Saturday, June 30, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
DIREK MARIO O'HARA, 66
MANILA, Philippines—Award-winning director, actor, playwright Mario O’Hara (b. 1946) died of cardiac arrest between 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Tuesday (26 June) at the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Pasay City. He was 66.
According to his brother Jerry, O’Hara’s heart attack was a complication of his acute leukemia, which was diagnosed only this month. “My brother’s cardiologist already warned me that his low hemoglobin count could lead to this,” Jerry told the Inquirer in a phone interview. “He had been conscious. He still looked healthy despite his illness. His heart simply gave up.”
O’Hara’s remains lie at the Saint Alphonsus Mary Ligouri Parish on Magallanes Avenue in Makati City. Interment will be announced later.
Jerry said O’Hara been in and out of the hospital for two months. He was first brought there in May due to pneumonia. “This triggered a mild heart attack. He had been confined for three weeks,” he said in an interview on June 20.
O’Hara went home for a week, until his his condition “got worse” and had to be taken back to the hospital. “He felt weak. He lost his appetite and the small amount of food he ate, he vomited,” Jerry recalled. It was around this time that O’Hara’s leukemia had been diagnosed. “His body rejected medicine. His creatinine level shot up. This caused damage to his kidneys and liver,” the brother related. “Doctors also said his potassium level was high and that this could cause for his heart to stop any time.”
O’Hara underwent his first chemotherapy session on June 20. The following day, Jerry sent this message to the Inquirer: “He is responding very well to chemo.”
Jerry said O’Hara had initially refused cancer treatment and suffered from bouts of depression. “His doctors had told him, ‘give medicine a chance to work on you,’ but my brother replied, ‘doon (death) din naman ang uwi ko.’ He had bouts of depression. His family tried to encourage him, to keep him fighting.”
On Tuesday, Jerry said: “My brother fought for his life. He stood his ground. He even managed to fight his depression. We made some of his closest friends visit him to cheer him up. The day before he died, he even ate a big serving of his favorite sapin-sapin.”
O’Hara was a native of Zamboanga. He collaborated with the late National Artist for Film Lino Brocka in the 1970s in films such as “Insiang” and “Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang (You’ve Been Weight But Found Wanting),” where he made his first breakthrough performance as a leper. He also co-wrote the scripts of these films which are now considered classics not only in the Philippines but in world cinema.
In 2004, he made the award-winning neo-realist film “Babae Sa Breakwater.”
O’Hara’s last, “Ang Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio,” was an entry to the 2010 Cinemalaya Philippine independent Film Festival.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
Mario O’ Hara (writer and director) started his film career doing scripts in television (served as his training ground in script writing) and performing in stage plays under PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association). He wrote the screenplay of most of early Brocka’s movies i.e. Cadena de Amor (1971), Lumuha Pati Mga Anghel (1971), Tinimbang Ka Nguni’t Kulang (1974) and Tatlo Dalawa Isa (1974). O'Hara also did some acting appearing in Santiago (1970), Tubog sa Ginto (1971), Stardoom (1972), Tinimbang Ka Nguni’t Kulang, Tatlo Dalawa Isa and Gumising Ka Maruja (1978). His close association and corroboration with the great Lino Brocka proved advantageous to him, as he went into movie directing via Moral , his directorial debut in 1976. Often overlooked (as far as film directing is concerned) and always in the shadow of directors Brocka, Bernal, De Leon, Ad Castillo, Diaz-Abaya or even Gosiengfiao and Perez, O'Hara, however, has produced a body of works that one would be proud of. Among his memorable works, spanning three decades, are Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1976), Kastilyong Buhangin (1980), Bakit Bughaw ang Langit (1980), Bulaklak sa City Jail (1984), Condemned (1984), all starred by Superstar Nora Aunor, Bagong Hari (1986), Babae sa Bubungang Lata (1988) and Babae sa Breakwater (2004).
Read: Mario O'Hara: Manila at the Edge of Realism by Noel Vera/
The Quiet Man by Noel Vera
Left- Moral (1976)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Rosanna Ortiz, Anita Linda and Dindo Fernando/with Darling Postigo better known as Julie Vega/ Written and Directed by Mario O'Hara
Right- Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1976)- Stars Nora Aunor, Christopher de Leon and Rafael 'Bembol' Roco/ Written and Directed by Mario O'Hara
Right- Bakit Bughaw ang Langit? (1980)- Stars Nora Aunor and Dennis Roldan/ Directed by Mario O'Hara
To Mama With Love (1983)- Stars Gloria Romero, Snooky Serna, Maricel Soriano, Janice de Belen, Julie Vega and William Martinez,/ Introducing Manilyn Reynes/ Directed by Mario O'Hara
Left- Condemned (1984)- Stars Nora Aunor, Gloria Romero, Gina Alajar, Rio Locsin and Dan Alvaro/ Directed by Mario O'Hara
Right- Bulaklak sa City Jail (1984)- Stars Nora Aunor, Gina Alajar, Celia Rodriguez, Perla Bautista, Maya Valdes, Zenaida Amador, Maritess Gutierrez, Shyr Valdez/ Directed by Mario O'Hara
Right- The Fatima Buen Story (1994)- Stars Kris Aquino, Zoren Legaspi, John Regala, Janice de Belen and Gina Pareno/ Directed by Mario O'Hara
Manananggal in Manila (1997)- Stars Tonton Gutierrez, Eric Fructuoso, Mike Magat, Aiza Seguerra and Alma Concepcion/ Directed by Mario O'Hara
Right- Sisa (1999)- Stars Gardo Versoza, Patrick De Guzman, Marcus Madrigal and Aya Medel/ with Evangeline Pascual/ Directed by Mario O'Hara
According to his brother Jerry, O’Hara’s heart attack was a complication of his acute leukemia, which was diagnosed only this month. “My brother’s cardiologist already warned me that his low hemoglobin count could lead to this,” Jerry told the Inquirer in a phone interview. “He had been conscious. He still looked healthy despite his illness. His heart simply gave up.”
O’Hara’s remains lie at the Saint Alphonsus Mary Ligouri Parish on Magallanes Avenue in Makati City. Interment will be announced later.
Jerry said O’Hara been in and out of the hospital for two months. He was first brought there in May due to pneumonia. “This triggered a mild heart attack. He had been confined for three weeks,” he said in an interview on June 20.
O’Hara went home for a week, until his his condition “got worse” and had to be taken back to the hospital. “He felt weak. He lost his appetite and the small amount of food he ate, he vomited,” Jerry recalled. It was around this time that O’Hara’s leukemia had been diagnosed. “His body rejected medicine. His creatinine level shot up. This caused damage to his kidneys and liver,” the brother related. “Doctors also said his potassium level was high and that this could cause for his heart to stop any time.”
O’Hara underwent his first chemotherapy session on June 20. The following day, Jerry sent this message to the Inquirer: “He is responding very well to chemo.”
Jerry said O’Hara had initially refused cancer treatment and suffered from bouts of depression. “His doctors had told him, ‘give medicine a chance to work on you,’ but my brother replied, ‘doon (death) din naman ang uwi ko.’ He had bouts of depression. His family tried to encourage him, to keep him fighting.”
On Tuesday, Jerry said: “My brother fought for his life. He stood his ground. He even managed to fight his depression. We made some of his closest friends visit him to cheer him up. The day before he died, he even ate a big serving of his favorite sapin-sapin.”
O’Hara was a native of Zamboanga. He collaborated with the late National Artist for Film Lino Brocka in the 1970s in films such as “Insiang” and “Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang (You’ve Been Weight But Found Wanting),” where he made his first breakthrough performance as a leper. He also co-wrote the scripts of these films which are now considered classics not only in the Philippines but in world cinema.
In 2004, he made the award-winning neo-realist film “Babae Sa Breakwater.”
O’Hara’s last, “Ang Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio,” was an entry to the 2010 Cinemalaya Philippine independent Film Festival.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
Mario O’ Hara (writer and director) started his film career doing scripts in television (served as his training ground in script writing) and performing in stage plays under PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association). He wrote the screenplay of most of early Brocka’s movies i.e. Cadena de Amor (1971), Lumuha Pati Mga Anghel (1971), Tinimbang Ka Nguni’t Kulang (1974) and Tatlo Dalawa Isa (1974). O'Hara also did some acting appearing in Santiago (1970), Tubog sa Ginto (1971), Stardoom (1972), Tinimbang Ka Nguni’t Kulang, Tatlo Dalawa Isa and Gumising Ka Maruja (1978). His close association and corroboration with the great Lino Brocka proved advantageous to him, as he went into movie directing via Moral , his directorial debut in 1976. Often overlooked (as far as film directing is concerned) and always in the shadow of directors Brocka, Bernal, De Leon, Ad Castillo, Diaz-Abaya or even Gosiengfiao and Perez, O'Hara, however, has produced a body of works that one would be proud of. Among his memorable works, spanning three decades, are Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1976), Kastilyong Buhangin (1980), Bakit Bughaw ang Langit (1980), Bulaklak sa City Jail (1984), Condemned (1984), all starred by Superstar Nora Aunor, Bagong Hari (1986), Babae sa Bubungang Lata (1988) and Babae sa Breakwater (2004).
Read: Mario O'Hara: Manila at the Edge of Realism by Noel Vera/
The Quiet Man by Noel Vera
Left- Moral (1976)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Rosanna Ortiz, Anita Linda and Dindo Fernando/with Darling Postigo better known as Julie Vega/ Written and Directed by Mario O'Hara
Right- Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1976)- Stars Nora Aunor, Christopher de Leon and Rafael 'Bembol' Roco/ Written and Directed by Mario O'Hara
Mga Bilanggong Birhen (1977)- Stars Alma Moreno, Trixia Gomez, Rez Cortez, Armida Siguon-Reyna, Mario Montenegro, Barbara Luna, Ruffy Mendoza & Leroy Salvador/ Written and Directed by Mario O'Hara & Romy Suzara
Left- Kastilyong Buhangin (1980)- Stars Nora Aunor and Lito Lapid/ Directed by Mario O'HaraRight- Bakit Bughaw ang Langit? (1980)- Stars Nora Aunor and Dennis Roldan/ Directed by Mario O'Hara
Gaano Kita Kamahal (1981)- Stars Nora Aunor, Lito Lapid, Geraldine, Marita Zobel, Mario Escudero/ Directed by Mario O'Hara
To Mama With Love (1983)- Stars Gloria Romero, Snooky Serna, Maricel Soriano, Janice de Belen, Julie Vega and William Martinez,/ Introducing Manilyn Reynes/ Directed by Mario O'Hara
Left- Condemned (1984)- Stars Nora Aunor, Gloria Romero, Gina Alajar, Rio Locsin and Dan Alvaro/ Directed by Mario O'Hara
Right- Bulaklak sa City Jail (1984)- Stars Nora Aunor, Gina Alajar, Celia Rodriguez, Perla Bautista, Maya Valdes, Zenaida Amador, Maritess Gutierrez, Shyr Valdez/ Directed by Mario O'Hara
Uhaw sa Pag-ibig (1984)- Stars Claudia Zobel, Edgar Mande, Patrick de la Rosa, Lito Pimentel/ Directed by Mario O'Hara
Bagong Hari(1986)- Stars Dan Alvaro, Carmi Martin, Joel Torre, Robert Arevalo, Perla Bautista, Celso Ad Castillo and Elvira Manahan/ Directed by Mario O'Hara
Bagong Hari(1986)- Stars Dan Alvaro, Carmi Martin, Joel Torre, Robert Arevalo, Perla Bautista, Celso Ad Castillo and Elvira Manahan/ Directed by Mario O'Hara
Left- Halimaw (1986)- 2 Episodes: Komiks (Directed by Christopher Strauss de Leon) & Banga (Directed by Mario O' Hara/ Stars Liza Lorena, Gina Pareno, Michael de Mesa, Mario O' Hara, Ruel Vernal, Maritess Gutierrez, Ronel Victor, Jaime Fabregas, Marilyn Villamayor and Ian & Lotlot
Right- Takot Ako, Eh! (1987)- Stars Kristoffer Ian, Lotlot, Matet, Caridad Sanchez, Richard Merck, Jimmy Fabregas, Ronel Victor, Marilyn Villamayor/ Directed by Mario O'Hara
Right- Takot Ako, Eh! (1987)- Stars Kristoffer Ian, Lotlot, Matet, Caridad Sanchez, Richard Merck, Jimmy Fabregas, Ronel Victor, Marilyn Villamayor/ Directed by Mario O'Hara
Left- Babae sa Bubungang Lata (1988)- Stars Aya Medel, Mike Magat, Renzo Cruz, Randy Ramos, Allen Dizon and Anita Linda/ Directed by Mario O'Hara
Right- The Fatima Buen Story (1994)- Stars Kris Aquino, Zoren Legaspi, John Regala, Janice de Belen and Gina Pareno/ Directed by Mario O'Hara
Manananggal in Manila (1997)- Stars Tonton Gutierrez, Eric Fructuoso, Mike Magat, Aiza Seguerra and Alma Concepcion/ Directed by Mario O'Hara
Left- Sindak (1999)- Stars John Robert Porter, Jr., Rita Magdalena, Aya Medel, Gardo Verzosa, Mike Magat, Allen Dizon and William Martinez/ Directed by Mario O'Hara
Right- Sisa (1999)- Stars Gardo Versoza, Patrick De Guzman, Marcus Madrigal and Aya Medel/ with Evangeline Pascual/ Directed by Mario O'Hara
Babae sa Breakwater (2004)- Stars Katherine Luna, Kristoffer King, Gardo Versoza, Amy Austria Alcris Galura, Yoyoy Villame, Evelyn Vargas, Jeanette Nunag / Directed by Mario O'Hara
The Films of Mario O’Hara:
The Films of Mario O’Hara:
Ang Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio (2010)
Babae sa Breakwater (2004)
Pangarap ng Puso (2000)
Sindak (1999)
Sisa (1999)
Ang Babae sa Bubungang Lata (1998)
Mama, Dito sa Aking Puso (1997)
Ang Babae sa Bubungang Lata (1998)
Mama, Dito sa Aking Puso (1997)
Manananggal in Manila (1997)
The Fatima Buen Story (1994)
Johnny Tinoso an the Proud Beauty (1994)
Johnny Tinoso an the Proud Beauty (1994)
Tatlong Ina, Isang Anak (1987)
Prinsesang Gusgusin (1987)
Takot Ako, Eh! (1987)
Halimaw (Episode: Banga) (1986)
Takot Ako, Eh! (1987)
Halimaw (Episode: Banga) (1986)
Bagong Hari (1986)
Bulaklak sa City Jail (1984)
Condemned (1984)
To Mama With Love (1983)
Uhaw sa Pag-ibig (1983)
Bakit Bughaw ang Langit? (1981)
Uhaw sa Pag-ibig (1983)
Bakit Bughaw ang Langit? (1981)
Kastilyong Buhangin (1980)
Marcelino pan y vino (1979) (TV)
Mga Bilanggong Birhen (1977)
Mga Bilanggong Birhen (1977)
Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1976)
Mortal (1976)
Monday, June 25, 2012
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Friday, June 22, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
THE FIFTIES # 66: FRED MONTILLA & ERLINDA CORTES IN "ISINANLANG PAG-IBIG" (1951)
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
THE FIFTIES # 64: OSCAR MORENO & ERLINDA CORTES IN "ROMEO AT JULIETA" (1951)
"Romeo at Julieta"
Lebran Productions
Release Date December 14-16, 1951 & January 6- 15, 1952/ Life
Music Prof. J. Esteban Anguita
Production Designs Carlos V. Francisco
Direction Ralph Brambles, Jr. & Prudencio B. Mariano
Cast Oscar Moreno, Erlinda Cortes, Juan Monteiro, Fernando Royo, Andres Centenera, Africa de la Rosa, Gil de Leon, Nati Rubi, Jose Villafranca, Cecilio Joaquin, Oscar Obligacion
Monday, June 18, 2012
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012
THE FIFTIES # 61: LEILA MORENA & DANILO MONTES IN "GAMUGAMONG NAGING LAWIN" (1951)
"Gamugamong Naging Lawin"
Premiere Productions
Release Date August 5- 14, 1951/ Dalisay
Story Teodoro Virrey
Music Josefino Cenizal
Direction Eduardo de Castro
Cast Leila Morena, Danilo Montes, Arturo Lerma, Nati Rubi, Cecilio Joaquin, Tony Tolman, Francisco Cruz, Fernando Santiago, Dadang Ortega, Candida Valderama, Nello Nayo, Leonara Ruiz
Friday, June 15, 2012
THE FIFTIES # 60: OSCAR MORENO, FRED MONTILLA, LINDA ESTRELLA & TESSIE AGANA IN "KASAYSAYAN NI DR. RAMON SELGA" (1951)
"Kasaysayan ni Dr. Ramon Selga"
Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.
Release Date January 30- February 9, 1951/ Life
Direction Octavio SilosCast Oscar Moreno, Fred Montilla, Linda Estrella, Teresita Martinez, Tessie Agana, Myrna Delgado, Rosa Mia, Aruray, Maria Cristina, Jose de Villa, Dolores Criscini, Aring Bautista, Bartolome del Rosario
Thursday, June 14, 2012
35th GAWAD URIAN WINNERS (2012): MAJA SALVADOR, PAULO AVELINO AND "ANG SAYAW NG DALAWANG KALIWANG PAA" TOP WINNERS
June 13--- The best films of 2011 were honored at the 35th Gawad Urian Awards held at AFP theater in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. Independent films, once again ruled this year's annual awards.
“Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa” was adjudged the biggest winner with seven awards --- Best Picture, Best Director & Screenplay (Alvin Yapan), Best Actor (Paulo Avelino), Best Supporting Actress (Jean Garcia), Best Cinematography and Best Music.
Maja Salvador, on the other hand, won the Best Actress trophy for “Thelma.”
Complete list of winners:
Best Picture – Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa
Best Actress – Maja Salvador (Thelma)
Best Actor – Paulo Avelino (Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa)
Best Director – Alvin Yapan (Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa)
Best Supporting Actress – Jean Garcia (Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa)
Best Supporting Actor – Art Acuña (Niño)
Best Screenplay – Alvin Yapan (Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa)
Best Cinematography – Arvin Viola (Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa)
Best Production Design – Maulen Fadul (The Natural Phenomenon of Madness)
Best Editing – Lawrence Fajardo (Amok)
Best Music – Christine Muyco and Jema Pamintuan (Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa)
Best Sound – Albert Michael Idioma and Addiss Tabong (Amok)
Best Documentary – Tundong Magiliw
Best Short Film – Sirip
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
THE FIFTIES # 57: ANITA LINDA, REYNALDO DANTE & EDDIE DEL MAR IN GERARDO DE LEON'S "SISA" (1951)/ Re-uploaded
"Sisa"
Premiere Productions
Release Date November 7- 16, 1951/ Life
Music Ariston Avelino
Direction Gerardo de Leon
Cast Anita Linda, Reynaldo Dante and Eddie del Mar/ with Eddie Infante, Nati Rubi, Pancho Pelagio, Tony Tolman, Ruben Rustia
Winner of two Maria Clara Awards (Gerardo de Leon- Best Direction and Anita Linda- Best Actress), Sisa, based on a character from Jose Rizal's first novel, Noli Me Tangere tells of Sisa (played by Anita Linda), the mother of two boys, Basilio and Crispin who work as helpers in the church of San Diego town. The head sacristan (Pancho Pelagio) of the church steals money from the church coffers and accuses the boys of the theft. He tortures the boys, killing Crispin in the process. Basilio, the eldest, escapes to avoid prison. That same night, Pedro (Reynaldo Dante), Sisa's husband, a gambler and a wife beater who spends all his time gambling in the cockpit, comes home and takes all of Sisa's savings. He even eats all the food she prepared for her sons. Basilio comes home and tells his shocked mother about their ordeal in the church.
Sisa goes to the priest's house to ask for her missing son but is sent away by the sacristan who stands firm in his accusation of the two brothers' thievery the night before. Back in the house, she is met by the guardia civil (a local militia) looking for her sons, but Basilio has fled again. The militia turn their attention to the mother and abuse her. Sisa goes mad, roaming the streets, homeless, and occasionally helping out in some rich man's house in exchange for some food. Some time later, mad mother and fugitive son come across each other at the town outskirts. Sisa is shocked by the encounter into a moment of lucidity when she recognizes Basilio. But weakness and exposure have taken their toll on the poor woman. She dies in the arms of her son.
(Synopsis- Source: Focus on Filipino Films: A Sampling 1951-1982)
Courtesy of Premiere Productions
Sisa goes to the priest's house to ask for her missing son but is sent away by the sacristan who stands firm in his accusation of the two brothers' thievery the night before. Back in the house, she is met by the guardia civil (a local militia) looking for her sons, but Basilio has fled again. The militia turn their attention to the mother and abuse her. Sisa goes mad, roaming the streets, homeless, and occasionally helping out in some rich man's house in exchange for some food. Some time later, mad mother and fugitive son come across each other at the town outskirts. Sisa is shocked by the encounter into a moment of lucidity when she recognizes Basilio. But weakness and exposure have taken their toll on the poor woman. She dies in the arms of her son.
(Synopsis- Source: Focus on Filipino Films: A Sampling 1951-1982)