"Tinalikdang Dambana" (1954) LVN Pictures Release Date October 27 to November 5, 1954/ Dalisay Story A.C. Bagabaldo Music F. Buencamino Jr. Direction Billy Icasiano Cast Jaime de la Rosa, Celia Flor, Tony Santos, Jose de Cordova, Oscar Obligacion, Priscilla Ramirez, Ched Bermudez, Baby Zenny, Eduardo Rodriguez, VicenteAdvincula, Antonio Medina, Purita Alba, Francisco Estacio
Cast Fred Montilla, Lolita Rodriguez, Chichay, Tolindoy, Gregorio Ticman, Rebecca del Rio, Eddie Garcia, Jose de Villa, Leonora Ruiz, Teroy de Guzman, Bert Olivar
Someone wrote me that he read an article that FPJ made his first movie appearance in the 1954 movie, Multo sa Opera. I knew from the very start that FPJ started his movie career in 1955 in a starring role in Anak ni Palaris. This was something new so I decided to research on it. I came up with an ad and a photo of the said movie but it didn’t say anything of FPJ’s appearance in the movie. I emailed Ms Baby K. Jimenez, long-time personal friend of FPJ and Susan Roces, and inquired about this. She was not aware of this nor FPJ mentioning this. She relayed my message to Ms. Elizabeth Poe, the eldest sister of FPJ and this was her reply---
..."As for Ronnie's appearance in Multo sa Opera, I am not aware of this. When my papa passed away Ronnie was only 11 yrs old. The last movie produced by the Fernando Poe Production was Multo, my uncle Jose Samson produced this with the ok of my mumpy who didn’t know anything about the business. It was a last ditch to save the production and the studio but it laid an egg. We lost everything. It was Mumpy who produced Anak ni Palaris with the insurance money we got. As she said, it was the best investment she ever made. Ditto. Take care. God bless."
On my personal assessment, Ronnie may have appeared in Multo sa Opera so as to acclimatize him in the world of cinema before going solo two months later. Since the director (Mario Barri) was his director in his supposed first movie, Anak ni Palaris and the producer, Jose Samson, was his uncle, there’s a great probability that he appeared in the said movie. Things could have been lot easier if FPJ was still alive today or if the film still exists.
Cast Anita Linda, Eddie del Mar, Lopito, Abraham Cruz, Polly Cayetano, Ricardo Villa Camua, Ben Balatbat, Isagani Santos, Cesar Bandong, Zeny Zavalla, Helen Ponce de Leon, Smile Bengco, Ed Maceda, Girlie Riviera, Oscar Ocampo, Pat Intengan, Boy Camacho
"Si Eva at si Adan" (1954) Manuel Vistan Productions/ Premiere Productions, Inc. Release Date October 17- 26, 1954/ Dalisay Direction Gerardo de Leon Cast Edna Luna, Juan 'Johnny' Monteiro, Carol Varga, Vicente Liwanag, Nello Nayo
Popular 50s stars Edna Luna and Juan "Johnny" Monteiro (both starred together in "Paladin") changed sex identities in the 1954 Gerry de Leon's controversial movie, "Si Eva at si Adan." The movie made an uproar when it ran problems and raised a furor with the Board of Censors because of its very hot and sensitive issues on homosexuality. Manong Gerry was way ahead of its time when he tackled such controversial themes and it takes guts on his part to do that. I also can't imagine seeing Johnny Monteiro portraying the role of a gay. Monteiro, known for his breathtaking fencing skills, appeared in countless action and adventure movies pitting him mostly with another popular action star, Efren Reyes.
"Luha ng Birhen" (1954) Sampaguita Pictures Release Date September 17- 26, 1954/ Dalisay Story Rico Bello Omagap Music Constancio C. de Guzman Direction Octavio Silos Cast Carmen Rosales, Van de Leon, Norma Vales and Luis Gonzales
"Luha ng Birhen" Nobela ni Rico Bello Omagap Guhit ni J.C. Caluag Serialized in Espesyal Komiks
MANILA, Philippines—Filmmaker Danny Zialcita passed away on Sunday, according to industry insiders.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer learned of the news during a meeting of the Nagkakaisang Manggagawa ng Pelikulang Pilipino on Tuesday.
Actor Rap Fernandez, son of actress Lorna Tolentino, posted the news on his Twitter account on Tuesday as well.
Zialcita was 72, according to Ronald Arguelles, channel head of Cinema One. Zialcita received a lifetime achievement award from Cinema One in 2009.
Among the films he directed were the glossy adult dramas “Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan,” “Karma,” “Palabra de Honor,” “Nagalit ang Buwan sa Haba ng Gabi,” among others
He also megged sex comedies like “Mahinhin vs. Mahinhin,” “May Lamok sa Loob ng Kulambo,” “May Daga sa Labas ng Lungga” and “Lalakwe.”
He was also credited for introducing singer Sharon Cuneta to the movies via the 1981 teen romance “Dear Heart.”
By Bayani San Diego Jr
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Left- "Lady Killer" (1965)- Stars Romano Castellvi, Maggie dela Riva, Stella Suarez and Lourdes Medel/ with Jose Romulo, Ben Perez, Jose Vergara/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
Right- "Target Domino" (1966)- Stars Romano Castellvi, Liberty Ilagan, Stella Suarez, Bessie Barredo, Tito Arevalo, Leni Trinidad, Val magno, Rolando Aquino/ with Roberto Gonzales, Marissa Delgado/ Directed by DLZ
He directs his movies with no scripts on hand. According to one of his actors, Noel Colet in a comment he made in a blog post, "He taught me how to come to the set with no script, learned my lines by dictation on the set for the first rehearsal and changed a few paragraphs on the second rehearsal and then on final take to mentally delete some lines and add a few more lines here and there. No other director can make a masterpiece using this process... on the set, impromptu. Ang galing!" That's how Director Danny Zialcita works!
Danny L. Zialcita or DLZ is one of the most underrated filmmakers in Philippine cinema. He started his career in the mid 60s directing action movies, mostly spin-offs of James Bond movies. That was the trend that time--- remember Tony Ferrer portraying the role of Tony Falcon, Agent X-44, Eddie Fernandez as Lagalag, Anthony Alonzo as Agent 69, Eddie Rodriguez as Paolo Stacatto or Cobra and many more. Zialcita's early works like Lady Killer (1965), Cabonegro (1966), Target Domino (1966) and Tiger Lady (1966) propelled a young Romano Castellvi to stardom. He sometimes used the acronym DLZ in the title credits in his early movies. In 1970, he did some sex-oriented movies, Gutom, Ina Ko Patawarin Mo Ako Ako'y Nagugutom, Hidhid and Polyanna (Bertigo) andby the middle of the 70s, Zialcita shifted to a more serious themes touching on sensitive and controversial topics like adultery and infidelity.
"Cabonegro" (1966)- Stars Romano Castellvi, Divina Valencia, Ben Perez, Flor Bien, Roberto Gonzales, Chito Reyes, Ben Manalo/ Directed by DLZ
"Tiger Lady" (1966)- Stars Romano Castellvi, Josephine Estrada, Rolly Aquino, Val Magno and Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia/ Directed by DLZ
"Hammerhead" (1967)- Stars Bernard Bonnin, Liberty Ilagan, Elsa Bouffard, Leni Trinidad, Vivian Larrain, Eva Marie, Ben Perez and Eddie Arenas/ Directed by DLZ
"Incognito" (1967)- Stars Bernard Bonnin, Perla Bautista, Ronald Remy and Timi Yuro/ Directed by DLZ
"Palos Strikes Again!" (1968)- Stars Bernard Bonnin, Sofia Moran, Alfonso Carvajal, Ely Ramos, Liza Belmonte, Vic Andaya and Joe Sison/ Directed by DLZ
"Palos Fights Back!" (1969)- Stars Bernard Bonnin, Sofia Moran, Marion Douglas, Ben Perez, Alfonso Carvajal, Rolly Aquino/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
"Tres Pistoleros" (1970)- Stars Johnny Vicar, Conrado Cordova, Paolo Baron, Rhodora, Merle Fernandez and Rossana Marquez/ Directed by DLZ
"Gutom" (1970)- Stars Rossana Marquez, Conrado Cordova, Alicia Montemayor, Vic Andaya, Mario Escudero, Renato del Prado, Mar Quijano, Angel Confiado/ Directed by DLZ
"Ina Ko Patawarin Mo Ako Ako'y Nagugutom" (1970)- Stars Rossana Marquez, Roldan Aquino/ Story and Directed by DLZ
"Hidhid" (1971)- Stars Rosanna Ortiz, Annabelle and Jessica/ with Johnny Madrid, Frank Zarate and Rod Navarro/ Directed by Danny L. Zialcita
Polyanna (Bertigo)/ 1972- Stars Rosemarie Gil, Jessica and Johnny Madrid/ with Johnny Vicar, Frank Zarate/ Directed by DLZ
"Ugat" (1974)- Stars George Estregan, Rosanna Ortiz and Pinky de Leon/ with Elizabeth Oropesa, Rod Navarro, Rusty Salzar, Roderick Paulate, Dondon Nakar, Alfonso Carvajal, Teody Belarmino/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
"Ang Biyuda ay Misteryosa" (1975)- Stars George Estregan, Imelda Ilanan, Lito Legaspi and Chanda Romero/ with Mario Escudero, Bella Flores, Ruben Rustia, Alfonso Carvajal/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
"Ito'y Isang Baliw na Baliw na Diagdig" (1975)- Stars Gina Pareno, Pinky de Leon, Elizabeth Oropesa, Rosanna Ortiz and George Estregan/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
"Laging Umaga" (1975)- Stars Gina Pareno, Anna Gonzales, Rebecca, Eddie Garcia and George Estregan/ with Mario Escudro, Pancho Pelagio, Ernie Ortega/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
Left- "Escolta: Mayo 13...Biyernes ng Hapon!" (1976)- Stars George Estregan, Hilda Koronel, Vivian Velez, Dick Israel, Johnny Vicar and Chanda Romero/ with Mario Escudero, Nello Nayo, Ben Delgado/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
Right- "Kapag Tumabang ang Asin (1976)- Stars Chanda Romero, Daria Ramirez, Carmen Ronda, Edna Diaz, Barbara Luna, Johnny Vicar, Anita Linda, Mario Escudero, Ruben Rustia, Nello nayo, Ruel Vernal/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
Courtesy of Sining Silangan, Inc. (Uploaded by Sineng Pinoy Channel- Jojo Devera)
While Zialcita began his career in the ‘60s directing action films like a few from the Palos series, and even dipping his feet on the bomba trend in the early ‘70s (he directed films such as Gutom and Hidhid when movie titles at the time were Uhaw, Hayok, Daing), his career peaked in the late ‘70s to the mid-‘80s when he started pursuing themes about marriage, adultery and homosexuality. His movies were famous for their kilometric titles—Nagalit Ang Buwan Sa Haba ng Gabi (or, as a joke said, Nagalit ang Buwan Sa Haba ng Title), Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan, Bakit Manipis ang Ulap?—and their dialogue: witty, poetic, delivered in rapid fire speed. His characters were always incredibly articulate, from the leads down to the yaya. “Bawal ang bobo sa pelikula ni Danny Zialcita,” says Mark Gil who starred in several of the director’s films including Sugat Sa Dangal. When Zialcita says “Action!” he doesn’t watch his actors do the scene, he turns his back and listens only to how his dialogue is delivered (Martin Nievera had to do 12 takes once on the set of Always and Forever. His line: “Goddamit.”). “For him, every dialogue is a song,” says Mark. “May intro, may refrain. You don’t go to the refrain right away.”
Consider this confrontation scene between Vilma Santos and Nora Aunor in T-bird at Ako. Nora’s character, a lawyer, has just expressed her romantic intentions to Vilma, a nightclub dancer, who responds to the proposition, quietly, with “Nandidiri ako.”Nora: Bakit, sino ka ba? Ano bang pinagmamalaki mo? Katawan lang yan ah, sa’n ba galing yan? Sa putik!Vilma: Putik nga ako pero kahit ganito ‘ko nagsisimba ako kahit papa’no. At ang sabi ng nasa itaas ang sala sa lamig, sala sa init, iniluluwa ng langit, isinusuka ng Diyos!
Courtesy of Film Ventures (Uploaded by Frida Manalo)
Which takes us back to Mark’s statement. First, you have to be a competent actor to come to work without a script. Danny is famous for not doing scripts, only rough storylines and sequence guides that get revised easily on the set when a new idea strikes him. “I don’t want them coming to the set with a planned line, a planned movement. So that they can surpass their own,” says Danny. Second, you have to be an intelligent actor to deliver lines like the ones above, to convince the audience that the character is capable of churning out knockout philosophical punches at the tip of a hat—which, incidentally, people wore in Zialcita films.
From 1979 to 1986, Zialcita was on a roll, doing one film after another, pulling off nine hits in a row beginning with Gaano Kadalas in 1981 up to his sex comedies that include May Lamok Sa Loob ng Kulambo. He could demand anything from a producer and his wish would be granted. When Viva Films asked him to do Gaano Kadalas, he told Vic and Mina del Rosario that he will only do it if they get George Canseco to write the theme song (most of his popular films had songs by Canseco), and that Hilda Koronel would be one of the leads. Viva granted him both—even if it had to pay more for Hilda than for Vilma. “May utang ako kay Hilda eh, I took her out of Langis at Tubig.”He was in his late ‘40s and there was a time he was doing three movies all at once, all of them without scripts. Up to now, he seems amazed at what he was able to do. And it is amazing, especially when you are familiar with his films, and how complex the stories are, how six to 10 characters weave themselves into each others’ lives, how each one is able to make an impact. “Divine intervention,” he tells me now, seems the only reason he can think of.
Left- "Lalaki, babae Kami!" (1977)- Stars Pinky de Leon, Chanda Romero, Janet Bordon and ALona Alegre/ with George Estregan, Eddie Garcia, Raul Aragon and Tommy Abuel/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
Right- "Hindi Sa Iyo ang Mundo, Baby Porcuna (1978)- Stars Beth Bautista, Joseph Sytangco, Dick Israel, Anthony Alonzo, Josephine Garcia, Suzanne Gonzales/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
Left- "Ikaw at ang Gabi" (1979)- Stars Dindo Fernando, Chanda Romero, Ronaldo Valdez and Beth Bautista/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
Right- "Si Malakas, Si Maganda at Si Mahinhin" (1980)- Stars Elizabeth Oropesa, Alma Moreno and Dindo Fernando/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
Left- "Kaladkarin!" (1980)- Stars Jean Saburit, Eddie Garcia/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
Right- "Langis at Tubig" (1980)- Stars Vilma Santos, Dindo Fernando, Amy Austria/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
"Dear Heart" (1981)- Stars Sharon Cuneta, Gabby Concepcion,Eddie Garcia, Liza Lorena, Rosemarie Gil, Ronaldo Valdez, Johnny Wilson/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
Left- "The Betamax Story (1981)- Stars Pinky de Leon, Elizabeth Oropesa, Beth bautista, Cherie Gil, Jean Saburit, Chichay and Alma Moreno/ with George Estregan, Raul Aragon, Johnny Vicar, Joe Garcia/ Directed by Danny Zialcita Right- "Mahinhin vs Mahinhin (1981)- Stars Dindo Fernando, Ronaldo Valdez, Edu Manzano, Carmi Martin/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
"Karma" (1981)- Stars Vilma Santos, Ronaldo Valdez, Chanda Romero, Tommy Abuel/ Directed by Danny Zialcita "Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan?" (1982)- Stars Vilma Santos, Hilda Koronel, Dindo Fernando, Suzanne Gonzales, Alvin Joseph Enriquez/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
"T-Bird at Ako" (1982)- Stars Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Dindo Fernando, Tommy Abuel/ Directed by Danny Zialcita "Tinimbang ang Langit" (1982)- Stars Kuh Ledesma, Christopher de Leon, Rio Locsin/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
Left- "Palabra de Honor" (1983)- Stars Hilda Koronel, Elizabeth Oropesa, Beth Bautista, Amy Austria, Jackie Lo Blanco & Gloria Diaz/ with Dindo Fernando, Ronaldo Valdez, Tommy Abuel, Mark Gil and Eddie Garcia/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
Right- "Nagalit ang Buwan sa Haba ng Gabi" (1983)- Stars Dindo Fernando, Laurice Guillen, Janice de Belen, Alvin Enriquez, Tommy Alvarado with Eddie Garcia and Gloria Diaz/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
"To Love Again" (1983)- Stars Sharon Cuneta and Miguel Rodriguez / Directed by Danny Zialcita
"May Lamok sa Loob ng Kulambo" (1984)- Stars Gloria Diaz, Amy Austria, Eddie Garcia, Tommy Abuel, Suzanne Gonzales/ Introducing Lyka Ugarte / Directed by Danny Zialcita
Left- "Nang Masugatan ang Gabii" (1984)- Stars Dindo Fernando, Alona ALegre, Jean Saburit, Criselda 'Dang' Cecilio and Romeo Vasquez/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
Right- "Sugat sa Dangal" (1984)- Stars Rio Locsin, Criselda 'Dang' Cecilio and Mark Gil/ with Johnny Vicar, Suzanne Gonzales, anita Linda, Ramon D' Salva Directed by Danny Zialcita
Left- "Menudo at Pandesal" (1985)- Stars Gloria Diaz, Carmi Martin, Tanya Gomez and Janice de Belen/ with Paquito Diaz, Max Alvarado, Lou Veloso & Caridad Sanchez/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
Right- "Lalakwe" (1985)- Stars Gloria Diaz, Rio Locsin, Lyka Ugarte, Elsa Agana, Tommy Abuel and Ronaldo Valdez/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
Left- "Bakit Manipis ang Ulap?" (1985)- Stars Chanda Romero, Laurice Guillen, Tommy Abuel, Mark Gil and Janice de Belen/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
Right- "Heartache City" (1985)- Stars Chanda Romero, Barbara Luna, Ma. Isabel Lopez, Lyka Ugarte, Liz Alindogan & Tanya Gomez/ with Tommy Abuel and Ronaldo Valdez/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
Left- "Bakit Madalas ang Tibok ng Puso?" (1986)- Stars Aga Muhlach, Janice de Belen, Dante Rivero, Liza Lorena, Laurice Guille, Isabel Granada, Anita Linda, Joonee Gamboa, Odette Khan, Johnny Vicar/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
Right- "Always and Forever" (1986)- Stars Pops Fernandez, Martin Nievera, Liza Lorena, Chanda Romero, Dang Cevilio, Miguel Rodriguez and Tommy Abuel/ Directed by Danny Zialcita
Filmography (1965-1986)
Bakit Madalas ang Tibok ng Puso?(1986)/ Regal Films Si Mister at si Misis (1986)/ Essex Films Always and Forever (1986)/ Essex Films Sugat sa Dangal (1985)/ Bukang Liwayway Films Bakit Manipis ang Ulap (1985)/ Essex Films HeartacheCity (1985)/ Essex Films Menudo at Pandesal (1985)/ Essex Films Lalakwe (1985)/ Essex Films Hawakan at Pigilin ang Kahapon (1984) May Daga sa Labas ng Lungga (1984)/ Essex Films May Lamok sa Loob ng Kulambo (1984)/ Essex Films Nang Masugatan ang Gabi (1984)/ HPS Film Productions To Love Again (1983)/ Viva Films Palabra de Honor (1983)/ Viva Films Nagalit ang Buwan sa Haba ng Gabi (1983)/ Essex Films Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan? (1982)/ Viva Films T-Bird at Ako (1982)/ Film Ventures, Inc. Tinimbang ang Langit (1982)/ Film Ventures, Inc. Dear Heart (1981)/ Sining Silangan, Inc. The Betamax Story (1981)/ Octa Films Ang Kabiyak (1981)/ Trigon Cinema Arts Karma (1981)/ Sining Silangan, Inc. Mahinhin vs. Mahinhin (1981)/ Sining Silangan, Inc. Langis at Tubig (1980)/ Sining Silangan, Inc. Kaladkarin (1980)/ Sining Silangan, Inc. Si Malakas Si Maganda at si Mahinhin (1980)/ Trigon Cinema Arts Ikaw at ang Gabi (1979)/ Diosa Productions Tatlong Bulaklak (1979)/ Diosa Productions Kulang sa Init, Kulang sa Lamig (1978)/ Alaminos Films, Inc. Hindi sa Iyo ang Mundo, Baby Pocuna (1978)/ JV Productions Anak sa Una, Kasal sa Ina (1978)/ Alaminos Films, Inc. Lalaki, Babae Kami! (1977)/ Alaminos Films, Inc. Basag na Kristal (1977)/ Alaminos Films, Inc. Kapag Tumabang ang Asin (1976)/ Alaminos Films, Inc. Escolta: Mayo 13…Biyernes ng Hapon! (1976)/ Sunshine Films, Inc. Ang Biyuda ay Misteryosa (1975)/ Crown Seven Film Productions Ito ang Baliw na Baliw na Daigdig (1975/ Alaminos Films, Inc. Laging Umaga (1975)/ Alaminos Films, Inc. Gumapang Ka sa Lupa (1974)/ Alaminos Films, Inc. Ugat (1974)/ Alaminos Films, Inc. Polyanna (1972)/ Tuit-Tuit Productions Hidhid (1971)/ MOD Films Organization Gutom (1970) /Layson Productions Ina Ko PatawarinMo Ako Ako’y Nagugutom (1970)/ Layson Productions Tres Pistoleros (1970)/ Essex Films, Inc. Palos Fights Back (1969)/ SS Films Co. Palos Strikes Again (1968)/ Adroit Productions Bart Salamanca (1968)/ Adroit Productions Masquerade (1967)/ Emar Productions Incognito (1967)/ Zeta Productions Hammerhead (1967)/ Bonanza Productions Cabonegro (1966)/ Magna East Productions Tiger Lady (1966)/ GM Film Organization Target Domino (1966)/ Magna East Productions Lady Killer (1965)/ Magna East Productions