“He was perhaps the most exciting performer of his generation, known for his backward-gliding moonwalk, his feverish, crotch-grabbing dance moves and his high-pitched singing, punctuated with squeals and titters.”
Michael Jackson, the “King of Pop” who once moonwalked above the music world, died as he prepared for a comeback bid to vanquish nightmare years of sexual scandal and financial calamity. He was 50. Jackson died Thursday at UCLAMedicalCenter after being stricken at his rented home in Holmby Hills. Paramedics tried to resuscitate him at his home for nearly three-quarters of an hour, and then rushed him to the hospital, where doctors continued to work on him. “It is believed he suffered cardiac arrest in his home. However, the cause of his death is unknown until results of the autopsy are known, “ his brother Jermaine said. Police said they were investigating, standard procedure in high-profile cases.
Jackson’s death brought a tragic end to a long, bizarre, sometimes farcical decline from his peak in the 1980s, when he was popular music’s all-around performer, a uniter of black and white music who shattered the race barrier on MTV, dominated the charts and dazzled even more on stage. His 1982 album, ‘Thriller’ ---which included the blockbuster hits Beat It, Billie Jean and Thriller--- is the best selling album of all time, with an estimated 50 million copies sold worldwide.
At the time of his death, Jackson was rehearsing hard for what was to be his greatest comeback. He was scheduled for an unprecedented 50 shows at a London arena, with the first set for July 13. (Lynn Elber)
Pop icon Michael Jackson and Superstar Nora Aunor graced the cover of Kislap Magazine in 1976 during MJ's first visit to the Philippines (image courtesy of Nora Aunor Yahoo Group)and so with Star For All Seasons Vilma Santos (image courtesy of Chuvaness).
ABS-CBN Network is set to offer another action-adventure series as they tied up with the Revilla family and Imus Productions for remaking the movies of legendary Ramon Revilla Sr. to be entitled “Agimat” (Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla). Four promising actors were given a chance to reprise the well-known characters of Revilla Sr. Gerald Anderson will be portraying Tiagong Akyat in “Hulihin si Tiagong Akyat.” Jake Cuenca, on the other hand, will reprise the character “Elias Paniki.” Coco Martin plays the role of a lizard in “Agimat ni Tonyong Bayawak.” And last but definitely not the least - from the Revilla clan – is Jolo Revilla who will play “Pepeng Agimat.” According to Andeng, daughter of Revilla Sr., the idea of remaking the films of her father was presented to them by the network about two years ago.
The Revilla family and ABS-CBN also agreed that there should be a Revilla to be included in the film to continue the legacy of the renowned clan. “It was part of the agreement that we want a member of the family to portray one of the characters just top preserve the legacy of the senior… Sabi ko siguro ang bida natin si Jolo and ABS-CBN said ‘oo naman’ kasi para hindi mahiwalay from three generations from my dad to kuya Bong and to Jolo,” Andeng explained.
“Agimat” will circle in the story of four men whose lives have been altered by a diwata or fairy as she gives them special powers in the form of an agimat. (Source-SunStar Manila/ June 22, 2009)
Nardong Putik (1972)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Gloria Romero, Alona Alegre, Rosemarie Gil, Robert Jaworski, Michael Murray, Manolo Robles and Max Alvarado/ Directed by Tony Cayado
When Ramon Revilla, Sr., a popular actor of the 50s, made Nardong Putik, his comeback movie in 1972, he scored big in the tills, smashing all existing box-office records that time. It’s a film on a notorious criminal whose amulet or anting-antingor agimat made him invincible and protected him from bullets. His next two movies, Pepeng Agimat and Hulihin si Tiagong Akyat, also did well in the box-office which starred him also with an agimat. Besides being Nardong Putik, Pepeng Agimat and Tiagong Akyat, he was also known as Kumander Agimat, Tonyong Bayawak, Kapitan Inggo, Pepeng Kuryente, Elias Paniki and Joaquin Burdado, all characters wielding agimats with varying and incredible powers.
Pepeng Agimat (1973)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Gloria Romero, Rosemarie Gil, Alona Alegre, Aurora Salve, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, Michael Murray and Robert Jaworski/ with Bella Flores, Rosa Mia, Etang Discher/ Directed by Tony Cayado
Hulihin si... Tiagong Akyat-(1973)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Liza Lorena, Robert Jaworski, Aurora Salve, Van de Leon and Max Alvarado/ with Michael Murray, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, Aurora Ortiz/ Directed by Armando A. Herrera
Left- Kumander Agimat (1975)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Liza Lorena, Johanna Raunio, John Ericson, Vic Silayan, Vic Diaz/ Directed by Cesar 'Chat' Gallardo
Right- Tonyong Bayawak (1980)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Boots Anson-Roa, Julie Ann Fortich, Celia Rodriguez, Rosemarie Gil, Ruby Ana, Andrea Bautista, Princess Bautista/ with Dante Varona, Paquito Diaz, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia and Max Alvarado / Directed by Jose Yandoc
Lumaban Ka, Satanas (1983)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Elizabeth Oropesa, George Estregan, Paquito Diaz, Cecile Castillo and Charlie Davao/ Directed by Efren C. Pinon
Nardong Putik- Version II (1984)- Stars Ramon Revilla,Julie Ann Fortich, Marilou Bendigo, Pia Moran/ with Leopoldo Salcedo, Charlie Davao, George Estrgan, Paquito Diaz, Max Alvarado, Philip Gamboa, Nick Romano, Arnold Mendoza, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, Val Iglesia and Rudy Fernandez (in a Special Role)/ Directed by Jose Yandoc
Kapita Inggo (1984)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Marissa Delgado, Susan Valdes, Marissa Del Mar/with George Estregan, Conrad Poe, Philip gamboa, Paquito Diaz, Max Alvarado, Arnold Mendoza/ Directed by Jose Yandoc
Joaquin Burdado (1988)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Tanya Gomez, Janice Jurado, Deborah Sun, Paquito Diaz, Rocco Montalban, Renato del Prado/ Featuring Elvis Gutierrez/ Directed by Carlos J. Caparas
Left- Pepeng Kuryente (1988)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Bong Revilla, Dante Rivero, Ramon Zamora, Johnny Delgado, Marissa Delgado/ Directed by Jose Yandoc
Right- Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig ni Elias Paniki (1989)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Maria Isabel Lopez, Atong Redillas, Tina Godinez, Brylle Mondejar/ Directed by Carlos J. Caparas
Remember Channel 5's Sinagtala and Bahaghari! I recalled seeing these Darna movies in the 60s in these two popular TV programs. The 1951 original Darna movie starring Rosario del Rosario shown in Sinagtala and Darna at ang Impakta (1963) in Bahaghari, both on primetime TV, ABC Channel 5.
Darna (1951)- Sinagtala/ Channel 5/ 1965; Darna at ang Impakta (1963)- Bahaghari/ Channel 5/ 1966
Equipped with the latest technology in film processing and recording, Magnatech Omni once stood proudly as one of the best and reliable post-production company in the 80s servicing major movie studios and film outfits in the country. The place, located at the corner of Sct. Borromeo and Mother Ignacia ave. in Quezon City, was always teeming and brimming with all kinds of showbiz people- from producers, directors, actors/actresses, production staff, technicians, stuntmen, bit players, even fans, onlookers. That’s how active, vigorous and full of life the Philippine movie industry was.
This is what's left of Magnatech--- an abandoned and ruined structure, once a flourishing and thriving establishment and a meeting place of who's who in Philippine movies.
Alex Niño, an accomplished Filipino comic book artist, also worked, for a time, with Action King Fernando Poe, Jr., doing some of FPJ's movie poster ads and layouts. Above,"Tatak ng Alipin" (1975)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Tina Revilla, Leila Hermosa, Josephine Garcia and Rosemarie Gil/ with Paquito Diaz & Leopoldo Salcedo/ Directed by Armando Herrera/ Movie poster ad by Alex Niño
Alex Niño/ 1964/(Source- Gerry Alanguilan's The Philippine Comics Art Museum)
In 1965, Alex got a crack at novels when the late Clodualdo del Mundo commissioned him to illustrate the novel Kilabot ng Persia for Pilipino Komiks. The novel suited Alex's style perfectly. More novels followed, almost all of them in the fantasy-horror genre: Dinoceras by Marcelo B. Isidro, Maligno by Amado S. Castrillo (Both for Redondo Komix), Tsangga Rangga for Mars Ravelo (Espesyal), Mga Matang Nagliliyab again for Isidro (Alcala Komix).
Santo Domingo- Story by Pablo S. Gomez/ Drawn by Alex Niño/ 1972/ (Source- Randy Valiente's Malikhaing Komiks)
In 1966, Alex got the chance to write and illustrate his own comics-novel Gruaga, serialized in Pioneer Komiks. It enabled Alex to elaborate and experiment and produce stunning visual effects that were to be his trademark. He would revisit the world of Gruaga many times later in his career, most notably "The Dark Suns of Gruaga" Porfolio (1978).
Alex had developed a calligraphic style which gave his artworks a rhythmic and flowing quality. Even when he illustrated several novels by Pablo S. Gomez for the PSG Publications- novels in the drama genre which requires the usual, straightforward style- Alex was able to put to use the unique rendering style and achieve for each novel the individuality which he intended.
The prevailing drama trend in Philippine komiks-magazines however, denied Alex better public acceptance of his works. At the first opportunity, he grabbed the chance to illustrate for American comic books. He accepted commissions from such US Publishers as DC, Gold Key, Marvel, Educational Classics and Peterson. He pencilled the first Black Orchid story for DC and inked some of the Tarzan Sunday strips of the King Features Syndicate.
Among the numerous horror-mystery works for DC, outstanding were Captain Fear, Korak and Space Voyagers. For Marvel, he worked on Conan, Man-Gods, and the memorable (and controversial) story, Repent, Harlequin, Said the Tick Tock In and out of comics since the early '90s, Nino last worked on the single-issue God the Dyslexic Dog in 2004. Four years later, Nino returned last September in a three-part miniseries Dead Ahead by Image Comics.
References: A History of Komiks of the Philippines/ 1985 Comic Book Artist Magazine Vol.2 #4, 2004 Philippine Comics Art Museum
Thriller/DC Comics/ 1984
The Omega Men/DC Comics/ 1984
Dead Ahead (three-part miniseries)/ Image/ 2008-09
While Tony de Zuniga did most of FPJ movie poster ads and layouts in the 6os, it was Alex Niño’s turn in the 70s. Before working full-time abroad, Niño did several film projects with the Da King starting with Santo Domingo in 1972 up to Alakdang Gubat in 1976. Look closely to these ads as compared to the ones we're seeing today. These ads by Niño were executed beautifully. Thanks to FPJ for employing the services of komiks artists like de Zuniga and Niño. These poster ads were well-preserved and I seen it displayed years ago at FPJ studios.
Santo Domingo (1972)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Boots Anson-Roa, Alona Alegre, Paquito Diaz and Max Alvarado/ with Lito ANzures, Bruno Punazalan, Vic Varrion & Frankie Navaja,Jr. / Directed by Celso Ad. Castillo/ Movie poster ad by Alex Niño
Left- Sto. Cristo (1973)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Jeanne Young, Eddie Garcia, Paquito Diaz, Romy Diaz, Jose Ronulo, Lito Anzures, Victor Bravo and Max Alvarado/ Directed by Armando Herrera/ Movie poster ad by Alex Niño
Right- Dugo ng Bayan (1973)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Alona Alegre, Aurora Salve, Paquito Diaz, Jose Romulo, Vic Diaz, Dencio Padilla, Nello Nayo and Zernan Manahan/ Directed by Armando Herrera/ Movie poster ad by Alex Niño
Left- Ang Pangalan: Mediavillo (1974)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Evangeline Pascual, Dencio Padilla, Vic Varrion, Philip Coo, Lorna Tolentino, Nello Nayo, Ely Roque/ Directed by Armando Herrera/ Movie poster ad by Alex Niño
Right- Alupihang Dagat (1975)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Elizabeth Oropesa, Paquito Diaz, Vic Diaz, Dencio Padilla, Mary Walter, Vic Varrion and Max Alvarado/ Directed by Ronwaldo Reyes/ Movie poster ad by Alex Niño
Alakdang Gubat (1976)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Marianne dela Riva, Paquito Diaz, Perla Bautista, Dencio Padilla, Jose Romulo/ Directed by Armando Herrera/ Movie poster ad by Alex Niño ================================================ "SUWAPANG" - Kuwentong Tapos Katha't Guhit ni Alex Niño United Komiks/ 1970
(click images to enlarge)
================================================
"DAKILANG ARBULARYO" - Kuwentong Tapos Sinulat ni Santi Flor Guhit ni Alex Niño Kidlat Komiks/ 1971 (click images to enlarge)
