MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: EDUARDO DE CASTRO, ROSA DEL ROSARIO, NORMA DEL ROSARIO, ALMA BELLA, PEDRO FAUSTINO, FLORENTINO BALLECER IN "AMA" (1936)

Filippine Films' "Ama," tells the story of a father's love and long suffering for the sake of a son. Based on the Liwayway's prize-winning story by Lazaro Francisco, the movie was "evidently inspired by the widespread dissatisfaction and unrest among tenants and small farmers today as a result of the abuses of big landlords. It centers around Ikong Tasio, whose lands in Puting Lupa are taken away from him through the legal manipulations of Don Panfilo Melendrez, a rich nd haughty 'cacique.' Tasio stays in the place as a tenant and bears with inhuman treatment in order to support his son, Delfin, in college." (The Tribune, June 30, 1936)

The movie, which was directed by Agapito R. Conchu, starred Eduardo de Castro, Rosa del Rosario, Norma del Rosario, Alma Bella, Pedro Faustino, Florentino Ballecer.

It was shown at Lyric Theater, June 30, 1936

"Ama" (1936)

Filippine Films

Release Date June 30, 1936/ Lyric Theater

Story Lazaro Francisco

Direction Agapito R, Conchu

Cast Eduardo de Castro, Rosa del Rosario, Norma del Rosario, Alma Bella, Pedro Faustino, Florentino Ballecer

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ELSA ORIA (IN HER SCREEN DEBUT), ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, ARMANDO CRISOSTOMO, M.LLORENTE AND THE YOUNG TITA DURAN IN "AWIT NG MGA ULILA" (1936)

"At last! The biggest Filipino musical production of the year is with you" says the ad in this 1936 musical, "Awit ng mga Ulila." Elsa Oria, "a sweet, young soprano with an exquisitely mellow voice and with an attractive and dominating personality" is the new screen find of Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc. and will make her debut in the colossal musical production of "Awit ng mga Ulila." 

"In this picture, she reveals herself not only as a singer of great potentialities but also as a finished actress interpreting the title role. Her art is harmonious blend of marvelous dramatic acting, innocently sweet piquancy and melodious singing."

 (The Tribune, June 11, 1936)

The movie, which was directed by Mar I. Esmeralda,  also starred Rogelio de la Rosa, Armando Crisostomo, M. Llorente and the young Tita Duran. 

It was shown at Lyric Theater, June 12, 1936.

"Awit ng mga Ulila" (1936)

Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc.

Release Date June 12, 1936/ Lyric Theater

Story E. Trinidad

Music J. Estella and Tito Arevalo

Direction Mar I. Esmeralda

Cast Elsa Oria (in her screen debut), Rogelio de la Rosa, Armando Crisostomo, M. Llorente and a young Tita Duran/ Supported by Radio singers and hundred & hundreds of extras

(Images, courtesy of Casa Grande)

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ROSITA RIVERA, CAROLINA SERRANO, CECILIO JOAQUIN, ROGELIO DE LA ROSA IN "KALUPITAN NG TADHANA (FATE'S CRUELTY)" (1936)

"Love unites two lives but fate's cruelty separates them..." says the blurb in this 1936 movie, "Kalupitan ng Tadhana." 

Produced by Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc, the movie, which was written and directed by Octavio Silos, starred Rosita Rivera, Carolina Serrano, Cecilio Joaquin and Rogelio de la Rosa.

It was shown at  Lyric Theater, May 15, 1936

"Kalupitan ng Tadhana (Fate's Cruelty)" (1936)

Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc.

Release Date May 15, 1936/ Lyric Theater

Story and Direction Octavio Silos

Cast Rosita Rivera, Carolina Serrano, Cecilio Joaquin, Rogelio de la Rosa

 

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: NORMA DEL ROSARIO, DOMINGO PRINCIPE, JUANITA ANGELES, RITA RICA, PATRING CARVAJAL, MANUEL ORTIGAS, PEDRO FAUSTINO AND FAUSTINO MAURAT IN "HAGASE TU VOLUNTAD" (1936)

Opening in 1936, "Hagase Tu Voluntad," an All-Spanish Talking Picture, produced by Filippine Films. According to an article, the movie is a highly dramatic story of life, love and tragedy, and it was recently accepted in the United States for world-wide distribution and it will be shown in the local public for the first time beginning today (May 12) at Lyric Theater.

"The performance of such stars in the picture as Norma del Rosario, Domingo Principe, Juanita Angeles, Rita Rica, Patring Carvajal, Manuel Ortigas, Pedro Faustino and Faustino Maurat, make the picture one of the local dramatic triumphs of the screen."

"Pedro Faustino, whose meteoric rise from an inexperienced actor to stardom in the short space of two years, renders one of his best performances in "Hagase Tu Voluntad." He brings realism to a most difficult role and his acting is one of the reason why the picture is one of the best dramatic productions made by a local company."

(read the article below)

RIP, DIREK MIKE DE LEON, 78/ FILMOGRAPHY (1976- 2018)

MANILA, Philippines – Independent Filipino filmmaker Mike de Leon died at the age of 78, his family confirmed to French film distributor CarlottaFilms.

Known to be “fiercely political,” De Leon was the brilliant mind behind a myriad of films that offer deep social commentary and highlights the plight of the marginalized.

One of his greatest works as cinematographer is Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag which was directed by Lino Brocka and starred Bembol Roco and Hilda Koronel.

De Leon would go on to direct films such as "Sister Stella L.," "Itim," "Batch ’81," and "Kakabakaba Ka Ba?" — all of which would make a mark on Filipinos across generations.

Among his latest works before his death was the award-winning 2018 film "Citizen Jake," which had been made available for free streaming ahead of the high-stakes 2022 presidential elections.

De Leon’s films were even screened at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 2022, just months after "Itim" made its Cannes Film Festival debut. The iconic supernatural film was locally released in 1976.

In 2019, the Philippine cinema icon had also released a short film titled "Kangkunga — his critique on the Duterte administration.

Other than his extensive filmography, De Leon also has a book titled Mike de Leon’s Last Look Back, which he referred to as a “photographic memoir of [his] life in cinema.” – Rappler.com

Me with award-winning director Mike de Leon and TV broadcaster Atom Araullo, the lead star in MDL’s “Citizen Jake”… photo taken during the book launching of Mike de Leon book (Batch ’81: The Making of a Mike de Leon Film) in 2017.

Miguel Pamintuan de Leon, also known as Mike de Leon, is a noted Filipino film director, cinematographer, scriptwriter and film producer. He was born in Manila on May 24, 1947 to Manuel de Leon and Imelda Pamintuan. His interest in filmmaking began when he pursued a master's degree in Art History at the University of Heidelberg, Germany.

De Leon first made two short films namely: Sa Bisperas, 1972, and Monologo (Monologue), 1975. He established the Cinema Artists Philippines in 1975. He produced Lino Brocka's Maynila: Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag, while also acting as the said film's cinematographer in 1975. For Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag, De Leon won best cinematography awarded by the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences [Famas].

"Itim" (1976)- Stars Tommy Abuel, Charo Santos, Mario Montenegro, Mona Lisa, Moody Diaz, Susan Valdez/ Directed by Mike De Leon

De Leon's films are a full reflection of the Filipino psyche that sought answer for questions on social class belonging, political absurdities, and fragmentations in various forms. His first major full-length work was, Itim (Black), in 1976. It was an in-depth study of guilt and violence and shows de Leon’s delicate balancing of cinematic elements to project mood and character. It was voted by the Philippine’s Urian Awards as one of the Ten Outstanding Films of the Decade: 1970-1979. The film also won him the best director award during the 1978 Asian Film Festival held in Sydney, Australia.

"Kung Mangarap ka't Magising "(1977)- Stars Christopher De Leon, Hilda Koronel, Laurice Guillen, Moody Diaz, Bibeth Orteza, Danny Javier, Boboy Garrovillo/ Directed by Mike De Leon

When De Leon created Kung Mangarap Ka't Magising in 1977, it became a tribute to his grandmother Dona Sisang to celebrate the centennial of the family's film company, LVN Pictures.

"Kakaba-Kaba Ka Ba?" (1980)- Stars Christopher De Leon, Charo Santos, Jay Ilagan, Sandy Andolong, Boboy Garrovillo, Johnny Delgado and Armida Siguon-Reyna/ Directed by Mike De Leon

Known for his varied experiments in styles of film directing, he pushed the birth of the new musical in Kakabakaba Ka Ba?, a landmark film which portrayed a number of self-important totems of Philippine society. Kakabakaba Ka ba? won for De Leon the Urian award for best director.

"Kisapmata" (1980)- Stars Charito Solis, Jay Ilagan, Vic Silayan and Charo Santos/ Directed by Mike De Leon

His other movies include Kisapmata (1981), Batch '81 (1982) and Sister Stella L. (1984). In these films he tackled social and political issues with powerful and disturbing imagery. His blockbuster film, Hindi Nahahati ang Langit (1985) was an adaptation from an earlier Filipino Komiks version of the same title. In 1987, De Leon also made Bilanggo sa Dilim, a full-length video commissioned by Sony Entertainment.

"Batch'81" (1981)- Stars Mark Gil, Sandy Andolong, Ward Luarca, Noel Trinidad, Ricky Sandico/ Directed by Mike De Leon

"Sister Stella L." (1984)- Stars Vilma Santos, Jay Ilagan, Gina ALajar, Laurice Guillen, Tony Santos, Anita Linda and Liza Lorena/ Directed by Mike De Leon

De Leon explored subjects such as incest, fraternity violence, and the Filipino workers' cause. These were themes that were portrayed in the films Kisapmata, Batch '81 and Sister Stella L. respectively. These films became cinematic masterpieces in Philippine History of Filmography and were later listed as the Philippines's Ten Outstanding Films of the Decade: 1980-1989 by the Philippines’ Urian Awards. Later on, Batch '81 was voted best picture by the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) where de Leon also won a best screenplay award. For Sister Stella L. de Leon won best director and best screenplay in the Philippines's Urian Awards in 1984. Kisapmata and Batch '81 were presented during the Directors' Fortnight at the 1982 Cannes Film Festival. The film Sister Stella L. was an entry during the 1985 Venice Film Festival.

"Hindi Nahahati ang Langit" (1985)- Stars Christopher de Leon, Lorna Tolentino, Dina Bonnevie, Edu Manzano/ Directed by Mike de Leon

De Leon pioneered the use of computer graphics animation for the TV advertising industry in 1988.

De Leon’s film, Aliwan Paradise, became a part of the Southern Winds in 1993, which is a collection of four films from Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippine, and Japan. The NHK and Japan Foundation commissioned this film anthology.

Source: Wikipedia

"Bayaning 3rd World" (1999)- Stars Ricky Davao, Joel Torre, Cris Villanueva, Cherry Pie Picache, Rio Locsin, Lara Fabregas, Daria Ramirez, Joonee Gamboa, Ed Rocha/ Directed by Mike De Leon

Filmography

2018 Citizen Jake

1999 Bayaning Third World

1993 Southern Winds: Aliwan Paradise

1987 Bilanggo sa Dilim (unreleased) video

1985 Hindi Nahahati ang Langit

1984 Sister Stella L.

1883 Signos

1982 Batch '81

1981 Kisapmata

1980 Kakabakaba Ka Ba?

1977 Kung Mangarap Ka't Magising

1976 Itim

1975 Monologo (Monologue), a short film

1972 Sa Bisperas, a short film

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ROSA DEL ROSARIO, RUDY CONCEPCION, TEMBONG, JUANITA ANGELES, PATRING CARVAJAL, PEDRO FAUSTINO IN "SUMPA NG ASWANG" (1935)

"Do you believe in aswang? Is there such thing as aswang?, says the ad in the 1935 mystery thriller, "Sumpa ng Aswang." 3 prizes, it says,  will be awarded for the best answers.

The movie, which starred Rosa del Rosario, Rudy Concepcion, Tembong, Juanita Angeles, Patring Carvajal, Pedro Faustino, was based on the current belief that there is such a thing as aswang and it is set in Guadalupe ruins, the relic of Spanish power believed by people now to be hunted by evil spirits.

For the synopsis, read the article below---

"Sumpa ng Aswang" (1935)

Filippine Films

Release Date December 12, 1935/ Fox Theater

Direction Agapito R. Conchu

Cast Rosa del Rosario, Rudy Concepcion, Tembong, Juanita Angeles, Patring Carvajal, Pedro Faustino

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: NORMA DEL ROSARIO, ROSA DEL ROSARIO, DOMINGO PRINCIPE, GREGORIO TICMAN, PERLA GARCIA, GILDA GALES IN "AWIT NG PAG-IBIG" (1935)

On its opening day, November 13, 1935, " thousands of Manila theatergoers milled to the Fox Theater to see the premiere showing of "Awit ng Pag-ibig," latest Filippine Films' musicale that has been acclaimed by the Philippine board of censors for motion pictures and the press of Manila.

The tenderly beautiful story, whose continuity is never for once lost, left the theatergoers wondering. They were all praise for the marvelous acting of Rosa and Norma del Rosario, Gregorio Ticman, Juantia Angeles, Pedro Faustino and Perla del Rosario and their strong supporting cast. "

(The Tribune, November 13, 1935)

"Awit ng Pag-ibig" (1935)

Filippine Films

Release Date November 13, 1935/ Fox Theater

Direction Agapito R. Conchu

Cast Norma del Rosario, Rosa del Rosario, Domingo Principe, Gregorio Ticman, Perla Garcia, Gilda Gaces

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: MARY WALTER, GREGORIO TICMAN, PEDRO FAUSTINO, RITA RICA, SALVADOR ZARAGOZA, PAULA MAURAT, FAUSTINO MAURAT IN "HIMALA NG BIRHAN" (1935)

According to an article, " 'Himala ni Bathala' is a faithful picture of native life in the Philippines. Belief in the power of miracles is still strong up to this day, and specially in the rural districts. The story is rich in scenes of the beautiful Philippine countryside. The moonlight idyls are specially noteworthy."

(The Tribune, August 20, 1935)

The movie starred Mary Walter, Gregorio Ticman, Pedro Faustino, Rita Rica, Salvador Zaragoza, Paula Maurat, Faustino Maurat and others. It was shown at Radio Theater, August 20, 1935.

"Himala ng Birhen" (1935)

Filippine Films

Release Date August 20, 1935/ Radio Theater

Cast Mary Walter, Gregorio Ticman, Pedro Faustino, Rita Rica, Salvador Zaragoza, Paula Maurat, Faustino Maurat

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: NATY BERNARDO, GREGORIO TICMAN, TAITA SARI, RITA RICA, JUANITA ANGELES IN "KALBARIO" (1935)

From the immortal story of Teodoro Virrey, comes another tearjerker from Filippine Films, "Kalbario," starring Naty Bernardo, Gregorio Ticman, Taita Sari, Rita Rica, Juanita Angeles. The movie was directed by Eduardo de Castro. It was shown at Grand Theater, June 5, 1935.

"Kalbario" (1935)

Filippine Films

Release Date June 5, 1935/ Grand Theater

Story Teodoro Virrey

Direction Eduardo de Castro

Cast Naty Bernardo, Gregorio Ticman, Taita Sari, Rita Rica, Juanita Angeles

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: MARY WALTER, PEDRO FAUSTINO, ROSA DEL ROSARIO, JOSE PADILLA, JR. IN "GULONG NG BUHAY" (1935)

The first in 1935, Filippine Films' "Ang Gulong ng Buhay" starring Mary Walter, Pedro Faustino, Rosa del Rosario, Jose Padilla, Jr. The movie, with a special feature on Vodavil, made its theatrical run at Star Theater, January 30- February 5, 1935.

"Ang Gulong ng Buhay"

Filippine Films

Release Date January 30- February 5, 1935/ Star Theater

Cast Mary Walter, Pedro Faustino, Rosa del Rosario, Jose Padilla, Jr.

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ROSA DEL ROSARIO, JOSE PADILLA, JR., RITA RICA, TORCUATO REYES, TAITA SARI, VICTORIANO SEVILLA, F. MONROY IN "ANAK NG BILANGGO" (1934)

"Anak ng Bilanggo" (1934)
Filippine Films
Release Date October 19- 25, 1934/ Grand Theater
Direction Octavio Silos
Cast Rosa de Rosario, Jose Padilla, Jr., Rita Rica, Torcuato Reyes, Taita Sari, Victoriano Sevilla, F. Monroy

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: MARY WALTER, JOSE PADILLA, JR., GREGORIO TICMAN, FERMIN BARVA, SALVADOR ZARAGOZA, FAUSTINO MAURAT IN " LIWAYWAY NG KALAYAAN" (1934)

"Liwayway ng Kalayaan" (1934)
Filippine Films
Release Date September 29- October 4, 1934/ Radio Theater
Cast Mary Walter, Jose Padilla, Jr., Gregorio Ticman, Fermin Barva, Tor Villano, Salvador Zaragoza, Faustino Maurat

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CORAZON NOBLE, ROGELIO DE LA ROSA IN JOSE NEPOMUCENO'S "SAWING PALAD" (1932)

"Sawing Palad" (1934)
Release Date September 16- 18, 1934/ Grand Theater
Produced and Directed by Jose Nepomuceno
Cast Corazon Noble, Rogelio de la Rosa

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ROSA DEL ROSARIO, CARLOS PADILLA, JOSE PADILLA, JR., GREGORIO TICMAN, NORMA DEL ROSARIO, RITA RICA, MARY WALTER, FERMIN BARVA, PATRING CARVAJAL IN "X 3 X" (1934)

"X 3 X" (1934)
Filippine Films
Release Date August 30, 1934/ Radio Theater
Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa
Cast Rosa del Rosario, Carlos Padilla, Jose Padilla, Jr., Gregorio Ticman, Norma del Rosario, Rita Rica, Mary Walter, Fermin Barva, Patring Carvajal

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ROSA DEL ROSARIO, JESUS LLORENTE, TOR VILLANO, SALVADOR ZARAGOZA, PEDRO FAUSTINO IN "ANTING-ANTING" (1934)

"A romantic legend of Malakas and Maganda, their love and suffering ruled by Devil Man... a hundred thrills in this weird and beautiful drama..." says the ad in this 1934 movie, "Anting-Anting." Produced under Filippine Films, the movie starred Rosa del Rosario, Jesus Llorente, Tor Villano, Salvador Zaragoza, Pedro Faustino. It was shown at Radio Theater, May 27- June 2, 1934.

"Anting-Anting" (1934)
Filippine Films
Release Date May 27- June 2, 1934/ Radio Theater
Cast Rosa del Rosario, Jesus Llorente, Tor Villano, Salvador Zaragoza, Pedro Faustino