THE 2016 METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL: "SUNDAY BEAUTY QUEEN"- BEST PICTURE/ PAOLO BALLESTEROS- BEST ACTOR/ IRMA ADLAWAN- BEST ACTRESS

MANILA, Philippines – "Sunday Beauty Queen" won Best Picture at the Metro Manila Film Festival 2016 awards night on Thursday, December 29 at the Kia Theatre. This is a major milestone for the festival – "Sunday Beauty Queen" is the first ever documentary to make it to the festival and thus is also the first documentary to win the coveted Best Picture Prize. It follows overseas domestic workers in Hong Kong and the one day off they have a week – Sunday – during which they participate in preparations for a beauty pageant. This is an important win for "Sunday Beauty Queen," which had not been among the earlier entries announced as top grossers following Day 1 of the festival. Like the other entries, it faced the challenge of staying in theaters. 

"Die Beautiful" star Paolo Ballesteros, who won the Best Actor Actor award at the Tokyo International Film Festival, also bagged the Best Actor in a Leading Role. Directed by Jun Lana, the movie is about a trans woman's final wish to be laid to rest as a beautiful woman, and has been hailed for trans representation and for Ballesteros' powerful performance.

Acclaimed filmmaker Erik Matti won Best Director  for "Seklusyon." The taut thriller features 4 deacons in seclusion as a rite of passage before priesthood. In this time, they face their own inner demons and ghosts from their past. 
(source: Rappler, 29 December 2016)

LIST OF WINNERS:
Best Picture: Sunday Beauty Queen
Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award: Sunday Beauty Queen
Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award: Oro
Best Director: Erik Matti, Seklusyon
Best Actor in a Leading Role: Paolo Ballesteros, Die Beautiful
Best Actress in a Leading Role: Irma Adlawan, Oro
Best Ensemble Cast: Oro
Special Jury Prize: Rhed Bustamante, Seklusyon
Best Screenplay: Seklusyon
Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Christian Bables, Die Beautiful
Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Phoebe Walker, Seklusyon
Best Cinematography: Seklusyon
Best Sound Design: Seklusyon
Best Theme Song: "Dominus Miserere" Seklusyon
Best Editing: Sunday Beauty Queen
Best Musical Score: Saving Sally
Best Production Design: Seklusyon
Best Float: Die Beautiful
42nd MMFF My Most Favorite Film: Die Beautiful
Children’s Choice Award: Saving Sally, Sunday Beauty Queen, Vince & Kath & James
Male Celebrity of the Night: Ronnie Alonte
Female Celebrity of the Night: Rhian Ramos
Short Film – Best Screenplay: Mitatang
Short Film – Special Jury Prize: Manila Scream
Short Film – Best Picture: EJK
Short Film – Best Work for Children: Passage of Life
Best Short Film Director: Jarell Serencio for Mga Bitoon sa Siyudad

THE 2015 METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL: "WALANG FOREVER"- BEST PICTURE/ JENNYLYN MERCADO- BEST ACTRESS/ JERICHO ROSALES- BEST ACTOR

As the saying goes, the show must go on.

Amidst ticket swapping allegations and film disqualification, as well as the ire of many Filipino film aficionados, the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival held its Awards Night on Sunday at Kia Theater in Araneta Center, Quezon City.

"Walang Forever" came out as the night’s biggest winner with six awards including FPJ Memorial Award for Film Excellence, Best Original Story, Best Screenplay, Best Picture, Best Actor for Jericho Rosales, and Best Actress for Jennylyn Mercado.

And despite its sudden disqualification for the Best Picture category a day before award’s night, "Honor Thy Father" still bagged two major awards–Best Director for Erik Matti and Best Supporting Actor for Tirso Cruz 3rd–on top of Best Child Performer, Best Original Theme Song, and Best Makeup Artist awards.

 Maine Mendoza won the Best Supporting Actress award for "My Bebe Love."

Meanwhile, “Nilalang” won best editing, best film editor, best cinematography, best festival sound, and best festival musical score. Named best picture is “Walang Forever.” Second in line is “Buy Now, Die Later,” while the third best picture is “My Bebe Love.”

(source: The Manila Times/ 28 December 2015)

LIST OF WINNERS:
Best Picture: Walang Forever
Second Best Picture: Buy Now, Die Later
Third Best Picture: My Bebe Love
Best Actress: Jennylyn Mercado – Walang Forever
Best Actor: Jericho Rosales – Walang Forever
Best Director: Erik Matti – Honor Thy Father
Best Supporting Actress: Maine Mendoza – My Bebe Love
Best Supporting Actor: Tirso Cruz III – Honor Thy Father
Best Child Performer: Krystal Brimner – Honor Thy Father
Best Screenplay: Paul Sta. Ana – Walang Forever
Best Original Story:  Dan Villegas and Antoinette Jadaone – Walang Forever
Best Editing: Nilalang
Best Cinematography: Nilalang
Best Production Design: Buy Now, Die Later
Best Visual Effects: Nilalang
Best Festival Sound: Ditoy Aguila – Nilalang
Best Musical Score: Jessy Lasaten – Nilalang
Best Theme Song: “Tao” by Armi Millare – Honor Thy Father
Best Festival Make-up Artist: Ryan Panaligan and Erika Racela – Honor Thy Father
GatPuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award: My Bebe Love
FPJ Memorial Award for Film Excellence: Walang Forever
Male Celebrity of the Night: Cesar Montano
Female Celebrity of the Night: Jennylyn Mercado
Best Float Award: Buy Now, Die Later

THE FIFTIES # 152: GLORIA ROMERO, RAMON REVILLA, WITH CHICHAY, TOLINDOY IN "MISTER KASINTAHAN" (1953)

"Mister Kasintahan" (1953)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date September 17- 26, 1953/ Life

Music Pastor de Jesus

Direction Nardo Vercudia

Cast Gloria Romero, Ramon Revilla/ Also Staring Chichay, Tolindoy, Rebecca del Rio, Precy Ortega

THE FIFTIES # 145: NORMA BLANCAFLOR, REYNALDO DANTE, ROSITA NOBLE, OSCAR KEESE, EDDIE INFANTE IN "ANG PAGSILANG NG MESIYAS" (1952)

"Ang Pagsilang ng Mesiyas" (1952)

Lebran Productions

Release Date December 16- 25, 1952/ Dalisay

Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa

Cast Norma Blancaflor, Reynaldo Dante, Rosita Noble, Oscar Keese, Eddie Infante, Tita Munoz, Rolando Liwanag, Andres Iturbi

A nativity scene from the movie "Ang Pagsilang ng Mesiyas" (1952)--- Photo shows Norma Blancaflor as Mother Mary and Tirso Cruz III as Baby Jesus

THE FIFTIES # 681: TESSIE SAN JUAN, AMADO CORTEZ, LEONORA RUIZ, ANTONIO MOGUEIZ, BENNY MACK ANG HELENGRACE PROSPERO AS "RITA RITS" (1952)

"Rita Rits" (1952)

Peoples' Pictures

Released tru Premiere Productions, Inc.

Release Date September 27- October 26, 1952/ Dalisay

Serialized in Bulaklak Magazine

Story Emil Quizon Cruz

Produced by Cornelio Hermoso and Artemio Marquez

Direction Consuelo P. Osorio

Cast Tessie San Juan, Amado Cortez, Leonora Ruiz, Antonio Mogueiz, Beny Mack and Helengrace Prospero (in the title role)/ Also Starring Tony Osorio, Baby Corazon, Virgie Calasanz, Dory Corpuz and Luis San Juan (Lolo Poto)

(Movie Ad- courtesy of James de la Rosa/ Baul ni Juan)

THE FIFTIES # 680: ARMANDO GOYENA, TESSIE QUINTANA, PRISCILLA CELLONA IN "ISABELITA" (1952)

"Isabelita" (1952)

LVN Pictures

Release Date June 4- 13, 1952/ Life

Cast Armando Goyena, Tessie Quintana, Priscilla Cellona/ Also Starring Alfonso Carvajal, Milagros Naval and Mat Ranillo

(Image- courtesy of James de la Rosa/ Baul ni Juan)

THE FIFTIES # 679: NORMA BLANCAFLOR, EDUARDO DEL MAR AND BABY LINDA IN "TAIMTIM NA DALANGIN" (1951)

"Taimtim na Dalangin" (1951)

Atheca Productions

Release Date May 30- June 5, 1951/ Dalisay

Direction Ding M. de Jesus

Cast Norma Blancaflor, Eduardo del Mar and baby Linda/ Also Staring Luiz Vizconde, Dony Palacio, Jose Cris Soto  (Guest Artist)

THE FIFTIES # 678: MILA DEL SOL, JAIME DE LA ROSA, EVELYN VILLAR IN "ANAK NG PULUBI" (1951)

"Anak ng Pulubi" (1951)

LVN Pictures

Release Date April 27, 1951/ Dalisay

Story Susana C. de Guzman

Direction Tony Arnaldo

Cast Mila del Sol, jaime de la Rosa, Evelyn Villar/ Also Starring Alfonso Carvajal. Rosa Aguirre, Justina David, Sloria Seres, Amado Cortez

THE FIFTIES # 677: LEILA MORENA, EFREN REYES, FERNANDO ROYO, PATRIA PLATA IN MARS RAVELO'S "RAUL ROLDAN" (1952)/ KOMIKS SERIAL AND MOVIE ADPATATION

"Raul Roldan" (1952)

Premiere Productions

Release Date September 12- 21, 1952/ Life

Serialized in Hiwaga Komiks

Story Mars Ravelo

Cameraman Ricardo Marcelino

Music Tony Maiquez

Direction Billy Icasiano

Cast Leila Morena (as Rosenda), Efren Reyes (as Raul Roldan), Fernando Royo (as Dr. Enrique Moreno), Patria Plata (as Prinsesa Xandra)/ Also Starring Luis San Juan, Isa Rino, Lita Soriano, Nello Nayo/ Co-starring Guillermo Carls, Lourdes Galicia, Antonio Hernandez, Emma Ledesma, Evangeline Sayson, Ben Jaro

"Raul Roldan"

Nobela ni Mars Ravelo

Guhit ni Nestor Redondo

Inilathala sa Hiwaga Komiks/ 1951-52

Komiks images- Unang Labas/ Internet source

THE FIFTIES # 676: RICO ROMERO, GRACITA DOMINGUEZ, BABY LINDA, BABY VIOLETA AND INTRODUCING MELANIE IN "HIWAGA NG LANGIT" (1951)

"Hiwaga ng Langit" (1951)

Fortune Pictures

Release Date October 26- November 1, 1951/ Rialto

Photography Fred Obien

Sound D. Santos

Music Lorenzo Fajardo

Executive Producer C. Villongco

Asst. Director Fortunato Santos

Direction Fermin Barva

Cast Rico Romero, Gracita Dominguez, Baby Linda, Baby Violeta/ Introducing Melanie/ Also Starring Jose Troni, Juan Urbano, Andy Bravo, Ruby Bierra, Tessie Abad, Boy Roland, Nora Dee, Emelda Pastor, Laura Alegra

THE FIFTIES # 675: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, TESSIE QUINTANA, ROSA ROSAL, BEN RUBIO, TONY SANTOS IN "BAYAN O' PAG-IBIG" (1951)

"Bayan O' Pag-ibig" (1951)

LVN Pictures

Release Date March 18- 27, 1951/ Dalisay

Direction Gregorio Fernandez

Cast Rogelio de la Rosa, Tessie Quintana, Rosa Rosal, Ben Rubio, Tony Santos/ Also Starring Frankie Gordon, Nora Linda, Armando Garces, Ezar Visenio, Justina David, Engracio Ibarra, Miguel Lopez

THE FIFTIES # 674: PATRICIA MIJARES, BEN RUBIO, DANILO MONTES IN "BELLA VENDETTA" (1950)

"Bella Vendetta" (1950)

Royal Productions

Release Date August 7- 16, 1950/ Dalisay

Direction Paquito Bolero

Cast Patricia Mijares, Ben Rubio, Danilo Montes

(movie ad, courtesy of James dela Rosa/ Baul ni Juan)

THE FIFTIES # 673: ROSA DEL ROSARIO, RODOLFO RUIZ, SYLVIA ROSALES IN "AKLAT NG PAG-IBIG" (1950)

"Aklat ng Pag-ibig" (1950)

Balintawak Pictures

Filmed by Movietec and released thru Lebran

Release Date November 29, December 2- 11, 1950/ Life

Story Epifanio Matute, Genoveva Edroza

Technical Assistant Jesus Carreon

Production Manager C. A. Cabral

Executive Producer Luis A. de Guzman

Screenplay and Direction Domingo Principe

Cast Rosa del Rosario, Rodolfo Ruiz, Sylvia Rosales/ Also Starring Roberto Rosales, Lily Miraflor, Lucas Paredes, Alma Bella/ Featuring Citas Gonzales

THE FIFTIES # 33: FERNANDO POE, NORMA BLANCAFLOR, FERNANDO ROYO IN "SIGAW NG BAYAN" (1950)/ UPDATED

"Sigaw ng Bayan"
Royal Productions
Release Date September 8-15, 1950/ Dalisay
Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa
Cast Fernando Poe, Norma Blancaflor, Fernando Royo, Rolando Liwanag, Fred Penalosa, Rita Rivera, Jose Cris Soto, Sepo del Rosario

THE FIFTIES # 672: LIRIO DEL VALLE, FEDERICO DEL PUERTO, CRIS DE VERA, CHING TELLO IN "THE PIRATES GO TO TOWN" (1950)

"The Pirates Go To Town" (1950)

Lebran Productions

Made at Movietec

Release Date November 2- 11, 1950/ Life

Music Prof. J. Esteban Anguita

Direction Fermin Barva

Cast Lirio del Valle, Federico del Puerto, Cris de Vera, Ching Tello

Federico del Prado (aka- Federico del Puerto)

image courtesy of James dela Rosa/PelikulaATBP

THE FIFTIES # 26: JOSE PADILLA, JR. AND ARSENIA FRANCISCO, WITH LOPITO, RAMON D' SALVA, PATRIA PLATA IN LINA FLOR'S "GULONG NG PALAD" (1950)/ UPDATED

Gulong ng Palad was one of the most successful radio dramas in the history Philippine radio. The soap opera, written by Lina Flor, was first heard over DZRH in 1949. It ran from 1949 to 1956. A movie was made in 1950 starring Jose Padilla, Jr. as Carding and Arsenia Francisco as Luisa.

"Gulong ng Palad"
Premiere Productions

Release Date: June 5- 14, 1950/ Life

A Camay Radio Serial

Story Lina Flor

Direction Consuelo P. Osorio

Cast Jose Padilla, Jr., Arsenia Francisco, Lopito/ Also Starring Ramon D' Salva, Patria Plata/ Co-starring Ester Buenaobra, Luis San Juan, Naty Rubi, Bebong Osorio/ Introducing Clarita Benitez

(l-r) Rosita Noble, Patria Plata, Lopito
(photo courtesy of Baul ni Juan/ James dela Rosa)

LOLITA RODRIGUEZ, 81

Veteran actress and one of Philippine Cinema icons, Lolita Rodriguez passed away on Monday (November 28). She died in California after a stroke. She was 81.

Literary Song-Movie Magazines/ April 1955 and April 1956 issues

Lolita Rodriguez, Dolores Clark in real life, was born on January 29, 1935 in Urdaneta Pangasinan. In 1953, at the age of 18, she entered the movies. She was given walk-on roles. As an extra, she used to earn 5 pesos per appearance. Her first movie was Ating Pag-ibig, followed by Gorio at Tekla, El Indio, Cofradia, Kiko, Reyna Bandida, Sa Isang Sulyap mo Tita and Diwani.

She was introduced as second lead in Pilya (1954) where she portrayed Gloria Romero’s older sister. Her first starring role was Jack and Jill (1955), the same movie that established Dolphy as the top comedian of the country. After being nominated twice, she finally won her first Famas Best actress award in 1956 for the movie Gilda. In the first nomination, despite her credible portrayal as a tomboyish jeepney driver in Jack and Jill, she lost the 1954 award to a fellow Ilocana (Gloria Romero in Dalagang Ilocana) by a mere two votes. The next year, she again lost to Rosa Rosal (Sonny Boy) by only one vote.

From a comedy to light drama roles in 1954, Lolita eventually landed to a more mature and heavy drama roles in the 60s.

1. Pilya (1954)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Ric Rodrigo/ Introducung Lolita Rodriguez Directed by Tony Cayado
2. Sabungera (1954)- Stars Ric Rodrigo, Lolita Rodriguez, Dolphy, Boy Alano/ Directed by Tony Cayado

3. Batas ng Alipin (1955)- Stars Ric Rodrigo, Lolita Rodriguez, Tito Galla, Liberty Ilagan/ Directed by Octavio Silos
4. Binibining Kalog (1955)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Lolita Rodriguez, Rudy Frnacisco, Rosa Mia/ Directedby Octavio Silos



5. Jack and Jill (1955) - Stars Rogelio de la Rosa, Lolita Rodriguez and Dolphy/Directed by Mar S. Torres
6. Rosana (1955)- Stars Ric Rodrigo, Lolita Rodriguez, Norma Vales/ Introducing Daisy Romualdez/ Directed by Armando Garces



7. Tanikalang Apoy (1955)- Stars Paraluman, Rita Gomez, Lolita Rodriguez, Van de Leon, Eddie Garcia, Etang Discher, Bella Flores, Matimtiman Cruz/ Directed by Jose de Villa
8. Gilda (1956)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Eddie Arenas, Rosa Mia, Eddie Garcia, Zeny Zabala/ Directed by Armando Garces

9. Kanto Girl (1956)- Stars Oscar Moreno, Lolita Rodriguez, Aruray, Bella Flores/ Directed by Oliive de la Torre10. Busabos (1957)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Eddie Arenas, Rudy Francisco, Daisy Romualdez/ Directed by Jose de Villa

11. Gabi at Araw (1957)- Stars Ric Rodrigo, Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden, Eddie Garcia, Tolindoy/ Directed by Octavio Silos
12. Taga sa Bato (1957)- Stars Paraluman, Lolita Rodriguez, Luis Gonzales, Van de Leon and Eddie Garcia/ Directed by Conrado Conde



13. Tarhata (1957)- Stars Fred Montilla, Ramon Revilla, Van de Leon, Barbara Perez and Lolita Rodriguez/ Directed by Armando Garces
14. Kundiman ng Piso (1958)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Eddie Arenas, Tony Marzan, Marlene Dauden/ Directed by Tony Cayado



15. Mapait na Lihim (1958)- Stars Ric Rodrigo, Lolita Rodriguez, Van de Leon, Marlene Dauden, Etang Discher/ Directed by Octavio Silos
16. Alipin ng Palad (1959)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Luis Gonzales, Eddie Garcia, Tony Cayado,Bella Flores, Zeny Zabala/ Directed by Octavio Silos




17. Cicatriz (1959)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Luis Gonazales, Barbara Perez, Carlos Salazar, Greg Martin, Rosita Noble, Bella Flores, Zeny Zabala,Venchito Galvez, Ven Medina/ Directed by Tony Cayado
18. Lupa sa Lupa (1960)- Stars Gloria Romero, Lolota Rodriguez, Luis Gonzales, Bella Flores and Eddie Garcia/ Directed by Mar S. Torres


In 1963, two great Sampaguita talents, Lolita Rodriguez and Marlene Dauden and drama king Eddie Rodriguez starred in Sapagka’t Kami’y Tao Lamang, the movie that turned out to be a sensational and phenomenal hit. The movie garnered the year’s top FAMAS awards--- Best Actor for Eddie Rodriguez; Best Supporting Actress for Marlene Dauden; Best Director for Armando De Guzman. It started the series of the so-called love triangle movies featuring the three dramatic icons in Philippine movies.

Ms. Dauden was memorable in such dramas as Anino ni Bathala (1958) and Kamandag (1959). In both films, Marlene won the FAMAS best supporting actress trophies. She was also awarded the FAMAS Best Actress awards twice: Sa Bawa’t Pintig ng Puso (1964) and Kapag Puso’y Sinugatan (1967).Lolita, on the other hand, was also a FAMAS Best Actress awardee twice: Gilda (1956) and Tinimbang Ka’t Nguni’t Kulang (1974).
Eddie was one of the greatest dramatic actors of Philippines movies and starred in such classics as Kundiman ng Lahi (1959) and Malvarosa (1959).
Together, the troika of Eddie, Lolita and Marlene made their mark in the local movie industry, pooling their talents to come up one hits after another.

Sapagka't Kami'y Tao Lamang (1963) -

Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden and

Eddie Rodriguez/ Directed by Armando De Guzman

Iginuhit sa Buhangin (1965)-
Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden and
Eddie Rodriguez
Directed by Armando de Guzman

Hindi Nahahati ang Langit (1965)-
Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden and
Eddie Rodriguez with Vilma Santos/
Directed by Lauro Pacheco

Kay Tagal ng Umaga (1965)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden and Eddie Rodriguez/ with Vilma Valera and Vilma Santos/ Directed by Lauro Pacheco

Saan Ka Man Naroroon (1966)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden and
Eddie Rodriguez/ Directed by Lauro Pacheco

Kapag Puso'y Sinugatan (1967)- awarded FAMAS Best Picture- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden and Eddie Rodriguez/ Directed by Fely Crisostomo

Sino Ang May Karapatan? (1968)-Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden and Eddie Rodriguez with Vilma Santos / Directed by Ding M. De Jesus

Ikaw... (1969)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden and
Eddie Rodriguez/ Directed by Luis Enriquez

"Tubog sa Ginto" (1970)

Lea Productions

Release Date December 25, 1970/ Dalisay

Story Mars Ravelo

Cinematography Steve Perez

Music Doming Valdez

Screenplay and Direction Lino Brocka

Cast Lolita Rodriguez, Hilda Koronel, Jay Ilagan and Eddie Garcia/ Also Starring Luis Gonzales, Marissa Delgado, Mario O'Hara, Veronica Palileo

"Stardoom" (1971)

Lea Productions

Release Date October 8, 1971/ Opera

Story Orlando Nadres

Cinematography Fredy Conde

Music Jose Mari Chan

Screenplay and Direction Lino Brocka

Cast Lolita Rodriguez, Eddie Garcia, Walter Navarro and Hilda Koronel/ Introducing Lotis Key/ Also Starring Caridad Sanchez, Tita Munoz, Mary Walter, Ruben Rustia, Mario O'Hara and Jimmy Morato/ Co-starring Veronica Palileo, Celeste Legaspi, Joonee Gamboa, Glenn Bernardo, Marco Polo, Estrella Kuenzler

"Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang" (1974)

"Lunes, Martes, Miyerkules, Huwebes, Biyernes, Sabado, Linggo" (1976)

"Ina, kapatid, Anak" (1979)

"Ina Ka ng Anak Mo" (1979)

"Paradise Inn" (1984)