Saturday, February 29, 2020

THE EIGHTIES # 158: CHIQUITO (IN THE TITLE ROLE), ANN VILLEGAS, MALUH DE LA FUENTE, WITH DAVE BRODETT, RUDY MANLAPAZ, MELY TAGASA, BAYANI CASIMIRO & MAX ALAVARADO IN "ANG MILYONARYONG GIPIT" (1981)


"Ang Milyonaryong Gipit" (1981)
Emperor Films International, Inc.
Release Date March 26, 1981
Direction Jose 'Pepe' Wenceslao
Cast Chiquito, Ann Villegas, Maluh dela Fuente, Dave Brodett, Rudy Manlapaz, Mely Tagasa, Bayani Casimiro, Subas Herrero, Babalu, Redford White, Don Pepot, Palito and Max Alvarado



Thursday, February 27, 2020

THE EIGHTIES # 157: BEMBOL ROCO, TINA MONASTERIO IN "POLICE INFORMER: TOTOY GUWAPO" (1981)


"Police Informer: Totoy Guwapo"(1981)
Tri-Gold Films International
Release Date March 20, 1981
Story Carmelita Del Mundo
Cinematography Zosimo Corpus
Music Marte dela Paz
Executive Producer Jun Pacia
Direction Joseph de Villamor
Cast Bembol Roco, Tina Monasterio/ Featuring Marissa

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

THE EIGHTIES # 156: PHILLIP SALVADOR, CHARO SANTOS AND GINA ALAJAR, WITH EDDIE GARCIA, REZ CORTEZ, JOE FABREGAS IN LINO BROCKA'S "KONTROBERSYAL!" (1981)


"Kontrobersyal!" (1981)
Four Seasons Film International
Release Date March 20, 1981
Story and Screenplay Tony Perez
Cinematography Conrado Baltazar
Film Editor Augusto Salvador
Music Max Jocson
Direction Lino Brocka
Cast Phillip Salvador, Charo Santos and Gina Alajar/ Also Starring Eddie Garcia, Rez Cortez, Joe Fabregas, Ariosto Reyes, Jr., Soxy Topacio and Dennis Roldan (in a special role)

Synopsis: Producer-director Merce Merced (Charo Santos) is fuming mad. Her latest discovery, Carla Rivera (Amy Austria), is leaving her to become a domestic housewife. She needs to find her replacement soon. As she views the rushes of her movie, she spots a potential bold actress next to Carla. She is Maria Theresa Eigenmann (Gina Alajar), a starlet living in a slum area, Barrio Mandaragat, Tondo. She signs her up and baptizes her as Karina Da Luz.

Karina’s family is happy over her unexpected good fortune. They move into a decent apartment and the schooling of her brothers and sisters are taken care of. However, Karina has to live in the palatial residence of Merce, as she wants to watch over her investment. Merce orders a buildup for Karina. Her publicity agents think of gimmicks to promote her. They invent love angles where there are none. They appear regularly in Inday Badiday’s Sea-True television program neither to confirm nor to deny rumors. She is initially linked to Mauro Dizon (Eddie Garcia), her aging co-star in order to promote her first movie,“Darling”. But the gimmick becomes real. Mauro falls in love with her.

After the success of her launching picture, he proposes to Merce that they star in a sequel. Merce turns down the proposal, saying that sequels don’t make money. Mauro becomes insistent. Merce’s gigolo, Alain (Phillip Salvador), has to punch him out of the house. Life for Karina becomes a mixture of excitement and fatigue. She starts taking valium. But she is willing to undergo the ordeal of shooting as she likes her new lifestyle. She decides to break up with her longtime boyfriend, Sonny (Ariosto Reyes).

For her second picture, she is paired with Dick Conrado (Dennis Roldan). It is a movie about teenage delinquency and drugs. Again, the publicists float a romance between her and her co-star — which becomes real at some point in the production. She is fed pills by Dick who makes love to her in-between takes. Karina now feels the weight of exhaustion and this is reflected in her acting. There is a budding romance between Dick and her. Merce wants it nipped in the bud. She orders Alain to rape her. Karina cries after the sex act. Her acting, especially in the rape scenes, now resonates with authenticity.

One day, Karina tells Merce that she hasn’t menstruated for two months. Merce sends her to a remote area to have an abortion. Alain accompanies her. He starts feeling pangs of conscience. After the abortion, Alain apologizes for his deeds. He begins to fall in love with her. Alain is cold in his lovemaking to Merce. One night, he leaves her bed for Karina’s. Merce is indignant and plans to teach her a lesson. She has Karina drugged and raped by Eddie and his two friends. She videotapes the sex act and has the rumor mills grinding with news about the incriminating video.

The trade papers talk of the scandal. Karina takes an overdose of valium and is brought to the hospital. When she regains consciousness, she orders her servant to put makeup on her face. She is aware that reporters are waiting outside to interview her. She is trying to squeeze as much publicity out of the incident. She gives showbiz responses that the media would like to print.

Alain is shocked at the change in her personality. She is an exploiter now, not an innocent
victim anymore. When Merce comes in to congratulate her for the media splash, she spits at her. She agrees to appear in her next movie on her conditions. From now on, she will be giving the orders. Alain is puzzled at the turn of events. As he leaves the hospital, he sees the faces of crying mothers and the sick and wounded on stretchers. The reel is disturbingly contrasted with the real. Merce is shooting her next movie with Karina abroad. Alain is at the airport among the well wishers to bid the cast and crew goodbye. He hears Karina give the pat responses to media. She is now a confirmed show biz personality.

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





The movie was released in original DVD

Saturday, February 22, 2020

THE EIGHTIES # 155: ALMA MORENO, BETH BAUTISTA, TET ANTIQUIERA, WILLIAM MARTINEZ, GREGGY LIWAG AND AL TANTAY IN "TAMBAY SA DISCO" (1981)


"Tambay sa Disco" (1981)
Associated Entertainment Corporation
Release Date March 13, 1981
Story and Screenplay Toto Belano
Cinematography Rudy Dino
Film Editor Augusto Salvador
Direction Cloyd Robinson
Cast Alma Moreno, Beth Bautista, Tet Antiquiera, William Martinez, Greggy Liwag and Al Tantay/ with Joe Fabregas, Ferdie Marcelo

Thursday, February 20, 2020

THE EIGHTIES # 154: REY MALONZO, DANTE VARONA, WITH AZENITH BRIONES, MARITESS DE JOYA, ROMY DIAZ IN "KALABANG MORTAL" (1981)


"Kalabang Mortal" (1981)
Twin Dragon Films International
Release Date March 13, 1981
Story Reginald King
Cinematography Joe Tutanes
Music Ernani Cuenco
Direction Jett C. Espiritu
Cast Rey Malonzo, Dante Varona, Azenith Briones, Maritess de Joya, Romy Diaz/ Also Starring Don Pepot, Jimmy Santos, Larry Esguerra, Steve Alcarado, Palito, Danny Zurbano, Louie Sarmiento, Angel Confiado, Pons de Guzman, Bong Benitez, Dante Javier, Fred Param, Robert Miller

Monday, February 17, 2020

THE EIGHTIES # 153: FERNANDO POE, JR., RAMON REVILLA, SR./ WITH LIZ ALINDOGAN, ROSEMARIE DE VERA, REZ CORTEZ, PAQUITO DIAZ AND ALICIA ALONZO IN "SIERRA MADRE" (1981)


"Sierra Madre" (1981)
Lea Productions
Release Date March 5, 1981
Story and Screenplay Diego C. Cagahastian and Tommy David
Cinematography Oscar Querijero
Music Ernani Cuenco
Direction Pablo Santiago
Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Ramon Revilla, Sr./ Also Starring Liz Alindogan, Rosemarie de Vera, Rez Cortez, Paquito Diaz and Alicia Alonzo/ Co-starring Johnny Wilson, Estrella Kuenzler, Joe Garcia, Ernie Zarate, Joe Gruta/ Supported by Belo Borja, Rommel Valdez, Max Laurel, Robert Rivera, Eddie Gicoso, Mon Godiz and the SOS Daredevils








Saturday, February 15, 2020

THE EIGHTIES # 152: CHIQUITO, CONEY REYES MUMAR, GEORGE ESTREGAN, BABY DELGADO, MARTHA SEVILLA, RODOLFO 'BOY' GARCIA AND TINTOY IN "TAKBO...PETER...TAKBO" (1981)


"Takbo...Peter...Takbo" (1981)
Archer Productions
Release Date March6, 1981
Story, Screenplay and Direction AVP (Augusto V. Pangan)
Cast Chiquito, Coney Reyes Mumar, George Estregan, Baby Delgado, Martha Sevilla, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia and Tintoy/ Also starring Ramon D' Salva, Nieves Manuel, Joseph de Cordova and Bukol Pangan/ Introducing Lynn Jurado/ Special participation- Ike Lozada

Friday, February 14, 2020

THE EIGHTIES # 151: LORNA TOLENTINO, GINA ALAJAR, WITH RICKY BELMONTE, MANNY LUNA, JOE FABREGAS IN "WILD" (1981)


"Wild" (1981)
JPM Productions
Release Date March 6, 1981
Direction Danilo P. Cabreira
Cast Lorna Tolentino, Gina Alajar/ with Ricky Belmonte, Manny Luna, Joe Fabregas

Thursday, February 13, 2020

THE EIGHTIES # 150: TITO, VIC & JOEY, DINA BONNEVIE, SNOOKY, MARICEL SORIANO IN "AGE DOESN'T MATTER" (1981)


"Age Doesn't Matter" (1981)
Good Harvest Productions
Release Date March 6, 1981
Cinematography Ben Lobo
Editing Ruben Natividad
Music Tito Sotto
Story and Direction Mike Relon Makiling
Cast Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon, Dina Bonnevie, Snooky Serna, Maricel Soriano


Tuesday, February 11, 2020

THE EIGHTIES # 149: ACE VERGEL, CONRAD POE AND PHILLIP SALVADOR IN "KAMANDAG NG REHAS NA BAKAL" (1981)


"Kamandag ng Rehas na Bakal" (1981)
Four-N Films
Release Date February 27, 1981
Screenplay Jerry Tirazona
Produced by Manny Nuqui
Direction Nilo Saez
Cast Ace Vergel, Conrad Poe and Phillip Salvador/ Also Starring Dencio Padilla, Ann Villegas, Ameriza, Johnny Wilson/ Introducing Niki Rose/ with the special participation of Nancy delos Santos, Boy Garcia/ Special guest- Ric Arellano/ Co- Starring Val Iglesia, Rey Sagum, Frank Lapid, Pons de Guzman, Joe Baltazar and Baldo Marro

Monday, February 10, 2020

THE EIGHTIES # 148: NORA AUNOR, DENNIS ROLDAN IN MARIO O'HARA'S "BAKIT BUGHAW ANG LANGIT?" (1981)


"Bakit Bughaw ang Langit?" (1981)
Four Seasons Films International
Release Date February 27, 1981
Story Lydia Collantes Villegas
Screenplay Lydia Collantes Villegas and Maro O' Hara
Cinematography Jose Batac, Jr.
Film Editing Efren Jarlego
Art Direction Fiel Zabat
Music Cecile Azarcon
Produced by Peter L. Gan
Direction Mario O' Hara
Cast Nora Aunor, Dennis Roldan/ Also starring Alicia Alonzo, Anita Linda, Raquel Monteza, Metring David, Mario Escudero, Carpi Astirias, Rene Hawkins, Mely Mallari, Len Santos, John Portugal, Arlene Abuid, Gamay Arconcel, Estela de Leon

Film Review
see link:
(via PelikulaATBP/ James dela Rosa)


The movie was released on original DVD

Saturday, February 8, 2020

THE EIGHTIES # 147: JULIE VEGA, SHERYL CRUZ, CHECHE AND INTRODUCING JANICE DE BELEN IN "MGA BASANG SISIW" (1981)


"Mga Basang Sisiw" (1981)
BSH Productions
Release Date February 27, 1981
Direction Agustin B. dela Cruz
Cast Julie Vega, Sheryl Cruz, Cheche/ Introducing Janice de Belen/ with Helen Vela, Ronaldo Valdez



Friday, February 7, 2020

THE EIGHTIES # 146: ANTHONY ALONZO, DARIA RAMIREZ, GEORGE ESTREGAN, DEBORAH SUN, JIM ROSALES IN "BANGKUSAY, TONDO, 1950" (1981)


"Bangkusay, Tondo, 1950" (1981)
Maharlika Pictures
Release Date February 26, 1981
Direction Humilde 'Meek' Roxas
Cast Anthony Alonzo, Daria Ramirez, George Estregan, Deborah Sun, Jim Rosales

Thursday, February 6, 2020

THE EIGHTIES # 145: EDDIE RODRIGUEZ, ERNIE GARCIA, SUSAN VALDEZ, DONDON NAKAR, RUBY ANA AND VIVIAN VELEZ IN "ANG BABAING HINUGOT SA AKING TADYANG" (1981)


"Ang Babaing Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang" (1981)
Amazaldy Film Productions
Release Date February 26, 1981
Cinematography Jun Pereira
Film Editor Pepe Marcos
Music George Canseco
Story and Direction Carlo J. Caparas
Cast Eddie Rodriguez, Ernie Garcia, Susan Valdez, Dondon Nakar, Ruby Ana and Vivian Velez/ Also Starring Rodolfo 'Boy' garcia, Lucita Soriano, Tony Carrion, Odette Khan, Freddie Yance/ Special Participation- Ace Vergel, Efren Reyes, Jr., Perla Bautista


Tuesday, February 4, 2020

THE EIGHTIES # 144: GLORIA DIAZ, ELIZABETH OROPESA, ISABEL RIVAS, WITH EDDIE GARCIA, ROLAND DANTES, DENNIS ROLDAN, LITO ANZURES IN CELSO AD CASTILLO'S "UHAW NA DAGAT" (1981)


"Uhaw na Dagat" (1981)
Bancom Audiovision Corporation
Release Date February 20, 1981
Direction Celso Ad Castillo
Cast Gloria Diaz, Elizabeth Oropesa, Isabel Rivas/ AlsoStarring Eddie Garcia, Roland Dantes, Dennis Roldan, Lito Anzures

Monday, February 3, 2020

THE EIGHTIES # 143: GINA ALAJAR, SANDY ANDOLONG, WITH TING JOCSON, GREGGY LIWAG IN "HIGH SCHOOL SCANDAL" (1981)


"High School Scandal" (1981)
Gold Label Productions
Release Date February 19, 1981
Theme song "High School" sung by Sharon Cuneta
Story Tony Perez
Cinematography Arnold Alvaro
Music George Canseco
Direction Gil Portes
Cast Gina Alajar, Sandy Andolong/ with Ting Jocson, Greggy Liwag


Saturday, February 1, 2020

THE EIGHTIES # 142: ALMA MORENO, LITO LAPID, WITH JENNIFER CORTEZ, PAQUITO DIAZ, TINTOY, RUBEN RUSTIA, MARITES DE JOYA IN "KAMAONG ASERO" (1981)


"Kamaong Asero" (1981)
HPS Film Productions
a VPS Film International
Release Date February 19, 1981
Story Bienvenido Ramos, Armando Yasona
Screenplay Henry Cuino
Cinematography Alfonso Alvarez
Music D' Amarillo
Direction Bobby Santiago
Cast Alma Moreno, Lito Lapid/ with Jennifer Cortez, Paquito Diaz, Tintoy, Ruben Rustia, Marites de Joya