THE NINETIES # 221: CHRISTOPHER DE LEON, DINA BONNEVIE, NANETTE MEDVED, MICHAEL DE MESA, MAT RANILLO III, DANIEL FERNANDO IN "HUWAG MONG SALINGIN ANG SUGAT KO (THE BUENA VISTA STORY)" (1991)

"Huwag Mong Salingin ang Sugat Ko (The Buena Vista Story)" (1991)

Goldi Pictures

Release Date October 30, 1991

Story Lino Brocka

Screenplay Ricardo 'Ricky' Lee

Cinematography Ding Austria

Film Editor George Jarlego

Production Designer Benjie de Guzman

Musical Director Nonong Buencamino

Direction Christopher Strauss de Leon

Cast Christopher de Leon, Dina Bonnevie, Nanette Medved, Michael de Mesa, Mat Ranillo III, Daniel Fernando/ Also Starring Ruel Vernal, Maureen Mauricio, Romeo Rivera, Lorli Villanueva, Noel Colet, Jordan Castillo, Tony Mabesa and Mona Lisa

(Movie Ad- courtesy of James dela Rosa/ Pelikula ATBP)

THE NINETIES # 189: CHRISTOPHER DE LEON, GABBY CONCEPCION, GLORIA ROMERO, ROSEMARIE GIL, MARICEL LAXA, CRIS VILLANUEVA AND RUFFA GUTIERREZ IN LINO BROCKA'S "MAKIUSAP KA SA DIYOS" (1991)

"Makiusap Ka sa Diyos" (1991)

Regal Films

Release Date July 24, 1991

Story and Screenplay Raquel Villavicencio

Cinematography Clodualdo Austria

Film Editor George Jarlego

Production Designer Benjie de Guzman

Musical Director Lutgardo Labad

Executive Producer Lily Monteverde

Direction Lino Brocka

Cast Christopher de Leon, Gabby Concepcion, Gloria Romero, Rosemarie Gil, Maricel Laxa, Cris Villanueva and Ruffa Gutierrez/ Also Starring Mary Walter, Anita Linda, Gamaliel Viray, Rudy Tacorda, Menggie Cobarrubias, Perla Bautista, Romeo Rivera/ Featuring Margarita Fuentes, Malu de Guzman, Aida Carmona, Ernie Zarate, Benjie Ledesma, Vangie Labalan, Estrella Kuenzler, Chie Concepcion

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Synopsis: Dolores Aaron’s (Ruffa Gutierrez) childhood dream has been to serve the Lord. She has entered the novitiate of the Daughters of St. Anne and is very excited as in two months time, she will be saying her final vows.

Emil Ornedo (Cris Villanueva) is a seminarian in the Order of St. John of the Cross. He is very much in love with Dolores and confesses he joined the seminary to be near her. He too will be saying his vows as a brother soon. He proposes to Dolores who turns him down. She is very determined to become a nun.

One of the duties of the nuns is to serve the community. The Daughters of St. Anne is committed to help Dr. Vince Leveriza (Christopher de Leon) in setting up a free clinic in San Lazaro. Sisters Dolores and Amanda have been assigned to help out. Dolores’ pregnant sister, Belinda (Maricel Laxa), and her husband, Alan (Gabby Concepcion), are vacationing in the area. One evening, her sister delivers a stillborn baby girl. Vince and Dolores are called to help. Belinda cries profusely and asks Dolores to intercede with God for her child’s life. Dolores cradles the baby in her arms and, as she looks at the picture of the Holy Family on the wall, the baby starts to cry. Belinda calls it a miracle, but Dolores tells her to keep mum. Dolores is more sure than ever that the nunnery is her life.

But as she is bicycling back to her order, a mysterious stranger manages to assault her and cover her nose with a piece of cloth drenched with chloroform. Upon regaining consciousness, she realizes she has been violated. She goes to a stream and washes herself pure.

Dolores confronts Emil but learns he is not the guilty party. She is distraught and feels that God has betrayed her. She continues on with her final vows. In the ceremony, she faints. She is found to be pregnant. The nuns are scandalized. Sister Carmen, the mother superior, locks her up in her room and allows no one to visit her. She talks to Sister Bernadette, the oldest of the congregation, about having the baby adopted once it is born. Sister Amanda overhears the conversation and tells Dolores. Dolores wants to keep the baby and feels she must leave. With the help of Sister Amanda, she manages to escape. It is a rainy night, and she knocks on the door of a kind woman who lives with her lame daughter, Rebecca. She delivers a baby boy whom she calls Nino.

Rebecca becomes close to her and asks, as she is a person of God, to intercede with him so that she could walk again. Dolores places her hands on her legs but they do not move. Dolores visits her mother who slaps her when she finds out. She hurriedly leaves the house when her mother calls the convent. She boards with Alan and Belinda who scoff at her religiosity. The father accepts Dolores as an unwed mother and settles her obligations with the nuns. She is now released from her vows. She searches out Emil, but to her disappointment, he has changed his mind. He now wants to become a priest.

Dolores now tries to adjust to a secular life. She learns that Alan and Belinda are at odds with each other and that Marga, their child, is not his daughter. Belinda was carrying on with a married man who left her. He married her upon their father's promise of a position in her law firm. On their wedding night, she laughed at him for being such a wimp. His illusions vanished at that very moment. One day, Marga becomes ill. Dr. Vince Leveriza is called for. He is happy to see Dolores and learns about her condition. He starts courting her and, in due time, gets her to be his wife. On their wedding night, Dolores is unsettled by the sex act. She tries to postpone it, but Vince is insistent. In his exasperation, he reveals that he is her rapist. He did it out of his contempt for the condescending, holier-than-thou attitudes of the religious. Dolores becomes hysterical.

Dolores and Vince present themselves as happily married to the eyes of their acquaintances, though she refuses to sleep with him. Out of his desperation, Vince sleeps around --- with Belinda whose husband also refuses to fulfill his marital obligations. One night, Dolores spots some plane tickets in his shirt. She disposes of them. It seems Vince had intended to leave for somewhere with their son.

It is Dolores’ birthday party. She has invited her parents and friends to a dinner. She notices a bulge in the stomach of Ursula Maniago, her servant. She forces her to reveal the name of the culprit. It is her husband. There is bedlam with the revelation and Dolores’ father confronts Vince. He suffers a heart attack and expires while punching him. Dolores now sinks deeper into morbidity and blames herself for her father’s death. Vince now sleeps openly with the maid in her quarters in the garage. In a moment of insanity, Dolores decides to burn down the adjacent structure. Vince and Ursula are burned alive, along with their son.

It is a sensational court case. Dolores is arraigned on two counts of parricide and premeditated murder. Alan, who admits being in love with Dolores, is her lawyer. He ably defends her. She is acquitted of the charges but is committed to an insane asylum.

Time passes. Dolores wears her novice habit and tries to adjust to life in the asylum. She is visited by friends, among them Rebecca and her mother. Rebecca asks her again to cure her of her lameness. She places her hands on her numb legs and they start to move. It is a miracle. Dolores regains her trust in God.

Source: Lino Brocka: The Artist and His Times

DVD Release

THE NINETIES # 179: CHRISTOPHER DE LEON, GABBY CONCEPCION AND LORNA TOLENTINO, TOGETHER WITH CHARITO SOLIS, GLORIA ROMERO IN LINO BROCKA'S "KISLAP SA DILIM" (1991)

"Kislap sa Dilim" (1991)

Bonanza Films

A Reflection Productions Presentation

Release Date June 27, 1991

Serialized in Espesyal Komiks

Story Elena Patron

Screenplay Gina Tagasa

Cinematography Bing Austria

Film Editor George Jarlego

Production Designer Benjie de Guzman

Musical Director Jaime Fabregas

Produced by Victoria Lorna Fernandez

Executive Producer William Lao

Direction Lino Brocka

Cast Christopher de Leon, Gabby Concepcion and Lorna Tolentino, together with Charito Solis, Gloria Romero/ Introducing Malou Barry/ Also Starring Rez Cortez, Millet Advincula, Tess Dumpit

==================================================================

Synopsis: Newlyweds Ciena (Lorna Tolentino) and Nitoy Espejo (Christopher de Leon) are invited by childhood friend Dick (Gabby Concepcion) to his hillside beach resort. On their way up the slope, one of the wheels gets stuck in a pothole. Dick’s friend, Iking (Ernie Forte), who happens to be nearby, summons his friends, Gilmore (Rez Cortez), Onyok (Boy Salvador) and Paeng (Roger Moring) to help them push the car out.

It is turning out to be a pleasant weekend for the friends. However, in the evening, Gilmore, who has been lusting after Ciena, breaks into the newlyweds‘room and punches Nitoy. Dick hears the ruckus but is knocked unconscious. Nitoy is tied to a pillar while his wife is raped in front of him.

The incident proves traumatic for the couple. However, the elder Espejo refuses to file any charges as it might besmirch their family name. Ciena recuperates in a hospital bed. Nitoy refuses to see her; it is Dick who brings her home. Nitoy is now cold and distant to Ciena. On her return home, Ciena confronts Nitoy; she accuses him of being insensitive to her condition. Nitoy retorts by saying that although she has suffered physically, he has to endure mental anguish. He cannot make love to her. He wants time to forget.

Ciena is bored in the house and wants to help her mother in her business. She informs her in-laws of her intentions but the elder Espejo, being conservative in his estimation of women, doesn’t want her to work.

Dick tells Nitoy that Iking is helping him track down Gilmore but this is brushed aside by Nitoy who doesn’t want a scandal. Nitoy tries to forget his sorrow by frequenting pubs and night clubs.

Dick tries to comfort Ciena. Nitoy becomes anxious as this might be misinterpreted by people who are not familiar with Dick. Nitoy tells off Dick, who feels guilty over the incident.

One night, Nitoy sees Gilmore and tries to hit him. He is stopped by the other patrons. Hecomes home bruised. Ciena tries to find out what happened. Instead, he breaks down and cries about how much he tried to protect the purity of his bride and how this was sullied by the rapists.

Exasperated, Ciena decides to return to her mother. But the Espejos refuse to have the two live separately as it might stir gossip. Nitoy is introduced to Blendy Marquez (Malu Barry), a nightclub singer and a liberated woman. Blendy is also into sketching nude males. She has a son who is living with her parents in the States. One day, Blendy visits his office with his nude sketch. Nitoy is embarrassed.

Iking tells Dick that he has found the hideout of Gilmore. The two decide to pay him a visit. Nitoy sees the two together and, sensing something afoot, follows Dick’s car. Gilmore, however, is not there.

In a jobsite, Nitoy asks Dick if the shanty they went to is Gilmore’s hideout. Dick replies in the affirmative but wants the police to catch him. Nitoy wants to exact his revenge without any help from the authorities as he does not want any publicity. Nitoy buys a gun. One night, he goes to Gilmore’s shanty. Knowing that Nitoy would eventually confront Gilmore, Dick follows him in his car. The two break into his shanty and try to subdue the surprised Gilmore. Nitoy shoots him but Dick stops him from finishing him off. In his anger and frustration, Nitoy pours boiling water over Gilmore’s private parts.

Gilmore is in jail. However, the elder Espejo forbids the couple to file charges in order to avoid negative publicity. Ciena becomes distraught and asks for advice from Dick. Nitoy sees Dick bringing Ciena home and accuses the two of having an affair. Nitoy punches Dick.

In the bedroom, Ciena slaps Nitoy for harboring dirty thoughts, but he spits on her and accuses her of being a slut. He forces himself on her while she cries.

The following day, she is visited by Blendy who asks for his whereabouts. This is the last straw for Ciena who decides to file charges despite the negative publicity. She is helped by Dick who confesses to loving her.

While the newspapers drum up of the rape case, Ciena falls faint. She is found to be pregnant. Nitoy thinks Dick is the father. The Espejos want the pregnancy to be aborted as people might think it is the fruit of the rape. Ciena’s mother angrily tells of the in-laws.

Ciena is now separated from Nitoy. Dick visits her but as a friend. The child grows up. Finally, Nitoy admits his mistake and asks for forgiveness.

Ciena says she has forgiven him a long time ago.

(Source: Lino Brocka: The Artist and His Times)

Original theatrical poster of "Kislap sa Dilim" (1991)

(Private Collection)

THE NINETIES # 165: DINA BONNVIE, TONTON GUTIERREZ, NANETTE MEDVED, TOGETHER WITH RONALDO VALDEZ, MARK GIL, WILLIAM LORENZO AND CELESTE LEGASPI IN LINO BROCKA'S "SA KABILA NG LAHAT" (1991)

"Sa Kabila ng Lahat" (1991)

Viva Films

Release Date May 15,1991

Story and Screenplay Roy Iglesias

Film Editor George Jarlego

Production Design Benjie de Guzman

Cinematography Clodualdo 'Ding' Austria

Musical Director Jaime Fabregas

Produced by William Leary

Supervising Producer Eric Cuatico

Executive Producer Vic del Rosario, Jr.

Direction Lino Brocka

Cast Dina Bonnevie, Tonton Gutierrez, Nanette Medved, together with Ronaldo Valdez, Mark Gil, William Lorenzo and Celeste Legaspi/ Also Starring Joonee Gamboa, Gamaliel Viray, Menggie Cobarrubias, Rey Sagum, Richard Poole/ Featuring  Angelique Lazo, Rafael 'Apa' Ongpin

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Synopsis: In the annual television awards ceremony, Maia Robles’s (Dina Bonnevie) hard-hitting documentary program, “Punto Blanko”, receives an award. Her sidekick and admirer, Mike Serrano (Tonton Gutierrez), is proud of her victory. On their way back to the station, they stumble upon a police cordon. A Chinese currency smuggler is being kept hostage by two gunmen. The mayor is trying to intercede for his safety.

Actually, the two gunmen are bodyguards of Ben Boga (Mark Gil), the mayor’s right hand man. They have attempted to wrest a portfolio of dollars from Daniel Fu’s courier but have fumbled in the act. To avoid suspicion, Ben Boga has one of them shot dead along with the Chinese. The other, Van Turko (Rey Sagum), feigns apprehension and is put in jail.

While the hostage drama is being acted out, Mike manages to shoot a video footage of the mayor’s men beating up a mentally-retarded onlooker. Daniel Fu (William Lorenzo) plots his revenge. He invites Boy Boga to his place in order to settle matters. Boy says the shooting was a mistake. Daniel accepts the explanation and draws him to a deal involving drugs. After they reach an agreement, he asks Lala Villarica (Nanette Medved), his girlfriend, to perform her specialty on Boy.

Maia’s victory has prompted management to give her a promotion. She is now associate director for public affairs. Station manager Peping Ortega (Richard Poole) flirts with her. Maia’s success is due in part to her bedroom activities. She is the mistress of Mayor Velasco (Ronaldo Valdez), a former movie star, from whom she extracts favors, among them, a permit for her estranged husband, Eugene, to construct a ten-storey building. As she is an ambitious woman, she chides her husband for being an under-achiever.

Mike is hot about airing the footage he shot. But as Maia is protecting the interests of the mayor, she turns down his expose. Mike can only broadcast his crusade against the mayor’s men and Daniel Fu over his radio program. Undaunted by Maia’s reluctance, he wages his campaign zealously over the airwaves.

But Mike manages to slip in the footage when the mayor becomes a guest of Maia’s show. This angers her. Mike calls her a fake. Lala Villarica is Maia’s former classmate; she intercedes with her to stop Mike from hitting Daniel. Daniel is enraged when he finds out and beats her up. Not having fully vented his anger, he gives her to Boy Boga who puts her in jail. Maia asks the mayor to release her.

One night, the mayor suffers a heart attack in their secret hideaway. Maia leaves quietly but inadvertently leaves behind a necklace. Mrs. Velasco spots it and, when she meets Maia in a beauty parlor, douses water on her. The incident creates a scandal in the papers.

The mayor goes to the States for a bypass operation. In his absence, a triumvirate runs the city: Boy Boga who has hold on the vice-mayor, Primitivo Mondial, the city schools superintendent and Mrs. Velasco. They plan to eliminate potential rivals. Van Turko is taken out of jail to perform hit operations.

Daniel exacts his revenge. He sets up Boy Boga’s men in a drug deal. As they leave their car, they are gunned down by the police. Boy Boga is incensed. He has Daniel beaten up in a toilet.

The men lob a grenade which blows the place into smithereens. Lala is now alone. She is desperate enough to try to jump of fa high building. Maia persuades her to give up her suicide attempt. She has her brought to her place in a company van. But on its way home, the van is mistakenly gunned down by Boga’s men.

Maia’s life is also in danger. She begs for help from Peping but she is turned down. She is fired from the station because of the scandal. One night, while riding her car, she senses someone following her. She escapes by hiding in a slum area.

Maia begs for help from Mike. He is at first hesitant to help her as her scheme would involve misinformation, but after making love, he is disposed to implement her machination. Mike announces over his radio program that Van Turko has defected to the other side. Van Turko is surprised at the news and, believing that he has been betrayed, becomes eager to expose Ben Boga’s operations.

Van Turko kidnaps Maia and asks her to lead him to Mike’s place. He convinces the two of his earnestness and makes a public confession on video. Thinking that media people are spared from police violence, Mike informs the authorities of his whereabouts. The police encircle Mike’s place, believing that Mark and Maia are Van Turko’s hostages. Boy Boga runs the operation. The media has been asked to leave.

Realizing that the danger is real, the trio try to escape, but Boy Boga catches up with them. There is a shootout. Mike is fatally shot by Boy; Boy in turn is shot by Van Turko who is mercilessly gunned down by the police.

It is again awards night. Mike is given a posthumous award. Maia goes up to the stage to accept on behalf of Mike’s parents.

(Source: Lino Brocka: The Artist and His Times)

VHS Cover

Original theatrical poster of "Sa Kabila ng Lahat" (1991)

(Private Collection)

THE NINETIES # 119: JESTONI ALARCON, GRETCHEN BARRETTO, SHERYL CRUZ, TOGETHER WTH RICKY BELMONTE, ROBERT AREVALO, MARITA ZOBEL, SUZANNE GONZALES, JOVIT MOYA IN "AMA...BAKIT MO AKO PINABAYAAN?" (1990)

"Ama...Bakit Mo Ako Pinabayaan?" (1990)

Seiko Films

Release Date December 25, 1990

A 1990 Metro Manila Film Festival Entry

Serialized in Extra Special Komiks

Story and Screenplay  Pablo Baltazar

Film Editor Efren Jarlego

Director of Photography Isidro Manding

Production Designer Benjie de Guzman

Musical Director Rey Magtoto

Executive Producer Robbie Tan

Direction Lino Brocka

Cast Jestoni Alarcon, Gretchen Barretto, Sheryl Cruz, together with Ricky Belmonte, Robert Arevalo, Marita Zobel, Suzanne Gonzales, Jovit Moya/ Also Starring Romeo Rivera, Anita Linda, Estrella Kuenzler, Dante Castro, Tony Gonzalvez, Elaine Aleazar, Guila Alvarez, Ivy Isidro, Vince Lachenal

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Synopsis: After giving birth to a blind girl, Cristy Paredes expires. Her husband, Arnaldo (Ricky Belmonte), accuses the child, christened Julie (Sheryl Cruz), of her death and thus neglects her. Some years later, he marries Stella (Suzanne Gonzales), a widow with two children, Jona (Gretchen Barretto) and William (Jovit Moya), who continually bully Julie. Julie only has her nurse-maid, Nana Maria (Estrella Kuenzler), to look after her.

With her eyes on her husband’s fortune, Stella fires Nana Maria and schemes to dispose of Julie, the rightful heiress. One day, she brings her to church and conveniently loses her in the crowd.

At the same time, a bag snatcher is being chased by the police and snatches Julie as his hostage.The bag snatcher brings her to the countryside. Just as he is about to release her, she begs him to take her with him as she is unhappy in her house. She is brought to the Bataan seaside where he resides. His name is Mang Daniel (Robert Arevalo) and he lives with his mother, Nanay Gila (Anita Linda). He gives up his criminal activities and concentrates on fishing. He considers Julie as his lucky charm as he often hauls in a big catch.

Years later, the children are grown up. Jona’s boyfriend is Rolando (Jestoni Alarcon), whose parents recently bought a Bataan beach house. Jona is invited to spend time in the beach house but she turns it down as she is studying for her medical exam.

Rolando motors to Bataan where he spots Julie selling fish. He becomes enamoured with her and visits her regularly. Jona becomes suspicious of his divided attention and follows him to Bataan. Jona discovers his new love object and pulls a tantrum. In order to repossess him, she makes love to him.

Jona becomes pregnant and demands that Rolando marry her. His parents are pressured to convince him as they owe a lot of money to the Paredeses. But he has made up his mind. He has chosen Julie. Jona takes poison and is brought in time to the hospital. She has a miscarriage.

William decides to take action and burns down Julie’s hut. He waits for Rolando at the beach house. He and his gang beat him up. Mang Daniel comes to his rescue and, in the ensuing melee, accidentally shoots William.

William dies and Mang Daniel is put in jail. Julie begs her real father not to continue with the court case. Arnaldo will withdraw the suit on one condition: that she stop seeing Rolando.

One night, Mang Daniel attempts to escape from prison. He is shot and dies. His eyes are given to Julie who has an operation. Julie can now see. Arnaldo has a change of heart and apologizes to her daughter. Stella follows him to Julie’s house and cocks her gun. However, Arnaldo runs to protect Julie and is shot instead. He is rushed to the hospital which does not have stock of his blood type. Julie dutifully offers her blood for the transfusion.

Peace now reigns in the Paredes household. Even Stella has reconciled with Julie. In Bataan, Jona goes over to Rolando and Julie and asks to be forgiven.

(Source: Lino Brocka: The Artist and His Times)

THE NINETIES # 111: SHARON CUNETA, CHRISTOPHER DE LEON, GINA ALAJAR, ROWELL SANTIAGO, WILLIAM LORENZO AND NANETTE MEDVED IN LINO BROCKA'S "BIKTIMA" (1990)

"Biktima" (1990)

Viva Films

Release Date November 28, 1990

Story and Screenplay Jose Dalisay, Jr. and Roy Iglesias

Cinematography Pedro Manding & Clodualdo Austria

Film Editor George Jarlego

Production Design Benjie de Guzman

Musical Director Jaime Fabregas

Produced by Boy C. de Guia

Supervising Producer Eric Cuatico

Executive Producer Vic del Rosario, Jr.

Direction Lino Brocka

Cast Sharon Cuneta, Christopher de Leon, Gina Alajar, Rowell Santiago, William Lorenzo and Naette Medved/ Also Starring Johnny Wilson, Robert Talabis, Lucita Soriano, Nanding Fernandez, Jess Ramos, Lulu Arrieta, Lollie Mara/ Featuring Carmi Mantic

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Synopsis: Recently divorced from her husband, Atty. Becca Dizon (Sharon Cuneta) becomes a champion of women’s rights and works in a crisis center for rape victims. She lives alone with her daughter. Dave Pascual (Rowell Santiago), an attorney handling activist cases, is her steady companion but she treats him only as a friend.

She becomes interested in the case of Laura Malicsi (Gina Alajar), a bank teller who was found raped and battered in the grasslands of Antipolo. However, Laura refuses to identify her rapist for fear of retribution. After several visits, she finally convinces her to pinpoint her rapist. It is none other than Jing Aureus, a psychopath and the son of an influential congressman.

There is a court case. Several details are brought out which embarrasses Laura. Sonny (William Lorenzo), her fiancé, grins unbearably and leaves her. He returns to her after a while. Laura is offered a settlement of P100,000 but she turns it down. The bank is pressured into putting Laura on indefinite leave without pay. Sonny is beaten up by the goons.

Finally, Laura surrenders and accepts the settlement. She and Sonny will use the money to start life anew in Cotabato.

Becca is miffed with Laura’s abdication. Jing now makes his moves and sets up “accidental” meetings to woo Becca. She begins to be charmed by his outgoing personality. She starts to have doubts about Laura’s story. She now trusts Jing.

Dave protests and is mysteriously sideswept by a car inside a parking lot. Jing’s girlfriend, Faye (Nanette Medved), becomes jealous of the attention paid to Becca. She confronts Becca but is slapped by her. Jing founds out about her confrontation with Becca and hits her. His personality starts changing and he moves into a regressive state.

The dangerous side of Jing has appeared and he must satisfy his pathological desires. It is time again to strike. He gets Becca out of a conference saying that her daughter is sick. But Jing brings her to his Antipolo hideaway to rape and kill her. Becca is able to run away. She returns home to find the nursemaid dead. Her daughter has also been kidnapped. Becca jumps into her car, not knowing that the chauffeur is Jing. Becca is brought again to Antipolo where she sees her daughter. There is yet another struggle but, as Jing corners the mother and daughter, Faye appears from behind and shoots him.

(Source: Lino Brocka: The Artist and His Times)

Original theatrical poster of "Biktima" (1990)

(Private Collection)

THE NINETIES # 73: VILMA SANTOS, SNOOKY SERNA, GABBY CONCEPCION, ERIC QUIZON, DENNIS ROLDAN IN LINO BROCKA'S "HAHAMAKIN LAHAT" (1990)

"Hahamakin Lahat" (1990)

Regal Films

Its 17th Anniversary Presentation

Release Date August 23, 1990

Screenplay Ricardo Lee

Cinematography Pedro Manding

Film Editor George Jarlego

Production Design Benjie de Guzman

Musical Director Jaime Fabregas

Produced by Boy C. de Guia

Executive Producer Lily Monteverde

Direction Lino Brocka

Cast Vilma Santos, Snooky Serna, Gabby Concepcion, Eric Quizon, Dennis Roldan/ Also Starring Perla Bautista, Ruben Rustia, Gina Perez and Maritoni Fernandez

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Synopsis: Vilma Santos plays a devious and power-mad wife of an equally contemptuous mayor (Eric Quizon). While riding high on the crest of power, Vilma tries to ruin the lives of a married couple, Snooky Serna and Gabby Concepcion. Snooky is Vilma’s distant cousin while Gabby is her former flame.

While making it appear that she’s sincere in helping bail Gabby out of his financial troubles, she also tries to lure her ex-boyfriend back into her arms. At first, she is successful at snaring back Gabby--- but only for one brief sexual encounter. The more serious complications set in only when Vilma’s resident lover, Dennis Roldan, attempts to blackmail her about their love affair.

Trying to get herself out of that fix, she sets a ploy that would permanently eliminate Dennis. As partof her plan, she sends Dennis to molest Snooky hoping that the poor woman would defend herself by shooting Dennis with the gun Vilma gave her earlier.

However, this does not work out exactly as planned since it is Gabby who gets to kill Dennis. Instead of making Gabby turn himself in, Vilma encourages him to hide from the police in the hope that he agree to run off with her to some faraway place.

But eventually Vilma realizes that he cares not for her but for Snooky. To show her repentance, she arranges for his peaceful surrender to the police. An unfortunate twist takes place when Gabby is shot dead by an assassin hired by Eric. He wants to punish his wife for her indiscretions. Vilma gets even with him by having him convicted.

(Source: Lino Brocka: The Artist and His Times)

THE NINETIES # 41: CHRISTOPHER DE LEON, DINA BONNEVIE, WITH CHARO SANTOS, BEMBOL ROCO, ALLAN PAULE, FRANCIS MAGALONA, WILLIAM LORENZO AND EDDIE GARCIA IN LIN BROCKA'S "GUMAPANG KA SA LUSAK" (1990)

"Gumapang Ka sa Lusak" (1990)

Viva Films

Release Date May 17, 1990

Story and Screenplay Ricardo Lee

Cinematography Pedro Manding

Film Editor George Jarlego

Production Design Benjie de Guzman

Musical Director Nonong Buencamino

Producer Boy C. de Guia

Supervising Producer Eric Cuatico

Executive Producer Vic del Rosario, Jr.

Direction Lino Brocka

Cast Christopher de Leon, Dina Bonnevie, with Charo Santos, Bembol Roco, Allan Paule, Francis Magalona, William Lorenzo, Timmy Diwa and Eddie Garcia/ Also Starring Perla Bautista, Anita Linda, Ernie Zarate, Rey Ventura, Tess Dumpit

===================================================================

Synopsis: Jonathan (Allan Paule) dreams of becoming a pilot and hopes that by joining Eric’s (William Lorenzo) gang, he could find a backer for his studies. His mother, a take home meals caterer, isn’t happy over his affiliation as she feels he is being treated like a servant by the rich brats.

Jonathan is introduced to starlets and brought to parties. One night, in a disco, he sees the former star, Rachel (Dina Bonnevie), inebriated and dancing alone. He introduces himself to her. Rachel is unnerved by his lack of sophistication and orders him to get a light and a drink. When he returns to her table, she is gone.

Rachel is the mistress of a powerful mayor, Edmundo Guatlo (Eddie Garcia). He supports her and her family. However, he is the jealous sort and does not want her to appear in movies anymore. He cannot stomach seeing her in the arms of her leading men. He has his right hand man, Falcon (Bembol Roco), tail her wherever she goes.

One night, outside the disco, Rachel’s date is messed up by Falcon’s men. Jonathan helps Rachel get away. This is the beginning of their friendship.

It is election time. Edmundo’s wife wants him to project a moral image and asks him to get rid of his mistress. Edmundo tells Rachel to adopt a low profile. Rachel agrees in exchange for the release of her boyfriend, Levy (Christopher de Leon), who has been imprisoned for several years.

Edmundo acquiesces but has other plans for Levy. He wants him to assassinate his political opponent, Tuazon (Ray Ventura). Levy aims his high powered rifle at him during a political rally. With his rival removed, Guatlo now wants Levy dead.

With the help of Jonathan and his friends, Rachel and Levy run away from Edmundo’s men. However, Falcon holds her parents as hostages. In trying to rescue them, Levy is shot. Her parents and some of Jonathan’s friends are also killed. Rachel now tries to outsmart Edmundo. She makes a tape recording of their conversation. In a political rally, Rachel inserts the cassette into the sound system. There is bedlam when it is played. Rachel is shot by Falcon but she is happy in having exposed the Guatlos.

(Source: Lino Brocka: The Artist and His Times)

Movie Review- click link

https://spaceaso25.wordpress.com/2019/07/14/gumapang-ka-sa-lusak-lino-brocka-1971/

Dina Bonnevie and Eddie Garcia

(image- Internet source)

THE NINETIES # 12: GARY VALENCIANO, GRETCHEN BARRETTO, PRINCESS PUNZALAN, WITH RICKY BELMONTE, EDDE GARCIA, GINA PARENO, HELEN VELA, AURORA SALVE, MICHAEL LOCSIN IN LINO BROCKA'S "KUNG TAPOS NA ANG KAILANMAN" (1990)

"Kung Tapos na ang Kailanman" (1990)

Seiko Films

Release Date February 8, 1990

Serialized in Aliwan Komiks

Story Nerissa Cabral

Screenplay Gina Marissa Tagasa

Cinematography Pedro Manding, Jr.

Film Editor Ike Jarlego, Jr.

Sound Supervision Rolly Ruta

Production Design Benjie de Guzman

Art Direction Ed Cruz

Musical Director Dionisio 'Nonong' Buencamino, Jr.

Executive Producer Robbie Tan

Direction Lino Brocka

Cast Gary Valenciano, Gretchen Barretto, Princess Punzalan, with Ricky Belmonte, Eddie Garcia, Gina Pareno, Helen Vela, Tina Godinez, Aurora Salve, Michael Locsin/ Also Starring Toby Alejar, Menggie Cobarrubias, Pocholo Montes, Gina Perez, Maria Isadora Calzado, Geneve Aragon/ Special Participation of Bing Angeles, Octomanuevers Dancers, Power Paly Band

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Synopsis: Jeric Israel (Gary Valenciano) is an aspiring singer who wants to break into the professional league. He is encouraged by his family and friends, including his sweetheart, Elmina (Princess Punzalan). Only Elmina’s mother, Leonor de Luna (Helen Vela), frowns on his ambition — as well as on all artists. Leonor’s late husband, a painter, left her with a lot of debt when he died.

About the only job he could get is folk singing in a small pub. He is noticed by Julie Sandoval (Gretchen Baretto), daughter of a recording studio owner. She tells Vic Cuyugan (Menggie Cobarrubias), a talent manager, to recommend him to her mother. Vic sees potential in him and introduces him to Mrs. Sally Sandoval (Aurora Salve), who takes a fancy on his good looks. He is given an exclusive contract.

Jeric proves to be a fast rising recording star. He pumps in a lot of hard work as he needs the money to pay for the medical bills of his brother, Jimmy (Ricky Belmonte). However, his work makes him see less of Elmina. Jimmy’s family moves into a new house with him. His wife, Laura (Gina Pareno), becomes greedy and intercepts the calls of Elmina. She doesn’t want the two to get married as she might decide to boot them out of the house.

One day, Elmina insists on attending his concert against his mother’s wishes. Her mother suffers from a heart attack and dies. Jeric is not informed and she is buried without him paying his respects. Elmina and her brother, Carling (Micheal Locsin), sell the house and move to a relative’s house.

One night, Mrs. Sandoval seduces Jeric. Julie hears the groans inside her mother’s room and becomes hysterical. Julie has a history of mental instability. She invites Jeric into her hotel suite and when he refuses her advances, she starts accusing him of rape. The news is splashed in the papers.

Jeric is put in jail but the Sandoval lawyer eventually withdraws the complaint for lack of evidence. However, his career has been ruined. Elmina works as an apprentice in a firm. One day, she helps an old man who faints in an elevator. He is Leandro Verder (Eddie Garcia), a successful businessman. He is grateful for her solicitousness and offers her a job in his firm.

Leandro becomes more attached to Elmina. He proposes to her but she still loves Jeric. She meets Jeric again, but because of his problems, he is in no mood to talk to her. Elmina agrees to marry Leandro. They travel abroad to see the best medical specialists. When they return, she tries to forget Jeric and become a devoted wife. Knowing that Elmina still has a soft spot for him, Leandro asks a friend to revive his career. Jeric is able to record again and his fans have forgotten the incident.

Leandro is now dying and has signed all his properties over to Elmina. He tells Elmina to go back to Jeric. In his hospital suite, they are watching Jeric’s latest concert on television. He dedicates a song to Leandro — for all his efforts in putting him back on his feet.

(Source: Lino Brocka: The Artist and His Times)

The movie was released in Original VCD

THE EIGHTIES # 1153: SHARON CUNETA, HILDA KORONEL, CHRISTOPHER DE LEON, BEMBOL ROCO, WITH MONA LISA, RUBEN RUSTIA, TOM OLIVAR, WILLIAM LORENZO IN LINO BROCKA'S "BABANGON AKO'T DUDURUGIN KITA" (1989)

"Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita" (1989)

Viva Films

Release Date September 13, 1989

Serialized in TSS Komiks

Story Gilda Olvidado

Screenplay Joen Chionglo

Cinematography Pedro Manding

Sound Supervision Rolly Ruta

Film Editor Ike Jarlego, Jr.

Production Designer Benjie de Guzman

Musical Director George Canseco

Associate Producer Edith Manuel

Line Producer Boy C. de Guia

Supervising Producer Eric Cuatico

Executive Producer Vic del Rosario, Jr.

Direction Lino Brocka

Cast Sharon Cuneta, Hilda Koronel, Christopher de Leon, Bembol Roco/ Also Starring Mona Lisa, Ruben Rustia, Tom Olivar and William Lorenzo/ with Tony Tacorda, Jimmy Reyes, Pocholo Montes, Gina Perez, Fred Capulong

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Synopsis: Alfred (Christopher de Leon) is in need of capital. His former boss Ricardo (Ruben Rustia) offers him the money in exchange for marrying his only daughter Salve (Sharon Cuneta). He agrees to marry her but later regrets his action. Salve is a sweet girl but lacks sophistication. He wants not a plain housewife but a career-oriented woman who can help him in the business and whom he can proudly show around to his friends.

Alfred meets such a woman in Via (Hilda Koronel), who becomes his business partner. She is rich, beautiful and descended from a well-known political family. The partnership develops into a full-blown affair and they start thinking of how to get rid of Salve.

Via’s cousin, Harry (William Lorenzo), is the accomplice. He is sent to Salve supposedly on an errand from Alfred. Upon entering her house, he starts to rape her.

Alfred returns home and sees the two in bed. He turns her out into the street with the accusation that Harry is her lover. The incident results in the death of Salve’s father. She is left to fend for herself. She ends up a housemaid but her new employer also tries to rape her. With no money or friends, she collapses on the street.

This is where Rod (Bembol Roco) finds her. Because he was once a victim of injustice himself, Rod takes pity on Salve. He is a crime lord involved in big-time smuggling with no qualms about killing anybody. He intends to avenge the misfortune of Salve.

Salve blooms into a beautiful woman. She now exudes the manners of the very rich. One day, as Alfred announces his candidacy in Via’s province, Salve notices that Via’s cousin is Harry. She now has a single-minded ambition: to take her revenge on Alfred and Via. Together with Rod, she plots her moves. Harry is the first to die...

(Source: Lino Brocka: The Artist and His Times)

Original theatrical poster of Lino Brocka's "Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita" (1989)

(Private Collection)

THE EIGHTIES # 1117: LORNA TOLENTINO AND RICHARD GOMEZ, WITH HELEN GAMBOA, DANTE RIVERO, PILAR PILAPIL, EDDIE GARCIA IN LINO BROCKA'S "KAILAN MAHUHUGASAN ANG KASALANAN?" (1989)

"Kailan Mahuhugasan ang Kasalanan?" (1989)

Vision Films

Release Date May 22, 1989

Serialized over DZRH

Story Salvador Royales

Screenplay Butch Dalisay

Cinematography Rody Lacap

Editor Augusto Salvador

Production Designer Benjie de Guzman

Musical Director Willy Cruz

Line Producer Olivia M. Lamasan

Executive Producer Charo Santos- Concio

Direction Lino Brocka

Cast Lorna Tolentino and Richard Gomez/ with Helen Gamboa, Dante Rivero, Pilar Pilapil, Eddie Garcia/ Also Starring Gino Antonio, Suzanne Gonzales, Ramil Rodriguez, Ernie Zarate, Aida Carmona, Benjie Gonzales/ Special Participation - Apa Ongpin

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Synopsis: Adora (Helen Gamboa) has the misfortune of becoming pregnant without a husband. Oscar Lantin (Dante Rivero), a driver, marries her in spite of her condition but he turns out to be a drunk and up to his ears in debt. When the underworld pulls the squeeze on Oscar, he decides to steal Adora’s baby and sells it to a childless couple, Don Claudio (Eddie Garcia) and Beatrice Escudero (Pilar Pilapil). The child is named Monica (Lorna Tolentino).

Monica is raised in a household of continual quarreling. Don Claudio is impotent and Dona Beatrice seeks companionship from Douglas (Gino Antonio). However, Monica grows up to be a lovely woman and is wooed by her law classmate and constant academic rival, Robert (Richard Gomez).

Oscar leaves Adora. He gets involved in a bank robbery and is sentenced to twenty years in prison. Meanwhile, not knowing where her husband is, Adora teams up with a friend, Lourdes (Suzanne Gonzales), and puts up a corner turo -turo near the factory owned by

Don Claudio.

One rainy night, Don Claudio meets Adora and is charmed by her. He convinces her to work in his house as a cook. In one of the big parties of the Escuderos, Adora discovers Beatrice in the arms of Douglas. Beatrice becomes unhinged and starts accusing Adora of stealing jewelry and of lying.

Oscar is set free. He returns to the Escudero mansion but is not rehired. Monica and Robert pass the bar exams but their student rivalry continues. She is employed in a prestigious law firm; he joins a group of lawyers dedicated to providing legal aid to the poor.

The handsome Robert successfully woos Monica and their engagement is announced. In the engagement party, Douglas reappears and gets into a heated argument with Beatrice. Adora hears the scuffle and finds Beatrice fatally stabbed with a knife. She is accused of killing Beatrice and is jailed.

Penniless, Adora seeks the legal aid of Robert. This angers Monica who feels betrayed by his defense of her mother’s killer. When Oscar learns that Adora is accused of a crime, he tells her that Monica is really her daughter. However, she tells Oscar not to reveal her real identity.

Wanting to repent for his indiscretion, Oscar tells Robert anyway of Monica’s real parentage. Robert informs Monica who is happy with the revelation. She is eager to join Robert in the defense of her real mother. Monica thinks up of a clever scheme to save her.

(Source: Lino Brocka: The Artist and His Times)

Original theatrical poster of Lino Brocka's "Kailan Mahuhugasan ang Kasalanan?" (1989)

(Private Collection)