ganda, Richard Yap, Tom Rodriguez/ Introducing Alex Gonzaga
"Shake, Rattle , Roll XV" (2014)
Regal Entertainment
Direction Dondon Santos, Jerrold Tarog, Percival Intalan
Three Episodes
"AHAS"
Cast Erich Gonzales, JC De Vera, Ariel Rivera, John Lapus, Jason Francisco, Melai Cantiveros, Gee Canlas
"ULAM"
Cast Dennis Trillo, Carla Abellana, John Lapus, Chanda Romero, Kryshee Grengia
"FLIGHT 666"
Cast Lovi Poe, Matteo Guidicelli, Bernard Palanca, John Lapus, Yael Yuzon, Kiray, Ria Garcia, Nathalie Hart, IC Mendoza, Khalil Ramos, Ken Alfonso, Daniel Matsunaga, Kim Atienza, Betong Sumaya, Sue Pardo, Bentong, Rocky Salumbides, Joy Viado
Cast Cesar Ramirez, Charito Solis, Johnny Monteiro, Maggie de la Riva, Oscar Keesee, Oscar Roncal/ Featuring Melinda Guasch/ Also Starring Carpi Asturias, Bando Berroya, Avel Morado, Sancho Selona, Abelardo Dacer, Willie Tomada, Juan Guerrero, Rudy Roldan/ Guest stars- Jose Garcia, Pugak
Cast Willie Sotelo, Maggie de la Riva, Vilma Valera, Vilma Santos and Van de Leon/ Also Starring Carol Varga, Jose Villafranca, Romeo San Jose, Rey Santiago/ with Toto and Anita Linda (in a very special role)
Cast Zaldy Zshornack (in the title role), Chiquito, Mina Aragon/ Also Starring Martin Marfil, Stella Suarez, Divina Gracia, Flor Bien, Rolan Montes, Limbo Lagdameo, Tony Villar, Juan Guerrero and Andy Garchitorena/ with Angel Confiado (in a special role)
Cast Leopoldo Salcedo, Ric Rodrigo, Luis Gonzales, Juancho Gutierrez, Eddie Gutierrez, Lito Legaspi, Vic Vargas, Dindo Fernando, Bert LeRoy, Jr., Pepito Rodriguez, Ramil Rodriguez, Johnny Misa, Boy Alano, German Moreno, Pepito Vera Perez, Mike Parsons/ Also Starring Gloria Romero, Susan Roces
Cast Romeo Vasquez, Divina Valencia, Stella Suarez, Menchu Morelli, Bessie Barredo and Rosario del Pilar/ Also Starring Arnold Mendoza, Ezar Visenio, Rocco Montalban/ Guest Star Max Alvarado
Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Nova Villa, Johnny Monteiro, Lito Anzures, Nello Nayo, Pablo Virtuoso, Dencio Padilla, Victor Bravo, Vic Varrion, Avel Morado, Larry Silva/ Featuring Vicente Liwanag
Today, Christmas Day, moviedom's royal couple, Fernando Poe, Jr. and Susan Roces would have marked their 46th wedding anniversary. Here's an interesting article, "The Enduring Love Story of Ronnie and Susan"... straight from the horse's mouth, 'a bird’s-eye view or what was like to be up close and personal' as writer Baby K. Jimenez puts it, as she recounted what transpired before that grand and memorable wedding of the King and Queen of Philippine Movies on December 25, 1968---
Reprinted from the Philippine Star, December 18, 2004---
(From the collection of Tina Arguelles Liwanag)
THE ENDURING LOVE STORY OF RONNIE AND SUSAN by Baby K. Jimenez The Philippine Star, December 18, 2004
I am dreaming, I tell myself as I view the scene before me, alternating between ABS-CBN's The Filipino Channel and GMA's broadcast on my PC. I see FPJ and Es Ar (my fond and personal abbreviation of Susan Roces, since the ’80s) seated together at the Manila Hotel, amidst the chaos of jostling media people. I hear the man speak, after a self-introduction that was hardly necessary, to begin with: "Ako po ay tumatakbo sa pagka-pangulo ng ating bansa.” A series of flashbacks pops in my mind. Parang kahapon lamang, Kuya Eddie. Or, to be very current, Dear Ate Charo.... Tandang-tanda ko pa ang isang partikular na Disyembre, tatlumpu’t limang taon na ang nakakaraan... Dec. 15, 1968, Sunday: I am at the Araneta Coliseum to watch a basketball charity event featuring the FPJ All-Stars. Susan, my good friend and favorite interview subject, is around, and no one wonders why she is. She’s not only the muse of the FP] All Stars, she has also just finished doing a movie, To Susan With Love, with Fernando Poe, Jr., her acknowledged boyfriend. Very few know she’s here merely to honor a professional commitment. She has privately severed ties with FP], more intimately known as Ronnie, their break-up imminent on the set of the film they’d so recently wrapped up and finished with great difficulty, where Poe family members tried to patch them up, iron their differences, and bring them back together. But, no way. Even as they saw each other almost daily at work and were playing screen lovers, they themselves felt the gap between them could no longer be bridged. Shortly before the games, I asked Susan if she was going. It was a rhetorical question; I knew her as a consummate professional capable of setting aside personal feelings, if needed. Sure enough, she said: “I have to go. I promised them this a long time ago." So here she is now, escorted by her only brother Joey, on an afternoon of a leap year surprisingly sweltering a scant 10 days to go, before Christmas. As expected, the jampacked Dome goes wild with applause and swooning as soon as the gorgeous couple are out on the hard court. I catch Ronnie whispering close to Susan’s ears, and I hear the fans chant and tease them with oohs and aaahs. The movie fan in me makes me feel like crying, I know the truth, I tell myself. They’re keeping up appearances because they don’t want to disappoint their followers. FPJ joins the game. He hooks a basket. Susan cheers.The crowd roars with thunderous approval. At break time, Elvis Presley tunes play on the PA system: I’ll have a blue Christmas without you.... followed by Santa, bring my baby back to me... I hold my tears back. How little the fans know! The fairy tale is no more! I can hear Susan confiding in me: "I really don’t know what lies ahead for Ronnie and me. We are still friends though - I don’t see us patching up easily, hard to tell,” details of which were told to me in November on the set of her other movie, Bandana (with Bobby Vasquez for LEA Productions). She spoke of a wedding, "I will be a bridesmaid to Manang Bee (her eldest sister Bennett), maybe this December.” (This was moved to January after Susan’s). The game ends. Susan goes home to her Wilson digs, FPJ trails her closely behind in his blue Toyota van. I presume he’s simply being his usual gentleman self. I suspect nothing; I wave them goodbye. But there in the house in Greenhills where she lived with the rest of the Sonoras, the household is intrigued by the haste with which Susan enters, and the fact that she locks her bedroom door. They also can’t understand why FP], he whose shadow hadn’t been there for some time now, is outside the gate, seemingly waiting, and waiting for what? The day falls close to almost midnight. Rosemarie, Susan’s younger sister, is preparing to leave for a late night taping of the Rose-Pepito Show at ABS. But her Manang Inday emerges from her bedroom with clothes and personal stuff, runs down the stairs in huff, straight outside of the house, out of the gate, and into the parked vehicles, where waits her man. A sudden reconciliation? The Sonora home hums and buzzes with conjecture. Before they figure out details, Susan and Ronnie are on their way to Valenzuela, Bulacan, to marry in civil rites officiated by Mayor Gerry Angeles. Nagtanan! Dec. 16: The dawn of the season’s first simbang gabi. As across the length and breadth of the archipelago church bells ring to proclaim the Misa de Gallo and the faithful feast on puto bumbong and generic tsa-a, Jesusa Levy Sonora officially becomes Mrs. Ronald Allan Poe, the first time around. From Bulacan, the newly-weds motor to FPI’s Beverly Hills home, in Antipolo. A few hours later, I am roused from sleep by Mang Bert Tablan, FPI’s PR man, who hand-carried a note from Susan, written on a half-torn lined pad paper, saying: My Dearest Babes, I am so happy right now and I want to share my happiness with you. Please see me as soon as possible, you have to help us with our church wedding plans! Dec. 18: Susan is wearing white. It is the first time I see her as Mrs. Poe. We hug and shed happy tears. We plunge into the church wedding preparations at once. We call several churches and none of them are available. It takes Father Guido (of Santuario de San Jose, Greenhills) to articulate what was brewing in our minds: Why not in his church, on Christmas Day, at 8 in the morning, with reception to follow at The Plaza? Why not, indeed? We squeeze into Susan’s red Rambler Classic and get caught in a holiday traffic jam en route to Pitoy Moreno’s atelier for the wedding entourage’s outfits. I almost faint from excitement when the couple inform me I am to participate in the wedding, as a candle sponsor opposite Paquito Diaz (proxied by Romano Castellvi since Paquito came late), along with the other secondaries: her eldest sister Bennett and the real FPJ in real life, Andy, to do the cord, the veil to be done by her friend Tessie Valencia and Bob Soler (married to his eldest sister Beth). Flower Girls: All the daughters of Beth and Bob- Penny, Peggy, Cathy and Candy. Kit Levy and Joel Esteva as coin and ring bearers. Ronnie’s youngest brother Freddie is best man, youngest sister Evangeline is bridesmaid while Rosemarie is maid of honor. Principal sponsors: President and Mrs. Ferdinand Marcos, Senator and Mrs. Soc Rodrigo, Atty. Espiridion Laxa, Mrs. Azucena Vera-Perez, Mrs. Amelia Santos and Mayor Bernardo of Bulacan. Yes, Dr. Jesus Sonora will give away the bride. Same day, later to MilaDay’s, at Forbes for their wedding rings. Dec. 21: Vina Concepcion, Susan’s good friend and also the wife of Luis Gonzales hosts a bridal shower, in a suite at The Plaza. There’s sumptuous food, jokes and laughter galore. Susan’s sister Bennett, Rosemarie and Tessie are present, and a coterie of closest friends. Dec. 25: It is 6:30 a.m., and I am watching hairdresser Freddie Reyes working to make sure the bride’s tiara sits elegantly on her hair. Susan’s hair is specially coiffed to accommodate the tiara which is part of mom Purificacion Levy’s heirloom. Pitoy advises that the veil, made of imported lace, must not cover the crown. And here a week ago, I saw the bridal motif as cherry red; right there, it hit me: It was actually Christmas red. Same day, 7:30 a.m., we are now within the church premises. A musical band play Ang Daigdig Ko’y Ikaw, the theme song of their first film together, also of the same title, written by Tony Maiquez and separately recorded by Pilita Corrales and Ric Manrique, Jr. I look around and see buses, jeeps and all other kinds of transportation mushrooming around the vicinity of the church, transportingly passengers almost elbowing one another; to witness the wedding of the century. Why not? Moviedom’s King and Queen are solemnizing their vows, five years after they first met, in 1963, at the Champagne Room of the Manila Hotel. People who remember the meeting maintain the chemistry between them was immediately electrifying, palpable even. It wasn’t until three years later when that chemistry got to be tested, in a film produced by FPJ himself, and directed by his good friend Pablo Santiago. Susan could only freelance after her (long) contract with her mother studio, Sampaguita Pictures, had expired. That Ronnie waited for her no one took to mean as a sign they were altar bound. Fernando Poe, Sr. and Bessie Kelley Poe’s eldest son was continuously linked to other actresses. Susan herself was courted by fellow actor and, likewise, by noteworthy suitors from business, medicine and music. When asked about romance, Susan was always quick to quip: "When I fall in love, it will be forever.” She was not necessarily echoing the Joni James hit, but simply voicing out the truth from her heart of hearts. And then, came The King. Same day, 3 p.m.: Mr. and Mrs. Poe hie off to the airport soon after their wedding reception, for a two-week honeymoon in Japan. I see them off, finally realizing I will not see them again until the New Year, and then run to meet a rush deadline for a Ronnie-Susan Wedding Special magazine. The printing press staff is in the office, despite the holiday. They are instructed to wait for my story, for my bird’s-eye view, my chronicling of what was like to be up close and personal. The mini-issue sells like hotcakes, and I am not surprised. It is only when I start to receive sacks of fan mail in the different publishing houses I write for that I realize I am no longer seen by most as a movie scribe, but as a friend to the King and Queen of Philippine Movies. Flashback ends. I blink, in time to see FPJ on my PC screen, smiling at his wife. I am thrust back to the present. It's been 35 Christmases since that fateful December. For better or for worse, FPJ and Es Ar have remained as one. I now live and work in the USA but we have kept the friendship and I am continuously, inexplicably, overwhelmed to have them in a two-way relationship based on loyalty and trust. Still and all, I wonder how the two have managed to keep their marriage going. What could be their secret? Three years ago, they both requested a Christmas gift, two Christmas songs on CD. One was Santa, Make Her My Bride for Christmas performed by the Ray Conniff singers, where the lyrics spoke of a young man who hoped that as he held his lady's hand, a sprinkle of reindeer dust and a sprig of mistletoe would work its magic on them. The second was The Secret of Christmas, an all-time favorite of Da King, a 1934 song both performed by Bing Crosby and the Nylons. He had a copy on vinyl but someone had borrowed the record and forgotten to return it. It took me a good while to get the songs, and finally record them on a CD. While recording it, I heard The Secret...for the first time. My eyes went misty, without warning. I suddenly knew what the secret was for. There and then, it hit me like an epiphany: It’s not the glow you feel when snow appears It’s not the Christmas cards you’ve sent for years Not the joyful sound when sleigh bells ring Or the merry song children sing That little gift you send on Christmas day Will not bring back the friend you’ve turned away So may I suggest the secret of Christmas Is not the things you do at Christmas time But the Christmas things you do all year through Isn’t this both FPJ and Es Ar through and through? Doesn’t it explain to us why they are still together? Doesn’t it give us hope for the forthcoming years? A year-long Christmas frame of mind, of giving more than receiving and doing more than saying. This may just be what the country needs! Nagmamahal, BABY K
Cast Nida Blanca, Chiquito/ Co-starring Apeng Daldal, Dulce Lukban, Menggay, Nora Nunez and Vic Andaya/ with Ding Tello, Bino garcia, Rosa Rosales, Chito reyes, Ben Peralta and Teody Belarmino, Jr./ Introducing Mercy Molina/ Featuring Boy Pangilinan, Dolly San Juan
Cast Eddie Fernandez, Gina Alonzo, Celia Rodriguez, Eva Montes, Ramon D'Salva, Ruben Rustia, Ely Ramos, Jr., Tommy Romulo, Bruno Punzalan, Abelardo Cortez, Paquito Salcedo/ with Miram Jurado (in a special role)/ Featuring Nancy Roman, Ruby Regala, Adora Neri, Lydia Aguilar,Lourdes Ramos, Fred Param, Vicky Velasquez
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