THE FIFTIES # 362: EDUARDO "EDDIE" DEL MAR, EDNA LUNA, CORAZON RIVAS IN "BUHAY AT PAG-IBIG NI DR. JOSE RIZAL" (1956)/ Re-posted

"Buhay at Pag-ibig ni Dr. Jose Rizal" (1956)
Balatbat & Bagumbayan Productions
Released thru Premiere Productions, Inc.
Release Date June 18-27, 1956/ Dalisay
Music Ariston Avelino
Direction Ramon Estella Cast Eduardo del Mar, Edna Luna, Corazon Rivas, Aida Serna and Anita Linda/ with Ramon D' Salva, Rodolfo Ruiz, Nello Nayo, Andres Centenera, Atang dela Rama, Isa Rino, Abraham Cruz, Leticia Ojera, Jose Garcia, Ligaya Lopez, Marissa Ibanez, Melita de Leon, Leonor Hernandez, Luis San Juan

Eddie del Mar holding a diploma, Edna Luna Atang dela Rama and Nello Nayo (all seated, center) and the other cast of "Buhay at Pag-ibig ni Dr. Jose Rizal"

JUNE 19: DR. JOSE RIZAL (REPOST)

Jose Rizal: A Biographical Sketch

Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines and pride of the Malayan race, was born on June 19, 1861, in the town of Calamba, Laguna. He was the seventh child in a family of 11 children (2 boys and 9 girls). Both his parents were educated and belonged to distinguished families.

1. Buhay at Pag-ibig ni Dr. Jose Rizal (1956)- Stars Eduardo del Mar, Edna Luna, Corazon Rivas, Aida Serna, Anita Linda, Ramon D' Salva, Rodolfo Ruiz/ Directed by Ramon A. Estella
2. Jose Rizal (1999)- Stars Cesar Montano/ Directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya

His father, Francisco Mercado Rizal, an industrious farmer whom Rizal called "a model of fathers," came from Biñan, Laguna; while his mother, Teodora Alonzo y Quintos, a highly cultured and accomplished woman whom Rizal called "loving and prudent mother," was born in Meisic, Sta. Cruz, Manila. At the age of 3, he learned the alphabet from his mother; at 5, while learning to read and write, he already showed inclinations to be an artist. He astounded his family and relatives by his pencil drawings and sketches and by his moldings of clay. At the age 8, he wrote a Tagalog poem, "Sa Aking Mga Kabata," the theme of which revolves on the love of one’s language. In 1877, at the age of 16, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree with an average of "excellent" from the Ateneo Municipal de Manila. In the same year, he enrolled in Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas, while at the same time took courses leading to the degree of surveyor and expert assessor at the Ateneo. He finished the latter course on March 21, 1877 and passed the Surveyor’s examination on May 21, 1878; but because of his age, 17, he was not granted license to practice the profession until December 30, 1881. In 1878, he enrolled in medicine at the University of Santo Tomas but had to stop in his studies when he felt that the Filipino students were being discriminated upon by their Dominican tutors. On May 3, 1882, he sailed for Spain where he continued his studies at the Universidad Central de Madrid. On June 21, 1884, at the age of 23, he was conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine and on June 19,1885, at the age of 24, he finished his course in Philosophy and Letters with a grade of "excellent."

Having traveled extensively in Europe, America and Asia, he mastered 22 languages. These include Arabic, Catalan, Chinese, English, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Malayan, Portuguese, Russian, Sanskrit, Spanish, Tagalog, and other native dialects. A versatile genius, he was an architect, artists, businessman, cartoonist, educator, economist, ethnologist, scientific farmer, historian, inventor, journalist, linguist, musician, mythologist, nationalist, naturalist, novelist, opthalmic surgeon, poet, propagandist, psychologist, scientist, sculptor, sociologist, and theologian.
by Teofilo Montemayor

3. Sisa (1952)- Stars Anita Linda, Reynaldo Dante, Eddie del Mar, Eddie Infante, Ruben Rustia/ Directed by Gerardo de Leon

4. Noli Me Tangere (1961)- Stars Eduardo del Mar, Edita Vidal, Teody Belarmino, Johnny Monteiro, Oscar Keesee and Leopoldo Salcedo/ Directed by Gerardo de Leon

5. El Filibusterismo (1962)- Stars Pancho Magalona, Charito Solis, Edita Vital, Ben Perez, Carlos Padilla, Jr., Lourdes Medel, Robert Arevalo, Oscar Keesee/ Directed by Gerardo de Leon


5. Elias, Basilio at Sisa (1972)- Stars Jun Aristorenas, Robin Aristorenas, Virginia, Romy Diaz, Johnny Monteiro/ Directed by Junar

He was an expert swordsman and a good shot. In the hope of securing political and social reforms for his country and at the same time educate his countrymen, Rizal, the greatest apostle of Filipino nationalism, published, while in Europe, several works with highly nationalistic and revolutionary tendencies. In March 1887, his daring book, NOLI ME TANGERE, a satirical novel exposing the arrogance and despotism of the Spanish clergy, was published in Berlin; in 1890 he reprinted in Paris, Morga’s SUCCESSOS DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS with his annotations to prove that the Filipinos had a civilization worthy to be proud of even long before the Spaniards set foot on Philippine soil; on September 18, 1891, EL FILIBUSTERISMO, his second novel and a sequel to the NOLI and more revolutionary and tragic than the latter, was printed in Ghent. Because of his fearless exposures of the injustices committed by the civil and clerical officials, Rizal provoked the animosity of those in power. This led himself, his relatives and countrymen into trouble with the Spanish officials of the country. As a consequence, he and those who had contacts with him, were shadowed; the authorities were not only finding faults but even fabricating charges to pin him down. Thus, he was imprisoned in Fort Santiago from July 6, 1892 to July 15, 1892 on a charge that anti-friar pamphlets were found in the luggage of his sister Lucia who arrive with him from Hong Kong. While a political exile in Dapitan, he engaged in agriculture, fishing and business; he maintained and operated a hospital; he conducted classes- taught his pupils the English and Spanish languages, the arts.

5. Rizal sa Dapitan (1997)- Stars Albert Martinez, Amanda Page, Roy Alvarez, Jaime Fabregas, Candy Pangilinan, Tess Dumpit, Rustica Carpio/ Directed by Tikoy Aguiluz
6. Bayaning 3rd World (2000)- Stars Joel Torre, Ricky Davao, Cris Villanueva, Cherir Pie Picache, Rio Locsin, Lara Fabregas, Daria Ramirez, Joonee Gamboa, Ed Rocha/ Directed by Mike de Leon

The sciences, vocational courses including agriculture, surveying, sculpturing, and painting, as well as the art of self defense; he did some researches and collected specimens; he entered into correspondence with renowned men of letters and sciences abroad; and with the help of his pupils, he constructed water dam and a relief map of Mindanao - both considered remarkable engineering feats. His sincerity and friendliness won for him the trust and confidence of even those assigned to guard him; his good manners and warm personality were found irresistible by women of all races with whom he had personal contacts; his intelligence and humility gained for him the respect and admiration of prominent men of other nations; while his undaunted courage and determination to uplift the welfare of his people were feared by his enemies.

When the Philippine Revolution started on August 26, 1896, his enemies lost no time in pressing him down. They were able to enlist witnesses that linked him with the revolt and these were never allowed to be confronted by him. Thus, from November 3, 1986, to the date of his execution, he was again committed to Fort Santiago. In his prison cell, he wrote an untitled poem, now known as "Ultimo Adios" which is considered a masterpiece and a living document expressing not only the hero’s great love of country but also that of all Filipinos. After a mock trial, he was convicted of rebellion, sedition and of forming illegal association. In the cold morning of December 30, 1896, Rizal, a man whose 35 years of life had been packed with varied activities which proved that the Filipino has capacity to equal if not excel even those who treat him as a slave, was shot at Bagumbayan Field.

A RARE CLIP OF JOSE RIZAL'S "EL FILIBUSTERISMO": A FILM BY GERRY DE LEON

"El Filibusterismo" (1962)- Stars Pancho Magalona, Charito Solis, Teody Belarmino, Ben Perez, Carlos Padilla, Jr., Robert Arevalo, Lourdes Medel, Oscar Keesee and Edita Vital/ Directed by Gerardo de Leon

...Basilio is soon released with the help of Simoun. Basilio, now a changed man, and after hearing about Julî's suicide, finally joins Simoun’s revolution. Simoun then tells Basilio his plan at the wedding of Paulita Gómez and Juanito, Basilio’s hunch-backed classmate. His plan was to conceal an explosive inside a pomegranate-styled kerosene lamp that Simoun will give to the newlyweds as a gift during the wedding reception. The reception will take place at the former home of the late Captain Tiago, which was now filled with explosives planted by Simoun. According to Simoun, the lamp will stay lighted for only 20 minutes before it flickers; if someone attempts to turn the wick, it will explode and kill everyone—important members of civil society and the Church hierarchy—inside the house.

Basilio has a change of heart and attempts to warn the people inside, including Isagani, his friend and the former boyfriend of Paulita. Simoun leaves the reception early as planned and leaves a note behind.

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-->Simoun examining the lamp that will start and ignite the revolution.

Initially thinking that it was simply a bad joke by those left behind, Father Salví recognizes the handwriting and confirms that it was indeed Ibarra’s. As people begin to panic, the lamp flickers. Father Irene tries to turn the wick up when Isagani, due to his undying love for Paulita, bursts in the room and throws the lamp into the river, sabotaging Simoun's plans. He escapes by diving into the river as guards chase after him. He later regrets his impulsive action because he had contradicted his own belief that he loved his nation more than Paulita and that the explosion and revolution could have fulfilled his ideals for Filipino society. (wikipedia)

Here's that climatic scene masterfully recreated by the great Gerry de Leon---

Courtesy of Arriva Productions

More on El Filibusterismo---

DECEMBER 30: RIZAL EXECUTION REENACTMENT

Actor Pancho Magalona as Jose Rizal did a re-enactment of the hero's execution during the rites commemorating Rizal's 66th death anniversary in 1962.

STILLS FROM GERRY DE LEON'S "EL FILIBUSTERISMO" (1962)

El Filibusterismo was Rizal's second novel published in Ghent, Belgium in 1891 with the financial help of Valentin Ventura. It is a sequel to his first novel, Noli Me Tangere. It was adapted into the big screen in 1962 with National Artist for Film, Gerardo 'Gerry' de Leon at the helm.

Thirteen years after he left the Philippines, Juan Crisostomo Ibarra (the main character from Noli Me Tangere) returned as Simoun (played by Pancho Magalona), a rich jeweler sporting a beard and blue-tinted glasses, and a confidant of the Governor-General of the Philippines Captain-General. Abandoning his idealism, he becomes a cynical saboteur, the titular filibustero, seeking revenge against the Spanish Philippines system responsible for his misfortunes by plotting a revolution. Simoun insinuates himself into Manila high society and influences every decision of the Captain-General to mismanage the country’s affairs so that a revolution will break out. He cynically sides with the upper classes, encouraging them to commit abuses against the masses so that the latter would be encouraged to revolt against the oppressive Spanish colonial regime. This time, he does not attempt to fight the authorities through legal means, but through violent revolution using the masses. Simoun has reasons for instigating a revolution. First is to rescue María Clara from the convent and second, to get rid of ills and evils of Philippine society. His true identity is discovered by a now grown-up Basilio (Robert Arevalo) while visiting the grave of his mother, Sisa, as Simoun was digging near the grave site for his buried treasures. Simoun spares Basilio’s life and asks him to join in his planned revolution against the government, egging him on by bringing up the tragic misfortunes of the latter's family. Basilio declines the offer as he still hopes that the country’s condition will improve.

Basilio (played by Robert Arevalo) visiting the grave of his mother, Sisa.

Basilio, at this point, is a graduating student of medicine at the Ateneo de Manila University Ateneo Municipal de Manila. After the death of his mother, Sisa, and the disappearance of his younger brother, Crispín, Basilio heeded the advice of the dying boatman, Elías, and traveled to Manila to study. Basilio was adopted by Captain Tiago after María Clara entered the convent. With Captain Tiago’s help, Basilio was able to go to Colegio de San Juan de Letrán where, at first, he is frowned upon by his peers and teachers not only because of the color of his skin but also because of his shabby appearance which he also experience at Ateneo. Captain Tiago’s confessor, Father Irene is making Captain Tiago’s health worse by giving him opium even as Basilio tries hard to prevent Captain Tiago from smoking it. He and other students want to establish a Spanish language academy so that they can learn to speak and write Spanish language in the Philippines Spanish despite the opposition from the Dominican Order Dominican friars of the Universidad de Santo Tomas. With the help of a reluctant Father Irene as their mediator and Don Custodio’s decision, the academy is established; however they will only serve as caretakers of the school not as the teachers. Dejected and defeated, they hold a mock celebration at a pancitería while a spy for the friars witnesses the proceedings.

Simoun (played by Pancho Magalona) talking with one of the plotters about the planned uprising.

Simoun, for his part, keeps in close contact with the bandit group of Kabesang Tales, a former cabeza de barangay who suffered misfortunes at the hands of the friars. Once a farmer owning a prosperous sugarcane plantation and a cabeza de barangay (barangay head), he was forced to give everything to the greedy and unscrupulous Spanish friars. His son, Tano, who became a civil guard was captured by bandits; his daughter Julî had to work as a maid to get enough ransom money for his freedom; and his father, Tandang Selo, suffered a stroke and became mute. Before joining the bandits, Tales took Simoun’s revolver while Simoun was staying at his house for the night. As payment, Tales leaves a locket that once belonged to María Clara. To further strengthen the revolution, Simoun has Quiroga, a Chinese man hoping to be appointed consul to the Philippines, smuggle weapons into the country using Quiroga’s bazaar as a front. Simoun wishes to attack during a stage play with all of his enemies in attendance. He, however, abruptly aborts the attack when he learns from Basilio that María Clara had died earlier that day in the convent.

Juli (played by Charito Solis)- Juliana de Dios, the girlfriend of Basilio, and the youngest daughter of Kabesang Tales.

A few days after the mock celebration by the students, the people are agitated when disturbing posters are found displayed around the city. The authorities accuse the students present at the pancitería of agitation and disturbing peace and has them arrested. Basilio, although not present at the mock celebration, is also arrested. Captain Tiago dies after learning of the incident and as stated in his will—forged by Father Irene, all his possessions are given to the Church, leaving nothing for Basilio. Basilio is left in prison as the other students are released. A high official tries to intervene for the release of Basilio but the Captain-General, bearing grudges against the high official, coerces him to tender his resignation. Julî, Basilio’s girlfriend and the daughter of Kabesang Tales, tries to ask Father Camorra’s help upon the advice of an elder woman. Instead of helping Julî, however, Father Camorra tries to rape her as he has long-hidden desires for Julî. Julî, rather than submit to the will of the friar, jumps over the balcony to her death


Basilio is soon released with the help of Simoun. Basilio, now a changed man, and after hearing about Julî's suicide, finally joins Simoun’s revolution. Simoun then tells Basilio his plan at the wedding of Paulita Gómez and Juanito, Basilio’s hunch-backed classmate. His plan was to conceal an explosive inside a pomegranate-styled Kerosene lamp that Simoun will give to the newlyweds as a gift during the wedding reception. The reception will take place at the former home of the late Captain Tiago, which was now filled with explosives planted by Simoun. According to Simoun, the lamp will stay lighted for only 20 minutes before it flickers; if someone attempts to turn the wick, it will explode and kill everyone—important members of civil society and the Church hierarchy—inside the house. Basilio has a change of heart and attempts to warn the people inside, including Isagani, his friend and the former boyfriend of Paulita. Simoun leaves the reception early as planned and leaves a note behind.

Simoun examining the lamp that will start and ignite the revolution.

Initially thinking that it was simply a bad joke by those left behind, Father Salví recognizes the handwriting and confirms that it was indeed Ibarra’s. As people begin to panic, the lamp flickers. Father Irene tries to turn the wick up when Isagani, due to his undying love for Paulita, bursts in the room and throws the lamp into the river, sabotaging Simoun's plans. He escapes by diving into the river as guards chase after him. He later regrets his impulsive action because he had contradicted his own belief that he loved his nation more than Paulita and that the explosion and revolution could have fulfilled his ideals for Filipino society.
Simoun, now unmasked as the perpetrator of the attempted arson and failed revolution, becomes a fugitive. Wounded and exhausted after he was shot by the pursuing Guardia Civil soldiers, he seeks shelter at the home of Father Florentino, Isagani’s uncle, and comes under the care of Doctor Tiburcio de Espadaña, the husband of Doña Victorina, who was also hiding at the house. Simoun takes poison in order for him not to be captured alive by the authorities. Before he dies, he reveals his real identity to Father Florentino while they exchange thoughts about the failure of his revolution and why God forsook him. Father Florentino opines that God did not forsake him and that his plans were not for the greater good but for personal gain. Simoun, finally accepting Father Florentino’s explanation, squeezes his hand and dies. Father Florentino then takes Simoun’s remaining jewels and throws them into the sea, hoping that they would not be used by the greedy and that when the time came that it would be used for the greater good, when the nation would be finally deserving liberty for themselves, the sea would reveal the treasures. (Source: wikipedia)

"CRISOSTOMO IBARRA AND ELIAS" IN "NOLI ME TANGERE"

Elias (Leopoldo Salcedo) and Crisostomo Ibarra (Eddie del Mar)

Crisostomo Ibarra and Elias are the two enigmatic and contrasting heroes of Rizal’s novel, “Noli Me Tangere.” Ibarra is rich and highly educated while Elias is poor and hunted by the authorities. They are both victims of injustices. Both love their native land and wish for her betterment. Elias sees hope in Ibarra and thinks that he will be able to uplift the country from its suffering. The two of them met on several ocassions and once have an animated conversation in which Elias tells Ibarra the following:

"Without struggle there is no freedom. Without freedom there is no light. You say that you know very little of your country; I believe you. You do not see the forthcoming struggle, you do not see the cloud on the horizon; the struggle begins in the sphere of ideas to come down to the arena which will be dyed in blood. I hear God's voice. Woe unto those who want to resist Him. History has not been written for them!"

Here’s the two exciting and pulsating film clips from Gerry de Leon’s award-winning masterpiece, “Noli Me Tangere,” showing the two protagonists, Ibarra (played by Eddie del Mar) and Elias (Leopoldo Salcedo), in a very vibrant, meaningful and spirited exchanges of ideas and dialogues.

Courtesy of Bayanihan-Arriva Productions

JOSE RIZAL'S "NOLI ME TANGERE" (1961): ISANG DAKILANG KASAYSAYAN

Today, we celebrate the 148th birth anniversary of our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal.

Excerpt from Manila Bulletin Today/ Editorial---
His works impressed upon the colonial masters the inevitable operation of historical lessons. “No rule by one country over another lasts forever,” he declared in his essay “The Philippines A Century Hence.” His Noli Me Tangere awakened his countrymen from their lethargy that if they did nothing against their oppression, they would remain slaves forever. His El Filibusterismo warned the colonial masters that the Filipino people would violently separate their country from Spain if nothing was done to redress the people’s sufferings. His La Liga Filipina suggested the means to avoid such violent separation. The colonial masters were deaf to his warnings. The rest is history.

June 19, 1861, is a great day that the Filipino people should proudly celebrate. This date represents the first pulse of a great life, the dawn of a grand era, and the first spark that lighted freedom for the downtrodden Filipinos.

Our observance of Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s 148th Birth Anniversary demonstrates our respect and admiration for him as well as our awareness of the lessons he bequeathed to us. A people who honor and remember their heroes are a people who would never consent to be enslaved by others.
(Source- Manila Bulletin)

Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere was adapted to the big screen with National Artist for Film Gerardo 'Gerry' de Leon at the helm. The cast includes, among others, Eduardo 'Eddie' Del Mar as Crisostomo Ibarra, Edita Vital as Maria Clara, Oscar Keesee as Father Damaso, Johnny Monteiro as Father Salvi, Lina Carino as Sisa and Leopoldo Salcedo as Elias. In the supporting roles were Teody Belarmino, Ruben Rustia, Robet Arevalo, Jose Garcia, Lito Anzures, Max Alvarado, Andres Centenera, Ramon D' Salva, etc.

The movie won the year's FAMAS Best Picture and Director.

Literary Song-Movie Magazine/ 1961
(click images to enlarge)