THE FIFTIES # 225: CARMEN ROSALES, ALICIA VERGEL, CESAR RAMIREZ AND OSCAR MORENO IN PABLO S. GOMEZ' "MN": KOMIKS SERIAL AND MOVIE ADAPTATION (1953/54)/ UPDATED

MN--- “Ano ang tunay na kahulugan ng dalawang titik na ito? Anong uri ng kasaysayan ang napapaloob dito? Pag-ibig? Poot? Kapalaluan? Kakumbabaan?” These are some of the intriguing questions asked and readers are curious.

MN was serialized in Pilipino Komiks in 1953 to 54 and ran for 26 installments (September 26, 1953 to September 11, 1954). It was created by Pablo S. Gomez and Carlos Gonda (fyi, Carlos Gonda is the pen name of Pablo S. Gomez) and drawn by Fred Carillo.

Unang Labas

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Ika-2-na labas

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Pablo S. Gomez’ “MN” stands for Marissa Navarro, a character played onscreen by screen legend Carmen Rosales. It tells of a story of Marissa, a strict, heartless, domineering and fiery heiress and daughter of a wealthy landowner, who instills and sows fear among its populace. She gets the ire of one of the tenants, Ada (played by Alicia Vergel). However, she meets her match in Armando (Cesar Ramirez), another lowly tenant, and eventually falls in love with him. Marissa’s strange character was a result of her sad experiences with another man, Oscar (played by Oscar Moreno).

Movie Adaptation (1954)

"MN" (1954)
Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date August 13- 22, 1954/ Life
Music Ariston Avelino
Cast Carmen Rosales, Alicia Vergel, Oscar Moreno and Cesar Ramirez

On the set of "MN"- Carmen Rosales poses with co-stars Alicia Vergel and Cesar Ramirez and director Mar S. Torres (in checkered shirt)

THE FIFTIES # 208: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, LOLITA RODRIGUEZ AND DOLPHY IN MARS RAVELO'S "JACK AND JILL" (1954)/ KOMIKS SERIAL AND MOVIE ADAPTATION/ UPDATED

"Jack and Jill" (1954)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date June 2- 11, 1954/ Center

Story Mars Ravelo

Direction Mar S. Torres

Cast Rogelio de la Rosa, Lolita Rodriguez and Dolphy

"Jack and Jill"

Story by Mars Ravelo

Artwork by Elpidio Torres

Serialized in Tagalog Klasiks/ 1953

THE FIFTIES # 109: PANCHO MAGALONA, ALICIA VERGEL, MYRNA DELGADO, WITH ARURAY, TONY CAYADO, JOSE DE VILLA, ARING BAUTISTA, HORACIO MORELOS, EDDIE GARCIA, DELY MAGPAYO IN "BASAHANG GINTO" (1952)/ UPDATED

"Basahang Ginto" (1952)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date August 13-22, 1952/ Life Theater

Story Mars Ravelo

Direction Mar S. Torres

Cast Pancho Magalona, Alicia Vergel, Myrna Delgado, Aruray, Tony Cayado, Jose de Villa, Aring Bautista, Horacio Morelos, Maria Ballesteros, Dolores  Crescini, Dely Magpayo, Jose Salameda, Eddie Garcia, Herminia Caranea

THE SEVENTIES # 651: GLORIA ROMERO, LUIS GONZALES, GINA PARENO, ROSEMARIE GIL, JOJIT PAREDES AND GINA ALAJAR AS "COFRADIA" (1973)

"Cofradia" (1973)

VP Pictures

Release Date November 30, 1973

Story Dominador Ad. Castillo

Screenplay Medy Tarnate

Music Danny Holmsen

Direction Mar S. Torres

Cast Gloria Romero, Luis Gonzales, Gina Pareno, Rosemarie Gil, Jojit Paredes and Gina Alajar (in the title role)/ Also Starring Matimtiman Cruz, Raquel Montesa, Cloyd Robinson, Raymond Dabao, Enrico Villa/ Introducing Rodel Naval, Michael Eigenmann, Alex Tatad/ The children- Maricel Soriano, Cherie Eigenmann, Norman Abadilla

THE SEVENTIES # 574: EDDIE GUTIERREZ, FRANCO RIVERO, RUDY FERNANDEZ AND ALONA ALEGRE AS "SANDRA LEE (THE STAR OF THE SHOW)" (1973)

"Sandra Lee (The Star of the Show)" (1973)

VP Pictures

Release Date March 10, 1973/ Life, Cubao Cinema, Ace

Serialized in Espesyal Komiks

Story R.R. Marcelino

Screenplay Manny Fernandez

Direction Mar S. Torres

Cast Eddie Gutierrez, Franco Rivero, Rudy Fernandez and Alona Alegre/ Also Starring Bella Flores, Dick Israel, Tony cayado, Ven Medina, Willie Dado, Naty Mallares

THE SEVENTIES # 544: NORA AUNOR AND TIRSO CRUZ III, WITH LUIS GONZALES, LUCITA SORIANO, ROSA MIA IN MARS RAVELO'S "AND GOD SMILED AT ME" (1972)

Winner of 8 major awards in the 3rd Quezon City Film Festival- Manuel L. Quezon Award for Best Picture; Best Actress (Nora Aunor); Best Actor (Tirso Cruz III); Best Supporting Actress (Lucita Soriano); Best Color Cinematography (Felipe Santiago); Best Sound (Flaviano Villaruel); Best Musical Score (Danny Holmsen); Top Grosser

"And God Smiled at Me" (1972)

Sampaguita-VP Pictures

Release Date October 15- 24, 1972/ New Frontier, Grand, Circle

Serialized in Teen World Magazine

Story Mars Ravelo

Screenplay Medy Tarnate and Manny Fernandez

Music Danny Holmsen

Direction Mar S. Torres and Danny Holmsen

Cast Nora Aunor, Tirso Cruz III, Luis Gonzales, Lucita Soriano/ Also Starring Rosa Mia, Matimtiman Cruz, Naty Santiago, Nympha Bonifacio/ Introducing Monia Rojo/ Co-starring Ven Medina, Nenita Jana, Jose de Villa, Aring Bautista

See article: Will it be Vi or Guy (in the QC Filmfest Awards Night)?

THE SEVENTIES # 528: EDDIE GUTIERREZ, MARITESS REVILLA, TINA REVILLA IN MARS RAVELO'S "THE SISTERS" (1972)

"The Sisters" (1972)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date November 26, 1972

Serialized in Bulaklak Magazine

Story Mars Ravelo

Screenplay Remy Navales

Music Danny Holmsen

Direction Mar S. Torres

Cast Eddie Gutierrez, Maritess Revilla, Tina Revilla/ Also Starring Norma Blancaflor, Matimtiman Cruz, Eddie Miller, Ven Medina, Jigger Roces

(l-r) Maritess Revilla, Eddie Gutierrez, Tina Revilla

THE SEVENTIES # 452: GLORIA ROMERO, RICKY BELMONTE, ROSEMARIE AND LUIS GONZALES IN "JUST MARRIED, DO NOT DISTURB" (1972)

"Just Married, Do Not Disturb" (1972)

Sampaguita- VP Pictures

Release Date April 1, 1972/ Life

Story Marichu Perez Maceda

Screenplay Medy Tarnate, Danny Holmsen

Music Restie Umali

Direction Mar S. Torres

Cast Gloria Romero, Ricky Belmonte, Rosemarie and Luis Gonzales/ Also Starring Matimtiman Cruz, Lillian Laing, Jigger Roces, Tony Cayado, Ven Medina, Nympha Bonifacio

THE SEVENTIES # 390: ROSEMARIE, PEPITO RODRIGUEZ, RICKY BELMONTE, MARIFI, RUDY FERNANDEZ IN "LIFE EVERLASTING" (1971)

 "Life Everlasting" (1971)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date November 19, 1971

Serialized in Pinoy Komiks

Story Jim Fernandez

Screenplay Medy Tarnate, Freddie Sarol

Music Restie Umali

Direction Mar S. Torres

Cast Rosemarie, Pepito Rodriguez, Ricky Belmonte, Marifi, Rudy Fernandez/ Special Participations- Alicia Alonzo, Margie Tanquintic, Lucy Johnson, Ruby Martinez

THE SEVENTIES # 344: NORA AUNOR AND TIRSO CRUZ III IN "ALWAYS IN MY HEART" (1971)

"Always in my Heart" (1971)

Sampaguita- VP Pictures

Release Date August 20, 1971

Music Danny Holmsen

Direction Mar S. Torres

Cast Nora Aunor, Tirso Cruz III, Luis Gonzales/ Also Starring German Moreno, Matimtiman Cruz, Romy Lapus, Naty Mallares

THE SEVENTIES # 316: NORA AUNOR AND TIRSO CRUZ III, WITH IKE LOZADA, GERMAN MORENO, INDAY BADIDAY, MARIA LEONORA TERESA IN "GUY AND PIP" (1971)

As Guy and Pip, they were a popular pair for many years...

"Slowly, the wooden gate of the Vera-Perez compound opened," begins Rustum Quinton's biography of Nora Aunor. "There was instant commotion among the countless fans that had been waiting there since dawn, admirers who were prepared to suffer rain and sun just to catch a glimpse of their idol on her 18th birthday. A car approached the gate and fans rushed towards the vehicle, screaming, shouting, cheering, pushing, crying, clapping, and each one trying to talk to, shake hands with, touch or kiss the little movie star. 

"So she could be seen by all, Nora was hoisted on the roof of the Sampaguita Pictures bus. Beside her were Pip (Tirso Cruz III) and the famous doll, their make-believe offspring, Maria Leonora Theresa. A fire-truck had dispersed the crowd." 

http://www.geocities.com/pinoymovies/bench.html

This was in 1971, the peak of the Nora-Tirso love team

(photos -from internet source)

When Sampaguita Pictures’ Guy and Pip opened nationwide, it stayed in cinemas for 6 months. It grossed an unprecedented record-breaking box-office gross of P8 million. 

"Guy and Pip" (1971)

Sampaguita-VP Pictures

Release Date June 20, 1971

Story Danilova, German Moreno, Jose Leonardo and Pablo S. Gomez

Screenplay Danilova, Freddie Sarol, Jose Leonardo

Music Danny Holmsen

Coordinating Directors Mar S. Torres, Danny Holmsen

Direction German Moreno

Cast Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III/ Also Starring Ike Lozada, German Moreno, Inday badiday, Maria Leonora Teresa/ Co-starring Romy Lapus, Ven Medina, Jose de Villa, Bobet Torres, Naty Mallares, Nympha Bonifacio

Nora and Tirso, on the cover of Love Story Illustrated Magazine/ 1971

THE SEVENTIES # 305: TIRSO CRUZ III, AURORA SALVE AND SNOOKY IN "MY HEART BELONGS TO DADDY" (1971)

"My Heart Belongs to Daddy" (1971)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date June 5, 1971

Serialized in Universal Komiks

Story Rico Bello Omagap

Screenplay Freddie and Associates

Music Danny Holmsen

Direction Mar S. Torres

Cast Tirso Cruz III, Aurora Salve and Snooky/ Also Starring Norma Blancaflor, Romy L:apus and Jigger Roces/ Co-starring Ven Medina, Evelyn Bonifacio, Naty Mallares, Tita de Villa and Maricel

THE SEVENTIES # 230: GLORIA ROMERO, LUIS GONZALES, AURORA SALVE, ZANDRO ZAMORA, RODOLFO (BOY) GARCIA, LUCITA SORIANO, VON SERNA AND GINA ALAJAR AS "ROBINA" (1971)

"Robina" (1971)

VP Pictures

Release Date February 12, 1971/ Life

Serialized in Pioneer Komiks

Story Greg Igna de Dios

Screenplay Fredie and Associates

Music Danny Holmsen

Direction Mar S. Torres

Cast Gloria Romero, Luis Gonzales, Aurora Salve, Zandro Zamora, Rodolfo (Boy) Garcia, Lucita Soriano, Von Serna and Gina Alajar (in the title role)/ Also Starring Etang Discher, Cristina English, naty Mallares

THE SEVENTIES # 189: ROSEMARIE, PEPITO RODRIGUEZ AMD SNOOKY IN "TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE STAR" (1970)

"Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" (1970)

VP Pictures

Release Date December 19, 1970/ Life

Serialized in United Komiks

Screenplay Jose Leonardo 

Music Restie Umali

Direction Mar S. Torres

Cast Rosemarie, Pepito Rodriguez and Snooky/ Also Starring Tony Cayado, Mila Ocampo, Von Serna, Romy Lapus, Matimtiman Cruz, Eddie Mercado, Glenn Bernardo

THE SEVENTIES # 133: GLORIA ROMERO, LUIS GONZALES, ROSEMARIE, PEPITO RODRIGUEZ AND TIRSO CRUZ III & INTRODUCING RUDY FERNANDEZ IN "FOR YOU, MAMA" (1970)

"For You, Mama" (1970)

Sampaguita-VP Pictures

First Quezon City Filmfest Entry

Release Date October 4, 1970/ New Frontier

Story and Music Danny Holmsen

Screenplay Medy Tarnate

Direction Mar S. Torres

Cast Gloria Romero, Luis Gonzales, Rosemarie, Pepito Rodriguez, Marifi, Aurora Salve, Tessie 'Tata' Agana, Jr., German Moreno and Tirso Cruz III/ Introducing Maritesse Gutierrez and Rudy Fernandez/ Also Starring Matimtiman Cruz, Romy Lapis, Bingbing Molina, Cristy Lahora, Cookie de Guzman, Erwin Maceda/ Guest stars- Ven Medina, Glenn Bernardo, Naty Mallares

THE SEVENTIES # 96: TIRSO CRUZ III, VILMA SANTOS, WITH IKE LOZADA, BOY ALANO AND GERMAN MORENO IN PABLO S. GOMEZ'S "DINGDONG" (1970)

"Dingdong" 91970)

VP Pictures

Release Date July 17, 1970/ Life

Serialized in United Komiks

Story and Screenplay Pablo S. Gomez

Music Danny Holmsen

Direction Mar S. Torres

Cast Tirso Cruz III, Vilma Santos/ with Ike Lozada, Boy Alano and German Moreno/ Also Starring Norma Blancaflor,. Dely Atay-Atayan, Ven Medina, Aurora Salve, Letty Trinidad, Connie Angeles, Maribel Aunor/ Co-starring Bobbet Torres, Naty Mallares, Cristina English, Amor Villegas, Alfredo Esguerra/ Featuring Rene Rodriguez, Richard Dumaran, Ricky Valencia/ Special Guest Star- Bella Flores

"Dingdong"

Nobela ni Pablo S. Gomez

Guhit ni Alfredo P. Alcala

Inilathala sa United Komiks/ 1970

THE SEVENTIES # 86: ROSEMARIE & RICKY BELMONTE, NORA AUNOR & TIRSO CRUZ III IN "THE YOUNG AT HEART" (1970)

"The Young at Heart" (1970)

Sampaguita and VP Pictures

Manila Film Festival Entry

Release Date June 14, 1970/ Life

Direction Mar S. Torres

Cast Rosemarie & Ricky Belmonte, Nora Aunor & Tirso Cruz III/ Also Starring German Moreno/ Special Guest Stars- Ike Lozada, Inday Badiday/ Introducing Maria Leonora Theresa

THE SEVENTIES # 52: NORA AUNOR, TIRSO CRUZ III, BELLA FLORES, MATIMTIMAN CRUZ, VEN MEDINA AND GLORIA SEVILLA IN "NASAAN KA, INAY?" (1970)

"Nasaan Ka, Inay?" (1970)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date April 9, 1970/ Life

Serialized in 17 Magazine

Story Rico Bello Omagap

Screenplay Danny Holmsen and Medy Tarnate

Music Restie Umali

Direction Mar S. Torre

Cast  Nora Aunor, Tirso Cruz III and Gloria Sevilla/ Also Starring Bella Flores, Matimtiman Cruz and Ven Medina/ with Glenn Bernardo, Evelyn Bonifacio, Tinna Lapus, Herminia Carranza, Naty Mallares, Sinforoso Jorge

THE SEVENTIES # 30: NORA AUNOR, TIRSO CRUZ III, WITH IKE LOZADA, BOY ALANO AND GERMAN MORENO & INTRODUCING SONNY CORTEZ IN PABLO S. GOMEZ'S "ORANG" (1970)

"Orang" (1970)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date February 26, 1970/ Life, Grand

Serialized in United Komiks

Story Pablo S. Gomez

Screenplay Medy Tarnate

Music Doming Valdez

Direction Mar S. Torres

Cast Nora Aunor, Tirso Cruz, III, Ike Lozada, Boy Alano and German Moreno/ Also Starring Dely Atay-Atayan, Tita de Villa, Tinna Lapus/ Featuring Ernesto Roxas, Ricky valencia, Ricky Nicolas, Roger Bacani, Cloyd Robinson/ Introducing Sonny Cortez

THE SIXTIES # 1477: ROSEMARIE, RICKY BELMONTE, WITH EDDIE MILLER, TESSIE AGANA, GERMAN MORENO, LINDA MARTIN, TESSIE AGANA, JR. AND ALICIA ALONZO IN "RIKITIK LOVES ROSITIK" (1969)

"Rikitik Loves Rositik" (1969)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date December 19, 1969/ Life

Story Benjie Lacson

Screenplay Pablo S. Gomez

Music Danny Holmsen

Direction Mar S. Torres

Cast Rosemarie, Ricky Belmonte/ Also Starring Eddie Miller, Tessie Agana, German Moreno, Linda Martin, Tessie Agana, Jr. and Alicia Alonzo/ Co-Staring Matimtiman Cruz, Glenn Bernardo, Gina and Boy Alajar, Herminia Carranza, Alma Lao, George Sinforoso, Romy Lapus, Tessie Velasco