Filmmaker and producer Cirio Santiago died Friday night, September 26, of complications from lung cancer. He was 72. Santiago, who was diagnosed early this year, was pronounced dead at 11:50 p.m. at Makati Medical Center. His doctors declared respiratory failure as the immediate cause. Santiago was born on January 18, 1936. His parents were Dr. Ciriaco Santiago and the former Adela Hermoso, who established Premiere Productions and later, People’s Pictures after the Second World War. Probinsiyana (1946), directed by Susana de Guzman was their first production.
Basketball was among his early passions, being a member of NCAA’s Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagle team in the 50s, but film was his bigger passion. He directed his first movie, Paltik in 1954 at the age of 19 and got a Famas nomination for it. Also that year, he won Asian Film Festival Best Story and Screenplay for Ifugao held in Tokyo, Japan. His achievements were recognized early in his career and he became a TOYM (Ten Outstanding Young Men) recipient in 1960.
He also did a lot of co-production ventures with other countries, among them, Day of the Trumpet (1957), Man on the Run (1958), Tokyo 1960, Kim, Big Doll House (1971), Women in Cages (1971), The Big Bird Cage (1972).
Cirio also directed some of FPJ memorable movies--- Laban sa Lahat (1958), Pepeng Kaliwete (1958), Hawaiian Boy (1959), Leon Marahas (1962), Masikip ang Daigdig (1962) and Sa Pagitan ng Dalawang Mata (1963).
For more on Cirio H. Santiago, follow these links
andrewleavold.blogspot.com- farewell-cirio.html
andrewleavold.blogspot.com- Cirio H. Santiago Filmography
Cirio Santiago has been known in Hollywood as the most Prolific filmmaker. He was indeed one of a kind. He was Roger Corman's favorite director and it may be truly surprising for many people, that even Jonathan Demme worked as Cirio's assistant before he became a hollywood film director.
ReplyDeleteMany people told me in the 70s that Cirio was actually using the name DING DE JESUS sometimes?
I really haven't investigated this one, but someone who worked in Luis Nepomuceno's Film Productions before, swore to me that it was Cirio who directed most of Nepomuceno's films, including that visually beautiful DAHIL SA ISANG BULAKLAK, IGOROTA and ANG PULUBI (the latter under DING DE JESUS' name).
Simon, do you know anything about this rumor?
I'm not aware of this rumor, JM. I have to toss these intriguing questions to Andrew Leavold. Calling Andrew!!!
ReplyDeleteI've heard the rumour several times before.
ReplyDeleteHowever when I interviewed Cirio last year, he swore he never directed any films for Nepomuceno Productions.
I guess we'll never know for sure?
Speaking of Nepomuceno Productions, I've just found a DVD copy of Maharlika, which is missing from your filmography.
This was the one based on Marcos' wartime exploits and featuring Broderick Crawford and Dovie Beams (THAT Dovie Beams!). Filmed in 1969, some sources say it was never released, but it somehow snuck out in completed form on German video in the mid 80s as "Guerrilla Strike Force".
I also have a dubbed-in-English copy of The Dragon, The Lizard, The Boxer (1977) starring Ramon Zamora and Mei Feng!
I'm due back in Manila in five weeks, so I'll bring some presents for you with me, Simon...
That is an awful rumor perpetuated by someone who is obviously upset at Luis Nepomuceno. He's my father-in-law, and he directed all his movies himself.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lorraine, I never really doubted it.
ReplyDeleteI recently saw your father-in-law's films Igorota and Pacific Connection, and thoroughly enjoyed his work.
ang galing galing mo mrs jones....movie na meron ako kay cirio
ReplyDeleteremraf911@yahoo.com