THE FIFTIES # 611: PUGO AND TOGO, TONY SANTOS, PRISCILLA CELLONA IN "SAYKOPATIK" (1952)/ UPDATED

"Saykopatik" (1952)

LVN Pictures

Release Date September 17, 1952/ Dalisay

Music C. Aguilar

Direction F.H. Constantino

Cast Pugo and Togo, Tony Santos, Priscilla Cellona

(Movie ad credit: Courtesy of Baul ni Juan/ James de la Rosa)

THE FIFTIES # 126: JAIME DE LA ROSA, NIDA BLANCA, MILAGROS NAVAL, TONY SANTOS, ALFONSO CARVAJAL, GIL DE LEON, JOHNNY REYES, OSCAR OBLIGACION, ARTURO MORAN, LEROY SALVADOR IN LAMBERTO AVELLANA'S "KOREA" (1952)/ UPDATED

"Korea" (1952)

LVN Pictures

Release Date March 31- April 9, 1952/ Dalisay

Story Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino, Jr.

Direction Lamberto V. Avellana

Cast Jaime de la Rosa, Tony Santos, Alfonso Carvajal, Gil de Leon, Johnny Reyes, Oscar Obligacion, Arturo Moran, Leroy Salvador, Miguel Lopez, Mario Roldan/ co-starring Milagros Naval and Nida Blanca

Did you know that…

Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino [ Philippine opposition leader during the Marcos era, senator and national hero] was only 17 when he joined the country’s biggest newspaper, The Manila Times. When The Times was casting about for someone to cover what was happening to the Philippine contingent in the Korean War, Ninoy jumped at the chance. He cajoled the newspaper’s Brooklyn-born editor, Dave Boguslav, and its publisher, Joaquin ‘Chino’ Roces to send him to Korea. But he was only 17! What could a ‘boy correspondent’ do? “What will your mother say?”, Chino exclaimed. When the two hesitated, Ninoy simply hitched a ride on a military plane and was in Korea sending dispatches before his two bosses realized that he had jumped the gun on them. The Times’ editors, Boguslav and Joe Bautista, soon came to appreciate that gung ho quality which was to rocket Aquino to fame.

Excerpt from: Ninoy: In the Eye of Memory
By Maximo V. Soliven
People Magazine/ August 2003

Photo shows (l-r)  actor Johnny Reyes, writer Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino, Jr., director Lamberto V. Avellana, Lt. Bonny Serrano and actor Jaime de la Rosa (photo credit: Cesar Hernando)

Did you also know that…
Ninoy Aquino wrote the story and screenplay of the movie, Korea (1952), which starred Jaime de la Rosa and directed by Lamberto V. Avellana. It was nominated for that year’s FAMAS Best Picture and Best Screenplay (for Ninoy). It won two FAMAS major awards: Best supporting actor for Gil de Leon and Best supporting actress for Nida Blanca who was only 16 years old then and just barely one year in LVN. She portrayed the role of a young Korean war waif.

A scene from the movie Korea with lead star Jaime De la Rosa and young Nida Blanca.

THE FIFTIES # 58: JAIME DE LA ROSA, TESSIE QUINTANA, WITH ROSA ROSAL, TONY SANTOS, NIDA BLANCA IN LAMBERTO AVELLANA'S "AMOR MIO" (1951)/ UPDATED

"Amor Mio"(1951)
LVN Pictures
Release Date December 27, 1951- January 5, 1952/ Life
Music Carlos Aguilar
Direction Lamberto V. Avellana
Cast Jaime de la Rosa, Tessie Quintana, Rosa Rosal, Tony Santos, Nida Blanca

THE FIFTIES # 136: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, DELIA RAZON AND ROSA ROSAL, WITH TONY SANTOS IN LAMBERTO AVELLANA'S "PRINSIPE AMANTE SA RUBITANYA" (1951)/ UPDATED

"Prinsipe Amante sa Rubitanya" (1951)

LVN Pictures

Release Date June 30- July 9,1951/ Life

Story Clodualdo del Mundo

Direction Lamberto V. Avellana

Cast Rogelio de la Rosa, Delia Razon, Rosa Rosal, Tony Santos

THE FIFTIES # 132: ARMANDO GOYENA, TESSIE QUINTANA, WITH TONY SANTOS, FRANKIE GORDON, EUSEBIO GOMEZ, GIL D LEON, NELA ALVAREZ, ELENA ACOSTA IN "TALISMAN" (1951)/ UPDATED

"Talisman" (1951)

LVN Pictures

Release Date June 16-25, 1951/ Dalisay

Story Nemesio Caravana

Music F. Buencamino Sr. & Jr.

Direction Enrique Jarlego

Cast Armando Goyena, Tessie Quintana, Tony Santos, Frankie Gordon, Eusebio Gomez, Gil de Leon, Nela Alvarez, Elena Acosta

THE FIFTIES # 675: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, TESSIE QUINTANA, ROSA ROSAL, BEN RUBIO, TONY SANTOS, WITH FRANKIE GORDON, NORA LINDA, ARMANDO GARCES, EZAR VISENIO, JUSTINA DAVID, MIGUEL LOPEZ, ENGRACIO IBARRA IN "BAYAN O' PAG-IBIG" (1951)/ UPDATED

"Bayan O' Pag-ibig" (1951)

LVN Pictures

Release Date March 18- 27, 1951/ Dalisay

Direction Gregorio Fernandez

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

THE FIFTIES # 17: JAIME DE LA ROSA, MILA DEL SOL, WITH TONY SANTOS, NENITA VIDAL, ANTONIA SANTOS, CARLOS AGUILAR, JOHNNY ASTOR, CHITO REYES AND INTRODUCING NORA MINDA, ETANG DISCHER IN LAMBERTO AVELLANA'S "IN DESPAIR" (1950)/ UPDATED

The movie was a spin-off of the haunting song, In Despair, which was one of the sensational hit songs over Philippine radio in 1950.

"In Despair"
LVN Pictures
Release Date October 13- 22, 1950/ Life
Music Carlos Aguilar, Fred Daluz

Direction Lamberto V. Avellana

Cast Mila del Sol, Jaime de la Rosa, Tony Santos, Nenita Vidal, Antonia Santos, Carlos Aguilar, Johnny Astor, Chito Reyes/ Introducing Nora Minda, Etang Discher

THE FIFTIES # 46: PUGO & TOGO, WITH TONY SANTOS, LILA LUNA IN RICHARD ABELARDO'S "DOKTOR X" (1950)/ UPDATED

"Doctor X"
LVN Pictures
Release Date September 21- 30, 1950/ Dalisay
Direction Richard Abelardo
Cast Pugo and Togo, Tony Santos, Lila Luna

THE FIFTIES # 10: ARMANDO GOYENA, TESSIE QUINTANA WITH TONY SANTOS IN "MISTERYOSO" (1950)/ UPDATED

"Misteryoso"
LVN Pictures
Release Date August 16- 25, 1950/ Dalisay
Direction Manuel Silos
Cast Armando Goyena, Tessie Quintana, Tony Santos

THE FIFTIES # 53: JAIME DE LA ROSA, CELIA FLOR, WTH TONY SANTOS, MILAGROS NAVAL, GERORIO FERNANDEZ, EUSEBIO GOMEZ, EZAR VISENIO, ARMANDO GARCES, MARTIN MARFIL, JOSE CORAZON DE JESUS IN "KONTRABANDO" (1950) / UPDATED

Kontrabando, serialized in the “Bagong Buhay” magazine and adapted into the screen in 1950, tells of a dashing, wily and sleek G-2 spy agent, Lt. Diego (Jaime de la Rosa) who infiltrated a notorious smuggling syndicate dealing with guns, jewelries, drugs (opium) and even alien infiltrators. He gained the confidence of the alleged boss (played by Director Gregorio Fernandez), but some of the gang members doubted him and kept their distance. Equipped with a spy camera attached to his belt buckle, he uncovered and recorded vital information and sent them over to his headquarter. The gang’s operations were gradually exposed, their goods intercepted and the whole gang was eventually dismantled, the last one at Jolo, one of the vital drop-off points of the syndicate. He learned later on that the mastermind turned out be Mr. Chua (Eusebio Gomez), the father of Celia (Celia Flor), the woman he loved.

One of the exciting scenes of the movie can be viewed on the short clip below---

Courtesy of LVN Pictures

"Kontrabando" (1950)

LVN Pictures

Release Date July 25, 1950

Direction Gregorio Fernandez

Cast Jaime dela Rosa, Celia Flor, Tony Santos, Milagros Naval, Gregorio Fernandez, Eusebio Gomez, Ezar Visenio, Armando Garces, Martin Marfil, Jose Corazon de Jesus, Jr./ 

Alien infiltrators being smuggled into the country were been cornered and apprehended by the authorities.

A suspected government spy being questioned by the syndicate.

---A fight scene at the airport tarmac---

Lt. Diego being tortured by the syndicate.

The mastermind, Mr. Chua (Eusebio Gomez) intercepting a call from her daughter Celia (Celia Flor).

(Stills: LVN Pictures)

THE FIFTIES # 12: TESSIE QUINTANA, TEODY BELARMINO, TONY SANTOS AND INTRODUCING EVELYN VILLAR IN "CANDABA" (1950)/ A FILM BY GREGORIO FERNANDEZ/ UPDATED

"Candaba"
LVN Pictures
Release Date: March 27, 1950/ Life
Story and Screenplay Armando Garces
Music Josefino Cenizal
Direction Gregorio Fernandez
Cast Tessie Quintana, Teody Belarmino, Tony Santos/ Introducing Evelyn Villar/ Also Starring Jose Corazon de Jesus, Nela Alvarez, Armando Garces, Eusebio Gomez, Gregorio Fernandez, Natoy Catindig, Ven Medina, Hermie Alvarez/ Featuring Lina Luna

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 94: LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, CELIA FLOR, WITH TEODY BELARMINO, INDAY JALANDON, NELA ALVAREZ, GREGORIO FERNANDEZ, JOSE CRIS SOTO, OSCAR OBLIGACION, TONY SANTOS, EUSEBIO GOMEZ IN "CAPAS" (1949)/ UPDATED

"Capas"
LVN Pictures
Release Date: June 29/30- July 9, 1949/Life
Music Josefino Cenizal
Story and Screenplay Armando Garces

Music Josefino Cenizal
Direction Gregorio Fernandez

Cast Leopoldo Salcedo, Celia Flor, Teody Belarmino, Inday Jalandoni, Nela Alvarez, Gregorio Fernandez, Jose Cris Soto, Oscar Obligacion, Tony Santos, Eusebio Gomez, Armando Garces, Jose De Villa

Photos, courtesy of Casa Grande

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 54: LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, VIDA FLORANTE, NELA ALVAREZ, WITH GIL DE LEON, TOLINDOY, RAFAEL JIMENEZ, TONY SANTOS, DING TELLO, VICTOR SALVADOR IN "SIERRA MADRE" (1948)/ UPDATED

"Sierra Madre"
LVN Pictures, Inc.
Release Date August 22- 31, 1948/Dalisay
Music Josefino Cenizal
Story and Direction Leopoldo Salcedo

Cast Leopoldo Salcedo, Vida Florante, Nela Alvarez, Gil de Leon, Tolindoy, Rafael Jimenez, Tony Santos, Ding Tello, Victor Salvador, Anita Serrano, Jose Velasco, Jr., Ngongo, Blanca Nieva, Tino de Lara

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 136: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, MILA DEL SOL, LINDA ESTRELLA, WITH GREGORIO FERNANDEZ, FIDEL DE CASTRO, ENGRACIO IBARRA, SALVADOR ZARAGOZA, CONRADO CONDE, PILAR PADILLA, TONY SANTOS AND CARLOS PADILLA (GUEST STAR) IN "DALAWANG DAIGDIG" (1946)

"Dalawang Daigdig" (1946)

LVN Pictures

Release Date November 25- 30, 1946/ Dalisay

Music Francisco Buencamino, Jr.

Direction Dr. Gregorio Fernandez

Cast Rogelio de la Rosa, Mila del Sol, Linda Estrella/ Also Starring Gregorio Fernandez, Fidel de Castro/ Co-starring Engracio Ibarra, Salvador Zaragoza, Conrado Conde, Pilar Padilla, Tony Santos/ Guest star- Carlos Padilla

THE EIGHTIES # 986: DINA BONNEVIE, EDU MANZANO, RICKY DAVAO AND CHERIE GIL, WITH ARMIDA SIGUION-REYNA, TONY SANTOS, SR., ANITA LINDA IN "HUWAG MONG ITANONG KUNG BAKIT" (1988)

"Huwag Mong Itanong Kung Bakit" (1988)

Viva Films

Release Date January 4, 1988

Story Gilda Olvidado

Screenplay Gina Marissa Tagasa and Emmanuel Borlaza

Edited by Jess Navarro

Production Design Manny Morfe

Music George Canseco

Executive Producer Vic del Rosario

Supervising Producer Tony Gloria

Produced by Ramon Salvador

Direction Eddie Garcia

Cast Dina Bonnevie, Edu Manzano, Ricky Davao and Cherie Gil/ Also Starring Armida Siguion-Reyna, Tony Santos, Sr., Anita Linda/ Special Participation of Debbie Miller

THE EIGHTIES # 985: MELANIE MARQUEZ, CARIDAD SANCHEZ, TONY SANTOS, SR., ROSEMARIE GIL, RENE SALUD, TOTOY MARQUEZ, MAYA DELA CUESTA IN "THE UNTOLD STORY OF MELANIE MARQUEZ" (1987)

"The Untold Story of Melanie Marquez" (1987)

Miracle Boy Films International

The 1987 Metro Manila Film Festival Entry

Release Date December 25, 1987

Screenplay Ricky Lee

Cinematography Ricardo Herrera

Direction Artemio Marquez

Cast Melanie Marquez, Caridad Sanchez, Tony Santos, Sr., Rosemarie Gil, Rene Salud, Maya dela Cuesta/ Introducing Laurence Pineda

THE EIGHTIES # 983: CHARITO SOLIS, TONY SANTOS, SR., LIZA LORENA, ALICIA ALONZO, MARITHES SAMSON, ISADORA AND ANTHONY ALONZO IN "ANAK BADJAO" (1987)

"Anak Badjao" (1987)

Triple-A Films

The 1987 Metro Manila Film Festival Entry

Release Date December 25, 1987

Story and Screenplay Jose Antonio Alonzo

Film Editor Nonoy Santillan

Production Design Rolly Bernardo

Music Marita Manuel

Direction Jose Antonio Alonzo, Jerry Tirazona

Cast Charito Solis, Tony Santos, Sr., Liza Lorena, Alicia Alonzo, Alicia Alonzo, Marithez Samson, Isadora and Anthony Alonzo/ Also Starring Nick Romano, Den Montero, Rocco Montalban, Vic Santos, Dave Moret, Jojo Gaerlan, Robby Gaerlan/ Featuring Juaan Jose Gaerlan/ Introducing Jay Darryl

THE EIGHTIES # 893: VILMA SANTOS, MICHAEL DE MESA, TONY SANTOS, SR., CARIDAD SANCHEZ, FRANCIS ARNAIZ IN MARYO J. DELOS REYES' "TAGOS NG DUGO" (1987)

"Tagos ng Dugo" (1987)

VH Films

Release Date January 15, 1987

Story Via Marquez

Screenplay Jake Tordesillas

Director of Photography Ely Cruz

Editor Jesus M. Navarro

Production Design Cesar Hernando, Lea Locsin

Musical Director Jaime Fabregas

Supervising Producer Babes Marquez

Line Producer Douglas Quijano

Executive Producer Via Hoffman

Direction Maryo J. delos Reyes

Cast Vilma Santos,Michael de Mesa, Tony Santos, Sr., Caridad Sanchez, Francis Arnaiz/ with the special participation of  Miguel Rodriguez, Lito Pimentel, Mark Joseph, Joey Hipolito, Joey Marquez and Richard Gomez/ Also Starring Alicia Alonzo, Lucita Soriano, Bing Davao, Ross Rival, Ana Feliciano, Strawberry

Original theatrical poster of "Tagos ng Dugo"

(Private Collection)

THE EIGHTIES # 872: PHILLIP SALVADOR, DINDO FERNANDO, BEMBOL ROCO, EFREN REYES, JR., ANNA MARIE GUTIERREZ, JACKLYN JOSE, SARSI EMMANUELLE IN "GABI NA, KUMANDER" (1986)

"Gabi Na, Kumander" (1986)

Viva Films

Release Date November 20, 1986

Based on the radio serial, "Gabi na, Kumander" 

by Bienvenido V. Bacalso, Jr. aired over DYNP-Cebu

Screenplay Rene Villanueva

Edited by Pepe Marcos

Cinematography Rey de Leon

Music Vehnee Saturno

Produced by Ramon Salvador

Supervising Producer Tony Gloria

Executive Producer Vic del Rosario

Direction Pepe Marcos

Cast Phillip Salvador, Dindo Fernando, Bembol Roco, Efren Reyes, Jr., Anna Marie Gutierrez, Jacklyn Jose, Sarsi Emmanuelle/ with the special participation of Eddie Garcia/ Special Guest stars- Tony Santos, Sr., Lito Pimentel

THE FIFTIES # 686: DELIA RAZON & NESTOR DE VILLA, CARMENCITA ABAD & TONY SNTOS, EMMA ALEGRE & LEROY SALVADOR IN "1-2-3" (1955)

"1-2-3" (1955)

LVN Pictures

Release Date May 25- June 3, 1955

Music Leopoldo Silos

Direction Manuel Silos

Cast Delia Razon & Nestor de Villa, Carmencita Abad & Tony Santos, Emma Alegre & Leroy Salvador/ with Naty Bernardo, Jose Corazon de Jesus, Miguel Lopez