THE OTHER "JUAN TAMAD"

Manuel Conde was supposed to do Juan Tamad Goes to Malacanang in 1961. Pre-production and preparations were on place, but for one reason or another the whole project was aborted and shelved.

In 1962, a different Juan Tamad was introduced to the public. The actor, Leopoldo Salcedo, and not Manuel Conde, assumed the role of Juan Tamad. The movie was titled as Juan Tamad Enters Malacanang, since the title of Juan Tamad Goes to Malacanang was already copyrighted by Conde. What would have been Conde's reaction that time? It's disheartening and I'm pretty sure it would have broken the heart of Conde. For me that was foul and unethical, since the name Juan Tamad had been associated with Conde since 1947, when he made the first Juan Tamad.

Juan Tamad Enters Malacanang (1962)- Stars Leopoldo Salcedo,
Merle Tuazon, Pugak, Tugak/ Directed by Tino Garcia

FEBRUARY 11, 1968: (Actor) EFREN REYES (Sr.) DIES OF HEART ATTACK

Efren Reyes Dies of Heart Attack
The Manila ChronnicleFebruary 12, 1968

Movie actor-director Efren Reyes, 44, died of heart attack early last night at the Sta. Ana race tracks in Makati, Rizal. Reyes was taken to the race tracks first aid station. However, he had to be transferred immediately to the St. Anne’s Hospital on Del Pan Street, also in Sta. Ana. He was pronounced dead on arrival. Some witnesses said Reyes had just collected winnings amounting to several thousands of pesos and was on his way out of the race tracks when he collapsed. 

An official of the race tracks said he received information that Reyes had won in the fifth daily double race, which paid a dividend of php 13,700.50 for every php1 bet. Even after Reyes had been pronounced dead, Dr. Lydia Joson and Dr. Inocencio Sicat, both of St. Anne’s Hospital tried to resuscitate him by applying external heart massage. At about 9 pm, Reyes’ body was taken to the Funeraria Quiogue on Recto Avenue.

It was his third stroke since two years ago. Reyes was with actor Leroy Salvador and other friends.

Reyes was married to the former Virginia Melevo, popularly known in movie circles as Virginia Montes, by whom he had five children, the eldest being 15 years old. At the time of his death, he was directing a picture titled “Jingy” with Andy Poe, brother of Fernando Poe, Jr. in the starring role.

Jingy (1968)- Efren Reyes last directorial job/ Stars Andy Poe, Paquito Diaz, Alicia Alonzo, Lito Anzures, Victor Bravo, Pablo Virtuoso, Dencio Padilla

Hangganan ng Matatapang (1967)- Efren Reyes' last full-length featured film/ with Perla Bautista, Van de Leon, Johnny Monteiro and Ronaldo Valdez/ Directed by Rey Amigo

See Efren Reyes, The Actor/ Movie Ads Circa 1949-60

EFREN REYES SR., THE ACTOR/ MOVIE ADS Circa 1949- 60

Efren Reyes, Sr. was a popular action star of the 50s appearing mostly in action and costume epic movies. Efren’s grandfather was the celebrated Lola Basyang author, Severino Reyes, also the author and producer of Walang Sugat, the most popular of local zarzuelas. He started his career at an early age doing supporting roles in such movies as Hiram na Pangalan (1948) and Wala na akong Luha (1948). Kumander Sundang (1949) was his first break and biggest hit. He became Premiere Productions’ top contract star turning in memorable performances in Kapitan Bagwis (1951), Kapitan Berong (1953), Paltik (1954), Abenturera (1954), Pedro Penduko (1954), Ander Di Saya (1954), Mag-asawa’y di Biro (1954), Ifugao (1954), where he was awarded the Asian Film Festival Best Actor Award in 1955 and Kadenang Putik (1960), where he won the FAMAS Best Actor award. Two of his movies, Salabusab (1954) and Kalibre 45 (1957) were adjudged Famas Best Pictures. Known for his fencing skills, he appeared in many swashbuckling movies--- Prinsipe Don Juan (1950), Carlos Trece (1953), Prinsipe Villarba (1956), Haring Espada (1956), Prinsipe Alejandre (1957) and Eskrimador (1957). His sword duels with Johnny Monteiro in many movies they made together were a big treat to their legions of fans.

Reyes, according to his son, Efren Jr. in a recent article, pioneered the so-call Pinoy Western in Philippine movies, when his dad did Bandido in 1950. His colleagues then were reluctant and were not sold to the idea of doing the said movie because they saw it unrealistic as there were no cowboys in this country. The movie later turned out to be a big box-office hit that started the western genre in Philippine cinema.

He was also into film directing. His first directorial job was Haring Espada in 1956 using the pen name of Severino Reyes III. He likewise excelled in this field, gaining wide recognition and being nominated several times--- for Albano Brothers (1962), Sigaw ng Digmaan (1963), Pilipinas Kong Mahal (1965) and Dugo ang Kulay ng Pag-ibig (1966) He directed the legendary Fernando Poe, Jr. in many memorable movies, among them, Sigaw ng Digmaan (1963), which won the Famas Best Picture that year, Ito ang Maynila (1963), Daniel Barrion (1964), Baril na Ginto (1964), Ang Daigdig Ko’y Ikaw (1965), Pilipinas Kong Mahal (1965), Zamboanga (1966).

Reyes was married to actress Virginia Montes. They had six children, two of them; Cristina Reyes and Efren Jr. were also in show business.

He died of heart attack (see details) on February 11, 1968.

Kumander Sundang (1949)- Starring Rosa del Rosario, Efren Reyes, Fernando Royo/Directed by Gerardo de Leon

Hindi Ako Susuko (1949)- Starring Leila Morena and Efren Reyes/Directed by Alex M. Sunga

Bandido (1950)- Starring Efren Reyes, Virginia Montes, Enrico Pimentel,Fred Santos/ Directed by Ramon A. Estella/ Regarded as the first Pinoy western movie

Taga-ilog (1951)- Starring Efren Reyes, Nena Cardenas, Lopito, Helen Grace Prospero, Ruben Rustia/Directed by Consuelo P. Osorio

Kapitan Bagwis (1951)- Starring Efren Reyes, Anita Linda, Lopito, Oscar Keesee, Patria Plata/Directed by Cesar Gallardo

Paltik (1954)- Stars Jose Padilla, Jr., Efren Reyes, Arsenia Francisco, Virginia Montes, Mario Barri, Nello Nayo/ Directed by Cirio H. Santiago

Abenturera (1954)- Starring Efren Reyes, Corazon Rivas, Carol Varga, Jose Romulo/Directed by Nemesio Caravana

Ander Di Saya (1954)- Starring Efren Reyes, Leila Morena, Lopito, Ramon D' Salva/Directed by Nemesio Caravana

Salabusab (1954)- Starring Efren Reyes, Leila Morena, Juan 'Johnny' Monteiro, Fernando Royo/Directed by Cesar Gallardo

Pedro Penduko (1954)- Starring Efren Reyes, Edna Luna, Lopito, Ramon D' Salva, Ruben Rustia, Lito Anzures/Directed by Gerardo de Leon

Ifugao (1954)- Starring Efren Reyes, Leila Morena, Juan 'Johnny' Monteiro, Gloria Sevilla, Fernando Royo/Directed by Gerardo de Leon

Sagrado (1955) Stars Efren Reyes, Leila Morena, Lopito, Lauro Delgado, Carol varga, Ruben Rustia, Nello Nayo, Cynthia Zamora/Directed by Cesar Gallardo

Eskrimador (1955)- Starring Efren Reyes, Edna Luna, Juan 'Johnny' Monteiro, Corazon Rivas, Lauro Delgado/Directed by Teodorico C. Santos

Desperado (1956)- Starring Efren Reyes, Olivia Cenizal, Lopito, Ramon D' Salva, Ligaya Lopez, Jose Garcia/ with Max ALvarado, Bino Garcia Tony Palomer/Directed by Ramon Estella

Prinsipe Villarba (1956)- Starring Efren Reyes, Olivia Cenizal, Jose Romulo, Cynthia Zamora, Lauro Delgado, Ramon D' Salva/Directed by Nemesio Caravana

Haring Espada (1956)- Starring Efren Reyes, Cesar Ramirez, Olivia Cenizal, Lopito, Marita de Leon, Ramon D' Salva/Directed by Severino Reyes III (Efren Reyes)

Espadang Umaangil (1957)- Starring Efren Reyes, Olivia Cenizal, Lauro Delgado, Melita De Leon, Nello nayo, Jose Garcia/Directed by Nemesio Caravana

Probinsiyana (1957)- Starring Efren Reyes, Olivia Cenizal, Jose Romulo, Cielito Legaspi, Vicente Liwanag/Directed by Josefino Cenizal

Kalibre .45 (1957)- Starring Efren Reyes, Danilo Montes, Edna Luna, Cynthia Zamora, Amado Cortez/ Directed by Cesar Gallardo

Ang Maton (1959)- Starring Efren Reyes, Zaldy Zshornack, Lani Oteyza, Miriam Jurado, Ronald Remy/Directed by Cesar Gallardo

Kadenang Putik (1960)- Starring Efren Reyes, Alicia Vergel, Leonor Vergara, Bob Soler, Ronald Remy, Lily Marquez and Tessie Quintana/Directed by Cesar Gallardo

PINOY MOVIE HEROES #2: EDDIE DEL MAR AS TRUBADOR (1952)

" Sa araw... isang hamak na kutsero, sa gabi... tagapagtanggol ng mahihina't api" (At day... a simple rig driver, at night... protector of the weak and the oppressed). His name is Trubador, played by Eddie de Mar, another Pinoy movie folk hero of the 50s.

Trubador (1952)- Stars Leila Morena, Eddie del Mar, Lopito, Ester Buenaobra/ Directed by Cesar Galardo

PINOY MOVIE HEROES #1: LEOPOLDO SALCEDO AS KAMAGONG (1947)

"He sends Thrills to women's hearts and Chills to unscrupulous souls!" The Great Profile himself, movie icon Leopoldo Salcedo in a dual role of "easy-going playboy and two-fisted Champion of the Oppressed." Pol Salcedo as "Kamagong", a cool '40s Pinoy movie folk hero.

Kamagong (1947)- Stars Leopoldo Salcedo, Lilia Dizon, Rosa Rosal, Gil de Leon/ Directed by Luis Nolasco

CELEBRITY FAMILIES #1

In 1967, Poe brothers, Fernando Poe, Jr. (Ronald Allan Poe in real life) and Andy Poe (the real Fernando Poe, Jr.) starred together in Matimbang ang Dugo sa Tubig. Same with the Ejercito brothers, Joseph Estrada and George Estregan in Kid Brothers in 1968.


The four of them starred together in one big movie, Dos Por Dos in 1967.

Comedian Chiquito pooled his children together to come up with this delightful movie, Pamilya Garapal (1966). He named his children as Chiquita I, II, III, IV, Baby Chiquita and Chiquito Jr. Note that the story was written by Mrs. Chiquito.

Father and son, the Great Profile, Leopoldo Salcedo and son Edgar Salcedo teamed up in one great movie, Laman ng Aking Laman, featuring other formidable stars like Rita Gomez, Rosa Mia and Rosemarie in a special role.


In the 60s also saw brothers and sisters together in movies. Sisters Susan Roces and Rosemarie and brothers Pepito Rodriguez and Ramil Rodriguez starred in two of the several movies they made, Mga Reynang Engkantada (1965) and Double Date (1967).




This time, the Ejercito Brothers, Joseph Estrada and George Estregan teamed up with the Gonzales Brothers, Roberto and Rolando in the 1968 movie, Suntok O Karate?



The death of action star Jess Lapid saw the birth of the Lapid brothers---Rolly, Raul, Rey and Rex Lapid. One of the movie they made was Lapid Brothers (1969).

In 1970, action star Tony Ferrer co-starred with his brother, character actor, Nick Romano in Biyak na Bato.

Top character actors, brothers Paquito and Romy Diaz also did a movie together in the lead roles. They starred in Basta't Basketball in 1971.

Action star Jun Aristorenas, wife Virginia and son Robin Aristorenas starred in many action movies in the late 60s and early 70s. One movie stood out, the 1972 movie, Elias, Basilio and Sisa, which was awarded Best Picture in that years' Manila Film Festival and winning the Famas Best Child actor for Robin.

The biggest blockbuster of them all --- the Poe Brothers, Fernando Poe, Jr., Andy Poe, Conrad Poe and Freddie Poe together in one big, wholesome movie, Isa Para sa Lahat, Lahat Para sa Isa (1979).

Top comedian Dolphy made countless movies featuring his sons (Dolphy Jr., Rolly, Freddie, Eric, Jeffrey, Vandolph, among others) and daughter (Sahlee). He starred with son, Dolphy Jr. in Like Father, Like Son in 1967 and with other son Vandolph in 1995 in the movie, Father en Son.



The late action star Rudy Fernandez teamed up with son Mark Anthony Fernandez in the 1995 movie, Matimbang Pa sa Dugo.


In 2008, Mother and daughter, Annabelle Rama and Ruffa Gutierrez starred together for the first time in My Monster Mom.