THE FIFTIES # 671: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, LOTA DELGADO, BEN RUBIO IN "IRISAN" (`1952)

"Irisan" (1952)

RDR Productions

Released thru LVN Pictures

Release Date March 16-26, 1952/ Life

Direction Manuel Silos

Cast Rogelio de la Rosa, Lota Delgado, Ben Rubio

THE FIFTIES # 6: ARMANDO GOYENA AND TESSIE QUINTANA, WITH ALFONSO CARVAJAL, NENITA VIDAL IN "PAGTUTUUS" (1950)/ A FILM BY GREGORIO FERNANDEZ/ Re-Updated

"Pagtutuus" tells of a guerilla (Armando Goyena) determined to hunt down the collaborator who is guilty of killing his family. After the war, the killer is now a wealthy nightclub owner and quite coincidentally, the brother of his girlfriend (Tessie Quintana). His girlfriend tries to dissuade him from his actions, pointing to Jesus on the cross and the virtue of forgiveness. He answers with a most anti-Christian sentiment: "Magagawa n'ya magpatawad sapagka't siya'y Dios. Nguni't ako'y isang nilalang lamang."(Source: War and its Aftermath in Philippine Cinema by Agustin Sotto)

"Pagtutuus" (1950)
LVN Pictures
Release Date: September 30- October 10 , 1950/ Dalisay

Story and Screnplay Armando Garces and Pablo naval

Music Josefino Cenizal
Direction Gregorio FernandezCast Armando Goyena, Tessie Quintana/ Also Starring Alfonso Carvajal, Nenita Vidal/ Co-starring Engracio Ibarra, Cora Madrid, Armando Garces, Tita Ramirez, Ezar Visenio

THE FIFTIES # 670: ERNESTO BOHOL AND PACITA FRANCISCO IN "ANG LIMPIA BOTA (THE BOOTBLACK)" (1952)

The movie, "Ang Limpia Bota (The Bootblack)" told with great realism, was the first Filipino Educational Picture. It was based on the true-to-life story of a bootblack, Ernesto Bohol (who played as himself in this film), who worked his way up to become a college president. National Artist for Music, Lucio D. San Pedro did the musical scoring. 

"Ang Limpia Bota (The Bootblack)" (1952)

Far East Films

Released by Lebran Inc.

Release Date March 11- 20, 1952/ Dalisay

(In English and Tagalog Dialogue)

Story Ernesto Bohol

Musical Score Lucio D. San Pedro

Direction T. D. Agcaoli

Cast Ernesto Bohol , Pacita Francisco/ Also Starring Teodoro Kalaw Katigbak, Lillian laing, Fidel Sicam, Josefina Leano, Vicky Castillo, Ruben Lacsamana, Mike Melo, Neonora Ruiz, Ric Valdez/ Guest players- Judge Bienvenido Tan, Gov. Lino Castillejo, Fiscal Nicanor Nicolas, Prf. Vicente Quimbo

THE FIFTIES # 669: NORMA BLANCAFLOR, ELVIRA REYES, CAROL VARGA, FERNANDO ROYO, BEN RUBIO, JUAN MONTEIRO AND JENNINGS STURGEON IN "KALBARYO NI HESUS" (1952)/ Re-posted

I grew up watching Kalbaryo ni Hesus in the 60s. I've seen it countless times and I still recalled Fernando Royo playing the role of Judas, Norma Blancaflor as the Blessed Mother Mary, Juan 'Johnny' Monteiro as Simon Bilibit and a foreign actor named Jennings Sturgeon as Jesus Christ. The movie, released in 1952, was an all-star cast that included among others, Carol Varga, Rita Rivera, Elvira Reyes, Ben Rubio, Teddy Benavides, Ramon D' Salva. The production design was done by National Artist Carlos 'Botong' Francisco and ably directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa.

"Kalbaryo ni Hesus" (1952)
Lebran Productions
Release Date March 26- April 4, 1952
Production Design Carlos V. Francisco
Music Prof. J. Esteban Anguita
In Charge of Production Carlos R. Garcia
Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa
An All-Star Cast - Norma Blancaflor, Elvira Reyes, Carol Varga, Fernando Royo, Ben Rubio, Juan (Johnny) Monteiro, Teddy Benavides, Africa dela Rosa, Lupe Velasco, Sweet Williams, Andres Centenera, Cecilio Joaquin, Ramon D' Salva, Rita Rivera, Gracita Dominguez, Fred Penalosa, Bert Olivar, Don Dano, Manuel Barbeyto, Oscar Keese, Ric Bustamante and Jennings Sturgeon (as Jesus Christ) and many others

Reissued in 1954

THE FIFTIES # 668: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, LILIA DIZON, ROSA ROSAL, ALFONSO CARVAJAL IN "DIMAS: THE SAINTED ROBBER" (1952): KOMIKS SERIAL AND MOVIE ADAPTATION/ Re-posted

Dimas: The Sainted Robber was adapted from a serialized Liwayway novel by Caravana, del Mundo and Laudico and starred Rogelio dela Rosa in the title role. It is the story of Dimas who vows vengeance when his father was imprisoned and killed by Centurion Magnus.

"Dimas: The Sainted Robber" (1952)
LVN Pictures
Release Date January 11- 20, 1952/ Dalisay
Serialized in Liwayway
Story Nemesio E. Caravana and Clodualdo del Mundo
Direction Nemesio E. Caravana
Cast Rogelio dela Rosa, Lilia Dizon, Rosa Rosal, Alfonso Carvajal/ Also Starring Nestor de Villa, Jose Corazon de Jesus

Rogelio dela Rosa, Lilia Dizon and Jose Vergara in a scene from the movie, "Dimas."

Liwayway Magazine/ 1951

---to read, click images to enlarge---

From the private collection of Steve Santos
(Unang Labas Blog)

THE FIFTIES # 667: PANCHO MAGALONA, TITA DURAN, TESSIE MARTINEZ IN FRANCISCO V. COCHING'S "BARBARO" (1952)/ KOMIKS SERIAL AND MOVIE ADAPTATION/ Re-Posted and Re-updated

  Barbaro is an adventure komiks novel about Sabas, a man who was driven by cruelty and oppression to become the sworn enemy of the colonial government. Barbaro was Coching’s first epic tackling the theme of Filipinos revolting against their Spanish colonial masters and it became one of his most popular works. The komiks serial spawned a sequel entitled El Indio featuring Sabas’ son. (Komiklopedia)

It was adapted into the movies in 1952 and emerged as one of the top ten box-office hits that year. Playing Barbaro was Pancho Magalona with reel-and-real partner Tita Duran as his love interest. The movie was directed by Enrique Moreno, later to be known as Eddie Romero.

"Barbaro" (1952)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date January 25- February 4, 1952/ Life

Serialized in Pilipino Komiks

Story Francisco V. Coching

Direction Enrique Moreno (or Eddie Romero)

Cast Pancho Magalona, Tita Duran, Tessie Martinez/ Also Starring Bert Olivar, Tony Cayado, Jose de Villa, Chichay, Pedro Faustino, Totoy Torrente, Martin Marfil/ Guest- Olive La Torre

"Ang Barbaro" 

Katha't Guhit ni Francisco V. Coching

Inilathala sa Pilipino Komiks/ 1951

--- to read, click images to enlarge---

THE FIFTIES # 666: ARMANDO GOYENA AND EVELYN VILLAR IN "TUNGKOD NI MOISES" (1952)

"Tungkod ni Moises" (1952)

LVN Pictures

Release Date November 11- 20, 1952/ Life

Serialized in Liwayway Magazine

Story Maximo Agustin

Music Quin Velasco

Direction Manuel Silos

Cast Armando Goyena, Evelyn Villar/ Also Starring Oscar Obligacion, Elena Acosta, Mario Roldan, Tony Dantes, Pepita Gonzalers, Anita Serrano, Pamboy, Carlos Rufo

THE SEVENTIES # 498: FERNANDO POE, JR., BOOTS ANSON-ROA, ALONA ALEGRE, PAQUITO DIAZ AND MAX ALVARADO IN "SANTO DOMINGO" (1972): A HIGH ADVENTURE MOVIE/ FPJ AT HIS FIGHTING BEST/ Re-posted

Santo Domingo was adjudged the top grosser in the 7th Manila Film Festival and child star Frankie Navaja, Jr. was awarded the festival's Best Child Performer. Based from a komiks serial created by Pablo S. Gomez, the movie starred Da king, Fernando Poe, Jr. under Celso Ad. Castillo direction.

"Santo Domingo" (1972)
FPJ Productions
7th Manila Film Festival Entry
Serialized in United Komiks
Story Pablo S. Gomez
Screenplay Fred Navarro
Cinematography Sergio Lobo
Music Restie Umali
Direction Celso Ad. Castillo
Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Boots Anson-Roa, Alona Alegre, Paquito Diaz and Max Alvarado/ Also Starring Lito Anzures, Bruno Punzalan, Vic Varrion, Johnny Long, Robert Talby, Belo Borja, Luis Benedicto, Nonoy de Guzman and Frankie Navaja, Jr./ Featuring Jun Mariano



"Santo Domingo"
Nobela ni Pablo S. Gomez
Guhit ni Alex Nino
Serialized in United Komiks

Synopsis: A band of ruthless, marauding pirates led by Carbungco (Max Alvarado) and Tuta (Paquito Diaz) siege the monastery in the coastal town of Santo Domingo killing most of the priests except for three. The pirates temporarily took control of the place to cool off after a spate of killings and lootings.

Vener (Fernando Poe, Jr.), a fisherman in the nearby town, recovered a dead body of a slain priest and feared that something wrong was going on at the monastery. Vener had a score to settle with the pirates when his family and some of his town mates were brutally killed when he was young. He still vividly remembered the menacing face of Carbungco.

Vener sailed to Santo Domingo and was able to penetrate the island killing some of the pirates guarding the island. As he was hiding, he accidentally punched Loreta (Boots Anson-Roa) which he mistook her as one of the pirates. Loreta had a young brother named Punggi (Frankie Navaja, Jr.), a mischievous, wandering kid. Vener introduced himself to Loreta and Punggi and told them that the monastery was under siege.

Vener devised a plan on how to get inside the monastery. He needed the help of the town folks but with no guns and only bolos, he gave up the plan… and also help from the authority would take 5 days. He decided to do it alone.

Disguised as a priest, he entered the monastery. However, his plan backfired. He was nabbed and captured. Unknowingly, Punggi was in tow, and was able to enter the monastery in a secret passage. With Punggi’s help, Vener was able to escape. He held Carbungco hostage and freed the priests and the women hostages. With Carbungco as hostage, they were able to get out of the monastery unharmed. Tuta was pleased of the result as he was able to get rid of Carbungco and assumed power.

On the other hand, Loreta was kidnapped by Tuta’s men and when Vener learned about this, he went back to the monastery. Punggi showed him the secret passage.

This time, the town folks, all armed with bolos, stormed the monastery. Fights ensued as the town folks subdued the pirates. Vener, in turn, was able to save Loreta from Tuta’s hands. However, Carbungco, at this time escaped, but the avenging Vener was able to corner him in the coastline and killed him.

The band of pirates headed by Carbungco (Max Alvarado) and Tuta (Paquito Diaz) landed at the monastery of Santo Domingo.

Carbungco grilled the monks at the monastery

Carbungco's men

The town folks of Santo Domingo led by Loreta (Boots Anson-Roa) paid a visit at the monastery bringing with them foods and offerings.

Vener (Fernando Poe., Jr.) recalled how his family were brutally killed by Carbungco and his men.

Vener explained his mission to Loreta

Vener and Punggi (Frankie Navaja, Jr.)

Loreta concerned on Vener's safety

The monastery located near the coastline of Santo Domingo

Vener, disguised as priest, went to the monastery

Carbungco and his men dressed in monk's attires



Vener is surrounded and captured...



and Loreta, too...



The fight to the end between Vener and Carbungco

---Lobby cards and stills from the movie---