THE FIFTIES # 96: TESSIE AGANA (IN THE TITLE ROLE), LINDA ESTRELLA, VAN DE LEON, CHICHAY, TOLINDOY IN "KERUBIN" (1952)/ UPDATED

"Kerubin" (1952)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date April 30, 1952

Serialized in Liwayway Magazine

Story Clodualdo del Mundo

Direction Octavio Silos

Cast Tessie Agana, Linda Estrella, Van de Leon, Chichay, Tolindoy

Synopsis: Kerubin (Tessie Agana), a naughty little angel makes St. Peter sore by being constantly late because of ever wandering into space even after the heavy gates of heaven are closed. So the St. Peter sends Kerubin to earth, and can only return to heaven on the condition that the angel should make a sad soul happy.

Kerubin chooses to console Anastacia (Linda Estrella). Ana is a frustrated wife who wants to be a mother. She is a devout woman, but her prayers are not answered. Her troubles assume desperate proportions when her husband (Van de Leon), tired of being a childless husband, decides to date and flirt with a scheming woman, Margarita (Bella Flores).

So Kerubin goes straight to Ana and makes her known of her heavenly mission. The naughty angel makes sad Ana a happy woman, all right, but complications follow, because the vision of Kerubin is only visible to Ana, and to her maid, Panchang (Chichay).

When the husband begins to notice the strange behavior of his wife and the maid, talking to invisible being, and similar other unexplained incidents, he tells this to Margarita who believes that Ana is getting insane, due to her frustrated desire to have a child and to the infidelity of the husband. Here’s a good chance to get rid of her, says Margarita. Send her to the asylum.

Judicial proceedings to have Ana confined begin, but the first lawyer hired by the adulterous couple, after investigating the case, turns down the job of sending Ana to the asylum, because Divinia, his wife, believes that Ana is telling the truth.

Panchang escapes Ana’s household after testifying to Ana’s insanity, because she is threatened by Ana’s husband. She takes refuge in the lawyer's house who is now convinced that Ana is not off her mind. In the meanwhile, another lawyer is hired, and during the court hearing, petitioners have all the evidence on their side. The first lawyer, Justo, in vain tries a brilliant defense. Just when everything is about lost, and the Judge is about to issue out the order of confinement, Kerubin comes into the courtroom to validate Justo’s objections and to sway the balance of justice in favor of Ana.

And that’s not enough. Back in heaven, Kerubin urges St. Peter to intercede on Ana’s behalf so that she may be given a child, one who just looks like Kerubin. Petition granted. (Source: Literary Song-Movie magazine)

THE FIFTIES # 105: PUGO AND TOGO, WITH INDAY JALANDONI, CARMENCITA PALMA, EDDIE SAN JOSE, GIL DE LEON, JOSE DE CORDOVA, CHUCHI, RAMON MONROY, PAMBOY IN "KAMBAL TUKO" (1952)/ UPDATED

"Kambal Tuko" (1952)

LVN Pictures

Release Date April 25- May 4, 1952/ Life Theater

Story Nemesio E. Caravana

Music S.S. Suarez

Direction F. H. Constantino

Cast Pugo and Togo, Inday Jalandoni,Carmencita Palma, Eddie San Jose, Gil de Leon, Jose de Cordova, Chuchi, Ramon Monroy, Pamboy, Berting Liwanag, Henry Dayao



THE FIFTIES # 685: EFREN REYES, NENA CARDENAS, ARTURO LERMA, WITH RUBEN RUSTIA, ETANG DISCHER, BELEN VELASCO IN "BAKAS NG KAHAPON" (1952)/ UPDATED

"Bakas ng Kahapon" (1952)

People's Pictures

Released thru Premiere Productions, Inc.

Release Date April 20, 1952

Cinematography Arsenio Dona

Musical Director Tony Maiquez

Assistant Director Candido Manahan

Written and Directed by Artemio Marquez

Cast Efren Reyes, Nena Cardenas, Arturo Lerma/ Also Starring Ruben Rustia, Etang Discher, Belen Velasco/ with Lito Anzures, Reny Unate, Duel Morelos, Venchito Galvez, Barang/ Introducing Anita Soler, Milagros Yumul

THE FIFTIES # 100: CESAR RAMIREZ, GLORIA ROMERO, WITH ARURAY, TONY CAYADO, TOTOY TORRENTE, PEDRO FAUSTINO, DOLORES CRESCINI IN "PALASIG" (1952)/ UPDATED

 

"Palasig"

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date April 15-24, 1952/ Life

Serialized in Liwayway Magazine

Story Francisco V. Coching

Direction Artemio B. Tecson

Cast Cesar Ramirez, Gloria Romero, Aruray, Tony Cayado, Totoy Torrente, Pedro Faustino, Dolores Crescini

Synopsis: A sultan, on a pleasure trip, came to Manila where he meets a pretty girl whom he falls in love. They become engaged and they are making preparation for marriage when the Sultan is called by an urgent business to sail abroad. The girl who is left behind, thinking that he would not come back and fearing that she would be the object of sneers in the social group to which she belongs, marries another before the child she carries in her womb would begin to show.

After a time, however, the Sultan comes back, makes discreet inquiries and finds out what happened to his former sweetheart. Believing that the child is really his, he orders his aide, Dampilan, to kidnap the child which Dampilan does while the parents are away from home. The Sultan comes back to his sultanate, but keeps the presence of the child a secret to his people, until one day he decides to let them know about it. The revelation is not welcome by his people, especially by Datu Balawis, his brother, who is now deprived of his succession right to the Sultanate by virtue of the presence of the child-heir who is named Palasig (Cesar Ramirez). Balawis plots to kill Palasig, but the child is ably defended by Dampilan, a loyal follower of the Sultan. But in one of his attempts to overthrow the Sultan, the latter is killed. Through the intervention of Dampilan, however, the child assumes the throne of his father.

The mother, in the meantime, thinking that her child was dead, adopts another and names her Florinda (Gloria Romero). Palasig all the while grows up into manhood and gives up the idea of seeing again his mother, inasmuch as she has not done anything to rescue him. He trains himself to be fit to honor his father’s throne. After some years, Florinda and her adopted Father, while on a trip to the south, fall prey to a group of Moro sea raiders. Florinda falls a captive to Datu Balawis group. When Palasig meets Florinda, he frees her and this leads to a feud between the two until Balawis is killed. It is clear that Palasig is in love with Florinda, and when he announces that he would marry her, the Sultan’s people repudiate his choice because the bride he has chosen is a Christian. Led by the council of panditas or Moro priests, even Dampilan, his loyal friend turns against Palasig. What happens henceforth is anybody’s guess. (Source: Literary Song-Movie Magazine)

 

Cesar Ramirez and Gloria Romero in "Palasig" (1952)

THE FIFTIES # 124: CELIA FLOR, MARIO MONTENEGRO, ROSA ROSAL, WITH TONY ARNALDO, MARIA CRISTINA, PATSY MATEO, ANITA SERRANO, MINDA MIRANDA IN "CORRECCIONAL" (1952)/ UPDATED

"Correccional" (1952)

LVN Pictures

Release Date April 10- 19, 1952/ Dalisay

Music F. Buencamino, Jr.

Story and Direction Susana C, de Guzman

Cast Celia Flor, Mario Montenegro, Rosa Rosal, Tony Arnaldo, Maria Cristina, Patsy Mateo, Anita Serrano, Minda Miranda

Synopsis: The forthcoming wedding of Norma (Celia Flor) and Armando (Mario Montenegro), a young lawyer, was supposed to be a great and wonderful event for the two, but everything went haywire. Perhaps, it was because the bride tried on her bride gown, and that’s bad luck, according to a popular belief.

Salome (Rosa Rosal), Armando’s client, was hosting a birthday party. She is married to Don Julio (Tony Arnaldo), much older than her. However, Salome is in love with Armando, the same way with Don Julio to Norma.

During the party, the scheming Salome slips a pill into Norma’s drink which makes the latter dizzy and unknowingly went into the bedroom to sleep. Don Julio follows her and starts to take advances. Then, enters Salome with Armando in tow into the room and found the two in a scandalous position.

Despite pleas from Norma, Armando calls off the engagement. Salome, on the other hand, demands separation from her husband and monetary settlement. In one of the bitter confrontations between the couple, Salome stabbed and killed Don Julio. Norma, at that time, went to see Don Julio to clear her name, only to find him dead with a letter opener stuck in his body. Salome comes out from behind shouting murder and the two househelps seeing Norma holding the bloody weapon. Evidences point to Norma as the guilty person and is sentenced to a prison term at the Correccional, where her own mother is the Superintendent.

The mother believes firmly in her daughter's innocence, and she wants justice done, so she resigns her position and begins to take steps to vindicate her daughter. The mother confronts Salome, threatens her with a gun if she does not clear out her daughter, but in the scuffle that ensues, the gun goes off killing Norma’s mother. Salome is found guilty of murder and committed at the Correccional. There, she meets Norma.

The hatred between the two flares up into a first class cat-fighting, as a result of which they are placed in solitary confinement. Norma begins to work on the nerves of the guilty Salome by mentioning to her that her husband's soul and the soul of Norma’s mother will haunt her. Salome could no longer stand it and decides to sign a written confession clearing Norma.

The good news spreads out, and Armando who has been making moves to win back Norma for some time, is happy enough to welcome his sweetheart into his arms.

 

Armando (Mario Montenegro) and Norma (Celia Flor) ironing out their forthcoming wedding

Salome (Rosa Rosal), with husband, Don Julio (Tony Arnaldo) welcomes Armando on the former's birthday party

Don Julio confronts the scheming Salome

Norma explains her side to the doubting Armando. The two eventually separated.

Salome stabs Don Julio

but Norma gets the blame

Armando visits Norma at the correccional, later realizing Norma's innocence

Norma's mother feels that her daughter is innocent

The mother confronts and points a gun at Salome, but is overwhelmed and killed

Salome is committed to the correccional...her guilty conscience bombards her no end and eventually clears Norma of the charges.

Norma prays in front of her mother's grave...

.... and forgives Armando

THE FIFTIES # 131: LEILA MORENA, JESUS RAMOS (IN THE TITLE ROLE), LOPITO, OSCAR KEESE, BOY FRANCISCO IN "OG" (1952)/ UPDATED

"Og" (1952)

Premiere Productions

Release Date April 5, 1952/ Life

Story Teodoro Virrey

Direction Cesar Gallardo

Cast Leila Morena, Jesus Ramos, Lopito, Oscar Keese, Boy Francisco 

Leila Morena and Jesus "Og" Ramos 
on the cover of Literary Song-Movie Magazine 
April 1952

Photo credit: courtesy of Baul ni Juan (James de la Rosa)

More on: Jesus 'Og' Ramos 

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 # 669: NORMA BLANCAFLOR, ELVIRA REYES, CAROL VARGA, FERNANDO ROYO, BEN RUBIO, JUAN MONTEIRO AND JENNINGS STURGEON IN "KALBARYO NI HESUS" (1952)/UPDATED

I grew up watching Kalbaryo ni Hesus in the 60s. I've seen it countless times and I still recalled Fernando Royo playing the role of Judas, Norma Blancaflor as the Blessed Mother Mary, Juan 'Johnny' Monteiro as Simon Bilibit and a foreign actor named Jennings Sturgeon as Jesus Christ. The movie, released in 1952, was an all-star cast that included among others, Carol Varga, Rita Rivera, Elvira Reyes, Ben Rubio, Teddy Benavides, Ramon D' Salva. The production design was done by National Artist Carlos 'Botong' Francisco and ably directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa.

"Kalbaryo ni Hesus" (1952)
Lebran Productions
Release Date March 26- April 4, 1952
Production Design Carlos V. Francisco
Music Prof. J. Esteban Anguita
In Charge of Production Carlos R. Garcia
Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa
An All-Star Cast - Norma Blancaflor, Elvira Reyes, Carol Varga, Fernando Royo, Ben Rubio, Juan (Johnny) Monteiro, Teddy Benavides, Africa dela Rosa, Lupe Velasco, Sweet Williams, Andres Centenera, Cecilio Joaquin, Ramon D' Salva, Rita Rivera, Gracita Dominguez, Fred Penalosa, Bert Olivar, Don Dano, Manuel Barbeyto, Oscar Keese, Ric Bustamante and Jennings Sturgeon (as Jesus Christ) and many others

Reissued in 1954

THE FIFTIES # 119: PANCHO MAGALONA, LINDA ESTRELLA, RUDY FRANCISCO IN "LIHIM NG KUMPISALAN" (1952)/ UPDATED

When I first saw this ad, I thought the movie was based from Hitchcock's "I Confess." I was wrong, the movie, shown in 1952 was one year ahead of Hitchcock's which was released in 1953. The two movies, probably based on a 1902 French play by Paul Anthelme titled Nos Deux Consciences, had similar plot, that of a killer confessing to a crime in the confessional and instead the priest became the primary suspect. Because of the seal and secrecy of the confessional, the priest is bound not to disclose anything to the authorities. What if his life is at stake?

"Lihim ng Kumpisalan" (1952)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date March 21-30, 1952/ Dalisay

Direction Olive La Torre

Cast Pancho Magalona, Linda Estrella, Rudy Francisco

THE FIFTIES # 671: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, LOTA DELGADO, BEN RUBIO IN "IRISAN" (`1952)/ UPDATED

"Irisan" (1952)

RDR Productions

Released thru LVN Pictures

Release Date March 16-26, 1952/ Life

Direction Manuel Silos

Cast Rogelio de la Rosa, Lota Delgado, Ben Rubio

THE FIFTIES # 670: ERNESTO BOHOL, PACITA FRANCISCO, WITH TEODORO KALAW KATIGBAK, LILLIAN LAING, FIDEL SICAM, JOSEFINA LEANO, VICKY CASTILLO, RUBEN LACSAMANA IN "ANG LIMPIA BOTA (THE BOOTBLACK)" (1952)/ UPDATED

The movie, "Ang Limpia Bota (The Bootblack)" told with great realism, was the first Filipino Educational Picture. It was based on the true-to-life story of a bootblack, Ernesto Bohol (who played as himself in this film), who worked his way up to become a college president. National Artist for Music, Lucio D. San Pedro did the musical scoring. 

"Ang Limpia Bota (The Bootblack)" (1952)

Far East Films

Released by Lebran Inc.

Release Date March 11- 20, 1952/ Dalisay

(In English and Tagalog Dialogue)

Story Ernesto Bohol

Musical Score Lucio D. San Pedro

Direction T. D. Agcaoli

Cast Ernesto Bohol , Pacita Francisco/ Also Starring Teodoro Kalaw Katigbak, Lillian laing, Fidel Sicam, Josefina Leano, Vicky Castillo, Ruben Lacsamana, Mike Melo, Neonora Ruiz, Ric Valdez/ Guest players- Judge Bienvenido Tan, Gov. Lino Castillejo, Fiscal Nicanor Nicolas, Prf. Vicente Quimbo

THE FIFTIES # 118: ARMANDO GOYENA, TESSIE QUINTANA, WITH LILA LUNA, NIDA BLANCA, FRANK GORDON, ROSA AGUIRRE, AMADO CORTEZ, ARTURO MORAN, ETANG DISCHER IN "TIA LOLENG" (1952)/ UPDATED

"Tia Loleng" (1952)

LVN Pictures

Release Date February 20-29, 1952/ Dalisay

Music Quin Velasco

Direction Manuel Silos

Cast Armando Goyena, Tessie Quintana, Lila Luna, Nida Blanca, Frank Gordon, Rosa Aguirre, Amado Cortez, Arturo Moran, Etang Discher, Miguel Lopez, Tony Dantes, J. Rodriguez

Did you know that movie actor Armando Goyena, a popular matinee idol during his time, a society boy and a dashing hero of countless romance and adventure films, had to play a woman in the '50s before he could become a star? The part was the title role in the 1952 comedy "Tia Loleng," also Goyena's favorite movie,  where he was made to dress up as a lady so he could be close to the woman he loved and adored. The woman was played by his perennial screen partner, Tessie Quintana (they made 15 movies together). The movie was filmed at least three decades before Dustin Hoffman made "Tootsie" and Robin Williams played "Mrs. Doubtfire." "They imitated us," Goyena chuckles in one of his interview. "The movie became a big hit, and that's how I made some money to marry." Goyena, now in his 80s, was married to the late Francisca Roses, also called Paquita, the first Camay soap model, with whom he had seven daughters and a son. Two of these daughters first became movie stars themselves-Maritess Revilla, who was also a soap model, and Tina Revilla, who later became a television host.

  

Tessie Quintana and Armando Goyena

THE FIFTIES # 98: ALICIA VERGEL, CESAR RAMIREZ, GLORIA ROMERO, WITH CHICHAY, TOLINDOY, TONY CAYADO, JOSE DE VILLA, PEDRO FAUSTINO, ARING BAUTISTA, PERCY ORTEGA IN "MADAM X" (1952)/ UPDATED

"Madam X"
Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date February 10-19, 1952/ Dalisay
Writer Dr. Fausto J. Galauran

Direction Artemio Tecson

Cast Alicia Vergel, Cesar Ramirez, Gloria Romero, Chichay, Tolindoy, Tony Cayado, Jose de Villa, Pedro Faustino, Aring Bautista, Precy Ortega

THE FIFTIES # 133: ARMANDO GOYENA, DELIA RAZON, WITH LILA LUNA, ENRIQUE JARLEGO, JR., NATY BERNARDO, MARIA CRISTINA, EUSEBIO GOMEZ IN "HARANA SA KARAGATAN" (1952)/ UPDATED

"Harana sa Karagatan" (1952)

LVN Pictures

Release Date February 5- 14, 1952/ Life

Music Juan Silos, Jr.

Direction Joe Climaco

Cast Armando Goyena, Delia Razon, Lila Luna, Enrique 'Ike' Jarlego, Jr., Naty Bernardo, Maria Cristina, Eusebio Gomez, Armando Garces, Armando Cortes, Joe Climaco, Mario Roldan, Miniong Alvares

THE FIFTIES # 97: NENA CARDENAS, EDUARDO DEL MAR, LOPITO, OSCAR KEESE, WITH ARTURO LERMA, RUBEN RUSTIA, ROSITA NOBLE, AMELITA SOL IN "MALULOS" (1952)/ UPDATED

"Malulos"
Premiere Productions
Release Date January 31- February 9, 1952/ Dalisay

Direction Consuelo P. Osorio

Cast Nena Cardenas, Eduardo 'Eddie' del Mar, Lopito, Oscar Keese, Arturo Lerma, Ruben Rustia, Rosita Noble, Amelita Sol, Dolly Garcia, Luis San juan, Nello Nayo, Francisco Cruz, Lito Anzures