ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, ROSA DEL ROSARIO, TONY ARNALDO, ROSA ROSAL IN "HIMALA NG BIRHEN SA ANTIPOLO" (1947): A FILM BY SUSANA C. DE GUZMAN

"Himala ng Birhen sa Antipolo" (1947)

LVN Pictures

Cinematography Ray Lacap

Sound July Hidalgo

Music Constancio de Guzman

Direction Susan C.de Guzman

Cast Rogelio dela Rosa, Rosa del Rosario, Tony Arnaldo, Rosa Rosal, Jaime Castellvi, Rosa Mia, Engracia Ibarra, Gumercindo Buencamino, Africa dela Rosa, Soto & Nieves/ Introducing Blanca Nieva

Penned and directed by Susana C. de Guzman, Himala ng Birhen sa Antipolo, tells of Ramon (Rogelio de la Rosa), a graduating medical student, who fell in love with Pacing (Rosa del Rosario), a strong devotee of the Virgin of Antipolo. Though Ramon was not that religious and seldom goes to church, he courted Pacing, even going to church with her. Pacing gifted Ramon a framed image of the Virgin of Antipolo that would guide him, particularly with his studies. Ramon eventually finished his medical course and successfully passed the board. He became a topnotch surgeon.

The touching and beautiful song, "Tayo na sa Antipolo," is captured in the clip below---

Courtesy of LVN Pictures

Ramon’s father, Don Julian remarried a very young woman, Lolita (Rosa Rosal). Ramon felt that the woman was only after his father’s wealth. Lolita had eyes on Ramon but was having an affair with another man.

When Pacing’s mother got ill, Ramon was tapped to do the operation. But he was nowhere to be found and when he did the operation it was too late. Pacing’s mother died and was blamed for it. It was Lolita who orchestrated on why Ramon can’t be found.

Ramon later discovered Lolita’s immoral relationship but his father thought that it was his son who was having an affair with his wife. The incident made Ramon more depressed. He was devastated more when he received a letter informing him of the hospital’s decision to replace him. He turned his anger to the framed image of the Virgin of Antipolo and smashed it that resulted in an ugly cut in his palm.

Guilt dawned on Lolita and she bared the whole truth to her husband and to Pacing. As Pacing and his brother headed towards Ramon’s place, they figured in a vehicular accident. Pacing was badly injured and needed a surgical operation. Ramon was tasked to do the operation but it was impossible because of his injured hand. Pacing asked Ramon to seek guidance and forgiveness to the Virgin of Antipolo. A miracle occurred and his hand was healed. The final scenes on the movie can be viewed on the clip below---

Courtesy of LVN Pictures

MACAPAGAL-ROXAS: THE 1965 POLITICAL CAMPAIGN POSTER

In the 1965 presidential election, then incumbent President Diosdado Macapagal (father of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) and then Senator Gerardo Roxas (father of Senator Mar Roxas) were in tandem running for President and Vice President respectively.

XYRIEL ANNE MANABAT AS "AGUA BENDITA" (2010) : TV TELESERYE AND KOMIKS SERIAL

This young, very talented, adorable and cute girl portraying the role of both Agua and Bendita in ABS-CBN Channel 2 new top rating TV soap titled Agua Bendita has caught the fancy of most TV viewers. Her name is Xyriel Anne Manabat, a five-year old child wonder. She was supposed to have just a month long exposure in the said TV series and will soon be replaced by newcomer Andi Eigenmann as the adult Agua/Bendita. However, because of the people’s clamor and the show’s unprecedented high ratings, Xyriel’s role has been extended. It's up to Andi to take the challenge and show her worth when her time comes and hope she can sustain the phenomenal success of the series.

Courtesy of ABS-CBN

Here's one of the several TV clips from"Agua Bendita," uploaded by a certain MoviesniPinoy, showing Xyriel's outstanding and superb acting prowess.

Xyriel had played various roles in the past--- as Bea in May Bukas Pa, the young Marchela in Betty La Fea, as Nini in Dahil May Isang Ikaw and the young Rubi in Rubi. We hope to see her paired with another lovable child star, Zaijian Jaranilla in future projects.

Photos- Source: Xyriel Manabat Facebook

Agua Bendita was a popular komiks serial in the 80s created by Rod Santiago. It was serialized in Liwayway magazine.

Liwayway magazine/ 1985

Komiks materials- Steve Santos Collection

THE YOUNG MARICEL [SORIANO]: CHILD STAR OF THE 70s (Circa 1971-75)

Bahay-Bahayan (1972)- TV show/ Channel 5/ with Roderick Paulate, Joe ALvarez, Beth Manlogat, Zernan Manahan, Maricel/ Over-all director-Butch Bautista

"New Breeze" detergent ad (left) with Nida Blanca and the young Maricel Soriano; and Newton' Coco- Egg Spread (right), two of Maricel's early product endorsements/ 1974 and 1975

Dubbed as the Diamond Star of Philippine movies, Maricel Soriano, born February 25, 1965, started acting at the age of six using the single screen name of 'Maricel' with the 1971 movie My Heart Belongs to Daddy with fellow child actress Snooky [Serna]. She also appeared in a TV sitcom, Bahay-Bahayan in 1972, with child stars Roderick Paulate, Joe Alvarez, Beth Manlongat and Zernan Manahan. In 1974, she received her first award as Best Child Actress at the age of nine at the 9th Manila Film Festival for Virgo Film's Alaala mo, Daigdig ko. She won her second acting award in the 1974 Iloilo Film Festival for the movie version of John En Marsha, the longest-running and highly successful TV sitcom in the history of Philippine television.

"My Heart Belongs to Daddy" (1971)- Stars Tirso Cruz III, Auro Salve and Snooky/ with Norma Blancaflor, Romy Lapuz, Jigger Roces, Ven Medina, Evelyn Bonifacio, Naty Mallares, Tita de Villa and Maricel/ Directed by Mar S. Torres

Left- "Dalawang Mukha ng Tagumpay" (1973)- Stars Nora Aunor, Leo Angelo, Lotis Key, Tita Munoz, Tommy Abuel, Eddie Vilamayor, Maricel, Louie Acosta/ Directed by Jun Raquiza

Right- "Captain Barbell Boom" (1973)- Stars Dolphy, Lotis Key, Panchito, Babalu, Katy dela Cruz, Bayani Casimiro, Martin Marfil, Georgie Quizon, Rocco Montalban, Joaquin Fajardo/ Featuring Maricel Soriano / Directed by Ading Fernando

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow (1974)- Stars Nora Aunor and W

alter Navarro/ with Caridad Sanchez, Lorli Villanueva, German Moreno, Matimaman Cruz, Teroy de Guzman, Alice Mendez, Roderick Paulate, Jingle, Maricel/ Directed by Orlando Nadres

"Ala-ala Mo... Daigdig Ko" (1974)- Stars Eddie Rodriguez and Boots Anson-Roa/ with Renato Robles, Maricel Soriano, Mary Walter, Patricia Mijares, Andrea Santa, Dely Villanueva & Rosemarie Gil/ Directed by Luis Enriquez

The cast of "John & Marsha"- Dolphy, Nida Blanca, Rolly Quizon, Maricel Soriano, Matutina and Dely Atay-Atayan

Left- "John & Marsha" (1974)- Stars Dolphy, Nida Blanca, Rolly Quizon, Maricel Soriano, Matutina and Dely Atay-Atayan/with Rod Navarro,Panchito, Babalu/ Directed by Ading Fernando

Right- "John & Marsha sa Amerika" (1975)- Stars Dolphy, Nida Blanca, Rolly Quizon, Maricel Soriano, Matutina and Dely Atay-Atayan/with Panchito, Georgie Quizon, Edie Mercado/ Directed by Ading Fernando

PACQUIAO OUTPOINTS, DOMINATES CLOTTEY IN A ONE-SIDED FIGHT

DALLAS – Manny Pacquiao did not get the knockout most people wanted, but he did get all the points needed to beat the defense-minded Joshua Clottey and retain his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt late Saturday night at the Cowboys Stadium. A huge crowd of 50,944, the third biggest in modern history, came to see the fight, and for 12 rounds they watched Pacquiao dominate an opponent who was so busy defending he almost forgot to throw punches.

It was the first boxing event ever held at the $1.2-billion stadium, and Pacquiao, the greatest fighter in the planet today, made sure it was worth remembering, even for the millions who watched from around the globe. For the first time in his last five fights, Pacquiao had to listen to ring announcer Michael Buffer go to the scorecards. And unanimously, he was declared winner “and still” the reigning WBO welterweight champion.

Right from the start Pacquiao went after Clottey, but right there as well, he and his cornermen knew it was going to be a long night because the former champion hardly engaged, contrary to what he said he’d do. Clottey did prove he was tough because after all the punches he took, especially those to the body, he remained standing until the end, never really getting hurt. He covered up so well it looked like his gloves were glued to his face. Still, the crowd loved the fight because it was a very busy one for Pacquiao who threw a total of 1,231 punches, landing 246 of them, against Clottey, who threw only 399 punches, and was lucky to land 108 of them, including a few good ones.

Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, said the size of the crowd that showed up in his stadium was beyond his imagination. It was third largest in modern history, next only to the 72,000 that watched the Muhammad Ali-Leon Spinks 2 at the Superdome in New Orleans in 1978, and the 60,000-plus of the Pernell Whitaker-Julio Cesar Chavez fight at the Alamodome in San Antonio in 1993. “He’s a good fighter and he’s strong. Yeah, his punches hurt, too. I was not in a hurry to knock him out because I knew he was just looking for the big shot. He was waiting for the perfect timing to land a good counter-punch,” said Pacquiao. “I felt his power. And I was cautious of his power throughout the fight,” said Pacquiao who stretched his incredible win streak to 12, and improved his ring record to 51-3-2 with 38 knockouts, including his last four fights.“Joshua fought a defensive fight. That’s his game. That’s why it was hard to knock him out. But the chance to fight the best only comes once in a lifetime so I felt he should have fought more,” said Roach.

During the post-fight press conference, Clottey admitted that for the first time in his career he felt that he truly lost a bout, because his three previous losses were all questionable.Against Carlos Baldomir, he was disqualified due to head butts, and against Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto last year he said he felt he won. “He has the speed so I think I really lost the fight. He has very good movement and he has the speed that was hard for me to handle. His speed was really difficult for me,” he said.
Source- (by Abac Cordero/ The Philippine Star)

Pacquiao in the February 2010 issue of Ring Magazine

"THE HURT LOCKER" SCORES UPSET AT THE OSCAR

It was a historic night at the Academy Awards
The Hurt Locker, the low-budget, low-grossing war film about bomb-disposal experts in Iraq, with only $20 million in worldwide box office, won six Oscars Sunday night, including best picture. Filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman in the academy’s 82-year history to be named best director. “It’s the moment of a lifetime,” she said, dedicating the award to the soldiers who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. “May they come home safe.”
Her controversial film — which is the subject of a lawsuit and complaints about its authenticity— beat the $2.5-billion-dollar blockbuster Avatar, which won just three awards: for visual effects, cinematography and art direction. The main Oscars turned out to be made of unobtanium for director James Cameron who, in a coincidence that could happen only in Hollywood, is Bigelow’s former husband.
Mark Boal’s script for The Hurt Locker was named best original screenplay — Boal dedicated the award to the American troops in Iraq — and it also won the awards for film editing, sound editing and sound mixing.
Sandra Bullock won the Oscar as best actress for her performance as the tough-minded Southern socialite who helps a homeless black teenager in The Blind Side. The night before, Bullock won the Razzie award for worst performance of the year in All About Steve, making her the first performer in history to win a Razzie and an Oscar in the same year. Did I really earn this, or did I just wear you all down?” she asked, paying tribute to the other nominees — who included Meryl Streep, celebrating her 16th nomination (and 14th defeat) — and her mother for not letting her ride in cars with boys until she was 18, “because she was right: I would have done what she said I was going to do.” Bullock took time out of her thank-yous to tell George Clooney she still hasn’t forgiven him for throwing her into a pool several years ago.
Jeff Bridges celebrated his fifth nomination with his first Oscar for his performance as the alcoholic, womanizing country singer Bad Blake in the country-music drama Crazy Heart. “Thank you, mom and dad, for turning me on to such a groovy profession,” Bridges said, looking skyward. He said his father, the late actor Lloyd Bridges, taught him the basics of acting for a role in his 1950s TV series, Sea Hunt.
Mo’Nique, best known as a comedienne and talk-show host, was named best supporting actress. She won for her harrowing portrayal of the abusive and pathetic mother in Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, a performance that breathed life into one of the most monstrous parents ever portrayed on screen. The actress — born Monique Imes — thanked the academy for showing “it can be about the performance and not the politics.” Precious also won an Oscar for Geoffrey Fletcher’s adapted screenplay.

Christoph Waltz, the multilingual Austrian actor whose portrayal of a playfully sadistic Nazi energized the Second World War revenge fantasy Inglourious Basterds, won the best supporting-actor award. Waltz, who was front-runner for the award since the movie premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last May, praised the “unorthodox methods of navigation” of director Quentin Tarantino, for bringing the good ship Inglourious Basterds safely into port “with flying colours.”
As expected, a different kind of fantasy — Up, the story of an old man’s long-awaited adventure in a house that is carried into the sky by balloons — won the Oscar for best animated movie. “Never did I realize that making a flip book out of my third-grade math book would lead to this,” said co-director Pete Docter. The movie also won the Oscar for best original score.
However, there was a surprise in the Oscar for best foreign film, which went to the Argentinian crime drama El Secreto de Sus Ojos (The Secret in Their Eyes), rather than the favoured A Prophet from France or The White Ribbon from Germany. As expected, The Cove, the heart-rending story of how dolphins are slaughtered in Japan, was named best documentary feature, and The Weary Kind, the melancholy tune from Crazy Heart, was named best song.
Following an ill-conceived musical number by Neil Patrick Harris — a comic song that evoked bad memories of Rob Lowe and Snow White — co-hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin conducted a surreal standup routine (“And over here is the Inglourious Basterds section. And over here are the people who made the movie”) comprised of inside jokes and genial nonsense, which could also describe much of the show itself.
Logorama, a spoof of corporate logos, won the award for best animated short, Music by Prudence, the story of a disabled singer from Zimbabwe was best documentary short, and The New Tenants — a comic drama about a nightmarish moving day and co-starring Canadian actress Liane Balaban — was named best live-action short. The Young Victoria won the award for best costume design. In keeping with the night’s sci-fi theme, Star Trek won the award for best makeup. It was presented by Ben Stiller, who, unaccountably, dressed as a Na’vi from Avatar, complete with blue face and tail.

The Hurt Locker-Avatar faceoff was complicated by controversy. First, one of Hurt Locker’s producers, Nicholas Chartier, was denied admission to the ceremony for breaking one of the academy rules against denigrating an opponent: He sent out e-mails to a group of voters asking them to vote for his movie rather than Avatar. Then, just before the voting deadline, an Iraq war veteran named Master Sgt. Jeffrey Sarver filed a lawsuit claiming the movie was based on him and he had not been compensated. There also have been several news stories quoting bomb-disposal experts as saying The Hurt Locker is not authentic.
This year, the academy expanded the nomination list to 10 from five — for the first time since 1943 — partly to broaden the appeal of the Oscars. In the past few years, viewership has fallen: It hit a peak of 55 million when Titanic won the award in 1998, and fell to 32 million who watched No Country for Old Men win in 2008.
The long list of nominees has resulted in a complex voting system, called preferential voting — the kind used in Australian elections — in which the academy’s 5,800 voters mark their ballots in order from one to 10. If no movie gets more than half of the vote, the picture with the lowest vote total is knocked off the list and its second choices are then distributed among the rest. The result is that the winner could be a picture that doesn’t have many first-place votes, but does well as a second or third pick. (Source: The Victoria Times Colonist)

ROGELIO DE LA ROSA AND NORMA BLANCAFLOR IN "VICTORY JOE" (1946): A FILM BY MANUEL SILOS

"Victory Joe" (1946)- Stars Rogelio de la Rosa, Norma Blancaflor, Art Cantrell, Jose Cris Soto, Monang Carvajal, Justina David/ Directed by Octavio Silos

Victory Joe, set during the Liberation time, was one of the first movies to come out after the war. It tells of two military officers, a Filipino named Eduardo (Rogelio dela Rosa) and an American, Bob (Art Cantrell) vying for the love of Rosie (Norma Blancaflor), a pretty country girl.

Eduardo, Rosie 's boyfriend and an officer in the Philippine army, was part of the contingent fighting the advancing Japanese forces in Bataan. After the war, with no words about him, Rosie accepts an American suitor, a GI named Bob, part of the liberating American forces. She becomes an object of gossip and to dispel such nasty rumors going around, her mother sends her to a relative in Manila. However, Bob follows her.

Believing and fearing that Eduardo is killed, Rosie finally says yes to the persistent and determined Bob. But things get complicated when Eduardo, who turns out to be alive, comes home. Rosie, who is still in love with Eduardo, is now in a delicate position on how to tell Bob about it. On the other hand, Eduardo feels betrayed when he finds out that Rosie is dating and going out with the American GI.

On how Eduardo and Rosie settle their differences and finally reconcile can be viewed on the short clip below---

Courtesy of LVN Pictures

Plus... Enjoy the song and dance scenes as Rosie reminisces her good times with Eduardo (see clip below).

Courtesy of LVN Pictures