ALBERTO ALONZO AS AGENT 69 (1964)

Alberto Alonzo attained full stardom portraying the role of Agent 69. The movie, directed by Armando Garces was released June 01, 1964. Considered by many as the first Pinoy James Bond-inspired movie.

See The Death of Alberto Alonzo

TONY FERRER AS MARKONG BAGSIK (1964)

Did you know that Tony Ferrer's first starring role was a non-Agent X-44 movie titled Markong Bagsik? The film, released theatrically in September 27, 1964, was directed by Armando Garces. It also starred Divina Valencia, Eddie Garcia, Rod Navarro and Max Alvarado. Ferrer hit big time when he later portrayed the character of Tony Falcon, Agent X-44 in many of his movies.

see Tony Ferrer as Agent X-44

JUN ARISTORENAS AS DUGONG TIGRE (1964)

Dugong Tigre (1964)- movie ad teaser

After a series of second-lead roles [Pangkat ng Marahas, Ito ang Lalake, Agent 69, Kidlat sa Baril, Isa Lang ang Hari], Jun Aristorenas was given his first starring role in the 1964 movie, Dugong Tigre.

Dugong Tigre (1964)- Stars Jun Aristorenas, Eddie Garcia, Max Alvarado, Victor Bravo, Rocco Montalban and Gina Laforteza/ Featuring Rosario del Pilar and Tony Ferrer/ Directed by Armando Garces

More on Jun Aristorenas

THE FILMS OF MIKE DE LEON

Kakaba-Kaba Ka Ba? (1980)

Batch '81 (1981)

Sister Stella L. (1984)

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" (1977)- 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

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

THE ART OF TONY DE ZUÑIGA

Tony DeZuniga was an avid comics reader as a child, Tony's favorites included Jack Kirby and Alex Toth, and he loved Alex Raymond's Rip Kirby and Flash Gordon. His love for comics inspired him to do comics on his own. He began his career as a letterer when he was 16 for a weekly magazine where he met Alfredo Alcala and Nestor Redondo, artists who he counts as those who have inspired and encouraged him, and became his friends.

Maestro Federico / Nobela ni Mario Mijares Lopez/ Guhit ni Tony Zuniga/ Inilathala sa Marte Komiks, Blg. 1, Marso 5, 1952

Tony moved to the US in 1962 to study an advanced course in Graphic Design and went back home to the Philippines to work in the advertising industry while at the same time drawing for comics like Hiwaga Komiks and Caravana Klasiks, and Romansa Komiks. At the end of the 60's Tony moved back to New York and met with DC Editor Joe Orlando and immediately he was given an assignment inking Ric Estrada on a romance story for Girl's Love Stories #153. His first story he penciled and inked on his own was most likely a Dr. Thirteen story for Phantom Stranger, published in April, 1971, and work soon followed regularly.

He was soon given the chance to co-create a new character with writer John Albano, which eventually became Jonah Hex, one of the more enduring modern day characters in the DC Universe.

Jonah Hex / All-Star Western/ 1972

Tony then paved the way for other Filipino comics artists to enter the US industry when he convinced DC Editor in Chief Carmine Infantino and Joe Orlando to visit the Philippines in 1971. Artists like Alex Niño, Alfredo Alcala, Nestor Redondo, Fred Carrillo. Vicatan, Gerry Talaoc and so many more found a lot of work on DC's stable of Mystery and War titles as a result.

Tony went on to draw Black Orchid, X-Men, Punisher etc. Retired, Tony spends his time painting in oil, watercolor, acrylic, charcoal and entering competitions. He also does many portrait commissions and teaches portrait, drawing and a how to draw superheroes class at the Lodi Arts Commission.
Source: The Philippine Comics Art Museum

De Zuniga did most of the movie poster ads and layouts of most of FPJ movies in the 1960s. These original movie posters/ads are well preserved and can be viewed upon request at the FPJ studio/compound at Del Monte ave, Quezon City.

Visit Tony De Zuniga Site

ART EXHIBIT: 'THEM!' AT WEST GALLERY

West Gallery, 48 West Avenue QC
March 25 thru April 25

Taking off from the way 2007’s Destroy All Monsters celebrated the low pop they revered - - - B movies and videogames and comic books - - - both in and of itself and for its potential as a conduit to higher modernist sensitivities, Them! is these twelve - - - Ronald Achacoso, Alex Aguilar, Daphne Aguilar, Amy Aragon, Felix Bacolor, Dodo Dayao, Romeo Lee, Omar Taleon, Jay Ticar, Raul Rodriguez, Anthony Vergeire and Cris Villanueva - - - coming to terms with that potential , the subsequent immersion and exploitation.

The first Them! was the 1954 B movie chestnut with gigantic radioactive ants, seminal to its genre and in many ways ground zero for the modern disaster movie as we know it , the way it seemed to take a perverse fascination with the spectacle of things falling apart and all its emotional and poetic nuances- - - annihilation, destruction, heartbreak, malfunction, defeat, extinction, obsolescence.

The 1954 Them! movie ad poster

The second Them! is a valentine to all these and its inevitable resolutions - - -both the melancholy of doom and the hope of rescue.

Them! runs from March 25 to April 25 ,2008 at West Gallery, Mary Santos Artcade, 48 West Avenue, Quezon City

See West Gallery

LOU SALVADOR, JR.: JAMES DEAN OF THE PHILIPPINES

The 'James Dean look' that jumpstarted his movie career

Lou Salvador, Jr. [born December 4, 1941], nicknamed Jojo, was dubbed as the James Dean of the Philippines. The young Lou belonged to the Salvador Clan --- Lou Sr. (the father), Leroy Salvador, Alona Alegre, Chona Sandoval, Ross Rival, Jobelle Salvador, Phillip Salvador, Jumbo Salvador. His dream of becoming an air force pilot was put on hold when he temporarily stopped schooling [third yr. high school] and entered the movies.

In 1957, Lou, only 16 years old, was spotted by veteran director Gregorio Fernandez at the LVN compound. Fernandez took Lou, who was then looking for his brother, and promptly tried him out in Hukom Roldan. From his first bit parts, Lou then went on to get an important part in Sanga-Sangang Puso, play second lead in Troop11 and eventually take the title role in Bad Boy with newcomer Marita Zobel as his leading lady.

In 1958, he went on to appear in Faithful, Barkada, Walang Takot and Isang Paa sa Hukay. He was nominated for Famas Best Supporting Actor in Krus na Daan in 1960 and finally winning it in 1962 for his performance in Ako ang Katrarungan, an FPJ starrer. He is married to Genevieve Poe, a younger sister of FPJ.

Bad Boy (1957)- Stars Lou Salvador, Jr., Leroy Salvador, Marita Zobel, Hector Reyes, Luisa Montessa, Chona Sandoval/ Directed by Lou Salvador Sr.

Faithful (1958)- Stars Jaime de la Rosa, Rosa Rosal, Marita Zobel, Rosa Aguirre, Oscar Keesee and Lou Salvador Jr./ Directed by Lamberto Avellana

Barkada (1958)- Stars Lou Salvador Jr.,Marita Zobel, Hector Reyes, Chona Sandoval, Ike Jarlego/ Directed by Lou Salvador Sr.

Isang Paa sa Hukay (1958)- Stars Joseph Estrada, Robert Campos, Editha Clomera, Guia Gomez and Lou Salvador, Jr./ Directed by Felix Vilar

Walang Takot (1958)- Stars Lou Salvador, Jr., Marita Zobel, Bernard Bonnin, Chona Sandoval/ Directed by Artemio Marquez

Combo Festival (1959)- Stars Lou Salvador, Jr., Hector Reyes, Chona Sandoval, Luz Valdez and Pugo/ Directed by Manuel Silos


Chinita (1959)- Stars Nestor de Villa, Lou Salvador, Jr. and Luz Valdez in the title role/ Directed by F.H. Constantino

Krus na Daan (1960)- Stars Zaldy Zshornack, Lou Salvador, Jr., Bentot, Chiquito, Carmencta Abad, Inday Jalandoni/ Directed by Leroy Salvador

Pitong Sagisag (1961)- Stars Efren Reyes, Cesar Ramirez, Johnny Monteiro, Ronald Remy, Lou Salvador, Jr., Lopito/ Directed by Efren Reyes

Dead or Alive (1962)- Stars Cesar Ramirez, Cecilia Lopez, Lauro Delgado, Miriam Jurado, Quiel Segovia and Lou Salvador, Jr./Directed by Alex M. Sunga

Albano Brothers (1962)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Bob Soler, Eddie Mesa, Carlos Padila, Jr. and Lou Salvador, Jr. / Directed by Efren Reyes

Ako ang Katarungan (1962)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Van De Leon, Lou Salvador Jr., Adorable Liwanag, Oscar Keesee and Paraluman/ Directed by Gerardo De Leon

Alias Golden Boy (1963)- Stars Lou Salvador, Jr., Berting Labra, Luz Valdez, Toto, Mary Walter and Perla Bautista/ Introducing Ross Rival/ Directed by Leroy Salvador

Kayo ang Humatol (1963)- Stars Lou Salvador, Jr., Luz Valdez, Perla Bautista, Jose Padilla, Jr./ Directed by Leroy Salvador

Tatlong Siga sa Maynila (1964)- Stars Zaldy Zshornack, Lou Salvador, Jr. and Romeo Vasquez/ Directed by Ding M. De Jesus