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"Hiram na Ligaya," a romantic drama directed by Octavio Silos, was adapted from the 1936 prize-winning story by Remigio Mat. Castro, first published in Liwayway magazine. Marketed as a delightful drama involving three individuals entangled in a love affair, it featured performances by Carlos Padilla, Rosario Moreno, Lina Violeta, Tomas Alvarez, and Juanito Martinez.

The movie was shown at Fox Theater, February 18, 1937.

"Hiram na Ligaya" (1937)

Parlatone Hispano- Filipino Production

Release Date February 18, 1937

Story Remigio Mat. Castro

Direction Manuel Silos

Cast Carlos Padilla, Rosario Moreno, Lina Violeta, Tomas Alvarez, Juanito Martinez

(Image, courtesy of Casa Grande)

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The film Ang Birheng Walang Dambana was based on the prize-winning novel of Dr. Fausto J. Galauran, originally serialized in Liwayway Magazine. Produced by Filippine Films, it presents a timeless and poignant tale centered on a mother’s love.

Under the direction of Eduardo de Castro, the cast featured Rosa del Rosario, Armando Villa, Naty Bernardo, Fernando Poe, Mary Walter, Gregorio Fernandez, Rita Rica, and Florentino Ballecer.

It premiered at the Savoy Theater on February 9, 1937.

"Ang Birheng Walang Dambana" (1937)

Filippine Films

Release Date February 9, 1937/ Savoy Theater

Story Fausto J. Galauran

Direction Eduardo de Castro

Cast Rosa del Rosario, Armando Villa, Naty Bernardo, Fernando Poe, Mary Walter, Gregorio Fernandez, Rita Rica, Florentino Ballecer

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"The intriguing story of a man who helps his rival win the girl he loves..." says the blurb in this 1936 movie, "Mga Pusong Dakila (Noble Hearts)"

"To be accused of a crime he did not commit and to be nearly sentenced to a very severe penalty by the court of justice, just because he kept a secret whose divulgence would give bitter pangs to the life of his benefactor's son who was at the same time his rival in the game of love, is the interesting and original theme that surrounds the picture, "Mga Pusong Dakila" of the Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc." (The Tribune, January 29, 1937)

The movie, written and directed by Vicente Salumbides, starred Jose Padilla, Jr., Rosario Moreno, Angel Esmeralda, Lina Violeta, Teddy Benavides.

It was shown at Fox Theater, January 26, 1937.

"Mga Pusong Dakila (Noble Hearts)" (1936)

Parlatone Hispano- Filipino, Inc.

Release Date January 29, 1936/ Fox Theater

Story and Direction Vicente Salumbides

Cast Jose Padilla, Jr., Rosario Moreno, Angel Esmeralda, Lina Violeta, Teddy Benavides

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"It's another picture of stars... filled with electrifying and heart-gripping tension!", says the ad in this 1937 movie, "Ang Kambal," a sequel to "Hampas Lupa."

The movie, directed by Mar I. Esmeralda, starred Carlos Padilla, Carolina Serrano, Vicente Salumbides, Rosario Moreno, Nati Rubi, Lina Violeta, Rosa Luz.

Produced by Parlatone Hispano- Filipino, Inc, it was shown at Fox Theater, January 2, 1937.

"Ang Kambal" (1937)

Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc.

Release Date January 2, 1937/ Fox Theater

Story Teodoro Virrey

Direction Mar I. Esmeralda

Cast Carlos Padilla, Carolina Serrano, Vicente Salumbides, Rosario Moreno, Nati Rubi, Lina Violeta, Rosa Luz

(Images, courtesy of Casa Grande)

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Filippine Films super production's "Ang Pamana ng Pulubi" gives "an authentic portrayal of the trials and sufferings of orphaned childhood. It is also a replica of the great humanitarian work which doctors and nurses do in their respective communities."

"Alma Bella as Lucy, has lived up to the expectation of her thousands of admirers everywhere in the Islands, in that her part in the movie is true to type in every respect. Special mention must be made of the two Faustino children, Rosauro and Carmen, who played the role of orphans. It is the opinion of all those who have seen them that they give promise of greater achievement in local movies. Director Eduardo de Castro is receiving hundreds of congratulations for his remarkable work in the picture." (The Tribune, February 26, 1936)

"Ang Pamana ng Pulubi" (1936)

Filippine Films

Release Date February 26, 1936/ Lyric Theater

Direction Eduardo de Castro

Cast Alma Bella, Jose Padilla, Jr., Norma del Rosario, Rita Rica, Juanita Angeles

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: MARI VELEZ, ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, MANUEL LAREDO IN "DIWATA NG KARAGATAN" (1936)

"They love each other... but over them hover the cruelty and hatred of the Master, in whose grip, love and honor, tears and laughter are turned to pieces..." says the ad in this 1936 romantic drama, "Diwata ng Karagatan."

"The picture presents a wealthy and powerful man who, subsequently, is glowing with happiness. But since he became a victim of the infidelity of the woman he loved, he has loathed all women to the extreme of dedicating his whole life in abusing their prestige. His hatred for the weaker sex has eventually become stronger that his own will so much that every woman who comes across his way, passes unstained under the grip of his cruel claws of vengeance. Manuel Laredo, portraying this difficult role realized a labor worthy of encomium, under the direction of Carlos Vander Tolosa. Both Mari Velez and Rogelio de la Rosa who play the romantic parts make astonishing hit. "Diwata ng Karagatan" is endowed with precious musical parts, the author of which is the young local composer, Miguel Velarde, Jr. The movie is the first and only Filipino picture so far now showing in Europe."

(The Tribune, February 6, 1936) 

"Diwata ng Karagatan" (1936)

Parlatone Hispano-Filipino Production

Release Date February 6, 1936/ Lyric Theater

Written and Directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa

Cast Mari Velez, Rogelio de la Rosa, Manuel Laredo

(Image, courtesy of Casa Grande)

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The Tribune, January 14, 1936---

The much-heralded cinema version of Aurelio Tolentino's famous novel, '"Ang Buhok ni Ester," is opening tomorrow at the Fox Theater after having reaped the plaudits of Manila newspapermen and the members of the board of censors for motion pictures who previewed it. 

"Ang Buhok ni Ester" ushers in a new era in the making of talking pictures in the country. The hitherto virgin field of the Tagalog classics is for the first time invaded by the movies, and we may expect that it is the harbinger of a new day for local literature.

"Ang Buhok ni Ester" is a story of a rich family in Central Luzon who is subjected to blackmail by a band of outlaws headed by a relative of a family. Into this puzzle is thrown in a love story that is unique because it demands life itself, to satisfy its desire.

A delicately woven plot has been utilized to good mesure by Director Agapito R. Conchu who has produced a story very faithful to the novel itself.

The movie starred Rosa del Rosario, Mary Walter, Florentino Ballecer, Rita Rica, Manuel Barbeyto, Andres Buevara, Rudy Concepcion, Tor Villano, Taita Sari.

"Ang Buhok ni Ester" (1936)

Filippine Films

Release Date January 15, 1936/ Fox Theater

Direction Agapito R. Conchu

Cast Rosa del Rosario, Mary Walter, Florentino Ballecer, Rita Rica, Manuel Barbeyto, Andres Buevara, Rudy Concepcion, Tor Villano, Taita Sari

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"Luha ng Ina" (1936)

Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc.

Release Date April 17, 1936/ Lyric

Cast Carlos Padilla, Soledad Aquino, Rosario Moreno

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"The biggest drama of the year taken from the pages of Liwayway and brought to you on the screen with the warmth of human emotion!," says the ad in this 1936 movie, "Hampas Lupa (The Vagabond)"

It tells of "a youthful, modest and love-sick school teacher, who becomes a victim of cruel disillusion and lands in prison where she gives birth to twins. These two, merely tots still, make a getaway from the orphanage where they are reclused and become mere toys of misfortune. She, the unhappy mother, goes in search of her sons but her efforts are in vain. She becomes sick and people think that she is insane. She is put in an asylum." (The Tribune, December 1936)

The movie, its filming lasted for a whole year, was written by Teodoro Virrey and directed by Mar I. Esmeralda. It starred Angelito Nepomuceno, Carolina Serrano, Carlos Padilla, Armando Crisostomo, Angelina Rey, Rosario Moreno, Lina Violeta, Vicente Salumbides, Salvador Tinsay, Victor Nepomuceno, Rosa Luz, Teddy Benavides, Nati Rubi.

It was shown at Fox Theater, December 25, 1936.

"Hampas Lupa (The Vagabond)" (1936)

Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc.

Release Date December 25, 1936/ Fox Theater

Story Teodoro Virrey

Direction Mar I. Esmeralda

Cast Angelito Nepomuceno, Carolina Serrano, Carlos Padilla, Armando Crisostomo, Angelina Rey, Rosario Moreno, Lina Violeta, Vicente Salumbides, Salvador Tinsay, Victor Nepomuceno, Rosa Luz, Teddy Benavides, Nati Rubi

(Images, courtesy of Casa Grande)

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"Today's drama of life, love, human emotions and song!" says the blurb in a flyer in 1936 Filippine Films' "Malambot na Bato." The movie,  which "depicts modern Filipino marriage life" was directed by Fermin Barva, and starred Norma del Rosario, Cecilio Joaquin, Gregorio Ticman, Juanita Angeles, Ester Tabuena, Artemio Tabuena. 

The movie was shown at Fox Theater, December 17, 1936.

"Malambot na Bato" (1936)
Filippine Films Production

Release Date: December 17, 1936/ Fox Theater

Director Fermin Barva
Cast Norma Del Rosario, Cecilio Joaquin, Gregorio Ticman, Juanita Angeles, Ester Tabuena, Artemio Tabuena

"Movie flyers have been used by theater owners as promotional ads to drum up business for movies. They would print them up from materials provided by the studio, adding information on local screening times and locations. Although they were cheaply produced, many of the flyers were quite nicely designed and are now considered highly collectibles. In many cases the original films have been lost, making the surviving flyers the only visual record of numerous movies."

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"The burdens of life which are frequently registered in the records of the Manila Police; a story intensely emotional and sentimental, are depicted in this 1936 true-to-life drama, Ang Itinapon (The Outcast)."   

Based on the story by Jose Esperanza Cruz, the editor of Liwayway, "Ang Itinapon" was directed by Octavio Silos and starred Silvia Rosales, Leopoldo Salcedo, Rose May, Sofia Rivera, Soledad Aquino, Rosa Luz, Antonia Santos.

It was shown at Fox Theater, December 7, 1936.

"Ang Itinapon (The Outcast)" (1936)

Parlatone Hiapano-Filipino, Inc.

Release Date December 7, 1936

Story Jose Esperanza Cruz

Direction Octavio Silos

Cast Silvia Rosales, Leopoldo Salcedo, Rose May, Sofia Rivera, Soledad Aquino, Rosa Luz, Antonia Santos

(Image, courtesy of Casa Grande)

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"What is the quality in a modern girl that young men of today are after?", says the article published prior to the showing of the movie.

"Is it "Money, beauty or intelligence."

"A picture of student's life... it will give you a kind of thrill!," says the ad in this 1936 movie, "Lagablab ng Kabataan." 

The movie was written by Dr. Fausto Galauran and directed by Manuel Silos and starred Rogelio de la Rosa, Silvia Rosales, Juanito Carriedo, Eddie Unson, Rose May Al Cante, Paquito Villa, Nati Rubi, V. Salumdides.

The movie was shown at Fox Theater, November 2, 1936

"Lagablab ng Kabataan" (1936)
Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc.

Release Date November 2, 1936/ Fox Theater

4 songs by Miguel Velarde, Jr.

Story Dr. Fausto Galauran

Director Manuel Silos
Cast Rogelio de la Rosa, Silvia Rosales, Juanito Carriedo, Eddie Unson, Rose May Al Cante, Paquito Villa, Nati Rubi, V. Salumdides/ with Velarde's KZRM Jazztocrats and The Manila High Steppers

"Movie flyers have been used by theater owners as promotional ads to drum up business for movies. They would print them up from materials provided by the studio, adding information on local screening times and locations. Although they were cheaply produced, many of the flyers were quite nicely designed and are now considered highly collectibles. In many cases the original films have been lost, making the surviving flyers the only visual record of numerous movies."

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"Two women are bound to his life, an American and a Filipina, but... who of them has the more right to his love?," says the blurb in this 1936 movie, "Anak Dalita," the first local picture with English and Tagalog dialogues. 

"Confident that his wife had died in a sea tragedy, a man married another woman to learn later that his first wife still exists; two women who individually believe that they have the legitimate right to possess the love and protection of a man with whom they are both legally married..."  (The Tribune, October 8, 1936)

The movie, which was produced by Parlatone Hispanic-Filipino, Inc, from the story by Antonio Sempo and direction by Mar I. Esmaerlada, also starred Carlitos Nepomuceno, Carlos Padilla, Rosario Moreno, Soledad Aquino, Doris Young.

It was shown at Fox Theater, October 8, 1936.

"Anak Dalita" (1936)

Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc.

Release Date October 8, 1936/ Fox Theater

Story Antonio Sempio

Direction Mar I. Esmeralda

Cast Carlitos Nepomuceno, Carlos Padilla, Rosario Moreno, Soledad Aquino, Doris Young

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: LUBIN NEPOMUCENO, CARLOS PADILLA, ROSARIO MORENO, ANGELITO NEPOMUCENO, SOLEDAD AQUINO, TITA DURAN, TITO AREVALO, ANGEL ESMERALDA, CECILIO JOAQUIN IN "SA PAANAN NG KRUS" (1936)

 "Lubin Nepomuceno, the boy-actor who captured the admiration of the public with his genuine characterization in the silent picture, "Ligaw na Bulaklak," returns to the screen in "Sa Paanan ng Krus." Lubin blends with his artistic ability an extraordinary talent, a quality that which makes him a brilliant figure of the first category in the local cinematographic world. In "sa Paanan ng Krus," this boy-actor almost carries the weight of the whole picture, heading a cast of 17 popular stars of the local screen. He portrays the role of a boy who was separated from his parents, suffered together with his younger brothers, the most cruel and bitter privations of life..."(The Tribune, August 1936)

The movie was directed by Octavio Silos and starred Lubin Nepomuceno, Carlos Padilla, Rosario Moreno, Angelito Nepomuceno, Soledad Aquino, Tita Duran, Tito Arevalo, Angel Esmeralda, Cecilio Joaquin, Antonia Santos, Mari Velez, Armando Cris 

It was shown at Fox Theater, August 31, 1936

"Sa Paanan ng Krus" (1936)

Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc.

Release Date August 31, 1936/ Fox Theater

Direction Octavio Silos

Cast Lubin Nepomuceno, Carlos Padilla, Rosario Moreno, Angelito Nepomuceno, Soledad Aquino, Tita Duran, Tito Arevalo, Angel Esmeralda, Cecilio Joaquin, Antonia Santos, Mari Velez, Armando Cris 

(Image, courtesy of Casa Grande)

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"A drama of modern morals... a picture every man will want every woman to see!," says the ad in this 1936 movie, "Mga Kaluluwang Napaligaw (Lost Souls)" 

According to an article, "Carlos Padilla who enjoys extensive popularity among local screen fans for his previous accomplishments, attains in this picture even great triumphs, interpreting in an accomplished manner the role of Fernando, a victim of connubial unfaithfulness driven to frenzy till he landed in prison where he suffered the bitterness of a lifetime."

"To attain an atmosphere of realism in prison scenes in this picture, these were actually photographed at the Bilibid Prison with the generous cooperation on the part of Prison authorities. In such scenes appear actual elements of local rogues and vagabonds." (The Tribune, July 1936)

Produced by Parlatone Hispano-Filipno, Inc., the movie was directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa and starred Carlos Padilla, Nela Alvarez, Gregorio Fernandez, Teodoro Benavides, Exequel Segovia.

It was shown at Lyric Theater, July 31, 1936

"Mga Kaluluwang Napaligaw" (Lost Souls)" (1936)

Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc.

Release Date July 31, 1936/ Lyric

Written and Directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa

Cast Carlos Padilla, Nela Alvarez, Gregorio Fernandez, Teodoro Benavides, Exequel Segovia