WINNIE SANTOS AND DONDON NAKAR IN "PILYANG ENGKANTADA" (1976)

Those who grew up in the 70s would probably remember Winnie Santos and Dondon Nakar. The two belonged to the popular group "Apat na Sikat" with two other teen stars Lala Aunor and Arnold Gamboa.

"Pilyang Engkantada" (1976)- Stars Winnie Santos, Dondon Nakar, Ike Lozada, Luz Fernandez, Mar Quijano/ with Sylvio Ramiro and Allan Valenzuela/ Directed by Jose Miranda Cruz

BEN PEREZ, ERLINDA CORTES, BABY ZOBEL IN GERARDO DE LEON'S "ANG BAGONG MAESTRA" (1953)/ A SOCIAL COMMENTARY

Released in 1953, Gerardo de Leon’s “Ang Bagong Maestra” shows the harsh realities and images, the sad truth of the plights of our impoverished people, the poor of the poorest living in the remote barrios and the government’s inaction and neglect on their basic needs. This still holds true today. The movie is a social commentary and indictment on government insensitivity. But it also shows how the people rise by working side by side, in the spirit of bayanihan and unity.

After 10 years in Manila, Herman (Ben Perez) returned to his home town, a very big disappointment to his ailing father, a barangay captain, who pinned his hope on him for a better life not only to his family but to their barrio mates as well. With him was his articulate, young daughter, Ofelia (Baby Zobel).

The old man’s dream of his son to become a lawyer was doomed when the latter instead of finishing his studies, went to a good-time spree wastefully spending the money intended for his schooling. On his father’s death bed, Herman asked for forgiveness.

Herman also had to settle his differences with his former girlfriend, Nita (Erlinda Cortes), now a barrio school teacher in a run-down, dilapidated school house.

Herman and Nita met and both were still in love with each other after years of separation and no communication.

The duty of a barangay captain was passed on Herman and with a herculean task on his shoulder, he had no idea what his duties were. He was told and advised that he had to first call a council meeting among his town mates to find out the immediate problem. The barrio, located in a remotest part was in dire need of a good road to transport their goods and a refurbished school house for the children.

The council headed by Herman went to the mayor’s office for a dialogue. Regretfully, their requests were not acted upon. When Herman insisted on their demands, he was stripped of his post.

Herman, at this point in time, was in quandary. Her daughter didn't like the idea of staying a little longer in the barrio saying the place was dirty and the school house smelly and filthy. She’s not also comfortable with her teacher.

Ofelia wanted to go back to Manila. She became ill. Nita, all this time, was in her side taking good care of her.

With no help coming from the local government, Herman tried to talk to their barrio mates that they can do the jobs all by themselves. Spare portions of their lands for the use of the road and help in the building of the pathways and the school building. However, most of the people were reluctant and adamant saying that it’s not their duty but of the government. The government should pay them for the portion of the land.

With no help from most of his town mates, Herman and few of his trusted men started working, with four of them, it was impossible. Their effort was doomed from the beginning without support from the majority of the populace. Herman got ill due to severe exhaustion.

Nita, in desperation, called an emergency meeting. She told her barrio mates that she will be quitting her post as a school teacher. She also told them that what Herman was doing was for the good and betterment of all, to uplift their lives. What they need was their all-out support, for everybody to participate and lend a helping hand. Her call for unity was finally heeded by his town mates and soon all were working.

With Ofelia making amends with her father and saying sorry to her teacher, the movie ends with Herman and Nita realizing their dreams.

With his daughter, Ofelia (Baby Zobel) in tow, Herman (Ben Perez) returned to his home town



Herman met by his sister



Herman, Ofelia and father in sick bed



Ofelia in one of the poignant scenes



Nita (Erlinda Cortes) and Herman in a confrontation scene



Herman, a doting father to Ofelia



Herman swore to his ailing father



Herman talked to his councilmen on what to do next



The barrio council met with the mayor about their predicaments



Nita and Herman in a tender scene



Herman and few of his trusted town mates took the initiative



The frustrated Nita urging his barrio mates for support and cooperation



The fulfillment of the dreams

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 51: "NABASAG ANG BANGA" (1947)

"Nabasag ang Banga"
Oriental Pictures, Inc.
Release Date: April 10-24, 1947 to January 14, 1948/Bataan
Music S.S. Suarez
Direction Manuel Conde
Cast Manuel Conde, Elvira Reyes, Ben Rubio, Estrella Lopez, Patring Carvajal, Pepito Alpajaro, Mario Roldan, Perla Oriente, Berting Santos, B.M. Dizon

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 50: ROGELIO DELA ROSA, MILA DEL SOL, TONY ARNALDO, ROSA ROSAL IN "SARUNG BANGGI (ISANG GABI)"/ 1947

"Sarung Banggi (Isang Gabi)"
LVN Pictures, Inc.
Release Date: December 28, 1947 to January 14, 1948/Dalisay
Photoraphy Enrique Rosales
Music Constancio de Guzman
Story and Direction Susana C. de GuzmanCast Rogelio de la Rosa, Mila del Sol, Tony Arnaldo, Risa Rosal, Alfonso Carvajal, Citas Gonzales, Engracio Ibarra, Rosa Mia, Soto & Nieves, Lopita

On the set of "Sarung Banggi," with lead stars Rogelio de la Rosa and Rosa Rosal.

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 49: VIC OLIVER, ERLINDA CORTES IN "DALAWANG ANINO" (1947)

"Dalawang Anino" (1947)
Release Date 1947
Story Fred Gonzales, Moises A. Caguin
Music Tito Arevalo
Direction Moises A. CaguinCast Vic Oliver, Erlinda Cortes, Eddie Infante, Quiel Segovia, Fred Gonzales, Chipopoy, Canuplin, Jacinto SOlomon, Tony Camonte, Nar Limson, Terry Clemens, Ben Pineda, Larry Manuel, Ding Manalang, Jose Macalinao/ Introducing Dely Magpayo

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 48: PANCHO MAGALONA, LUPE VELASCO, RAMON D' SALVA IN "MAKISLAP NA BATO" (1948)

"Makislap na Bato" (1948)
Cetas Crisostomo & Co. Pictures
Release Date April 21- 28, 1948
Photography Jose Nepomuceno Production
Music Laureano Vicencio
Story and Direction Fausto S. GonzalezCast Pancho Magalona, Lupe Velasco, Ramon D' Salva, Mil Flores, Mrs. Rudy Concepcion, Lulu Belle, Anita Serrano, Jose Camia, Conchita Arceo, Jose Macalinao, Moises Buning, Ladislao Bella Subang, Vicente Sanchez, Aruray, Batotoy, Ngongo

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 47: LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, LILIA DIZON, ROSA ROSAL, GIL DE LEON IN "KAMAGONG: BAYANI NG MAHIRAP" (1947)

"Kamagong: Bayani ng Mahirap" (1947)
Nolasco Bros. Pictures, Inc.
Release Date: 1947
Screenplay Fernando Alfon
Music Josefino Cenizal
Story and Direction Luis F. NolascoCast Leopoldo Salcedo, Lilia Dizon, Rosa Rosal, Gil de Leon, Billy Vizcarra, Don Danon, Augusto Conde, Tino de Lara, Luis Del Rey, Vicenta Fernandez

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 46: "KASALANAN KAYA" (1947)

"Kasalanan Kaya" (1947)
Fernando Poe Productions/ Palaris Films
Release Date: 1947/Illusion and Scala
Music Tito Arevalo
Director Davao Santiago
Cast Reynaldo Dante, Luningning, Quiel Segovia, Pacita del Rio, Gregorio Ticman, Naty Bernardo, Batotoy

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 45: "TANI: LORD OF THE SOUTH SEAS" (1947)

"Tani: Lord of the South Seas" (1947)
Leyte Motion Pictures
Release Date: June 1947/Center
Music Felipe P. de Leon
Story and Director Tor Villano
Cast Teddy Benavides, Flora Mirasol, Virginia Warne, Darmo Acosta, Salvador Zaragosa, Amparo Aquino, Rafael Jimenez, Billy Liliput

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 44: ROSA DEL ROSARIO, LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, SYLVIA ROSALES, CARLOS PADILLA IN "BAKYA MO NENENG" (1947)/ UPDATED

"Bakya Mo Neneng" (1947)
Premiere Productions, Inc.
Release Date April 30, 1947/Dalisay
Story Dr. Fausto J. Galauran
Photography Ricardo Marcelino
Music S. S. Suarez
Direction Consuelo P. Osorio 
Cast Rosa Del Rosario, Leopoldo Salcedo, Sylvia Rosales, Carlos Padilla/ Also Starring Lopito, Lilia Dizon, Pilar Padilla, Tolindoy, Engracio Ibarra, Armando Villa, Dely Atay-Atayan, Lourdes Diorres

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 43: JOSE PADILLA, JR., MILA DEL SOL AND INTRODUCING TEODY BELARMINO IN "MALING AKALA" (1947)

"Maling Akala" (1947)
LVN Pictures, Inc.
Release Date:September 19-29, 1947/Dalisay
Director Luis SilosCast Jose Padilla, Jr., Mila del Sol, Guia Imperial, Banahaw Sevilla, Nati Rubi, Francisco Monroy, Manuel Eloriaga, Jose Cris Soto, Patring (Monang) Carvajal, Bayani Casimiro/ Introducing Teodolfo Belarmino

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 42: LILIAN VELEZ, NARDING ANZURES, FRED SANTOS, WITH TOLINDOY IN "SA KABUKIRAN" (1947)

"Sa Kabukiran" (1947)
Philippine Pictures, Inc.
Release Date December 3-7, 1947/Dalisay
Music Manuel P. Velez
Director Joe ClimacoCast Lilian Velez, Narding Anzures, Fred Santos, Tolindoy, Romy, Yolanda Oria, Lina Blanca, Guillermo Carls

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 41: ROSA DEL ROSARIO, LEOPOLDO SALCEDO IN LAMBERTO V. AVELLANA'S "TANDANG SORA" (1947)

"Tandang Sora" (1947)
Release Date July 1947/Boulevard
Cinematography William H. Jansen
Music Ray Alinsod
Original Script Daisy H. Avellana

Direction Lamberto Avellana
Cast Rosa del Rosario, Leopoldo Salcedo, Eddie Infante, Quiel Segovia, Fernando Royo, Luis Salvador, Lopito, Hanasan, Pedro Faustino, Rita Rivera, Leroy Salvador, Cresing Aligada, Totoy Torrente, Eddie San Jose, Arsenio Trillian, Bayona Brothers

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 40: JOSE PADILLA, JR., MILA DEL SOL, TONY ARNALDO IN "VIOLETA" (1947)

"Violeta" (1947)
LVN Pictures, Inc.
Release Date: July 1947/Dalisay
Director Susana de Guzman
Cast Jose Padilla, Jr., Mila del Sol, Tony Arnaldo

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 39: DOMINGO PRINCIPE, ANITA LINDA AND PUGO & TOGO IN "SEKRETANG HONGKONG" (1947)/ UPDATED

 

"Sekretang Hongkong" (1947)

Premiere Productions, Inc.
Release Date: July 1947/Dalisay
Story Domingo Principe
Photography Jesus Nepomuceno
Music Ramon Perreira
In charge of Production Atty. Ricardo S. BalatbatDirector Moises Caguin
Cast Domingo Principe, Anita Linda and Pugo & Togo/ Also Starring Rolando Liwanag, Engracio Ibarra, Tony Camonte, Divina Gracia, Dick Roque

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 38: "PAMELA (ANG MUTYA NG PALENGKE)" (1947)

"Pamela (Ang Mutya ng Palengke)" (1947)
Fernando Poe Productions/ Palaris Films
Release Date: October 16-27, 1947/Center
Director Fernando Poe
Cast Patricia Mijares, Serafin Garcia, Pacita Del Rio, Oscar Keese, Tugak & Pugak, Salvador Zaragoza, Minda Bernal, Angelina Tabuena

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 37: " LA PALOMA" (1947)

"La Paloma" (1947)
Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.
Release Date: July 1947
Music Constancio de Guzman
Director Tor Villano
Cast Paraluman, Fred Montilla, Lilian Leonardo, Rico Romero, Vicente Liwanag, Rafael Jimenez, Jose Cris Soto

ROSARIO MORENO AND RUDY CONCEPCION IN "PAKIUSAP" (1940)/ A FILM BY OCTAVIO SILOS

Pakiusap (1940), one of only five surviving pre-war Filipino movies, starred Rosario Moreno and Rudy Concepcion, whose screen tandem was extremely phenomenal and well-loved during their time.

"Pakiusap" (1940)- Stars Rosario Moreno, Rudy Concepcion, Sylvia Rosales, Franco Garcia, Pedro Faustino, Naty Bernardo/ Directed by Octavio Silos

Rudy Concepcion and Rosario Moreno 
(photo, courtesy of Cesar Hernando)

Don Andres (Franco Garcia) and his son, Ernesto (Rudy Concepcion) were both in love with a pretty barrio lass, Amparing (Rosario Moreno), whose principled father, Mang Teong (Pedro Faustino) was working on the hacienda owned by Don Andres. Mang Teong was not in favor of Don Andres and his intention towards Amparing. He advised her daughter not to receive any gifts from Don Andres.

Ernesto, the good-looking son of Don Andres, on the other hand, disguised himself as a lowly farmer from a nearby barrio so as to get near Amparing. The two eventually fell in love.

Life became hard on the family of Amparing--- Mang Teong was fired from his job when he vehemently refused Don Andres’ gifts in exchange of Amparing’s hand. Her mother, Aling Clara (Naty Bernardo) was down due to a lingering illness. At the same time, she learned of Ernesto’s true identity. Amparing, feeling he was betrayed, broke off with Ernesto.

Amparing tried to look for job but to no avail. Desperate, she decided to approach Don Andres and ask for financial assistance--- for his father, who was in jail and for her ailing mother for the medical needs. In return, she had to marry Don Andres.

Ernesto returned and learned of Amparing’s upcoming marriage to his father. In a drastic move, he snatched Amparing.

It was a happy ending for the couple as Don Andres realized his mistake and ask for forgiveness.

As Amparing (Rosario Moreno) in one of the several unforgettable musical numbers.


Don Andres (Franco Garcia) woos Amparing


Amparing

Mang Teong advises Amparing


Rudy Concepcion as Ernesto serenading Amparing


Another musical number--- a duet between Amparing...


... and Ernesto


Pedro Faustino as Mang Teong


Ernesto and Ester (Sylvia Rosales)


Amparing and Ernesto in a confrontation scene


Don Andres and son Ernesto


Ernesto races against time


Ernesto asks Amparing to go with him


The couple escapes in a banca


The finale