Friday, August 31, 2018

THE SEVENTIES # 1063: ALMA MORENO, TRIXIA GOMEZ, REZ CORTEZ, ARMIDA SIGUION-REYNA, MARIO MONTENEGRO, BARBARA LUNA, RUFFY MENDOZA AND LEROY SALVADOR IN "MGA BILANGGONG BIRHEN" (1977)


"Mga Bilanggong Birhen" (1977)
Perafilms, Inc.
A Metro Manila Film Festival Entry
Release Date December 24, 1977
Story and Screenplay Mario O'Hara
Cinematography Romeo Vitug
Music Ryan Cayabyab
Direction Mario O'Hara and Romy Suzara
Cast Alma Moreno, Trixia Gomez, Rez Cortez, Armida Siguion-Reyna, Mario Montenegro, Barbara Luna, Ruffy Mendoza and the return of Leroy Salvador/ Co-Starring Monang carvajal, Rodel Naval and a cast of thousands/ Introducing Panggoy Francisco

Thursday, August 30, 2018

THE SEVENTIES # 1062: DINDO FERNANDO, CHANDA ROMERO, ORESTES OJEDA, LAURICE GUILLEN AND ALICIA VERGEL & INTRODUCING ACE VERGEL IN LINO BROCKA'S "INAY" (1977)

(Synopsis) Inay (Alicia Vergel) retires from teaching in a small town school and resumes being a full-time mother. The film follows her ‘misadventures’ — a series of comic, almost pathetic, episodes—as she adjusts to the greatly altered lifestyles of most of her four grown children.

She has altercations with her pregnant daughter-in-law (Laurice Guillen), wife of her first-born Maning (Dindo Fernando). She decides to visit her other children and entrusts her house to Maning and his family.

Inay’s first stop is Romy’s (Orestes Ojeda) mansion in Dasmarinas Village. His wife, Becky (Dexter Doria), proves to be arrogant and condescending. She becomes intolerant of her provincial mores. In one instance, Inay is mistaken for a housemaid by Becky’s afternoon-tea crowd.

The next destination is the only daughter, Daisy (Chanda Romero), who, much to her dismay, is carrying an affair with a much older and married man. Inay is bewildered when Daisy persists in wanting to give her lover a child. Inay tries to meddle in their affair but fails.

The third itinerary is the condominium pad of her youngest son, Alex (Ace Vergel), an ad agency executive, who shares his pad with a long list of short-time girlfriends and Salud, an efficient housemaid. A small conflict is triggered by Inay’s overzealous desire to indulge in her motherly whims. This culminates in Salud’s expulsion from the suite.

The three city-based children discuss their mother’s plight. On Christmas Eve, they partake of a sumptuous supper prepared by her. The children, however, leave before midnight, each with his or her own life to attend to. Inay feels very lonely and decides to return to the province. She is greeted by Maning who welcomes her with open arms. His wife has just given birth, and she fusses over the baby.

(Source: Lino Brocka: The Artist and his Times)


"Inay" (1977)
Lotus Films
A Metro Manila Film Festival Entry
Release Date December 24, 1977
Screenplay Jose Dalisay, Jr.
Cinematography Joe Batac, Jr.
Music Ernani Cuenco
Direction Lino Brocka
Cast Dindo Fernando, Chanda Romero, Orestes Ojeda, Laurice Guillen and Alicia Vergel/ Co-starring Dexter Doria/ Introducing Ace Vergel

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

THE SEVENTIES # 1061: BEMBOL ROCO, CHANDA ROMERO AND MAT RANILLO III IN "SA PILING NG MGA SUGAPA" (1977)


"Sa Piling ng mga Sugapa" (1977)
Sining Silangan Inc.
Released thru CineFilms International, Inc.
A Metro Manila Film Festival Entry
Release Date December 24, 1977
Screenplay Doy del Mundo
Editor Ben Barcelon
Production Design Dez Bautista
Director of Photography Arnold Alvaro
Music Mon Santos
Direction Gil M. Portes
Cast Bembol Roco, Chanda Romero and Mat Ranillo III/ Also Starring Paul Lacanilao, Mely Tagasa, Bongchie, Mart Martel, Cris Vertido, Peng Olaguera, Ral Arando, Fred Param, Telly Babasa, Tommy Yap/ Introducing Julie Ann Fortich

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

THE SEVENTIES # 1060: VIC VARGAS, RAFAEL ROCO, JR., ROLAND DANTES AND CHANDA ROMERO IN EDDIE ROMERO'S "BANTA NG KAHAPON" (1977)


"Banta ng Kahapon" (1977)
Hemisphere Pictures
A Metro Manila Film Festival Entry
Release Date December 24, 1977
Executive Producer Antonio Co
Associate Producers Jun C. Tavera and Beth Verzosa
Produced by Dennis V. Juban
Story and Direction Eddie Romero
Cast Vic Vargas, Rafael Roco, Jr., Roland Dantes and Chanda Romero/ Also Starring Lito Legaspi, Roderick Paulate, Ruben Rustia, karim Kiram, Romeo Rivera, Henri Salcedo and Olivia O' Hara/ Introducing Celita de Castro (Miss Hawaii-Universe)/ "Banta ng Kahapon" Theme Song sung by Celeste Legaspi

Monday, August 27, 2018

THE SEVENTIES # 1059: VILMA SANTOS, ROLLY QUIZON, ROSEMARIE GIL, WITH LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, ROLDAN AQUINO, CHITO PONCE ENRILE, DEXTER DORIA, YOLANDA LUNA IN CELSO AD CASTILLO'S "BURLESK QUEEN" (1977)



"Burlesk Queen" (1977)
Ian Film Productions
A Metro Manila Film Festival Entry
Release Date December 24, 1977
Screenplay Mauro Gia Samonte
Film Editor Abelardo Huleza
Cinematography Ben Lobo
Music George Canseco
Direction Celso Ad. Castillo
Cast Vilma Santos, Rolly Quizon/ Also Starring Rosemarie Gil, Leopoldo Salcedo, Roldan Aquino, Chito Ponce Enrile, Dexter Doria, Yolanda Luna


Did you know that multi-awarded actress Vilma Santos almost gave up and walked out of Burlesk Queen? Yes, Vilma almost backed out of the three-fourths finished movie when she learned about the finale sequence. No, she wouldn’t do it, she couldn’t do it. She ignored call slips and went into hiding. Poor Celso (Ad Castillo, the director), he was drowning in his own tears of desperation and banging his head against the wall. Burlesk Queen was his “last Card,” he wanted to retrieve his dwindling popularity, he wanted to save face and if he didn’t get what he wanted now, he would be finished. Finally, one day, he received a basketful of fruit--- “Peace offering,” Celso calls it, “from Vilma.”
“It took us almost seven nights, shooting straight to finish that sequence. I learned the dance from an expert real-life burlesque dancer. During shootings, palaging closed door. My God, I couldn’t have done it with so many people around.” She had to take several shots of brandy before the shooting. “Otherwise I would have died from nervousness.”

By Ricardo Lo/ Expressweek/ January 19, 1978


Burlesk Queen
went on to become one of the top films of the 70s and hailed and selected by the URIAN as one of the top 22 finest movies of that decade. It was one of the important films of Vilma Santos and director Celso Ad Castiilo.




Expressweek/ January 19, 1978
To read the full text, click images to enlarge






FILM REVIEW
"Burlesk Queen": Reyna ng Pelikulang Pilipino
by Jun Cruz Reyes
(Source: The URIAN Anthology 1970-79)

--- to read, cilck images to enalrge---







Sunday, August 26, 2018

THE SEVENTIES # 1058: JOSEPH ESTRADA, NORA AUNOR, TIRSO CRUZ III, WITH GLORIA SEVILLA, ANGELO CASTRO, JR., RAMON D'SALVA, ANGEL VENTURA IN "BAKYA MO NENENG" (+1977)


"Bakya Mo Neneng" (1977)
JE Productions
A Metro Manila Film Festival Entry
Release Date December 24, 1977
Screenplay Augusto Buenaventura, Diego Cagahastian
Cinematography Fredy Conde
Music Ernani Cuenco
Direction Augusto Buenaventura
Cast Joseph Estrada, Nora Aunor, Tirso Cruz III/ Also Starring Gloria Sevilla, Angelo Castro, Jr., Ramon D' Salva, Angelo Ventura, Romy Medalla, Ernie Zarate, Olivia Sanchez, Ernie Ortega, Boyet Orca, Francisco Cruz, Paquito Salcedo and a cast of thousand





Photos and article, courtesy of PelikulaATBP (James dela Rosa)

Saturday, August 25, 2018

THE SEVENTIES # 1057: CHARITO SOLIS, GLORIA DIAZ, CHANDA ROMERO, VIVIAN VELEZ, WITH DINDO FERNANDO, RONALDO VALDEZ, TOMMY ABUEL IN "BABAE... NGAYON AT KAILANMAN" (1977)


"Babae...Mgayon at Kailanman" (1977)
Melorose Productions
Its Initial Prsentation
Metro Manila Film Festival Entry
Release Date December 24, 1777
Story Nick Joaquin, Amador Daguio, Wifrido Nolledo
Screenplay Wilfrido Nolledo, Alberto Florentino, Pete Lacaba
Production Designer Betty Gosiengfiao
Cinematography Jose Austria
Editing Ike Jarlego
Music Lutgardo Labad
Producers Mely pascual, Reny Pascual
Direction Joey Gosiengfiao
Cast Charito Solis, Gloria Diaz, Chanda Romero, Vivian Velez/ with Dindo Fernando, Ronaldo valdez, Tommy Abuel


Friday, August 24, 2018

THE SEVENTIES # 1056: RAMON ZAMORA, DELON TAM, MENG FEI IN "THE DRAGON, THE LIZARD, THE BOXER" (1977)


"The Dragon, The Lizard, The Boxer" (1977)
Jowell Films
Release Date December 14, 1977
Direction Lo Ke- Ngai Lai
Cast Ramon Zamora, Delon Tam, Meng Fei, Edna Diaz 

Thursday, August 23, 2018

THE SEVENTIES # 1055: NORA AUNOR AND TIRSO CRUZ III, WITH GEORGE ESTREGAN, TINA MONASTERIO, LUIS GONZALES IN "ROMA-AMOR" (1977)


"Roma-Amor" (1977)
N.V. Productions
Release Date December 8, 1977
Serialized in Pilipino Reporter
Story and Screenplay Rico Bello Omagap
Cinematography Edmung Cupcupin
Musical Director Lutgardo Labad
Direction Efren C. Pinon
Cast Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III/ Also Starring George Estregan, Tina Monasterio, Luis Gonzales, Arnold Mendoza and Eddie Villamayor

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

THE SEVENTIES # 1054: ARIEL URETA AND NIÑO MUHLACH, WITH MARILOU DESTREZA, PAQUITO DIAZ, RODOLFO (BOY) GARCIA IN "JACK AND POY (HALE-HALE HOY)" (1977)


"Jack and Poy (Hale-Hale Hoy)" (1977)
D' Wonder Films
Release Date January 21, 1977
Cinematography Hermo U. Santos
Music Danny Holmsen
Story and Direction Luciano B. Carlos
Cast Ariel Ureta and Niño Muhlach/ Also Starring Marilou Destreza, Paquito Diaz, Rodolfo (Boy) Garcia, Martin Marfil, Matimtiman Cruz, Estrella Kuenzler, Tony Carrion, Danny Rojo, Joaquin Fajardo, Jing Caparas, Karina Zawalski, Ben Johnson and German Moreno

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

THE SEVENTIES # 1053: FERNANDO POE, JR., NORA AUNOR, WITH CHICHAY, DENCIO PADILLA, BIBETH ORTEZA, JIMMY SANTOS IN "LITTLE CHRISTMAS TREE" (1977)


"Little Christmas Tree" (1977)
FPJ Productions
Release Date November 25, 1977
Story Pablo Gomez
Screenplay Fred Navarro
Cinematography Sergio Lobo
Music Ernani Cuenco
Direction Pablo Santiago
Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Nora Aunor/ Also Starring Chichay, Dencio Padilla, Bibeth Orteza, Jimmy Santos


FPJ and Nora Aunor in "Little Christmas Tree" (1977)




article via "The Songs of Nora Aunor FB"


FPJ and Nora Aunor in "Little Christmas Tree" (1977)






Mr. & Ms. Magazine/ December 27, 1977

Sunday, August 19, 2018

THE SEVENTIES # 1052: NIÑO MUHLACH, SNOOKY (SERNA), ALICIA ALONZO AND ARMIDA SIGUION-REYNA IN LINO BROCKA'S "TAHAN NA EMPOY, TAHAN" (1977)


"Tahan na Empoy, Tahan" (1977)
Lotus Films, Inc.
Release Date November 11, 1977
Story and Screenplay Jose Dalisay, Jr.
Film Editor Augusto Salvador
Cinematography Jose Batac, Jr.
Music Ernani Cuenco
Direction Lino Brocka
Cast Niño Muhlach, Snooky (Serna), Alicia Alonzo and Armida Siguion-Reyna/ Also Starring Rosa Aguirre, Lorli Villanueva, Orlando Nadres and Rodel Naval/ with the special participation of Mario O' Hara/ Introducing Allan Ronald Muhlach

(Synopsis) A young widow swallows her pride and goes back to live with her insensitive brothers and sisters. She has earlier left her family to elope with a man they had disapproved of. She suffers extreme humiliation especially from her elder sister but she endures all this so that her two children may have food to eat. (Source: Lino Brocka: The Artist and His Times)


(left- Snooky, Alicia Alonzo, Niño Muhlach; right- Niño Muhlach)
photo, courtesy of pelikulaatbp (James dela Rosa)

Vic Delotavo's sketch of Director Lino Brocka and child star Nino Muhlach



Saturday, August 18, 2018

THE SEVENTIES # 1051: RAMON REVILLA, BOOTS ANSON-ROA, ROSANNA ORTIZ, BARBARA LUNA AND CHANDA ROMERO IN "ASAWA KO SILANG LAHAT (SA PUTING TABING)" (1977)


"Asawa Ko Silang Lahat (sa Puting Tabing)" (1977)
Imus Productions, Inc.
An Azucena Films International
1st Anniversary Offering
Release Date November 11, 1977
Story Jose Yandoc
Film Editor Pepe Marcos
Director of Photography Jun Rasca
Music Pablo Vergara
Direction Mike Relon Makiling and Ave Caparas
Cast Ramon Revilla, Boots Anson-Roa, Rosanna Ortiz, Barbara Luna and Chanda Romero/ Also Starring Cecilia Lopez, Martha Sevilla, Baby Delgado, Chona Castillo, Joma Magistrado, Sherla Belarma, Ingrid Salas, Katherine Santos

Friday, August 17, 2018

THE SEVENTIES # 1050: FERNANDO POE, JR., CHARITO SOLIS, WITH OMAR CAMAR, LAILA DEE, INGRID SALAS AND MARY WALTER in "TUNDO: ISLA PUTING BATO" (1977)


"Tundo: Isla Puting Bato" (1977)
Lea Productions
Release Date November 4, 1977
Story and Screenplay Edgar C. Reyes
Cinematography Sergio Lobo
Music Ernani Cuenco
Direction Cesar (Chat) Gallardo
Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Charito Solis/ Also Starring Omar Camar, Laila Dee, Ingrid Salas and Mary Walter/  Co-starring Vic Varrion, Belo Borja, Fred Param, Jimmy Santos, Eddie Gicoso and Josie Shoemaker/ Guest stars- Lorli Villanueva, J. Antonio Carrion and Rodolfo (Boy) Garcia/ with Ding Salvador, Dante Javier, Joaquin Fajardo, Tony Villar, Rodolfo Meyer, Robert Miller/ supported by The SOS Daredevils, Thunder Stuntmen



Released in Original VCD

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

THE SEVENTIES # 1049: TOMMY ABUEL, SUSAN VALDEZ, LAURICE GUILLEN, RAQUEL MONTESA, ANITA LINDA, ODETTE KHAN, MARTHA SEVILLA AND BARBARA LUNA IN "ANG ISINILANG KO BAAA'Y KASALANAN?" (1977)


"Ang Isilang Ko Ba'y Kasalanan?" (1977)
Film Entertainment Exponents, Inc.
Release Date April, 16, 1977
Film Editor Ike Jarlego, Jr.
Cinematography Romeo Vitug
Publicity and Promotions Remy Umerez
Theme song sung by Didith Reyes
Music Ernani Cuenco
Story and Direction Nestor Torre, Jr.
Cast Tommy Abuel, Susan Valdez, Laurice Guillen, Raquel Montesa, Anita Linda, Odette Khan, Martha Sevilla and Barbara Luna/ Introducing Bibeth Orteza and Cecile de Joya/ Guest Stars- Ramil Rodriguez, Martin Marfil, Efren Montes

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

THE SEVENTIES # 1048: ALMA MORENO, RICKY BELMONTE, LUIS GONZALES, WITH CHERIE GIL, ANITA LINDA, DEXTER DORIA IN ELWOOD PEREZ'S "SUGAR DADDY" (1977)


"Sugar Daddy" (1977)
Regal Films, Inc.
Release Date November 4, 1977
Story and Screenplay Toto Belano
Film Editor Ben Barcelon
Cinematography Narciso Magcalas
Music Demet Velasquez
Direction Elwood Perez
Cast Alma Moreno, Ricky Belmonte, Luis Gonzales/ Also Starring Cherie Gil, Anita Linda Dexter Doria, Sandy Garcia, Cloyd Robinson, Edgar Quizon, Jojo Santiago, Lily Miraflor, Ruthie Roces, Dray Dadivas


Monday, August 13, 2018

THE SEVENTIES # 1047: RAMON ZAMORA, HARRY SO AND DANTE VARONA, WITH BRENDA DEL RIO & CHARLIE DAVAO IN "MGA DRAGON SA GUBAT" (1977)


"Mga Dragon sa Gubat" (1977)
RPM Film Productions
Release Date October 28, 1977
Film Editor Segundo Ramos
Executive Producer Rogelio P. Mariano
Direction Junn Cabreira
Cast Ramon Zamora, Harry So and Dante Varona/ with Brenda del Rio and Charlie Davao/ Also Starring Willie Millan, Maria Moran, Sarah Gumabao, Regie Boy Alivia/ Introducing Florie Briones, Fred Bellega, Lyn Jereza/ Co-starring Eddie Nicart, Robert Miller, Romy Nario, Lito Hermosa, Jun de Guia and Rocco Montalban/ Featuring Ana Marie Valencia/ with Santy Hermosa, Rey de Guzman, Bernie Perez, Bong Cruz, Charles Jacson, Avel Perante, Roger Angeles, Dax Rivera

Sunday, August 12, 2018

THE SEVENTIES # 1046: JOSEPH ESTRADA, ALMA MORENO, WITH VIC SILAYAN, JOHNNY DELGADO AND DAVE BRODETT IN "HUWAG MONG DUNGISAN ANG PISNGI NG LANGIT" (1977)


"Huwag Mong Dungisan ang Pisngi ng Langit" (1977)
JE Productions
Release Date October 28, 1977
Story and Screenplay Augusto Buenaventura and Diego Cagahastian
Cinematography Fredy Conde
Music Ernani Cuenco
Direction Augusto Buenaventura
Cast Joseph Estrada, Alma Moreno/ Also Starring Vic Silayan, Johnny Delgado and Dave Brodett/ Co-starring Subas Herrero, Angel Ventura, Tita de Villa, Luis Benedicto/ Featuring Lino Saplala