THE NINETIES # 220: EDU MANZANO, MAITA SORIANO, MAILA GUMILA, EFREN REYES, JR., PAQUITO DIAZ, LITO LEGASOI, PHILIP GAMBOA, SUBAS HERRERO, CARLOS SALZAR IN "KUNG PATATAWARIN KA NG BALA KO!" (1991)

"Kung Patatawarin Ka Ng Bala Ko" (1991)

Mega Films

Released thru Moviestars

Release Date October 30, 1991

Serialized in Murder Komiks

Story Jimmy Estrabella

Screenplay Humilde 'Meek' Roxas

Production Design Arthur Sta. Maria

Directors of Photography Ely Accion & Danny Bustos

Film Editor Ike Jarlego, Jr.

Musical Director Jaime Fabregas

Direction Ricardo 'Bebong' Osorio

Cast Edu Manzano, Maita Soriano, Maila Gumila, Efren Reyes, Jr., Lito Legaspi, Philip Gamboa, Subas Herrero, Carlos Salazar/ Also Starring Dick Israel, Zandro Zamora, Manjo del Mundo, Rommel Valdez/ Special Participation- Leonor Vergara

Original theatrical poster of "Kung Patatawarin ka ng Bala ko!" (1991)

(Private Collection)

THE NINETIES # 44: JESTONI ALARCON, EFREN REYES, JR., CRISTINA GONZALES, PAQUITO DIAZ, EMILY LOREN AND LEONOR VERGARA IN "MULA PAA HANGGANG ULO" (1990)

"Mula Paa Hanggang Ulo" (1990)

FLT Films

Release Date May 24, 1990

Serialized in Pioneer Komiks

Story Elena M. Patron

Screenplay Opet Velasquez

Cinematography Pablo Bautista

Film Editing Edgardo Jacinto, Edgardo Vinarao

Production Design Dante Mendoza

Musical Director Mike Loanzon

Producer Rose Flaminiano

Executive Producer Eduardo B. Flaminiano

Direction Joey del Rosario

Cast Jestoni Alarcon, Efren Reyes, Jr., Cristina Gonzales, Paquito Diaz, Emily Loren and Leonor Vergara/ Also Starring George Estregan, Jr., Bing Davao, Robert Talabis, Conrad Poe, Dick Israel, King Gutierrez, Jose Romulo, Lucita Soriano, Edwin Reyes, Manjo del Mundo, Ernie Forte, Jimmy Reyes, Ernie David, Naty Santiago, Cris Daluz 

THE SEVENTIES # 827: GINA PAREÑO, ANNA GONZALES, REBECCA, EDDIE GARCIA AND GEORGE ESTREGAN IN DANNY L. ZIALCITA'S "LAGING UMAGA" (1975)

"Laging Umaga" (1975)

Alaminos Films

Release Date September 11, 1975

Director of Photography Felizardo Bailen

Music Luigi

Direction Danny L. Zialcita

Cast Gina Pareño, Anna Gonzales, Rebecca, Eddie Garcia and George Estregan/ Also Starring Mario Escudero, Pancho Pelagio and Ernie Oretga/ Guest star- Leonor Vergara/ Introducing Richie

THE SEVENTIES # 727: VILMA SANTOS (IN THE TITLE ROLE), EDGAR MORTIZ, EDDIE GARCIA, PAQUITO DIAZ, ROMY DIAZ, LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, LEONOR VERGARA, DARIUS RAZON AND CRISTINA REYES IN "VIVIAN VOLTA" (1974)

"Vivian Volta" (1974)

GPS Productions

Release Date October 12, 1974

Story and Screenplay Antonio Pascua

Cinematography Alfonso Alvarez

Music D'Amarillo

Direction Bobby Santiago

Cast Vilma Santos (in the title role), Edgar Mortiz, Eddie Garcia, Paquito Diaz, Romy Diaz, Leopoldo Salcedo, Leonor Vergara, Darius Razon and Cristina Reyes

 In 1974, our house became a setting of GPS Productions’ “Vivian Volta.” Vilma Santos shot one scene, a fight scene… Edgar Mortiz , who was also in the movie, accompanied Vi to the set. I read in some gossip column that Vilma and Edgar that time had already problem with their relationship. Basketball star Dave Brodett, who was rumored to be courting Vilma, paid the young actress a visit at the set. 

Several scenes were also shot the following day, with veteran actor Eddie Garcia, playing a mad scientist and comebacking actress Leonor Vergara, who played his wife.

THE SIXTIES # 1396: BERNARD BONNIN (IN THE TITLE ROLE), SOFIA MORAN, MARION DOUGLAS, BEN PEREZ, ALFONSO CARVAJAL, ROLLY AQUINO IN "PALOS FIGHTS BACK!" (1969)

"Palos Fights Back!" (1969)

SS Films Co.

Release Date June 15, 1969/ Vista

Story Virgilio Redondo

Music Emy Arcilla

Direction Danny Zialcita

Cast Bernard Bonnin (in the title role), Sofia Moran, Marion Douglas/ Also Starring Ben Perez, Alfonso Carvajal, Rolly Aquino, Bert Asuncion, Andy Canares, Luis Alandy, Lito Cruz, Paquito Benitez, Porong Santos, Rey Luna/ Special participation of Leonor Vergara, Liza Belmonte, Rebecca Rocha, Larry Quirejero, Milo Castelo

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 FIFTIES # 646: FERNANDO POE, JR., ZALDY ZSHORNACK, SHIRLEY GOROSPE, LEONOR VERGARA, CAROL VARGA IN "PITONG GATANG" (1959)/ KOMIKS SERIAL AND MOVIE ADAPTATION/ RE-UPDATED

"Pitong Gatang" (1959)

Premiere Productions, Inc.

Release Date November 11-20, 1959/ Dalisay

Story Pablo S. Gomez

Serialized in Tagalog Klasiks

Screenplay Ruben Rustia and Efren Reyes

Music Tony Maiquez

Direction Efren Reyes

Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Zaldy Zshornack, Shirley Gorospe, Leonor Vergara, Carol Varga, Ruben Rustia, Elvira Reyes, Lito Anzures, Levi Celerio, Dely Atay-Atayan, Dadang Ortega

"Pitong Gatang"

Nobela ni Pablo S. Gomez

Guhit ni Fred Carrillo

Inilathala sa Tagalog Klasiks

---Ika- 5 na labas---

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

THE SIXTIES # 496: CESAR RAMIREZ, MARIO MONTENEGRO, LEONOR VERGARA, MAGGIE DE LA RIVA, LAURO DELGADO, RAMON D'SALVA IN F.V. COCHING'S "DUWAG ANG SUMUKO" (1964)/ KOMIKS SERIAL AND MOVIE ADAPTATION

"Duwag ang Sumuko" (1964)

People's Pictures, Inc,

Release Date April 9- 18, 1964/ Dalisay

Story Francisco V. Coching

Serialized in Liwayway Magazine

Screenplay Teodorico C. Santos

Music Tito Arevalo

Direction Cirio H. Santiago

Cast Cesar Ramirez, Mario Montenegro, Leonor Vergara, Maggie de la Riva, Lauro Delgado, Ramon D'Salva/ Also Starring Bruno Punzalan, Paquito Salcedo, Felisa Salcedo, Johnny Long, Tommy Romulo, Sgt. Cesar Leyson

"Duwag ang Sumuko" 

Nobela ni Francisco V. Coching

Guhit ni Federico Javinal

Inilathala sa Liwayway/ 1964

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

POE-VERGARA ROMANCE/ ON THE YOUNG POE: "THEY CALL HIM 'MR. TROUBLE' BUT... RONNIE HAS CHANGED!"/ 1959

1959--- Fernando Poe, Jr. and Leonor Vergara, both young and in their late teens, were romantically linked during the early part of their movie career. As contract stars of Premiere Productions, the two were often paired and eventually fell in love. Leonor was greatly responsible for Poe's transformation, changing the actor gradually for the better. There were rumors then that the two will be getting married in a year or two.

Kislap-Graphic Magazine

May 13, 1959

They call him "Mr. Trouble" but... Ronnie Has Changed 
by Rudy Azanza  
Kislap-Graphic / May 13, 1959

No one in the local movies has taken a more severe beating from scandal writers and radio commentators than Fernando Poe Jr. whom they tried to picture before the public as an undisciplined and temperamental character. Whenever he got mixed up in any untoward incident, they were quick to point him out as the cause of the trouble.

Ronnie, as Fernando Poe Jr. is popularly known at Premiere studio, is glad that all the criticisms hurled at him did not destroy him at the box-office. The adverse publicity drove friends away, although all he wanted with them was nice clean fun. There were times too when his mother watched him closely against mischief.

Today, Ronnie has caused a lot of eye-raising at his home studio. Unpredictable before, he is now a very affable individual. He no longer frequents his former haunts and, if he goes there at all, he is always in the company of older people.

A former heavy drinker, Ronnie now satisfies himself with two bottles of beer at the studio canteen every Friday when he goes to collect his pay. When not working, he stays home and plays basketball with neighborhood chums or sweats it out in a gym to improve his well-built physique. Instead of going out with teenagers, Ronnie now goes to movies alone. He tries to be inconspicuous when he goes downtown.

Premiere studio executives and directors are glad about the change in Ronnie. To them he is one of their most consistent box-office attractions along with Zaldy Zshornack and Eddie Mesa.

Over this change no one is happy than Ronnie himself. He finds living like a normal teenager good for his career. He now has enough hours to study his scripts. Even people who remember him as a natural troublemaker have changed their opinion of him.

Actually, Ronnie has never been one to look for trouble. He severely did not like being pushed around. Always frank, he calls a spade a spade, and a jerk, a jerk. Because of this, many who did not like him tried to get back at him by provoking him into fights. They wanted to wreck his career. Many envied him for his achievements and popularity and they heckled or sneered at him. He replied with his fists.

Ronnie is not aware that had he been more diplomatic before, he would not have been assailed by his critics as bitterly as they did. He was too young to understand that to get along with people one must give way to others once in a while.

When his father was alive, Ronnie was never allowed to mingle with actors and actresses. His father wanted him to concentrate on his school work. Fernando Poe Sr. seldom discussed movie life in Ronnie’s presence, but before he died of hydrophobia in 1951, he told Ronnie, 11 at the time, to carry on his work.

When Ronnie first appeared in the movies in 1955 as a swashbuckling hero in Anak in Palaris, he little knew that he would someday take his father’s place. But Ronnie’s rise to prominence did not make him conscious of his father’s way. He chose to be himself. To make up for what he failed to do in his four years as a movie actor, Ronnie is now doing his best to develop tolerance, diplomacy, tact and temperance. His father was loved by people in the movie industry for those qualities.

There is also a girl who wields a tremendous influence on Ronnie. This girl has advised him to stop drinking and going around with former buddies who had dragged him into trouble before. So strong is this girl’s influence on Ronnie that he even selects his clothes according to her taste.

Ronnie Poe and Leonor Vergara

Ronnie would not reveal the name of his loved one. But judging from his attentions upon Leonor Vergara, another Premiere star, with whom he had been romantically linked for several months now, it seems that she might be it. Since they got acquainted, Ronnie has changed gradually for the better. The only thing which Ronnie admits about Leonor is that “she is thoughtful, conservative and would make a good wife for the right man.”

Premierites do not know which is the stronger influence on Ronnie. The memory of his father or the girl he adores. Whichever it is, however, is nothing to think about. What matters is it will make him more popular and provide him a more fruitful career in the future. If Ronnie duplicates or surpasses his father’s achievements later, it can be no surprise. He has the talents and determination to do it.

Poe and Vergara appeared together in 8 movies---

"Kamay ni Cain" (1957)

"H-Line Gang" (1957)

"Pepeng Kaliwete" (1958)

"May Pasikat Ba Sa Kano" (1958)

"Laban sa Lahat" (1958)

Fernando Poe, Jr. and Leonor Vergara in "Laban sa Lahat-" (1958)

 "Bon Voyage" (1958)

"Rolling Rockers" (1959)

"Pitong Gatang" (1959)

Trivia: 1960--- Leonor Vergara's sudden marriage to Danny Zialcita jolted everyone. Leonor was romantically linked to Fernando Poe, Jr., while Danny was reported to be the former boyfriend of Charito Solis. Ms. Solis later on, became the girlfriend of Poe.

Kislap Movies/ October 1960 

THE SIXTIES # 417: LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, ZALDY ZSHORNACK, LEONOR VERGARA, MIRIAM JURADO IN "DINILIG NG DUGO" (1963)

"Dinilig ng Dugo" (1963)

Zeta Productions, Inc.

Released thru Tamaraw Studios, Inc.

Release Date September 19, 1963/ Center

Story Danny Zialcita

Direction Artemio B. Tecson

Cast Leopoldo Salcedo, Zaldy Zshornack, Leonor Vergara, Miriam Jurado/ Also Starring Mila Montanez, Joe Sison/ with Flor Bien, Pedro Faustino, Arturo Lavidez, Rey Canon, Abel Parales, T.N.T. Boys and Rolan Montes

THE SIXTIES # 339: JOSEPH ESTRADA, LEONOR VERGARA, CARLOS SALAZAR AND WLLIE SOTELO IN "GINOONG ITIM" (1963)

"Ginoong Itim" (1963)

Larry Santiago Productions, Inc.

A Jasmin Tagalog Picture

Release Date March 16, 1963/ Center

Story Cil G. Evangelista

Serialized in Popular Klasiks

Screenplay Butch Bautista

Music Tony Maiquez

Direction Pablo Santiago

Cast Joseph Estrada, Leonor Vergara, Carlos Salazar and Willie Sotelo/ Also Starring Vilma Valera, Tony Cruz, Jr., Vic Andaya, Ponga, Ely Nakpil, Blackie Francisco, Carina Mujer, Arsenio Alonzo, Vince Juarez, Cleng Cleng, Joe de Castro, Ben Morelos, Ponching Tambol, Arturo Lavidez, Fil Lizorondo

THE SIXTIES # 328: CHIQUITO, LEONOR VERGARA, CAROL VARGA, MARTIN MARFIL, VICENTE LIWANAG IN "ANG MAHIWAGANG LAMPARA" (1963)

"Ang Mahiwagang Lampara" (1963)

Lea Productions

Release Date February 22, 1963/ Palace

Story Tony P. Recio

Director of Photography Ricardo Marcelino

Music Tony Maiquez

Direction Julio T. Yap, Sr.

Cast Chiquito, Leonor Vergara, carol varga, Martin Marfil, Romeo San Jose, Herman Moreno,Rudy Dominguez, Rosa Santos and Vicente Liwanag (as the genie)/ Guest Stars Gloria Sevilla, Johnny Monteiro and Ruben Tagalog

THE SIXTIES # 279: ZALDY ZSHORNACK, VAN DE LEON, LEONOR VERGARA, RODOLFO CRISTOBAL, PAQUITO DIAZ IN "HUWAG KANG PAPATAY!" (1962)

"Huwag Kang Papatay!" (1962)

Larry Santiago Productions, Inc.

Release Date October 13, 1962/ Center

A DZRH Radio Serial

Story Agustin B. dela Cruz

Screenplay Tommy C. David

Music Tony Maiquez

Direction Artemio Marquez

Cast Zaldy Zshornack, Van de Leon, Leonor Vergara, Rodolfo Cristobal/ Co-starring Paquito Diaz, Marietta Miranda, Vilma Valera, Lydia Resma and Tugak/ with Jose Vergara, Rafael Jimenez