SEPTEMBER 14, 1949: FIRE BURNS FERNANDO POE'S HOUSE, FILM VAULT

In 1949, the residence of Fernando Poe Sr. was gutted by a huge fire which started at the film vault located behind the house. Jenny, elder Poe's three year-old daughter almost got killed. Ronald Allan Poe, popularly known as FPJ, was only 10 years old that time. He mentioned in one article interview that the vault flew 20 meters away from the house when it exploded and saw film reels spinning all over the place like flying saucers.

Those are millions of pesos worth of property lost. New generations of film lovers may have been deprived of seeing these precious cinematic gems.

From the front page of the Manila Times, here's the full account of that incident---

September 14, 1949--- Two fires broke out last night within two hours of each other, the first in the residence of Fernando Poe, movie actor-producer, in Grace Park and the second in the Allied Artists Productions, at 2235 Azcarraga. Both fires were place under control half an hour after the arrival of firemen.

Fernando Poe’s 3 year-old daughter, Jenny, sustained minor burns in the arms and back when she was locked up in the bathroom of Poe’s residence, on F. Sevilla and 3rd Avenue, Grace Park, which was the scene of the fire that broke out at 7:30 last night from stored movie films. Damage remained undetermined at press time.

Mrs. Marta Reyes Poe, mother of the movie actor and producer, told the police that they were all eating when the fire was suddenly noticed from the film vault behind the house. Poe’s wife, Mrs. Bessie Kelly-Poe, rushed her daughter Jenny to the family doctor, Dra. Estudita Ramos, who treated the girl at the St. Anthony’s hospital. It was however, Jenny’s uncle, Jose Samson, who braved the fire and rescued her from the bathroom, where she had earlier locked herself to take a bath.

JUNE 11, 1962: THE TRAGIC END OF TOMMY AGUILAR ALIAS "BOY VERGEL"

The life of Tommy Aguilar alias Boy Vergel was vividly chronicled in an article titled "The Short, Unhappy Life of Boy Vergel" by National Artist Nick Joaquin which was published in the Philippines Free Press magazine. Tommy, son of actress Alicia Vergel with her first husband, stepson to actor Cesar Ramirez and half-brother to actor Ace Vergel, grew up in the company of such notorious gangsters like Arturo Porcuna alias Boy Golden during the early 60s. Tommy, only 19, was shot dead in front of Odeon Theater on the night of June 10, 1962.

Joaquin writes---

Teen-agers in bloody strife daily loom, larger than life, on the screen of Manila’s Cine Odeon, which is currently showing West Side Story, the prize-winning movie on the teen-age gang wars in New York between Puerto Rican immigrants and “native” Americans. The film ends in a gush of gore and incongruous song, with three teen-agers dead, two in a knife duel, one in a shooting, the pinnacles of New York vainly striving, in default of stylish blank verse, to endow the morbidity with Elizabethan grandeur.

People who went to the Odeon on the night of June 10 emerged at around midnight to find the movie they had just seen being re-enacted, for real, on the sidewalk right in front of the movie house. Two teen-agers were being held at bay by five other young men. There were snarls and a flash of knives. One of the teen-agers fled toward the restaurant next door and was pursued by a young man brandishing a pistol. The terrified bystanders heard a shout: “Don’t run, Tommy--- I’ll shoot you!” The fleeing teen-ager was already halfway up the stairs of the restaurant when his pursuer fired. At the sound of the shot, the other boys dispersed. The gun wielder streaked across Azcarraga toward Rizal Avenue. The victim, bent over, arms folded over his belly, managed to stagger down the stairs before dropping to the pavement. A young man, apparently his companion, picked him up and carried him to the curb, where there was some argument with a taxicab driver who wouldn’t let the two boys board. A policeman had to bid him take the wounded boy to the North General Hospital.

The taxi sped away with its tragic fare and the folk who had just come out of the Odeon began to jest that they had seen two West Side stories for the price of one: the American original inside, a local version outside. The cultural time lag between Hollywood and Manila seems to have narrowed to a matter of days.

The shot boy died in the taxi as it entered the gate of the North General. He was Dead On Arrival, to use hospital and police parlance. His companion said that the victim’s name was Tomas Aguilar. The name rang no bells, but the boy, it turned out, had a famous kin. He was the son of movie star Alicia Vergel, the stepson of movie star Cesar Ramirez, and he himself was a star in his own world, the teen-age underworld of Manila, where he was known as Boy Vergel.

It became a front page news in 1962---

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MOVIE ACTRESS' SON SHOT DEAD BY STUDENT

June 11, 1962---A nineteen-year old son of a local movie actress was shot dead by a University of the East student at the stairs of the Alex Soda Fountain adjoining the Odeon theater at the corner of Claro Recto Avenue and Rizal Avenue shortly before midnight last night. The victim, Tomas Aguilar, of ROTC Hunters street, Quezon City, suffered a gunshot wound at his back just below the left shoulder. He died on arrival at the North General Hospital. Aguilar is the son of Alicia Vergel.

Police identified the assailant as Adriano Meneses y Manuel, 21, a UE student and residing at Nacar street, San Andres Subdivision. He and two of his companions were nabbed by MPD operatives shortly after the shooting. They were brought to the police headquarters at Isaac Peral for investigation. One of Meneses’ companions, Roberto Pilpa, 20, of 14 Illinois Street, Quezon City, told police probers that he, the assailant and four other companions were going up the stairs of the Alex Soda Fountain when they met the victim. Pilpa said that Meneses accosted the victim and the two had an argument. Later, the victim reportedly whipped out a knife and Meneses pulled out his .38 caliber pistol. Seeing the gun in Meneses’ hand, the victim fled and tried to enter again the Alex Soda Fountain. But Meneses cut short his escape by shooting him at the back. Meneses admitted to police investigators during an intensive grilling at the police headquarters that he shot to death the victim.

Pilpa also told police investigators that the shooting was caused by a quarrel between Meneses and the victim over a certain Marivic Tanseco of Fargas Compound, Mandaluyong, Rizal. He said that Marivic was a sweetheart of Meneses. But last month Aguilar started courting the girl who showed signs of liking the victim. This angered Meneses. And he started looking for Aguilar. It was only last night that the two met. Police found the fatal gun at 1112 Kusang Loob street, Sta. Cruz. It was seen by Sixto Legarda who told the police that he saw it being thrown by some teenagers. Pilpa was nabbed while he was about to board a taxicab by Pat. Jesus Marzan, while Meneses was arrested by Det. Silverio Ramirez in a Rizal Avenue coffee shop. Quiray was nabbed atop the Arellano High School at Teodora Alonzo by Det. Cpl. Jerry Upina.

Police also disclosed that Meneses was also involved in a near-fatal shooting last week when he shot Bartolome Chaves, a relative of Fiscal E. K. Chaves of Manila. MPD operatives are readying corresponding charges against Meneses and his companions who are now detained at the MPD headquarters. (Source: The Manila Chronicle)

THE 1985 METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL: VELEZ, ALONZO TOP AWARDEES

Ten movies participated in the 1985 Metro Manila Film Festival. Amazaldy Productions' Paradise Inn, a film by Celso Ad.Castillo received five major awards--- Best Picture; Best Actress (Vivian Velez); Best Story (Celso Ad Castillo); Best Cinematography (Romeo Vitug) and Best Editing (Edgardo Vinarao). Triple A Films' The Moises Padilla Story: The Missing Chapter got four awards--- Best Actor (Anthony Alonzo); Best Supporting Actor (Tommy Abuel); Best Screenplay (Tom Adrales) and the Second Best Picture Award. Cherie Gil was awarded the Best Supporting Actress trophy for the movie, God... Save Me!. Lea Productions' Ano ang Kulay ng Mukha ng Diyos? received the most number of awards with six--- Best Director (Lino Brocka); Best Child Performer (Katrin Gonzales); Best Musical Scoring (Willy Cruz); Best Sound Engineering (Rolly Ruta); Best Production Design (Benjie de Guzman) and the Third Best Picture Award.

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"Paradise Inn" (1985)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Vivian Velez, Dennis Roldan, Michael de Mesa, Robert Arevalo, Armida Siguon Reyna, Lito ANzures, Jinggoy Estrada, Lucita Soriano, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, Bing Davao, Jaime Fabregas, Juan Carlos/ Directed by Celso Ad Castillo


"The Moises Padilla Story: The Missing Chapter" (1985)- Stars Anthony Alonzo, Charito Solis, Gina ALajar, Tommy Abuel, George Estregan, Raoul Aragonn, Juan Rodrigo, Rex Lapid, Daria Ramirez, Frd Moro, Roi Vinzons/ Directed by Wilfredo Milan

"Ano ang Kulay ng Mukha ang Diyos?" (1985)- Stars Gina Alajar, Michael de Mesa, Edu Manzana, Caridad Sanchez and Kristin Gonzales/ Directed by Lino Brocka


"Boboy Tibayan: Tigre ng Cavite" (1985)- Stars Ramon 'Bong' Revilla, Jr., Lani Mercardo, Lyka Ugarte, George Estregan, Raoul Aragonn, Perla Bautista, Rez Cortez, Conrad Poe, Bomber Moran/ Directed by Pepe Marcos


"Bomba Arienda" (1985)- Stars Ace Vergel, Charito Solis, William Martinez, Carmi Martin, Tommy Abuel and Coney Reyes/ Directed by Mel Chionglo


"God... Save Me! (1985)- Stars Christopher de Leon, Charito Solis, Rio Locsin, Cherie Gil, Tommy Abuel, Juan Rodrigo, Rose Ann Gonzales/ Directed by Carlo J. Caparas


"Hee Man: Master of None" (1985)- Stars Redford White, Roderick Paulate, Emily Loren, Don Pepot, Tatlong Itlog, Joaquin Fajardo, Maning bato, Imelda Caparas, Ernie Ortega, Mario Escudero/ Directed by Tony Y. Reyes


"I Can't Stop Loving You" (1985)- Stars Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III, Rowell Santiago and Jackie Lou Blanco, Lani Mercado and Miguel Rodriguez, Nadia Montenegro and Richard Gomez/ with Liza Lorena, Marissa Delgado/ Directed by Elwood Perez

Menudo at Pandesal" (1985)- Stars Gloria Diaz, Carmi Martin, Tanya Gomez and Janice De Belen/ with Paquito Diaz, Max Alvarado, Lou Veloso & Caridad Sanchez/ Directed by Danny L. Zialcita

"Oks na Oks Pakner" (1985)- Stars Nino Muhlach, Janice De Belen and Aga Muhlach/ Directed by J. Erastheo Navoa

SEPTEMBER 28, 1964: ACTOR KILLS MOVIE PRODUCER

In 1964, award-winning actor-producer Leroy Salvador figured in an unpleasant incident when he accidentally killed a movie producer. Claiming self-defense, he went to the police and confessed to the killing. From the front page of The Manila Times, here's that full account----

Actor Kills Cine Producer
Leroy Salvador yields, claims self defense

September 28, 1964- Leroy Salvador, well-known movie actor-producer, shot to death Jesus Consul, another movie producer, at the latter’s residence at 289 Banawe st., Quezon City, at 1:22 p.m. yesterday. Salvador, 35, of Metrica st., Sampaloc, surrendered to the QC police 30 minutes after the shooting. He claimed Consul was shot while the two were grappling for Consul’s revolver. Consul, 40, was dead on arrival at the National Orthopedic Hospital. He was hit in the left chest.

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Salvador told investigators that he and Consul quarreled over the use of a bus Salvador had leased from Consul’s Movie Philippines, Inc. during the shooting of “Dugo ng Sugatan.” The film is produced by Salvador’s Golden Harvest Productions. Salvador said Consul was sore over the damage to the bus engine while it was under lease by Golden Harvest Promotions. Consul allegedly charged Salvador with having failed to supply gasoline for the bus while it was in his custody. When he tried to deny the charge, Salvador said, Consul became belligerent. He said he went near to put his arm around the other man’s shoulder to placate him but Consul, he said, must have misunderstood his intention. Suddenly, he said, he saw Consul whip out his gun, a licensed .38 caliber Colt. Salvador said he was grappling with Consul for possession of the gun when it went off. He surrendered the gun.

The only witnesses to the incident were four men who went with Salvador to Consul’s residence. Salvador said he went there yesterday to edit and process the film of “Dugo ng Sugatan.” Salvador said he leased the bus and other movie equipment for P14, 500.00. The actor surrendered to Pat. Vicente Sardea, desk officer at the QC detective bureau at 1:50 p.m. “I shot somebody,” Salvador said when he turned himself in. The QC police last night readied a charge of homicide against the actor.

"Dugo ng Sugatan" (1964)

ACTOR CHARLIE DAVAO PASSED AWAY, 75 / MOVIE ADS 1959-66

Veteran character actor Charlie Davao, father of Ricky Davao, passed away Sunday morning after a long battle with colon cancer. According to reports, Davao's cancer was detected in December 2009. He recently underwent an operation.

Born Charles Dabao in Iloilo City, he went to Manila in 1954 to pursue his college education. He was a commerce student at the University of the East while involved in commercial and print ad modeling. Although he was attentive in school, his main goal was into film acting, which he realized after a friend told him about an audition at the Sampaguita Pictures. He grabbed the opportunity and passed the audition with flying colors. He was introduced in Isinumpa in 1959. Davao’s biggest break came in 1965 when he played Agent 009, a local James Bond.

Davao appeared in more than hundred films playing mostly villain and supporting roles to lead stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Ramon Revilla Sr., Lito Lapid, Rudy Fernandez, among others.

He was last seen in a slew of teleseryes aired in recent years. These included “Totoy Bato” and “Sine Novela Presents: Ngayon at Kailanman” on GMA-7, as well as “Sa Piling Mo” and “Basta’t Kasama Kita” on ABS-CBN.

"Isinumpa" (1959)- Stars Ric Rodrigo, Dolphy, Barbara Perez, Marlene Dauden/ with Etang Iischer, Panchito Alba, Priscilla Valdez, Charlie Davao/ Directed by Octavio Silos

"Double Cross" (1960)- Stars Rita Gomez, Luis Gonzales, Carlos Salazar, Tony Marzan/ with Martin Marfil, Bella Flores, Charlie Davao, Naty Santiago / Directed by Conrado Conde

Left- "Dayukdok" (1961)- Stars Carmen Rosales, Luis Gonzales, Amalia Fuentes, Barbara Perez/ with Charlie Davao, Boy Alano, Matimtiman Cruz, Jose Villafranca/ Directed by Mar S. Torres

Right- "Kaming Mga Talyada" (1962)- Stars Juancho Gutierrez, Jose Mari, Tony Marzan, Rod Navarro, Boy Alano, Charlie Davao, Boy Garcia/ Directed by Tony cayado

"Trudis Liit" (1963)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Luis Gonzales, Bella Flores/ Introducing Vilma Santos & Connie Angeles/ with Charlie Davao, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, Ely Roquee, Matimtiman Cruz, Ray Marcos, Ven Medina, Venchito Galvez/ Directed by Jose de Villa

"Anak ni Kamagong" (1964)- Stars Leopoldo Salcedo, Vic Vargas, Carmen Rosales, Josephine Estrada/ with Charlie Davao, Romeo Rivera, Renato del Prado/ Directed by Conrado Conde


"Sa Kuko ng Lawin" (1964)- Stars Lolita Rodrigues, Lyn D'Amour and Eddie Rodriguez/ with Charlie Davao, Boy Alvarez, Blackie Francisco, Eddie Torrente, Connie Angeles/ Directed by Fely Crisostomo


"Mr. Wong Vs. Mistico" (1964)- Stars Chiquito, Lyn D'Amour and Charlie Davao/ with Joseph de Cordova, Teddy Benavidez, Joe Sison, Jose Villafranca, Andres Centenera/ Directed by Fely Crisostomo

"7 Mata-Hari" (1965)- Stars Charlie Davao, Maggie dela Riva, Gloria Sevilla, Vilma Valera, Zeny Zabala, Stella Suarez, Helen Thompson & Miriam Jurado/ Directed byRomy Villaflor

"Secret Agent 009" (1965)- Stars Charlie Davao,Lyn D'Amour, Stella Suarez, Carol Varga, Martin Marfil and Miriam Jurado/ with Carmen Soriano, Joe Sison, Bruno Punzalan/ Directed by Romy Villaflor

"Assignment: Hongkong" (1965)- Stars Charlie Davao, Lyn D'Amour, Zeny Zabala, Joe Cunanan, Philip Coo, Tong Tek, David Hsu and Miriam Jurado/ Directed by Romy Villaflor

"Pintuang Bakal" (1965)- Stars Henry Duval, Ruby Regala, Tony Cruz, Jr., Nello nayo, Joe Sison, Elena Mercado and Charlie Davao/ Directed by Dan Victorino

"Palakang Dagat" (1965)- Stars Willie Sotelo, Charlie Davao, Vilma Valera and Paquito Diaz/ Directed by Felix Villar

"Mistico Meets Mamaw" (1966)- Stars Marlene Dauden, Charlie Davao and Apeng Daldal/ with Martin Marfil, Rebecca Gonzales, Liz Flores, Vince Juarez/ Directed by Totoy Rivera

"Assignment: Jolo" (1966)- Stars Charlie Davao, Maggie dela Riva, Lucita Soriano, Bessie Barredo, Ruby Regala, Mel Francisco/ with Jose Padilla, Jr., Nello Nayo/ Directed by Danny Victorino

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---

THE 1984 METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL: NORA AUNOR TOPS FILMFEST

Cherubim Films' Bulaklak sa City Jail won the Best Picture Award in the 1984 Metro Manila Film Festival. It also received four other major awards--- Best Actress (Nora Aunor); Best Director (Mario O'Hara); Best Story and Best Screenplay (both for Lualhati Bautista). Other awardees include--- Best Actor (Herbert Bautista/ Shake, Rattle & Roll); Best Supporting Actor (Ed Villapol/ Alapaap); Best Supporting Actress (Celia Rodriguez/Bulaklak sa City Jail); Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction (Joe Tutanes/ Alapaap); Best Editing (Jess Navarro/ Shake, Rattle & Roll); Best Music (Jaime Fabregas/ Shake, Rattle & Roll) and Best Child Performer (Chuckie Dreyfuss/ Idol).

A total of nine entries participated in the filmfest and saw the debut of Shake, Rattle and Roll, probably the most successful film series in the history of Philippine cinema.

"Bulaklak sa City Jail" (1984)- Stars Nora Aunor, Gina Alajar, Celia Rodriguez, Perla Bautista, Maya Valdez, Zenaida Amador, Maritess Gutierrez, Shyr Valdez/ Directed by Mario O'Hara

Shake, Rattle & Roll (1984)/ Three Episodes

Episode 1: “Baso”- Directed by Emmanuel Borlaza/ Cast- Joel Torre, Rey’PJ’ Abellana, Arlene Muhlach
Episode 2: “Pridyider” – Directed by Ishmael Bernal/ Cast- Janice de Belen, Charito Solis, William Martinez, Mon Alvir, Lito Gruet
Episode 3: “Manananggal” – Directed by Peque Gallaga/ Cast- Herbert bautista, Irma Alegre, Mary Walter, Peewee Quiajano, Pen Medina

"Ang Panday IV: Ika- Apat Na Aklat" (1984)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Marianne dela Riva, Lito Anzures, Bentot, Jr., Eddie Infante, Mario Escudero, Robert Rivera and Max Alvarado/ Special participation of Rowell Santiago/ Directed by Ronwaldo Reyes



"Alapaap" (1984)- Stars William Martinez, Mark Gil. Michael de Mesa and Tanya Gomez/ Introducing Eva Rose Palma, Isadora/ Directed by Tata Esteban




"Misteryo sa Tuwa" (1984)- Stars Tony Santos, Sr., Johnny Delgado, Ronie Lazaro, Alicia Alonzo, Lito Anzures, Amable Quiambao, Mario Montes/ Directed by Abbo Q. dela Cruz




"Idol" (1984)- Stars Rudy Fernandez, Connie Angeles, Chuckie Dreyfuss, Dencio Padilla, Ruben Rustia, Victor Bravo,Dick Israel, Robert Talabis, Philip Gamboa, Bomber Moran, Rommel Valdez/ Directed by Romy Suzara



"Bukas... May Pangarap" (1984)- Stars Gina Alajar, Tommy Abuel, Dante Balaois, Michael Baluyot, Richard Baluyot, Thea Cleofe Salvador, Bes Flores, Ruben Rustia, Bebong Osorio, Josie Galvez/ Directed by Gil Portes



"Atsay Killer: Buti Nga Sa 'Yo" (1984)- Stars Eddie Garcia, Panchito, Cachupoy, Fauzi Omar, Isabel Rivas, Barbara Luna, Julie Ann Fortich, Donna Villa, Rosemarie de Vera/ Directed by Angel Labra

"Muntinlupa 1958" (1984)- Stars Anthony Alonzo, Marianne dela Riva, Fred Montilla, Tita Munoz, Alicia Alonzo, Max Alvarado, Joonee Gamboa, Renato del Prado, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia/ Directed by Jose Antonio Alonzo