THE FIFTIES # 155: GLORIA ROMERO, RAMON REVILLA, WITH CHICHAY, TONY CAYADO, RBECCA DEL RIO IN "COFRADIA (ANG MAHIWAGANG SINDERELLA)" (1953)/ KOMIKS SERIAL AND MOVIE ADAPTATION/ UPDATED

Billed as 'Ang Mahiwagang Sinderella,' Cofradia was probably inspired by the popular fairy tale character named Cinderella. The 1953 movie was based from a komiks novel created by Dominador Ad. Castillo and appeared on the pages of Mabuhay Komiks in 1952. It is a heart-touching story, as the blurb says, of a girl (played by Gloria Romero) who was afraid to love because---she was black. She becomes the subject of ridicule and humiliation and the butt of jokes, mockery and extreme embarrassments from people around her. But like the fairy tale Cinderella, Cofradia turns into a beautiful young lady with the lighting of a mysterious candle.

Left- Kislap Magazine/ April 29, 1953

Right- "Cofradia" (1953)- Stars Gloria Romero, Ramon Revilla, Chichay, Tony Cayado, Rebecca del Rio, Priscilla Concepcion, Precy Ortega/ Directed by Artemio B. Tecson

"Cofradia"(1952)/ Mabuhay Komiks/
Nobela ni Dominador Ad Castillo/ Guhit ni Ben S. Maniclang

Komiks materials-
From the collection of Steve Santos

THE FIFTIES # 163: ARMANDO GOYENA, EVELYN VILLAR, WITH MILAGROS NAVAL, EUSEBIO GOMEZ, JOSE VERGARA, OSCAR DEL ROSARIO, MIGUEL LOPEZ, MARIO ROLDAN, MENANDRO RAMOS IN "KAPITAN KIDLAT" (1953)/ UPDATED

"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, Mario 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 # 168: LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, PARALUMAN, BEN PEREZ, CAROL VARGA, WITH ROLANDO LIWANAG, ROSA AGUIRRE, MIGUEL ANZURES, ROMY BRION, DELY ATAY-ATAYAN IN "HIGHWAY 54" (1953)/ UPDATED

"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 # 146: CARMEN ROSALES, GLORIA ROMERO, WITH RUDY FRANCISCO, VAN DE LEON, TONY CAYADO IN "MAY UMAGA PANG DARATING" (1953)/ UPDATED

"May Umaga Pang Darating" (1953)

Sampaguita Pictures 

Release Date April 10-19, 1953/ Life 

Serialized in Bulaklak and Alimyon Magazines

Story Dr. Fausto J. Galauran 

Direction Consuelo P. Osorio

Cast Carmen Rosales, Gloria Romero, Rudy Francisco, Van de Leon, Tony Cayado

THE FIFTIES # 170: ANITA LINDA, EFREN REYES, AMADO CORTES AND JOHNNY MONTEIRO IN "CARLOS TRECE" (1953)/ UPDATED

Screen legends Anita Linda, disguised as a young and dashing eskrimador, Efren Reyes and Johnny Monteiro, both top swordsmen in Philippine cinema, display their fencing skill as they fight it out for "the crown, throne and kingdom."

The movie, Carlos Trece, broke all existing box-office records during its theatrical run in 1953. The 15-minute sword fight, a duel to the end, between Reyes and Monteiro took the production crew two weeks of rigorous practice and training and one week to shoot.

"Carlos Trece" (1953)
Premiere Productions
Release Date March 30- April 9, 1953
Direction Nemesio E. Caravana
Cast Anita Linda, Efren Reyes, Johnny Monteiro, Amado Cortes/ 

Kislap Magazine/ April 1, 1953
(click image to enlarge)

THE FIFTIES # 158: NIDA BLANCA, NESTOR DE VILLA AND PUGO IN "TUMBALIK NA DAIGDIG" (1953)/ UPDATED

"Tumbalk na Daigdig" (1953)

LVN Pictures

Release Date March 21-30, 1953/ Life

Direction Tony Arnaldo

Cast Nida Blanca, Nestor de Villa and Pugo

Photos, courtesy of  Casa Grande, LVN Pictures 

THE FIFTIES # 684: FRED MONTILLA, NORMA VALES, CHICHAY, TOLINDOY, RAMON REVILLA IN MARS RAVELO'S "GORIO AT TEKLA" (1953)/ UPDATED

"Gorio at Tekla" (1953)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date March 16- 25, 1953

Serialized in Tagalog Klasiks

Story Mars Ravelo

Direction Olive La Torre

Cast Fred Montilla, Norma Vales, Chichay, Tolindoy/ Co-starring Ramon Revilla

THE FIFTIES # 154: MARIO MONTENEGRO, EVELYN VILLAR, WITH TONY SANTOS, GIL DE LEON, NATY BERNARDO, OSCAR OBLIGACION, NORA DY, ARTURO MORAN, FLORENTINO BALLECER, CASMOT IN "LUHA AT MUSIKA" (1953)/ UPDATED

"Luha at Musika" (1953)

LVN Pictures

Release Date March 11- 20, 1953/ Life and March 6-15, 1953/ Bagong Dalisay

Serialized in Liwayway Magazine

Story Jose Domingo Karasig

Music F. Buencamino Sr.

Direction Tony Arnaldo

Cast Mario Montenegro, Evelyn Villar, Tony Santos, Gil de Leon, Naty Bernardo, Oscar Obligacion, Nora Dy, Arturo Moran, Florentino Ballecer, Casmot, Minda Miranda/ Introducing Myrna Quizon

THE FIFTIES # 575: CESAR RAMIREZ AND GLORIA ROMERO IN CLODUALDO DEL MUNDO'S "HERCULES" (1953)/ KOMIKS SERIAL AND MOVIE ADAPTATION/ UPDATED

"Hercules" (1953)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Story Clodualdo del Mundo

Cast Cesar Ramirez and Gloria Romero

(no other details available)

"Hercules (1953)

Katha ni Clodualdo del Mundo

Guhit ni Fred Carrillo

Inilathala sa Pilipino Komiks

---to read, click images to enlarge---

THE FIFTIES # 138: OSCAR MORENO, JOAN PAGE, RUDY FRANCISCO, WITH CHICHAY, TOLINDOY, SYLVIA LA TORRE, BOY ALANO, BELLA FLORES IN "ANG ASAWA KONG AMERIKANA" (1953)/ UPDATED

"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 Earcia, Apolonia Aguilar

THE FIFTIES # 665: JOSE PADILLA, JR., CELIA FLOR, WITH ALFONSO CARVAJAL, CARLOS SALAZAR IN "MARIA MERCEDES" (1953)/ UPDATED

"Maria Mercedes" (1953)

LVN Pictures

Release Date January 15- 24, 1953/ Dalisay

Serialized in Liwayway Magazine

Story Angel Fernandez

Music Maj. Antonio Buenaventura

Direction Nemesio E. Caravana

Cast Jose Padilla, Jr., Celia Flor/ Also Starring Alfonso Carvajal, Carlos Salazar/ Also Starring Annie Sales, Patsy Mateo, Nora Linda, Minda Miranda, N.E. Caravana, Agnes Rey

THE FIFTIES # 664: ARMANDO GOYENA AND TESSIE QUINTANA, WITH TONY SANTOS, CARLOS SALAZAR, GIL DE LEON IN "PHILIPPINE NAVY" (1953)/ UPDATED

"Philippine Navy" (1953)

LVN Pictures

Release Date January 5- 14, 1953/ Dalisay

Serialized in Magong Buhay Magazine

Music Josefino Cenizal

Direction Dr. Gregorio Fernandez

Cast Armando Goyena, Tessie Quintana/ Also Starring Tony Santos, Carlos Salazar, Gil de Leon/ Co-starring Frankie Gordon, Ben Medina, Arturo Adams, Natoy Katindig, Miniong Alvarez

See: Armando Goyena- Tessie Quintana Screen Tandem: Love Team of the 50s

THE FIFTIES # 662: MILA DEL SOL, JAIME DE LA ROSA, NIDA BLANCA, NESTOR DE VILLA, TONY SANTOS, WITH JOHNNY REYES, ELENA ACOSTA, BEN MEDINA, JOSE DE CORDOVA IN AVELLANA'S "HARING SOLOMON AT REYNA SHEBA" (1952)/ UPDATED

"Haring Solomon at Reyna Sheba" (1952)

LVN Pictures

Release Date December 21- 30, 1952/ Life

Music F. Buencamino, Jr.

Direction Lamberto V. Avellana

Cast Mila del Sol, Jaime de la Rosa/ Also Starring Nida Blanca, Nestor de Villa, Tony Santos/ Co-starring Johnny Reyes, Elena Acosta, Ben Medina, Jose de Cordova, Arturo Moran, Mario Roldan

THE FIFTIES # 145: NORMA BLANCAFLOR, REYNALDO DANTE, ROSITA NOBLE, OSCAR KEESE, EDDIE INFANTE, TITA MUNOZ, ROLANDO LIWANAG, ANDRES ITURBI IN "ANG PAGSILANG NG MESIYAS" (1952)/ UPDATED

"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 # 120: PANCHO MAGALONA, LINDA ESTRELLA, WITH KATY DE LA CRUZ, GREGORIO TICMAN, TITA MUNOZ IN "TEXAS (ANG MANOK NA NAGSASALITA)" (1952)/ UPDATED

 Texas (Ang Manok na Nagsasalita), written by Clodualdo del Mundo and Mars Ravelo and illustrated by Elpidio Torres, was serialized in Pilipino Komiks in 1952 and was adapted into the big screen with Pancho Magalona, Linda Estrella and Texas, the chicken ( in the credit, would you believe it?) in the title role. It ran for 32 issues, the last two segments of this exciting novel can be read below---

"Texas (Ang Manok na Nagsasalita)" (1952)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date December 11-20, 1952/ Life

Story Clodualdo del Mundo & Mars Ravelo

Music Tirso Cruz and the Manila Hotel Orchestra

Direction Armando Garces

Cast Texas, Pancho Magalona, Linda Estrella, Katy de la Cruz, Gregorio Ticman, Tita Munoz

Ika- 31 na Labas

---click images to enlarge---

Katapusang Labas

(Ika-32 na Labas)

---click images to enlarge---

THE FIFTIES # 125: JOSE PADILLA, JR., ANITA LINDA, WITH RITA GOMEZ, PANCHO PELAGIO, DING TELLO IN GERARDO DE LEON'S "ANG SAWA SA LUMANG SIMBORYO" (1952)/ UPDATED

"Ang Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo" (1952)

Premiere Productions

Release Date November 20-30, 1952/ Life 

Serialized in Mabuhay Komiks

Story Amado Yasona

Direction Gerardo de Leon

Cast Jose Padilla, Jr., Anita Linda, Rita Gomez, Pancho Pelagio, Ding Tello

Ang Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo was serialized in Mabuhay Komiks in 1951 to 52. Written by Amado Yasona and illustrated by Tony Zuniga and later by Hugo Yonzon, the novel was so popular that the great Filipino director Gerardo de Leon was inspired to adapt it into film. The movie was adjudged Best Picture, the first recognition award given by the then recently launched Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Awards.

The story is set during the Spanish era in the Philippines. The peasant Tulume joins the band of outlaws after the Guardia Civil kills his wife. After sometime, the authorities kill the leader of the outlaws. Marta, daughter of the slain leader influences the gang to vote for Tulume as the next leader. This is because Marta is in love with Tulume. As the new leader, Tulume is entrusted with an amulet that controls Lingkis, the giant python that guards the treasure in the old dome. After a while, Sabel, a pretty lass, accidentally joins the outlaws. She and Tulume fall in love with each other, to the great anger of Marta. Tulume is forced to relinquish his position as leader. He and Sabel try to live peaceful lives, but the authorities discover their true identity and they are again pursued by authorities. For Sabel's safety, he seeks the help of Marta in exchange for the treasure being guarded by the giant python.

Source: Filipiniana.net
by Dennis Villegas

see Pinoy Komiks Made into Movies#1

Ang Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo/
Nobela ni Amado C. Yasona/ Guhit ni Tony Zuniga/
Mabuhay Komiks/ Blg. No.1/ Setyembre 11, 1951