MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ATANG DE LA RAMA, PRECIOSO PALMA, CARMEN ROSALES, GREGORIO TICMAN, NILO BARREDO, FLOR BALLECER, CONRADO SANTIAGO IN "MAHIWAGANG BINIBINI (ANG KIRI)" (1939)

Carmen Rosales made her film debut in "Mahiwagang Binibini" (1939), a Diwata Pictures production based on Atang de la Rama’s zarzuela "Ang Kiri."

The movie, directed by Ser. de los Angeles, featured Atang de la Rama in the title role, with a strong supporting cast that included Precioso Palma, Carmen Rosales, Gregorio Ticman, and Nilo Barredo.

It was released and shown at Grand Theater, April 5, 1939.

"Mahiwagang Binibini (Ang Kiri)" (1939)

Diwata Films

Release Date April 5, 1939/ Grand Theater

Written and Directed by Ser. de los Angeles

Cast Atang de la Rama, Precioso Palma, Carmen Rosales, Gregorio Ticman, Nilo Barredo, Flor Ballecer, Conrado Santiago

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: FELY VALLEJO, JOSE R. INIGO, AMANDING MONTES, ATANG DE LA RAMA, BONITA, JERRY AND HIS ROMANCERS, FILIPPINE FILMS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IN "AY! KALISUD" (1938)

"Ay! Kalisud," hailed as the grandest musical film ever produced in the Philippines and long the subject of public excitement for its lavish scale, premieres tomorrow at both the Fox and Savoy theatres.

The picture stars beloved songstress Fely Vallejo, whose voice has captivated millions of radio listeners, and celebrated Filipino violinist Jose R. Inigo, who has performed for audiences in Vienna and Paris. Together they portray lovers in a touching story inspired by the popular Visayan song of the same name.

Renowned for its opulence, the film features the largest sets ever built in the country, including the striking “Ladder of Freedom,” a symbolic representation of the nation’s struggle for liberty—from the Katipunan revolt of 1896 to the promised independence of 1946 under the Tydings-McDuffie Act.

Adding sparkle are performances from leading nightclub, stage, and radio personalities such as Atang de la Rama, Amanding Montes, Bonita, and Jerry and His Romancers. Musical highlights include the theme song rendered in blues style, comic numbers like “SSB Blues” and “Torotot Waltz”, and a massive revue where a 700-voice chorus dances regional numbers symbolizing the traditions of the Philippines.

The cast also features Pacita del Rio of Via Crucis fame and noted screen villain Miguel Anzures. Music is provided by a 100-piece symphony orchestra under maestro Juan Silos, Sr., blending Filipino folk tunes with classical arias.

Brilliantly staged, rich with music, humor, and romance, Ay! Kalisud stands as a landmark achievement—rightly acclaimed as the finest musical film ever created in the East.

(The Tribune, April 6, 1938)

"Ay! Kalisud" (1938)

Filippine Films

Release Date April 7, 1938/ Fox and Savoy Theaters

Direction Manuel Silos

Cast Fely Vallejo, Jose R. Inigo, Amanding Montes, Atang de la Rama, Bonita, Jerry and his Romancers, Filippine Films Symphony Orchestra/ with Miguel Anzures, Pacita del Rio

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ATANG DE LA RAMA IN "MAHIWAGANG BINIBINI (ANG KIRI)" (1939)

"Mahiwagang Binibini (Ang Kiri)" (1939)

Diwata Films

Release Date April 5-11, 1939/ Grand Theater

Cast Atang de la Rama, Precioso Palma, Carmen Rosales, Nilo Barredo, Gregorio Ticman, Flor Ballecer, Conrado Santiago

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: "ORIENTAL BLOOD" (1930)

"Oriental Blood (Dugong Silangan)" (1930)

A Carmen Concha Presentation
Release Date: December 12-20, 1930/ Savoy Theater

Director Carlos Vander Tolosa

Cast Jose Corazon de Jesus (Huseng Batute), Annie Harris, Atang de la Rama, Purita Carino and others

(Image above: URIAN Anthology Book 1990- 1999)

José Corazón de Jesús (November 22, 1896 – May 26, 1932), also known by his pen name Huseng Batute, was a Filipino poet who used Tagalog poetry to express the Filipinos' desire for independence during the American occupation of the Philippines, a period that lasted from 1901 to 1946. He is best known for being the lyricist of the Filipino song Bayan Ko.

De Jesús, who was already famous around the Philippines as Huseng Batute, was asked in 1930 to act in the movie Oriental Blood, which also starred Atang dela Rama, the most famous actresses of the day. De Jesús contracted an ulcer during the filming of Oriental Blood and died of complications on May 26, 1932. (Source: Wikipedia)

THE FIRSTS IN PHILIPPINE CINEMA # 1: DALAGANG BUKID (1919)

Malayan Movies’ Dalagang Bukid, directed by Jose Nepomuceno, was the first Tagalog feature film. Based on dramatist Hermogenes Ilagan’s popular zarzuela, the movie starred Honorata “Atang” De La Rama and Marceliano Ilagan. It started its exhibition run on September 25, 1919 at the Empire Theater.

Honorata 'Atang' De La Rama

in "Dalagang Bukid" Circa 1919

Atang de la Rama (1902-1991), Honorata de la Rama in real life, was born in Manila on January 11, 1902. At an early age, young Atang, raised in a very musical atmosphere, was already starring in zarzuelas such as Mascota, Sueño de un Vals, and Marina. At the age of 15, she starred in the zarszuela Dalagang Bukid, where she became known for the singing the song, Nabasag na Banga.

Dalagang Bukid packed theaters to the rafters wherever it was shown. Director Jose Nepomuceno adapted the stage hit to the silent, black-and-white screen in 1919. The pioneering moviemaker bought the entire show (whole package)--- Hermogenes Ilagan’s libretto, Leon Ignacio’s music (including Nabasag na Banga, the most popular song in the play’s repertoire), male lead Marcelino Ilagan and of course the sensational Atang de la Rama and her balintawak, costume, wooden clogs, banga, prop and all.

The movie premiered on September 12, 1919, a significant date in the history of Filipino moving pictures. And because Nepomuceno’s initial venture was a success, he made a sequel entitled La Venganza de Don Silvestre with both Atang de la Rama and Marcelino Ilagan reunited in the lead roles, which was released the following year, in 1920.

Source- A Movie Album Quizbook by Jessie B. Garcia

Teatro Zorilla in Azcaragga/ December 7, 1919
Image from Adlailara