Kaibigan Ko'ng Sto. Nino (1967)- Stars Gloria Romero, Luis Gonzales, Eddie Garcia, Renato Robles, Tony Cayado, Caridad Sanchez, Bessie Barredo and Bella Flores, Roger Calvin, Merci Molina/ Introducing Gina Alajar as Oreng and Roderick (Paulate) / Directed by Armando De Guzman
Gina Alajar (Regina Alatiit in real life) was only eight (b.1959) when she auditioned for Lea Productions' Kaibigan Ko’ng So.Nino (1967). She bested some 300 aspirants getting one of the four important roles (the role of Oreng) at stake. At age 12, Gina was tapped for lead roles in Robina (1971) and Mag-inang Ulila (1971). In 1973, she did Cofradia, a remake of Gloria Romero starrer.
In the late 70s and 80s, Gina went on to star in many of the
Gina won as Best Child Actress at the
Gina received her second FAMAS award for Best Supporting Actress for Biktima (1990). She was also Best Supporting Actress at the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) for Brutal (1980). She has won the URIAN four times, as best actress for Brutal 1980), Salome (1981) and Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim (1985); and as best supporting actress for Biktima (1990). The Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) gave her the best supporting actress award twice, fo Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit (1984) and for Andrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Isang Ina? (1990). At the 1991 Catholic Mass Media Awardss (CMMA), she scored an unprecedented feat by winning Best Actress for Biktima (1990) and Best Supporting Actress for Andrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Isang Ina? (1990).
Left- Bandana (1968)- Stars Susan Roces, Romeo Vasquez, Lourdes Medel, Dante Rivero, Caridad Sanchez, Mary Walter, Nello Nayo and Gina Alajar ad Roderick Paulate) / Directed by Armando De Guzman
Right- Donata (1968)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Bert Le Roy, Jr., Gina Pareno, Bella Flores, Naty Santiago,Rey Tomenes, Lillian Laing and Gina Alajar as the young Donata/ Directed by Tony Cayado
Left- Pinagbuklod ng Langit (1969)- Stars Luis Gonzales, Gloria Romero, Rosa Mia, Vilma Santos and Gina Alajar as Irene/ Directed by Eddie Garcia
Right- Si Darna at ang Planetman (1969)- Stars Vic Vargas, Gina Pareno, Boots Anson-Roa, Cesar Ramirez, Bella Flores, Boy Alajar and Gina Alajar as Narda/ Directed by Marcelino Navarro
Wanted: Perfect Mother (1970)- Stars Dante Rivero, Boots Anson-Roa and Liza Lorena/ with Caridad Sanchez, Mary Walter, Etang Discher/ Gina Alajar, Ariosto Reyes, Jr., Arnold Gamboa and Snooky/ Directed by Lino Brocka
Mga Anghel na Walang Langit (1970)- Stars Lorna Tolentino, Zernan Manahan, Gina Alajar, Roderick (Paulate), Salvador Jose, Beth Malongat/ Directed by Armando De Guzman
Robina (1971)- Stars Gloria Romero, Luis Gonzales, Aurora Salve, Zandro Zamora, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, Lucita Soriano, Von Serna and Gina Alajar in the title role/ Directed by Mar S. Torres
Mag-inang Ulila (1971)- Stars Gloria Sevilla, Aurora Salve, Zando Zamora, Bella Flores and Gina ALajar/ Directed by Jose de Villa
Brutal- (1980)- Stars Amy Austria, Gina Alajar, Charo Santos, Jay Ilagan, Johnny Delgado, Perla Bautista, Jonee Gamboa, Nello Nayo/ Directed byMarilou Diaz-Abaya
Left- Diboryada (1980)- Stars Gina Alajar/ Directed by Elwood Perez
Right- High School Scandal (1981)- Stars Gina Alajar, Sandy Andolong, Ting Jocson, Greggy Liwag/ Directed by Gil Portes
Wild (1981)- Stars Lorna Tolentino, Gina Alajar, Ricky Belmonte, Manny Luna, Jaime Fabregas/ Directed by Danila Cabreira
Left- Caught in the Act (1981)- Stars Lorna Tolentino, Gina Alajar, Amy Austria and Phillip Salvador/ Directed by Lino Brocka
Right- City After Dark (1969)- Stars Charito Solis, Alma Moreno, Lorna Tolentino, Rio Locsin, Cherie Gil, Gina Alajar, Orestes Ojeda, Bernardo Bernardo and William Martinez / Directed by Ishmael Bernal
I Confess (1981)- Stars Christopher de Leon, Gina Alajar and Alma Moreno/ Directed byRomy Suzara
Left- Playgirl (1981)- Stars Charito Solis, Phillip Salvador, Al Tantay, Gabby Concepcion, Jimi Melendez and Gina Alajar in the title role/ Directed by Mel Chionglo
Right- Salome (1981)- Stars Johnny Delgado, Dennis Roldan and Gina Alajar as Salome/ Directed by Laurice Guillen
Simon:
ReplyDeleteIn the 1970s Gina Alajar, no doubt, was one of the finest actresses in RP movies. Because of this, we made sure to cast her in many episodes of Ulila and Señor Sto. Niño.
When I was writing a character to be played by Gina Alajar, I made sure to make the caharcter as complicated and as three-dimensional as possible, because I knew that this actress could handle it with conviction and artistry.
I remember writing an episode for the show Señor Sto. Niño where Gina played a bar girl who was living with an abusive boyfriend (played by Rez Cortes). The irony of many bar girls and even prostitutes in the Philippines (from my own research) - is that, despite the nature of their occupation, their faith seems to be intact and their devotion to God is never flailing. She played one of these characters, who light candles and walks on her knees towards the altar in Quiapo church, pray to the Niño in Tondo church, help people in need in whatever way. But, unlike most abused women, this particular character comes to the realization that no matter how lowly her status in society is, no man has the right to treat her like a punching bag, and therefore, she flees from him. His ego bruised, he haunts her to finish her off.
Meanwhile, while hiding from her boyfriend, she amuses herself by reading komiks. And it dawns on her, that she might be able to write komiks stories and be a komiks writer and emancipate herself from the gutter of society. In the komiks publication, she meets a handsome and good-natured komiks illustrator (played by Ting Jocson). Soon, they fell in love.
She writes, he draws. They get married and live a happy and quiet life.
One day, her old boyfriend found her and chased her. She was able to elude him by hiding in the ladies room of a restaurant. Safe at home, she told her husband her past. This was the most complicated part of the script because she had to deliver a 1.5 page of dialogs full of emotion and replete as well with very complicated blocking that she had to remember. The emotional build-up was tremendous that after taking the scene, everybody clapped their hands on the set.
Mario O’hara, the director, came out of the booth, saying: “Sus, mabaliw-baliw ako sa booth kanina. Akala ko malilimutan mo ang dialogs. Mahirap ulitin ang build up na ginawa mo. Thank you, Gina. Fantastic.” Suddenly, Gina got up and approached me, saying: “Ang sipag mo namang writer! Muntik pa akong nalagutan ng hininga sa eksenang ito!” And we both laughed.
From then on, every time Gina guested in any of the shows I was writing for, she called me: “Masipag na writer.”
That's why when I wrote the life story of Sister Thelma Aquino (who, allegedly, was being possessed by the Niño), it was only Gina who gave justice to the complicated character of Miss Aquino (where, in my script version, was more of a woman who endured years of inner turmoil - rather than someone who was chosen by God to spread miracle).
But, like a true pro, Gina Alajar never complained or demanded anything to make things easier for her. You give her the role, she plays it without flinching. And that’s what makes her a true artist.
Amazing, JM! She's one of a kind!A great performer!
ReplyDeleteWhere could I get a copy of the movie "Salome"? Please email me at edumat54@gmail.com. Thank you.
ReplyDelete