THE FIFTIES # 125: JOSE PADILLA, JR., ANITA LINDA, WITH RITA GOMEZ, PANCHO PELAGIO, DING TELLO IN GERARDO DE LEON'S "ANG SAWA SA LUMANG SIMBORYO" (1952)/ UPDATED

"Ang Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo" (1952)

Premiere Productions

Release Date November 20-30, 1952/ Life 

Serialized in Mabuhay Komiks

Story Amado Yasona

Direction Gerardo de Leon

Cast Jose Padilla, Jr., Anita Linda, Rita Gomez, Pancho Pelagio, Ding Tello

Ang Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo was serialized in Mabuhay Komiks in 1951 to 52. Written by Amado Yasona and illustrated by Tony Zuniga and later by Hugo Yonzon, the novel was so popular that the great Filipino director Gerardo de Leon was inspired to adapt it into film. The movie was adjudged Best Picture, the first recognition award given by the then recently launched Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Awards.

The story is set during the Spanish era in the Philippines. The peasant Tulume joins the band of outlaws after the Guardia Civil kills his wife. After sometime, the authorities kill the leader of the outlaws. Marta, daughter of the slain leader influences the gang to vote for Tulume as the next leader. This is because Marta is in love with Tulume. As the new leader, Tulume is entrusted with an amulet that controls Lingkis, the giant python that guards the treasure in the old dome. After a while, Sabel, a pretty lass, accidentally joins the outlaws. She and Tulume fall in love with each other, to the great anger of Marta. Tulume is forced to relinquish his position as leader. He and Sabel try to live peaceful lives, but the authorities discover their true identity and they are again pursued by authorities. For Sabel's safety, he seeks the help of Marta in exchange for the treasure being guarded by the giant python.

Source: Filipiniana.net
by Dennis Villegas

see Pinoy Komiks Made into Movies#1

Ang Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo/
Nobela ni Amado C. Yasona/ Guhit ni Tony Zuniga/
Mabuhay Komiks/ Blg. No.1/ Setyembre 11, 1951

THE FIFTIES # 57: ANITA LINDA, REYNALDO DANTE & EDDIE DEL MAR, WITH EDDIE INFANTE, NATI RUBI, PANCHO PELAGIO, TONY TOLMAN, RUBEN RUSTIA IN GERARDO DE LEON'S "SISA" (1951)/ UPDATED

"Sisa"
Premiere Productions
Release Date November 7- 16, 1951/ Life
Music Ariston Avelino
Direction Gerardo de Leon
Cast Anita Linda, Reynaldo Dante and Eddie del Mar/ with Eddie Infante, Nati Rubi, Pancho Pelagio, Tony Tolman, Ruben Rustia

Winner of two Maria Clara Awards (Gerardo de Leon- Best Direction and Anita Linda- Best Actress), Sisa, based on a character from Jose Rizal's first novel, Noli Me Tangere tells of Sisa (played by Anita Linda), the mother of two boys, Basilio and Crispin who work as helpers in the church of San Diego town. The head sacristan (Pancho Pelagio) of the church steals money from the church coffers and accuses the boys of the theft. He tortures the boys, killing Crispin in the process. Basilio, the eldest, escapes to avoid prison. That same night, Pedro (Reynaldo Dante), Sisa's husband, a gambler and a wife beater who spends all his time gambling in the cockpit, comes home and takes all of Sisa's savings. He even eats all the food she prepared for her sons. Basilio comes home and tells his shocked mother about their ordeal in the church.

Courtesy of Premiere Productions

Sisa goes to the priest's house to ask for her missing son but is sent away by the sacristan who stands firm in his accusation of the two brothers' thievery the night before. Back in the house, she is met by the guardia civil (a local militia) looking for her sons, but Basilio has fled again. The militia turn their attention to the mother and abuse her. Sisa goes mad, roaming the streets, homeless, and occasionally helping out in some rich man's house in exchange for some food. Some time later, mad mother and fugitive son come across each other at the town outskirts. Sisa is shocked by the encounter into a moment of lucidity when she recognizes Basilio. But weakness and exposure have taken their toll on the poor woman. She dies in the arms of her son.
(Synopsis- Source: Focus on Filipino Films: A Sampling 1951-1982)

THE FIFTIES # 135: EFREN REYES, LOPITO, EDDIE INFANTE, OSCAR KEESE, WITH ARTURO LERMA, TONY TOLMAN, RUBEN RUSTIA, PANCHO PELAGIO IN GERARDO DE LEON'S " 10th BATTALION SA 38th PARALLEL, KOREA" (1951)/ UPDATED

"10th Batallion sa 38th Parallel, Korea" (1951)

Premiere Productions

Release Date September 28- October 7, 1951/ Life

Story Cirio H. Santiago

Music Ariston Avelino

Direction Gerardo de Leon

Cast Efren Reyes, Lopito, Eddie Infante, Oscar Keese, Arturo Lerma, Tony Tolman, Ruben Rustia, Pancho Pelagio, Nita Ramos, Alice Contreras, Mercedes Cruz, Francisco Cruz, Tony Liwanag, Lito Anzures, Nello Nayo

THE FIFTIES # 55: JOSE PADILLA, JR., LEILA MORENA, NENA CARDENAS, WITH LOPITO, FRED SANTOS, OSCAR KEESEE IN GERARDO DE LEON'S "DIEGO SILANG" (1951)/ UPDATED

"Diego Silang"
Premiere Productions
Release Date August 19- 26, 1951/ Life
Direction Gerardo de Leon
Cast Jose Padilla, Jr., Leila Morena, Nena Cardenas, Lopito, Fred Santos, Oscar Keese

THE FIFTIES # 48: LEILA MORENA, REYNALDO DANTE, MENA CARDENAS, FRED SANTPS, WITH PATRIA PLATA, OSCAR KEESE, CONRADO CONDE, ARTURO LERMA, RINO BERMUDEZ IN GERARDO DE LEON'S "KAMAY NI SATANAS" (1950)/ UPDATED

Based on the serialized komiks novel by Pedrito Reyes published in Ilang-Ilang magazine in 1951, Kamay ni Satanas tells of Ka Berto (Reynaldo Dante), an aged 'albularyo' or folk healer, who has a great love for Senyang (Leila Morena), a young pretty lass, the daughter of his good friend. Fearing that he has no chance at all, he sells his right hand to the devil in exchange of youth, good looks and wealth.

"Kamay ni Satanas"
Premiere Productions
Release Date November 12- 21, 1950/ Life
Music Tito Arevalo
Direction Gerardo de Leon
Cast Leila Morena, Reynaldo Dante, Nena Cardenas, Fred Santos, Patria Plata, Oscar Keese, Conrado Conde, Arturo Lerma, Rino Bermudez, Tony Tolman, Vicente Liwanag, Agapito Santiago

"Kamay ni Satanas"

Ilang-Ilang Magazine/ 1950

---Ika-4-na Labas---

(click images to enlarge)

---Katapusang Labas---

THE FIFTIES # 1: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, NENA CARDENAS, WITH ENRICO PIMENTEL, OSCAR KEESE, PATRIA PLATA, AMELITA SOL, CONRADO CONDE, EDDIE INFANTE IN GERARDO DE LEON'S "DOBLE CARA" (1950)/ UPDATED

"Doble-Cara"
Premiere Productions
Release Date: July 28- August 6, 1950/ Dalisay
Direction Gerardo de Leon
Cast Rogelio de la Rosa, Nena Cardenas, Enrico Pimentel, Oscar Keese, Patria Plata, Amelita Sol, Conrado Conde, Eddie Infante

THE FIFTIES # 3: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, VIRGINIA MONTES, ENRICO PIMENTEL, NENA CARDENAS, WITH LOPITO, OSCAR KEESE, PATRIA PLATA, DELY ATAY-ATAYAN IN GERARDO DE LEON"S "48 ORAS" (1950)/ UPDATED

"48 Oras"
Premiere Productions
Release Date: March 30- April 10, 1950/ Dalisay
Direction Gerardo de Leon
Cast Rogelio de la Rosa, Virginia Montes, Enrico Pimentel, Nena Cardenas, with Lopito, Dely Atay-atayan, Patria Plata, Roy Howell, Conrado Conde, Totoy Torrente, Bebong Osorio, Francisco Cruz, Ponching Reyes, Tony Tolman, Romeo Guarin, Francisco Salcedo, Dadong Ortega

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 85: JAIME DE LA ROSA, EFREN REYES, VIRGINIA MONTES, WITH AMELITA SOL, FRANKIE GORDON, RINO BERMUDEZ, OSCAR KEESE, CONRADO CONDE IN GERARDO DE LEON'S "PADRE BURGOS" (1949)/ UPDATED

"Padre Burgos"
Premiere Productions, Inc.
Release Date: December 4- 14, 1949/ Dalisay
Story Pedrito Reyes
Music Ariston Avelino
Direction Gerardo de Leon
Cast Jaime de la Rosa, Efren Reyes, Virginia Montes, Amelita Sol, Frankie Gordon, Rino Bermudez, Oscar Keese, Conrado Conde, Johnny Reyes, Dely Atay-Atayan, Francisco Cruz, Bebong Osorio

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 88: ROSA DEL ROSARIO, EFREN REYES, FERNANDO ROYO, WITH ENGRACIO IBARRA, AMELITA SOL, TOTOY TORRENTE, FRED SANTOS, DELY ATAY-ATAYAN, OSCAR OBLIGACION IN "KUMANDER SUNDANG" (1949)/ UPDATED

"Kumander Sundang"
Premiere Productions, Inc.
Release Date May 1- 10, 1949/ Life Theater May 1, 19 Life
Story and Screenplay Alex SungaAlex Sunga
Photography Tomas MarcelinoTomas Marcelino
Music Josefino CenizalJosefino Cenizal
Direction Gerardo de Leon
Cast Rosa del Rosario, Efren Reyes, Fernando Royo, Engracio Ibarra, Amelita Sol, Totoy Torrente, Fred Santos, Dely Atay-Atayan, Oscar Obligacion, Ponching de los Reyes, Luis San Juan

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 104: ROSA DEL ROSARIO, ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, WITH ENRICO PIMENTEL, LYDIA ERANA, TOLINDOY, NATI RUBI, ANA MARIA, DELY ATAY-ATAYAN, TONY TOLMAN IN GERARDO DE LEON'S "BULAKLAK AT PARUPARO" (1948)/ UPDATED

"Bulaklak at Paruparo"
Premiere Productions
Release Date November 10- 19, 1948/Dalisay

and November 17- 25, 1948/ Center
Story Narciso Asistio
Music Santiago Suarez
Direction Gerardo de LeonCast Rosa del Rosario, Rogelio de la Rosa, Enrico Pimentel, Lydia Erana, Tolindoy, Nati Rubi, Ana Maria, Dely Atay-Atayan, Tony Tolman

Silahis Magazine/ November 6, 1948
--- click image to enlarge---

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 35: CARMEN ROSALES, LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, WITH GERARDO DE LEON, ROBERTO ROSALES, TERESITA MARTINEZ, ROSIE LORENZANA, OSCAR PRASENDA IN "ANG KAMAY NG DIYOS" (1947)

"Ang Kamay ng Diyos" (1947)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.
Release Date December 19 1947- January 15, 1948/Center
Music Tito Arevalo
Director Eddie Romero
Cast Carmen Rosales, Leopoldo Salcedo,Gerardo de Leon, Roberto Rosales, Teresita Martinez, Rosie Lorenzana, Oscar Prasenda, Bert Olivas, Jose Luz Bernardo, Candida Valderama

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 36: CARMEN ROSALES, OSCAR MORENO, WITH ROBERTO ROSALES, JOSE CRIS SOTO, VICENTE OCAMPO, AMELITA SOL, IN "MAMENG, INIIBIG KITA" (1947)

"Mameng, Iniibig Kita" (1947)
Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.
Release Date October 16-27, 1947/Dalisay

Story Eddie Romero

Photography H.J. Fallorina
Music Tito Arevalo
Director Gerardo de Leon
Cast Carmen Rosales, Oscar Moreno, Roberto Rosales, Jose Cris Soto, Vicente Ocampo, Amelita Sol, Lita Cuevas, Teresita Martinez, Manolo Vaca, Menggay, Manuel Andrade, Jr., Melvin Ilagan

POST-WAR ERA TAGALOG MOVIES # 27: LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, ARSENIA FRANCISCO, MARIA LUISA, RICARDO BRILLANTE IN "TAYUG: ANG BAYANG API" (1947)

"Tayug: Ang Bayang Api" (1947)
Pedro Vera Jr.Productions Inc.
Release Date: September 10, 18, 1947/ Dalisay
Director Gerardo de Leon
Cast Leopoldo Salcedo, Arsenia Francisco, Maria Luisa, Ricardo Brillante and Gerardo de Leon

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 142: ELSA ORIA, FELY VALLEJO, ELY RAMOS, ANGEL ESMERALDA IN GERARDO DE LEON'S "ISUMPA MO GILIW" (1947)

"Isumpa Mo Giliw"

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date May 4- 19, 1947/ Boulevard Theater

Story Luis Naretto

Screenplay Eddie Romero

Direction Gerardo de Leon

Cast Elsa Oria, Fely Vallejo, Ely Ramos, Angel Esmeralda, Ben Dunn, Ramon Estella/ with child star Liberty Ilagan in a cameo role)

(No Movie Ad available)

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 106: FELY VALLEJO, ANGEL ESMERALDA AND INTRODUCING JOHNNIE ARVILLE AND FRED MONTILLA IN GERARDO DE LEON'S "SO LONG, AMERICA ( I'LL BE SEEING YOU, EVERYWHERE)" (1946)

The movie, "So Long, America ("I'll be Seeing You Everwhere), directed by Gerardo de Leon tells of an American GI (Johnnie Arville) who falls in love with a Filipna, played by Fely Vallejo. It also starred Angel Esmeralda. A promising newcomer, Fred Montilla was introduced in this picture and gave a commendable performance.

It was shown at Dalisay Theater, July 29 to August 12, 1946.

"So Long, America (I'll Be Seeing You, Everywhere)"

Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date July 29- August 12, 1946/Dalisay

Music Ariston Avelino and his orchestra
Direction Gerardo de Leon
Cast Fely Vallejo and Angel Esmeralda/ Introducing Johnnie Arville and Fred Montilla

THE WAR YEARS (1942- 1945): CARMEN ROSALES, NORMA BLANCAFLOR, LIWAYWAY ARCEO, WITH FERNANDO POE, ELY RAMOS, JOSE PADILLA, JR., PRECIOSO PALMA, PEDRO FAUSTINO IN "TATLONG MARIA" (1944)

After the reported success of "The Dawn of Freedom," the Japanese decided it was time for Filipinos to produce an alternative cinema---other than that of Hollywood that has been the model for most Filipino films. Tsutumo Sawamura was tasked by the Japanese commission with uplifting the status of local movies. Sawamura wrote an adaptation of the Jose Esperanza Cruz novel, "Tatlong Maria." Gerardo de Leon was chosen to direct the film which starred Carmen Rosales, Norma Blancaflor, Liwayway Arceo, Fernando Poe, Sr., Ely Ramos and Jose Padilla, Jr. The movie extolled the virtues of living in the province and featured grand musical numbers staged at the Manila Hotel and the Jai Alai.

"Tatlong Maria" was shown simultaneously in five theaters on October 12, 1944. It was much ballyhooed all throughout its shooting. The New Philippines News, a newsreel team assembled by the Japanese, covered the shooting, showing three hundred girls preparing for musical numbers in the Winter Garden of the Jai-Alai and in the Manila Hotel. While it was successful, the film was released at a time when the Allies were moving to Manila. Martial law was declared and a curfew was imposed. Screening hours were shortened and evening shows were cancelled.

(Source: “War and its Aftermath in Philippine Cinema by Agustin Sotto)

"Tatlong Maria" (1944)

A Tatlong Maria Productions

Released thru Eiga Haikyusha

Release Date October 12, 1944/ Ideal, State, Times, Daitoa (formerly Capitol)

Direction Gerardo de Leon

Cast Carmen Rosales, Norma Blancaflor, Liwayway Arceo, with Fernando Poe, Ely Ramos, Jose Padilla, Jr., Precioso Palma, Pedro Faustino

The movie was advertised daily, for a week prior to the film's showing. 

(The Tribune, October 7, 1944)

(The Tribune, October 8, 1944)

Synopsis--- The film centers on three sisters—Maria Fe, Maria Esperanza, and Maria Caridad—raised without favoritism despite having different mothers. On the eve of Maria Caridad’s wedding to Andres Diwa, her two elder sisters disrupt the ceremony over inheritance issues and lure her to Manila, where she resists an unwanted suitor. After returning to the province to fulfill her dying mother’s wish, Caridad marries Andres, but the couple later loses their home and struggles in Manila before drawing inspiration to rebuild their lives on a modest inheritance. Years later, the fortunes of the two elder sisters collapse, leading them into poverty. Moved by compassion, Andres rescues them and brings them back to the province, where the family is reunited in a joyful celebration

(The Tribune, October 10, 1944)

(The Tribune, October 11, 1944)

(The Tribune, October 12, 1944)