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Thursday, September 20, 2007

VIDEO 48: A FILM BUFF'S PARADISE


A FILM BUFF'S PARADISEBy : Iris Ayong / Manila Times / 7 May 2004
Nestled in an urban jungle is a haven for those whose eyes were meant for moving visuals. Its walls are lined with all sorts of films on DVD VCD format.
For someone whose exposure had the regular swipe-my-membership-card kind of video shops, this will only have to be another one of those neighborhood stalls. So why would the likes of Lino Brocka, Nick Joaquin, Lualhati Bautista, Ricky Lee, Laurice Guillen, Jeffrey Jeturian and other noted storytellers trek all the way to West Avenue just to rent a couple of videos? Geez, maybe because there’s something more to it than housing that, which you may have seen on Philippine silverscreen.
Unknown to many is that this rare shop had been standing there for the past 15 years. The soft-spoken owner Simon Santos showed us around this haven. Video 48 (the name is culled from its address—48 West Avenue), a two-story unit where the popular titles in VHS, VCD and DVD are found in the first floor, while the laser disc and betamax copies are kept upstairs. Noticeable is a list of Oscar winners and another list of the best 100 films. More than 95 percent of the titles in the list may be found in the shop.
It all began in 1988 when movie home viewing was only made possible by the betamax and then a little later by the Laser Disc. Santos, a film-lover himself, collected his favorite films in these formats. His early collection of 200 titles included the films of Alfred Hitchcock, John Wayne, James Stewart, Gary Cooper, Vittorio de Sica, Federico Fellini, Kurosawa and Almodovar. When his friends began borrowing his copies, an idea fell on his lap and kindled the urge to put up a video-renting business. "My family was then growing and I needed extra jinglers in my pocket," he said. "But is was a risky venture. Back then, in the late eighties, video shops were opening all over the country. Also, cable television networks were being established and film piracy was becoming rampant. I had to be careful of how these might affect the business, but I chose to offer renters an alternative by making my own collection of classics and art films available."
Santos, whose father is the revered artist Malang, travels to Singapore, Hong Kong and the US to shop for more prestigious titles like Trainspotting, Amelia, The Godfather series, Il Postino, La Dolce Vita, Z, The Bicycle Thief and Rashomon. And there’s still more—a shelf full of Western classics (High Noon, Shane), a row of Charlie Chaplin silent movies (The Kid, Modern Times), the musicals (Camelot, The Pajama Game) and Academy Award winners. Friends and those who frequent the shop also suggest titles, which Mr. Santos later dutifully searches in the net.
The place is simply Heaven for film students and film enthusiasts, but Simon wants to encourage others to expose themselves to these cinematic gems as well.
Video 48 is located at the Marisan Building, West Avenue corner San Francisco Del Monte Avenue, Quezon City.

55 comments:

Azrael Coladilla said...

this is one great blog site and a true haven for classic art!!!
thanks for putting this up and sharing the old times of pinoy movies and komiks!

if i have time, will visit your place to check out some old films and old posters.

KUKAY said...

I like watching classic movies it brings me good memories from my childhood days...I do hope you'll have a Branch here in the U.S. so that people like me can also rent movies.

More Power!

gelo said...

this a great oppurtunity for a movie addicts like me. do you sell some movie titles. Cause i am a big fan of the lapid's . im trying to collect thier movie can you help me? thank you

gelo said...

hi.... are you selling movie copies? please let me know.... im a big fan of the lapids im trying to collect their movies thank you

roland273839 said...

I would love to visit your shop one of these days. I'm an avid fan of FPJ too. Once I get there, I will find more classic movies of my idol. He's my only one idol and my only one favorite movie actor. But I admired him more behind the camera. Thanks for having this kind of website. This is one of my fave site.

Unknown said...

hi! I'm interested to buy some Ramon Revilla Sr? do you have pepeng agimat, Nardong putik? please post your address here so i can visit your shop..

Video 48 said...

We're located at Mary Santos Artcade, 48 West Avenue, Quezon City--- near Petron gas station and Metro Bar--- left side coming from SM North Edsa.
Thanks!

yuri said...

meron ka bang vcd movies ni fpj with his wife susan roces..... like divina gracia, tanging ikaw, magpakailanman, langit at lupa and many more. puede bang bumili? magkano ang isa? may phone number ka ba?

yuri said...

are you selling movie copies of fpj and susan roces movie? do you have maruja, florinda, pls let me know. thanks

Unknown said...

hi! sana lagay ka ng list ng mga fpj movies nyo, kc di ko na matandaan ung mga titles na nakita ko dyan sa shop nyo.. salamat po..

Video 48 said...

Hi Yuri and Eliza!
Give me your email address. Will send you the list.
Thanks!

yuri said...

my email address is starzlyrhio@yahoo.com
hope you send me copies of susan roces fpj movies available in dvd or vcd that i can buy. thank you

ponce0321 said...

I would like to know if you sell dvd copies of LVN and Sampaguita Pictures movies. Please let me know asap. Thanks.

Video 48 said...

only a few titles from Sampaguita and LVN.

Anonymous said...

Hi, do you have collections of George Estregan movies? my email is mrloo2k4@yahoo.com. thnx

Chuchi said...

hi..your site is great..thanks a lot!
do you have some pictures of my favorite, LORNA TOLENTINO?
god bless and more power!

Anonymous said...

Hi, Do you have copies of the following films in DVD/VCD format? Please email me at erlinda_flores@yahoo.com

Thanks

Kisapmata, Kakakaba-kaba?, Mortal
Bagong Hari,Moral,Takaw Tukso, Private Show,Patayin Mo Sa Sindak si Barbara,Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon, My Other woman, Charito Solis films, Ramon Revilla Sr. films, Chiquito films

Anonymous said...

Hi, this is linda again. It's supposed to be erlinda_flores@yahoo.com.ph Thanks

Video 48 said...

Hi Ponce0321
Can you send me your email address so I can discuss the details.
Thanks!

ponce0321 said...

This is my email address: avpastores@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Hi! What's your store's telephone number? Do you have 3 Taong Walang Diyos by Mario O'Hara, 1976?

Shall wait for your reply. Thanks! :)

Video 48 said...

Hi Aea! Yes! Our no.is 3732936
Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Hi —

Wanted to know if you sold dvds to the US.

E-mail me (matrickpiranda@hotmail.com).

Thanks.

P.

Spark Row said...

Can you please send me an email to discuss purchase of classic films.

Angelo
obnoxshuz@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

HI INTERESTED TO BUY COPIES OF MY FAVORITE FILMS:

KAYA KONG ABUTIN ANG LANGIT
STARRING-MARICEL SORIANO

KONTROBERSYAL
STARRING CHARO SANTOS

TUBOG SA GINTO
STARRING EDDIE GARCIA

PAGDATING SA DULO
STARRING RITA GOMEZ

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THEY ARE AVAILABLE.
RAFFY
gene_m60@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Hi !
love your store!

Do you have Omen 1-3,Lost in Horizon and Inside out?
Thanks!

Anonymous said...

i am dying to see and have a copy of patayin mo sa sindak si barbara 1974 and 1995 version, please tell me if where can i find a copy of these two, thanks in advance.

bad_santa_23@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

i am very happy when i learn that video 48 offered or published or old pilipino movies. do you have old movies of lito lapid, at least pictures of the movies like: zigomar, isla sto. nino, anak ng tulisan, diego santa cruz, etc.

i hope that you published all of that....
thanks a lot and more power..

jolas06 said...

what a great blog site....yo!!!

i like watching old pilipino movies especially fpj and lito lapid movies...

do have cd/dvd of the following movies of lito lapid? like:isla sto. nino, anak ng tulisan, diego santa cruz, zigomar, alamat ni leon guerrero, mga walang daigdig, and others.
reply me soon coz, i am going to manila this season so i can visit you there..

thank and merry christmas..

Video 48 said...

Hi Jolas! Sorry, I don't have the titles you're looking for. Some titles, though, of Lito Lapid are coming out lately in the market like San Basilio, etc.

Anonymous said...

merry xmas. do u have sister stella l, tagos ng dugo rubia servios and aida macaraeg?

Anonymous said...

hope u have these modern vilma classics, ive been desperately looking for them for ages....

Anonymous said...

Hi sir, just wanna ask for all Tito Vic & Joey movies... i'm willin to get all there movies. Thanks. Just send me the list to g1berrish@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

sir can you send me a list of Tito Vic and Joey movies that you have. Really love tvj movies, I hope meron kayong Goodah(1984).

eg_231@yahoo.com

RJ Morada said...

hi
anong mga mike de leon movies meron kayo?

my email
rjfmorada@gmail.com

vic said...

sir ano2 tvj po na movies meron kayo..??? san po ba ung shop niyo?? paki e-mail po na lang sakin.. japhetborja@yahoo.com tnx po...

Alex said...

Good Day...Do you have Dante Varona Movies (VCD or VHS)and How much for each?...Thanks and hope you'll reply...Here's my e-mail add" alextan2art@yahoo.com

reusg said...

hi, will you kindly give me the lists and prices of the available vintage or old dvd copies of lvn and sampaguita pictures that you have? i am interested in collecting vintage philippine movies of 40s, 50s and 60s.
thanks
rey

Anonymous said...

you have 90's movies in your collection? comedy movies by babalu, roderick paulate and other regal classics?

danica said...

hi i would like to inquire about the membership and could you please send me the list of movies you have on hand? my email address is danix*@gmail.com THANKS :)

danica said...

im sorry its danix8@gmail.com THANKS :)

Anonymous said...

ask qoh lng poh meron b kau salonga and victor lopez how much poh?

Anonymous said...

hi sir!!!!
ask qoh lng poh kung meron kau movie n salonga and victor lopez
thank you

Anonymous said...

here's my email ad...jayvee_placido@yahoo.com
i ask again if you have a copy of salonga and victor lopez?
have a nice day thank you!!!!

Anonymous said...

Sir pa send naman list mo ng movies ni Ramon Revilla Sr, tsaka FPJ baka may bago kayo... Galing na po ako dyan last month nakalimutan ko tingnan movie ni Ramon Revilla Sr. eto po email ko romanmydesenyo@gmail.com

loverboy said...

I am interested on movies of Ana Marie Gutierrez on the 80's. How can I possibly buy when I am here abroad anyway....my email address is mariomagrata@yahoo.com I only see snap shots of movie flyers...please send me details how can I buy...Thanks

imeere said...

hi! are you selling a movie copies of fpj movies and ramon revilla sr. too , please send me list of your collection my e-mail address is imeere1971@yahoo.com thanks imeere.

Unknown said...

hi! po asked ko lng kung meron kayong mga cowboy tagalog movie nila lito lapid fpj ,jun at robin aristorenas ,jess lapid at jr. eto po email add ko zigomarguerrero@yahoo.ca sana reply kayo at i add nyo po ako tnx po

Unknown said...

paano ba makabili ng dvd mo dto ko sa abroad?

COLOR IT BLUE said...

January 8, 2012

Mr. Simon Santos
Owner, Video 48


Good day!

GMA Network, Inc., the largest and leading broadcast network in the country, launched in February its very own news channel, GMA News TV.

This news channel is envisioned to bring Philippine broadcast journalism to new heights and be at par with respected international news organizations such as CNN and BBC, in terms of reportage and credibility.

One of the shows for GMA News TV is “IJUANDER” hosted by veteran news reporters, Ms. Susan Enriquez and Mr. Cesar Apolinario. We will be featuring the topic “I Juander: BILIB PA BA SI JUAN SA POWERS NG ALBULARYO? for the episode on January 9, 2011.

In line with our upcoming episode, we are featuring the Filipino icon of folk healer Mang Kepweng. With this we would like to request for permission for us to film posters of the movie Mang Kepweng at Video48, today (January 6, 2011).

In return we shall acknowledge Video 48 on our episode. This is for the local airing of the said episode on January 9; replay on January 14 and for our international airing.

We are hoping for your immediate and positive response on our request.

Should you have any questions, you may get in touch with me through the GMA Trunkline (632) 982 7777 loc. 1430/1431. You may also contact me through my mobile at +63915-843-0721.

Thank you very much!

Gemmalyn Masanga
Program Researcher

Unknown said...

Good day Video48, meron po ba kayo movie ni dolphy black magic at alamid ang alamat ni lito lapid? magkano po ba rent ng vcd or dvd?

audreythelmo said...

hi video 48 i would like to ask if you movies of ishmael bernal? badly need it for my cinema class. Thank you!! :)

Anonymous said...

Hi,

Nabasa ko yung sensational crime na nangyari noong 1961, na pinatay na isang pulis na si Pablo Cabading ang kanyang pamilya at manugang.

Curious lang ako, dahil ayon sa news report noong 1961 ay newly constructed daw yung bahay. I tried to look at how the house looked like, pero yung address na number 1074 Zapote st. Makati ay napalitan na.

Just for curiosity sake, alam mo ba ang bagong number noong dating bahay nila.

Thanks

Anonymous said...

hi. my comment is kind of misplaced. i am looking for a cd/dvd of Il Postino. i would really appreciate it if you could get back to me through my number 0917 454 8609. i would be here in metro manila until friday, oct. 30. i need it as a gift to a friend who collects original copies of cd/dvd of foreign movies. thanks.

Unknown said...

Sana me sumasagot sa mga nag ko comments.

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