THE SIXTIES # 795: ALL STAR CAST, THREE PARTS, THREE DIRECTORS IN "TAGUMPAY NG MAHIRAP" (1965)

In 1965, in answer to Ferdinand Marcos’ Iginuhit ng Tadhana, then President Diosdado Macapagal released his own biopic, Tagumpay ng Mahirap to increase the latter’s chances in the Presidential race. 

Based on the book Macapagal The Incorruptible, the movie consists of three parts: The Boy, The Man and The President, each part directed by top-notch directors, Lamberto Avellana, Eddie Romero and Gerardo de Leon (all National Artists).

"Tagumpay ng Mahirap" (1965)

Cinema Masters, Inc.

Release Date November 1965/ State

Based on the book, "Macapagal, The Incorruptible"

Three Parts:

Part 1: "The Boy"

Screenplay Flavio Madrid

Music Mike Velarde

Photography Ricardo Remias

Direction Lamberto Avellana 

Cast Armando Lenon, Butch Jose, Rey Palacio, Ched Mercado

Part Two: "The Man"

Screenplay Cesar Amigo

Music Tito Arevalo

Photography Justo Paulino

Direction Eddie Romero

Cast Robert Arevalo, Barbara Perez, Leonor Vergara

Part Three: "The President"

Screenplay Pierre L. Salas

Music Tito Arevalo

Photography Mike Accion

Direction Gerardo de Leon

Cast Fred Montilla, Cynthia Ugalde, Greg Martin

(Image above, courtesy of Danny Dolor's "Remember When?")

THE SIXTIES # 779: STELLA SUAREZ (IN A STARRING ROLE), VON SERNA, LOU SALVADOR, JR., GREG MARTIN, MEL FRANCISCO IN CELSO AD CASTILLO'S "MANSANAS SA PARAISO" (1965)

"Mansanas sa Paraiso" (1965)

Inter-Phil Productions

Release Date December 7, 1965/ Main

Music Tito Arevalo

Producer Marvin De Jose

Story and Direction Celso Ad. Castillo

Cast Stella Suarez (in a starring role), Von Serna, Lou Salvador, Jr., Greg Martin, Mel Francisco, Bobby Rodriguez/ Introducing Joe Galvez

THE SIXTIES # 611: JOHN DEREK, URSULA ANDRESS, GREG MARTIN, RICHARD JAECKEL, ROD LAUREN, RON ELY IN "THE 26TH CAVALRY" (1965)

Hollywood sexy star Ursula Andress (Sean Connery's leading lady in Dr.No) was making a movie, The 26th Cavalry, in the Philippines when her husband, John Derek photographed her in the nude in Pagsanjan Falls for Playboy magazine. The movie was released locally in 1965. It was later retitled No Toys for Christmas during its worldwide release.

Source: Jessie B. Garcia/

A Movie Album Quizbook/ 2004

Note that the cast include Rod Lauren, the same Rod Lauren Strunk, the husband of the late Nida Blanca. Lauren was an American actor and singer before he met the Filipina actress. Strunk was facing trial for the murder of Blanca when he committed suicide on July 11, 2007, by jumping from a second-floor balcony of the Tracy Inn in California.

"The 26th Cavalry" (1965)

Vitri Film International, Inc.

Release Date 1965

Executive Producer Viray Davis

Direction John Derek

Cast John Derek, Ursula Andress, Greg Martin, Richard Jaeckel, Rod Lauren, Ron Ely/ Co-Starring Renato Robles, Allen Pinson, Nello Nayo, Fred Galang, Andres Centenera, Bessie Barredo, Lucion Pan

THE SIXTIES # 434: TONY MARZAN, GREG MARTIN, LUZ VALDEZ, TEODY BELARMINO, BEN PEREZ AND SYLVIA GUMABAO IN "SHOOT TO KILL" (1963)

"Shoot To Kill" (1963)

Zultana International

Release Date October 29, 1963/ Boulevard

Screenplay Bert Duenas, Jr.

Music Ariston Avelino

Story and Direction Van de Leon

Cast Tony Marzan, Greg Martin, Luz Valdez, Teody Belarmino, Ben Perez and Sylvia Gumabao/ Also Starring Vilma Valera, May Villarica, Caridad Sanchez, Stella Suarez, Aida Roxas, Lydia Rsma, Jane Palomar, Precy Ramirez, Tessie Enriquez/ Co-Starring Ric Bustamante, Rafael Jimenez, Pat Salvador, Leleng Isla, Matimtiman Cruz, Pedro Faustino, Marcela Garcia

THE SIXTIES # 283: AMALIA FUENTES, EDDIE GUTIERREZ, TITO GALLA, GREG MARTIN, LITO LEGASPI IN "7 PUSO" (1962)

"7 Puso" (1962)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date October 21, 1962/ Life

Story Nemesio E. Caravana, Jose Esperanza Cruz, Susana C. de Guzman, Gervasio B. Santiago, Jose Domingo Karasig, Gemiliano Pineda, Virgilio C. Blones

Screenplay Emmanuel Borlaza

Music Dr. Rodolfo Cornejo

Direction Jose de Villa

Cast Amalia Fuentes, Eddie Gutierrez, Tito Galla, Greg Martin, Lito Legaspi/ Co-starring Johnny Misa, Ray Marcos, Tony Dauden, Ven Medina and Jose Morelos/ Guest Star Paraluman

THE SIXTIES # 282: AMADO CORTEZ, CARLOS PADILLA, JR., RENATO ROBLES, PABLO VIRTUOSO, TONY BLADE, BERT MARTINEZ AND GREG MARTIN AS THE "SIETE BANDIDOS" (1962)

"Siete Bandidos" (1962)

Magna East Productions, Inc.

Release Date October 20, 1962/ Center

Direction Sol Gaudite

Cast Amado Cortez, Carlos Padilla, Jr., Renato Robles, Pablo Virtuoso, Tony Blade, Bert Martinez and Greg Martin/ Co-starring Max Alvarado, Nora Nunez, Estella Suarez, Joy Pinon and Bert Olivar

THE SIXTIES # 258: GREG MARTIN, MARIQUIT SOLIMAN, MAT RANILLO,JR., RENATO ROBLES, BERT OLIVAR IN "TRIGGER SQUAD" (1962)

"Trigger Squad" (1962)

Magna East Productions

Release Date August 17, 1962/ Center

Story M. Laurel

Music Ariston Avelino

Direction Tony Camonte

Cast Greg Martin, Mariquit Soliman, Mat Ranillo, Jr., Renato Robles, Bert Olivar, Bruno Punzalan, Bino Garcia, Ric Bustamante, Ely Nakpil, Flor Bien, Miniong Alvarez, Tony Blade, Bert Martinez, Leo Longalong, Pabo Zapata/ Featuring Sammy Sarmiento/ Guest artists- Pilita Corrales, Pablo Guevarra

THE SIXTIES # 244: AMALIA FUENTES, SUSAN ROCES, TITO GALLA, GREG MARTIN, TONY MARZAN IN PABLO S. GOMEZ' "TULISAN" (1962): KOMIKS SERIAL AND MOVIE ADAPTATION/ Re-updated

Tulisan (1962)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date July 3- 12, 1962/ Life

Story Pablo S. Gomez

Serialized in Hiwaga Komiks

Screenplay Emmanuel Borlaza

Music Dick Zamora

Direction Jose de Villa

Cast Amalia Fuentes, Susan Roces, Tito Galla, Greg Martin, Tony Marzan/ Co-starring Zeny Zabala, Ely Roque, Pablo Guevarra, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, Ray Marcos, Jaime Javier/ with Ven Medina, Aring Bautista, Isa Rino, Matimtiman Cruz

Susan Roces as Roberta, the other twin sister faces Amalia Fuentes as Fernanda in the final confrontation 

Susan Roces in a dual role, here as Senyang 

Susan Roces in a dual role, as Senyang (left) and Roberta (right)

Based from the story by prolific writer Pablo S. Gomez and serialized in Hiwaga Komiks, Tulisan was adapted into the silver screen by Sampaguita Pictures in 1961. Dubbed as "the nation's most explosive stars, breathlessly awaited by millions, in the most electrifying clash of the year." The studio's big guns Amalia Fuentes and Susan Roces in one of their earlier screen appearances together as major stars.

"Tulisan"

Nobela ni Pablo S. Gomez

Guhit ni Nestor Redondo

Inilathala sa Hiwaga Komiks

Ika-6-na labas

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

---ika-8 na labas---

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

THE SIXTIES # 218: AMALIA FUENTES, JOSE MARI, DAISY ROMUALDEZ, JEAN LOPEZ, GREG MARTIN, LITO LEGASPI, EDDIE GARCIA AND ROSA MIA IN "PITONG KALBARYO NI INANG" (1962)

"Pitong Kalbaryo ni Inang" (1962)

Vera-Perez Productions

Released thru V-P Enterprises, Inc.

Release Date April 14, 1962/ Life

Story Jose Leonardo

Screenplay Emmanuel Borlaza

Music Dick Zamora

Direction Jose de Villa

Cast Amalia Fuentes, Jose Mari, Daisy Romualdez, Jean Lopez, Greg Martin, Lito Legaspi, Eddie Garcia, Naty Santiago, Mitos Seva and Rosa Mia/ Co-starring Zeny Zabala, Dindo Fernando

THE SIXTIES # 160: DOLPHY & PANCHITO, GREG MARTIN, JEAN LOPEZ AND PATSY IN "KANDIDATONG PULPOL" (1961)

"Kandidatong Pulpol" (1961)

Vera-Perez Productions

Released thru Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date October 11-20. 1961/ Dalisay

Story Jose Leonardo and Luciano B. Carlos

Screenplay Luciano B. Carlos

Music Restie Umali

Direction Tony Cayado

Cast Dolphy and Panchito, Greg Martin, Jean Lopez, Patsy, Horacio Morelos, Meldy Corrales, Johnny Misa, Mitos Seva, Lillian Laing, Cora Maceda, Nena Perez Rubio

THE SIXTIES # 150: RIC RODRIGO, GREG MARTIN, EDDIE GARCIA, CARLOS SALAZAR, JOSEPHINE ESTRADA, LITO LEGASPI AND LOLITA RODRIGUEZ AS "KAPTAN LOLITA LIMBAS" (1961)

"Kapitan Lolita Limbas" (1961)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date September 1- 10, 1961/ Dalisay

Story Norma E. Concepcion and Anacleto   Bustamante

Serialized in Bulaklak Magazine

Screenplay Chito Tapawan

Music Dick Zamora

Direction Jose de Villa

Cast Ric Rodrigo, Greg Martin, Eddie Garcia, Carlos Salazar, Josephine Estrada, Lito Legaspi and Lolita Rodriguez (in the title role)

THE SIXTIES # 116: DOLPHY, AMALIA FUENTES, JOSE MARI, GREG MARTIN, JEAN LOPEZ, JOSEPHINE ESTRADA, LITO LEGASPI IN "OPERETANG SAMPAY-BAKOD" (1961)

"Operetang Sampay-Bakod" (1961)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date April 19, 1961/ Life

Story Beer Flores

Based from the CBN Radio Serial

Screenplay Tommy David

Music Carding Cruz and the Tirso Cruz Band

Choreography Rally Calvo

Direction Armando Garces

Cast Dolphy, Amalia Fuentes, Jose Mari, Greg Martin Jean Lopez, Josephine Estrada, Lito Legaspi, Panchito, Rosa Mia

THE SIXTIES # 110: GLORIA ROMERO, JUANCHO GUTIERREZ, GREG MARTIN, JEAN LOPEZ, JOSEPHINE ESTRADA, LITO LEGASPI IN "SERENATA" (1961)

"Serenata" (1961)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date January 29, 1961/ Life

Story Jose Leonardo and Luciano B. Carlos

Music Ariston Avelino

Choreography Jamin Alcoriza

Direction Tony Cayado

Cast Gloria Romero, Juancho Gutierrez, Greg Martin, Jean Lopez, Josephine Estrada, Lito Legaspi, Panchito

THE SIXTIES # 101: AN ALL-STAR CAST, FIVE STORIES IN "5 YUGTO NG BUHAY" (1961)

"5 Yugto ng Buhay" (1961)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date February 28- March 9, 1961/ Life

Screenplay Emmanuel Borlaza, Chito Tapawan, Medy Tarnate, Pempe Rodrigo, Mike Caguin

Music Constancio de Guzman

Direction Octavio Silos

First Story: "Gabay ng Magulang"

Cast Tito Galla, Greg Martin , Jean Lopez, Ernesto La Guardia

Second Story: "Balatkayo"

Cast Mario Montenegro and Lolita Rodriguez

Third Story: "Princesita"

Cast Susan Roces and Romeo Vasquez

Fourth Story: "Ang Magsasampaguita"

Cast Rita Gomez, Tony Marzan, Panchito Alba

Fifth Story: "Palikero"

Cast Paraluman, Luis Gonzales, Barbara Perez

THE SIXTIES # 35: GLORIA ROMERO, MARIO MONTENEGRO, MARLENE DAUDEN, GREG MARTIN, EDDIE GUTIERREZ IN "PAGPATAK NG ULAN" (1960)

"Pagpatak ng Ulan" (1960)

Vera-Perez Productions

Released thru Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date May 24- June 2, 1960/ Life

Based on DZRH Radio Serial

Story Susana C. de Guzman

Screenplay Ben Feleo

Music Nestor Robles

Direction Rosa Mia

Cast Gloria Romero, Mario Montenegro, Marlene Dauden, Greg Martin, Eddie Gutierrez

THE SIXTIES # 28: AN ALL-STAR CAST, 4 STORIES IN "KUWINTAS NG ALAALA" (1960)

"Kuwintas ng Alaala" (1960)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date April 22-May 1, 1960/ Majestic

Screenplay Medy Tarnate and Madia-as Digdigan

Direction Mar S. Torees and Jose de Villa

Cast Paraluman, Oscar Moreno, Mario Montenegro, Luis Gonzales, Susan Roces, Jose Mari, Liberty Ilagan, Rosita Noble, Eddie Gutierrez, Marlene Dauden, Greg Martin, Naty Santiago

(Movie ad- courtesy of James de la Rosa)

THE SIXTIES # 14: RIC RODRIGO, LOLITA RODRIGUEZ, CARLOS SALAZAR, GREG MARTIN, LIBERTY ILAGAN IN "TATLONG PATAK NA LUHA" (1960)

"Tatlong Patak na Luha" (1960)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date February 1-28, 1960/ Dalisay

Story Eddie Naval

Aired over DZRH

Screenplay Chito Tapawan

Music Nestor Robles

Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa

Cast Ric Rodrigo, Lolita Rodriguez, Carlos Salazar, Greg Martin, Liberty Ilagan/ with Zeny Zabala, Lito Legaspi, Boy Planas, Ven Medina, Pablo Guevarra, Aring Bautista, Matimtiman Cruz, Ely Roque, Lillian de Leon, Jose Villafranca and Juvy Cachola

Hoping that Julia’s (Lolita Rodriguez) marriage to Martin (Carlos Salazar), son of a wealthy businessman, would give her the comforts of life, Lucio (Ric Rodrigo) gives up his own love. 

Julia marries Martin because she badly needs money for her sick mother. But Martin’s father objects to the marriage and disow him. Martin dies in a car accident leaving his widow and two children penniless. 

News of Julia’s ill fortune reaches Lucio who sees her just as she is about to be assaulted by a hoodlum. The hoodlum dies while Lucio tries to defend Julia, and the death is blamed on Lucio. 

He is imprisoned, but is able to escape, clears himself and finally gets reunited with Julia.

THE FIFTIES # 654: GLORIA ROMERO, AMALIA FUENTES, SUSAN ROCES, BARBARA PEREZ IN "WEDDING BELLS" (1959)

"Wedding Bells" (1959)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date December 26, 1959- January 4, 1960/ Life

Music Danny Holmsen

Directon Jose de Villa

Four (4) Stories:

First Story: "Pamanhikan"

Cast Susan Roces and Jose Mari

Second Story: "Pikot"

Cast Amalia Fuentes and Romeo Vasquez

Third Story: "Tanan"

Cast Dolphy, Barbara Perez, Greg Martin, the Wing Duo

Fourth Story: "Honeymoon"

Cast Gloria Romero and Juancho Gutierrez

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

THE FIFTIES # 647: DOLPHY. JUANCHO GUTIERREZ, BARBARA PEREZ, MARLENE DAUDEN, LIBERTY ILAGAN IN "IPINAGBILI KAMI NG AMING TATAY" (1959)

"Ipinagbili Kami Ng Aming Tatay" (1959)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date November 16-25, 1959/ Life

Story and Screenplay Luciano B. Carlos

Choreography Dolphy and Nikki

Music Pastor de Jesus

Direction Tony Cayado

Cast Dolphy, Juancho Gutierrez, Barbara Perez, Marlene Dauden, Liberty Ilagan. Gre Martin, Boy Planas, Rod Navarro, Eddie Gutierrez, Lito Legaspi, Boy Alano, The Wing Duo (Nikki and Angie), Meldy Corrales, Delia Marcos, Zeny Zabala/ Featuring Elizabeth Ramsey