THE SEVENTIES # 1108: CHANDA ROMERO, PHILLIP SALVADOR, MARISSA DELGADO, MONA LISA, BEN RUBIO IN LINO BROCKA's "MANANAYAW" (1978)

(Synopsis) Letty (Chanda Romero), a sex model in a supper club “fashion drama”, is the kept woman of Ramon Vergara (Ben Rubio), a politician. He is enamoured with her naive amorality and rewards her with ample favors. Dindo (Phillip Salvador), her partner in the act, is a dreamer who hopes to become big as a legitimate fashion model. His unaffected ways are soothing and precious to Letty. 

Ramon sets up Letty in a furnished apartment. His wife, Carina (Mona Lisa), expresses her disgust but allows his indiscretions as long as they remain as temporary arrangements. However, Ramon falls deeply in love with Letty and wants to have a child by her. Letty begins to feel the pressure. She does not want to become pregnant. 

She leaves the supper club and showers her affection on Dindo, who, it appears, is also in love with her. Ramon discovers the affair and throws out Letty. She is forced to live with Dindo in his small apartment. But Dindo is the practical type and aspires for a higher standard of living. The two soon realize that they cannot live together. Letty goes back to the supper club and dials Ramon. She is now agreeing to his demands — and to his macho domination.

Source: Lino Brocka: The Artist and His Times

"Mananayaw" (`1978)

Emperor Films International, Inc.

Release Date May 14, 1978

Story and Screenplay Jose Dalisay, Jr.

Cinematography Jose Batac, Jr.

Film Editor Segundo Ramos

Music George Canseco

Direction Lino Brocka

Cast Chanda Romero, Phillip Salvador and Marissa Delgado/ Also Starring Mona Lisa, Ben Rubio, Rene Hawkins, Joey Luna/ with the special participation of Alicia Alonzo, Fritz Infante

THE SEVENTIES # 956: SUSAN ROCES, NORA AUNOR, CELIA RODRIGUEZ, CHICHAY, ROBERT JAWORSKI, MAX LAUREL, PHILLIP SALVADOR, MARTIN MARFIL IN "SAPAGKA'T KAMI'Y MGA MISIS LAMANG" (1976)

"Sapagka't Kami'y Mga Misis Lamang" (1976)

Rosas Productions

Release Date October 22, 1976

Story and Screenplay Pablo S. Gomez

Cinematography Felipe Santiago

Music Ernani Cuenco

Direction F.H. Constantino

Cast Susan Roces, Nora Aunor, Celia Rodriguez, Chichay, Robert Jaworski, Max Laurel, Phillip Salvador, Martin Marfil/ Also Starring Dencio Padilla, Bella Flores, Lucita Soriano, Georgie Quizon, Darius Razon,, Doro delos Ojos, Lily Miraflor, Pedro Faustino, Annie Espina, German Moreno 

THE SEVENTIES # 934: FERNANDO POE, JR., VILMA SANTOS, WITH DENCIO PADILLA, ROBERTO TALABIS IN "BATO SA BUHANGIN" (1976)

"Bato sa Buhangin" (1976)

FPJ Productions

Release Date August 13, 1976

Story Herminio 'Butch' Bautista

Screenplay Fred Navarro

Cinematography Sergio Lobo

Music Ernani Cuenco

Direction Pablo Santiago

Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Vilma Santos/ Also Starring Dencio Padilla, Roberto Talabis, Millie Mercado, Connie Angeles, Yvonne Salcedo, Tina Monasterio, Jun Soler, Jumbo Salvador, Philip Salvador, Rowell Santiago/ Guest stars- Fred Montilla, Nello Nayo and Imelda Ilanan

THE SEVENTIES # 688: FERNANDO POE, JR., VILMA SANTOS, WITH FRED MONTILLA, MILA DEL SOL, DENCIO PADILLA IN "BATYA'T PALU-PALO" (1974)

"Batya't Palu-Palo" (1974)

FPJ Productions

Release Date May 4, 1974

Screenplay Fred Navarro

Cinematography Sergio Lobo

Music Ernani Cuenco

Direction Pablo Santiago

Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Vilma Santos/ Also Starring Fred Montilla, Mila del Sol, Dencio Padilla, Roberto Talabis, Vic Varrion, Janine Frias, Lorna Tolentino, Royal Dahlen, Jun Soler, Rowena Madrid, Angela, Philip Salvador, Liza Anzures, Angge

THE SEVENTIES # 336: PAQUITO DIAZ AND ROMY DIAZ, WITH PABLO VIRTUOSO, DENCIO PADILLA IN "BASTA'T BASKETBALL " (1971)

"Basta't Basketball" (1971)

Empire Pictures

Release Date August 5, 1971

Story and Direction Manuel Cinco

Cast Paquito Diaz and Romy Diaz, Pablo Virtuoso, Dencio Padilla/ with Rosanna Ortiz (in a special guest star)/ Also Starring Jose Romulo, Roberto Talabis, Ruel Vernal, Philip Salvador, Bello Borja, Robert Talby, Cesar Bakal and Martin Marfil

See: Paquito Diaz was once an Ateneo Blue Eagle

THE SEVENTIES # 257: SUSAN ROCES, EDDIE GUTIERREZ, WITH JOSE ROMULO., RUEL VERNAL AND LEOPOLDO SALCEDO IN "ADIOS MI AMOR" (1971)

"Adios Mi Amor" (1971)

FPJ Productions

Release Date March 19, 1971

Cinematography Sergio Lobo

Music Tito Arevalo

Direction Pablo Santiago

Cast Susan Roces, Eddie Gutierrez/ Also Starring Jose Romulo, Ruel Vernal, Nello Nayo, Jose Vergara, Bert Olivar, Dely Villanueva and Leopoldo Salcedo/ Introducing Khristina Reyes, Phillip Salvador

(photos via James dela Rosa/ PelikulaATBP)

TRUE-TO-LIFE POLICE STORIES AND BIO-FILMS #2 (Circa 1992- 2000)

"Lakay" (1992)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Charo Santos, Rina Reyes and Efren Reyes, Jr.,/ with Jose Romulo, Philip Gamboa, Romy Diaz, Rommel Valdez, Luctta Soriano, Marithez Samson, Odette Khan, nanding Fernadez, Johny Vicar, Michael Murray, Vic Varrion, Rene Hawkins, Ernie Ortega/ Directed by Nilo Saez

Left- "Eddie Tagalog: Pulis Makati" (1992)- Stars Jestoni Alarcon, Sheryl Cruz, Bembol Roco, George Estregan, Jr., Rina Reyes and Johnny Delgado/ with Dick Israel, Mike Castillo, Eddie Arenas, Don Pepot/ Directed by Dante Javier

Right- "Pat. Omar Abdulah: Pulis Probinsiya" (1992)- Stars Phillip Salvador, Eddie Gutierrez, Vic Vargas, Donita Rose, Rachel Lobangco, Fortunato 'Atoy' Co, Willie Revillame, Dindo Arroyo, Renato del Prado, Rene Hawkins/ Directed by Joe Balagtas

Left- "Leon ng Maynila" (1992)- Stars Ramon 'Bong' Revilla, Jr., Ricky Davao, Michael de Mesa, Lara de Leon, Paquito Diaz, Emily Loren, Baldo Marro, Shr Valdez, King Gutierrez, Philip Gamboa, Nick Romano, Bomber Moran, Edwin Reyez, Subas Herrero and George Estregan, Jr./ Introducing Precious Tongco/ Directed by Joey del Rosario

Right- "Doring Dorobo: Hagupit ng Batas" (1993)/ Stars Eddie Garcia, Eddie Gutierrez, Boots Anson-Roa and Sharmaine Arnaiz/ with Paquito Diaz, Rey 'PJ' Abellana, Ali Sotto, Dick Israel, Vivian Foz/ Directed by Augusto Salvador

Left- "Gascon: Bala ang Katapat Mo!" (1993)- Stars Lito Lapid, Ruffa Gutierrez, Tirso Cruz, III, Jess Lapid, Jr., Bob Soler, Janine Barredo, Max Laurel, Isabel Granada/ Directed by Rogelio Salvador

Right- "Mancao" (1993)- Stars Phillip Salvador, Snooky Serna, Edgar Mortiz, Lito Legaspi, Ramon Christopher, Zandro Zamora, Jonjon Hernandez, Roldan Aquino/ with Romy Diaz, Don Umali, Edwin Reyes, Fred Moro, Bernard Fabiosa, Mike Magat & Honey Policarpio/ Special Participation of Amado Cortes and Luz Valdez/ Directed by Felix F. Dalay

Left- "SPO4 Santiago: Sharpshooter" (1996)- Stars Ramon 'Bong' Revilla, Jr., Ina Raymundo, Dindi Gallardo, Raymond Bagatsing, King Gutierrez, Richard Bonnin, Atoy Co and Tonton Gutierrez/ Directed by Pepe Marcos

Right- "Ping Lacson: Super Cop" (2000)- Stars Rudy Fernandez, Lorna Tolentino, Ricky Davao, Glydel Mercado, Ace Espinosa, Trubador Ramos, Levi Ignacio and Herbert Bautista/ Directed by Toto Natividad

TRUE-TO-LIFE POLICE STORIES AND BIO-FILMS #1 (Circa 1988- 91)

Movie producers tend to glamorize infamous underworld characters and notorious criminals in their movies since it would easily fetch millions of pesos in revenues in box-office receipts. Films like Asiong Salonga, Nardong Putik, Tiagong Akyat, Kapitan Eddie Set... broke records in the tills.

In the latter part of the 80s, the trend was reversed... true-to-life stories of our men in uniform were accorded due recognition in various movies made in their honor... movies like Afuang: The Bounty Hunter, Jose Pring: Homicide, Manila Police, Target... Police General (The Alfredo S. Lim Story) and many more...

Left- "Afuang: Bounty Hunter" (1988)- Stars Phillip Salvador, Eddie Garcia, Mark Gil, Marianne dela Riva, Charlie Davao, Zandro Zamora, Ruel Vernal, Mon Godiz, Lucita Soriano, Ros Olgado, Narding Fernandez/ Directed by Mike Relon Makiling

Right- "Target...Maganto" (1988)- Stars Ronnie Ricketts, Charlie Davao, Monica Herrera, Paquito Diaz, Romy Diaz, Nick Romano, Renato del Prado/ Directed by Leonardo Garcia

Left- "Tadtarin ng Bala si Madelo" (1989)- Stars Lito Lapid, Melissa Mendes, Amanda Amores, Charlie Davao, Philip Gamboa, Romy Diaz and Monica Herrera/ Directed by Arturo San Agustin

Right- "Joe Pring: Homicide, Manila Police" (1989)- Stars Phillip Salvador, Johnny Delgado, Aurora Sevilla, Paquito Diaz, Maila Gumila, Dencio Padilla, Conrad Poe, Ruel Vernal, Robert Talabis, Bing Davao, Ernie Forte/ Featuring Symon Soler/ Directed by Augusto Salvador

"Target...Police Genral (Maj. Gen. Alfredo S. Lim Story)" / 1989- Stars Ramon Revilla, Alma Moreno, Conrado Poe, Fred Moro, Patrick dela Rosa, Renato del Prado, Romy Diaz, Raoul Aragon, Lucita Soriano/ Directed by Pepe Marcos

Left- "Alyas Pogi: Tirador ng Nueva Ecija" (1990)- Stars Ramon 'Bong' Revilla, Jr., Janice de Belen, Edu Manzano, George Estregan, Jr., Tommy Abuel, Johnny Delgado and Bernard Bonnin/ Directed by Joey Del Rosario

Right- "Sgt. Miguel Carpio: Multiple Murder" (1990)- Stars Jess Lapid, Jr., Charlie Davao, Nick Romano, Dinah Dominguez, Marithez Samson, Maita Sanchez/ Directed by Jerry O. Tirazona

Left- "Boyong Manalac: Hoodlum Terminator" (1991)- Stars Eddie Garcia, Edu Manzano, Roi Vinzon, John Regala, Maita Soriano, Mayleen Zapanta and Pinky de Leon/ Directed by Eddie Rodriguez

Right- "Capt. Jaylo: Batas sa Batas" (1991)- Stars Ramon 'Bong' Revilla, Jr., Edu Manzano, Monica Herrera, Maritoni Fernandez & Rina Reyez/ with Baldo Marro, George Estregan, Jr., Robert Arevalo, Raoul Aragonn, Conrad Poe, Rez Cortez, King Gutierrez, Manjo del Mundo, Zandro Zamora/ Directed by Pepe Marcos

LINO BROCKA'S "ORAPRONOBIS" LASER DISC

Produced during the Aquino administration, Lino Brocka's Orapronobis was banned for commercial exhibition because of its anti-militarization theme, but was previewed at the UP Film Center. Manuel Morato, then chairman of Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), banned the release of this film due to the harsh violence that was portrayed and the explicit message expressed by the director regarding the sensitive issues of the film. Several institutions, especially the military and the government, were targeted by the theme of the movie. (source: wikipilipinas)

The movie never came out in original home video, whether in beta or VHS format. However, it was released in Laser Disc format in the early 90s under the title "Fight for Us."

Product Description: The place: the Philippines. The time: the uncertain aftermath of a bloody revolution to overthrow a corrupt dictatorship. But now the shattered nation faces a new, more insidious threat: the ruthless death squads of the Orapronobis - a violent and depraved cult of political vigilantes bent on total control of the country. Emerging from prison to challenge this new order is Jimmy Cordero, a priest and social activist jailed under the old regime. Soon, Cordero is caught up in a web of political treachery, barbaric torture and inhuman brutality that leaves his young son murdered and mutilated his lover, raped and left for dead. In the tradition of such political thrillers as "Missing," “Under Fire," and “Salvador” and based on true incidents, “Fight For Us" is a dramatic ride into explosive political turmoil and heart-stopping heroism.

In 1985, in the remote town of Dolores, the Orapronobis, a group of anti-communist vigilantes under the leadership of Kumander Kontra (Bembol Roco), executed a foreign priest who gave the last rites to an alleged rebel, who was also killed by the same group. At the success of the 1986 EDSA revolt, political detainees, led by Jimmy Cordero (Philip Salvador), celebrate the fall of the dictatorship. All political prisoners were released, including Jimmy, an ex-priest-turned-underground revolutionary. Not long after, Jimmy married a human rights activist, Trixie (Dina Bonnevie). He became an advocate of human rights. Despite Trixie’s protests, Jimmy and Trixie’s brother, Roland (William Lorenzo) went with a fact-finding mission to Dolores to investigate the latest crime committed by the Orapronobis. Jimmy met Esper (Gina Alajar), his ex-girlfriend. He found out that he had a son with her, Camilo (RR Herrera). They agreed to keep Jimmy’s true identity a secret from the boy. Conniving with the military, the Orapronobis step up their acts of terrorism.

Jimmy’s group was forced to evacuate the townspeople to the town church, then later to Manila. Back in Manila, Jimmy turned down a friend’s invitation to rejoin the underground movement. Later, he and Roland were ambushed. Jimmy survived, but not Roland. He recovered and shortly after that, Trixie gave birth to their child. Soldiers raided the refugee center with a masked man who identified several of the barrio folk as rebels. The refugees and the human rights activists complained to the government. Esper and her son were abducted by the Orapronobis who accused Esper of helping the rebels. She was raped and beaten up by Kumander Kontra in front of Camilo. Fighting back, she shot at Kontra. In a hysterical rage, Kontra went on a shooting rampage, killing Esper, Camilo and the captured barrio men. Later, the military brought the casualties to the town plaza where Jimmy wept over the bodies of Esper and his son. The film ends with Jimmy contacting his old colleague from the underground. (Source: IMDB)

MPP URIAN'S BEST FILMS OF THE 70s

In 1981, the twelve members of the MPP (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino) decided to honor the best films of 1970-79. As an initial step, each member listed down the ten films he considered as the top of the decade, using as basis the criteria formulated by the founding members in 1976. The individual lists were tallied, and the first ten films with the highest number of votes isolated. As a second step, and in order to insure the quality of the films that would be selected, a minimum of seven votes was required for any film to make it to the roll of honor, regardless of how many would get to the final list. A second ballot was taken, and seven films emerged as the critic’s choice for the Best Films of 1970-79.

1.Pagdating sa Dulo (1971)

A taxi dancer and taxi driver are fished out of poverty and anonymity by a commercial film director. The obsession with success forces them to affect images as movie stars, which suppress and eventually destroy them as persons and lovers.

2. Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag (1975)

Manila is portrayed as a web of exploitation and poverty that traps and devours a naïve probinsiyano, Julio Madiaga, who journeys into the city in search of a better life and a beloved who has become a Chinaman’s common-law wife. When they try to escape from the oppressive city, Julio and his beloved are destroyed.

3. Ganito Kami Noon… Paano Kayo Ngayon? (1976)

A picturesque character named Kulas wanders through the Philippine Revolution against Spain and the Philippine-American War, and wonders about the meaning of being Filipino in those critical decades of national self-definition.

4. Insiang (1976)

This crime of passion revolves around an innocent slum girl, Insiang, who, after being raped by her mother’s live-in lover, makes the lover fall in love with her, so that the mother would be forced to butcher the man in a gruesome fit of jealousy.

5. Itim (1976)

Using exquisite cinematography, this film depicts the mystery and horror of a dead woman’s possession of her younger sister, in order to reveal the circumstances of her death and avenge herself on her lover.

6. Nunal sa Tubig (1976)

Employing an experimental cinematic style, Bernal’s opus recreates the quality and pace of life of a village surrounded by sea, as it is caught in the eternal cycle of love and hate, of fertility and pollution, of birth and death.

7. Jaguar (1979)

A lowly security guard becomes a new personal bodyguard of his boss, and wants to think he is accepted by the latter as a friend. Later, however, he finds himself alone and abandoned, after he kills for his employer.

(Source: The Urian Anthology 1970-79)

GAWAD URIAN 1979: "JAGUAR" (BEST PICTURE)

"Jaguar" (1979)


Phillip Salvador in "Jaguar"


(L-R)- Charito Solis, Dindo Fernando, Amy Austria

1979: A Year of lnvectives:

The anniversary dinner of May 1979 saw the election of Doy del Mundo as Chairman and Mario Bautista as Secretary. No new members were taken in, and Cristina Pantoja- Hidalgo went on an extended leave. The year 1979 saw several attacks on the Manunuris. The first pointed out that less and less Manunuris were reviewing films, so that only the more active ones got the brunt of the industry’s attack, and people mistook their opinions as opinions of the group.

Most of the Manunuris pleaded guilty to this accusation, and an attempt was made to “force” Manunuris to write reviews or articles, for a column in a weekly magazine. The attempt eventually failed: first, because Manunuris had other full-time jobs and reviewed only on the side, so that as the economic situation tightened, most of them had to devote more time to “making ends meet.” Second, there were less and less movies worth reviewing, and it seemed redundant and useless to keep hammering on the same faults in formula films whose producers really couldn’t care less about quality. Thirdly, many of the newspaper outlets no longer welcomed negative reviews of the films, which they advertised in their movie-ad sections.

The most severe attack on the Manunuris, however, came at the 1979 Awards night when Lino Brocka ascended the stage not to receive the directorial award for Jaguar, but to reject it. Reading from a prepared speech, he accused the group of prejudice, saying that “under the guise of impartiality they practice their prejudices anyway.” It is more difficult, he said, to combat prejudice than corruption. You can fight money with more money, but how can you, he asked, fight prejudice? He then refused all further awards and nominations from the Manunuris.

The magazine and newspaper articles that came out on Lino Brocka’s rejection of the Urian Awards for the next so many months did the Manunuri a lot of good. First, it made the MPP realize that the attack was partly due to the fact that most Manunuris were no longer writing, so that the opinions of the few Manunuris were taken to be the group stand on films reviewed. Second, far from degrading the group, Lino Brocka made the Manunuri a household word. The reviewers and their awards became the common topic of the man on the street, the housewives, the market vendors. Those who had never heard of the Manunuri before became acquainted with it, and public awareness and interest grew, not only among teachers and students seriously concerned about the art of filmmaking, but among the so-called “bakya” crowd.

(Source: The Urian Anthology 1970-79)

List of Winners:

Best Picture- Jaguar
Best Director- Lino Brocka/ Jaguar
Best Actor- Dindo Fernando/ Ikaw at ang Gabi
Best Actress- Charito Solis/ Ina, Kapatid, Anak
Best Supporting Actor- Menggie Cobarrubias/ Jaguar
Best Supporting Actress- Amy Austria/ Jaguar
Best Screenplay- Jose F. Lacaba, Ricardo Lee/ Jaguar
Best Cinematography- Conrado Baltazar/ Jaguar
Best Production Design- Fiel Zabat/ High School Circa ‘65
Best Editing- Edgardo Vinarao/ High School Circa ‘65
Best Sound- Vic Macamay, Teddy Ramos, Rolly Ruta/ Bakit may Pag-ibig Pa? (Bernal episode)
Best Music- Ernani Cuenco/ Aliw-iw

Outstanding Achievement- Manuel Silos

"Ina, Kapatid, Anak" (1979)


"Ikaw at ang Gabi" (1979)


"High School, Circa 65" (1979)


Aliw-iw" (1979)