POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 112: LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, LIRIO DEL VALLE, NELA ALVAREZ, WITH BABY JANE, RUBEN NAVARRO, ROSA AGUIRRE, MIGUL ANZURES, GREGORIO TICMAN, TOLINDOY, OSCAR OBLIGACION IN "HAISKUL" (1949)/ UPDATED

"Haiskul" 
Philippine Pictures, Inc.
Release Date: October 28- November 6, 1949/ Life
Story Juan C. Laya
Screenplay Miguel Anzures
Direction Fermin Barva

Cast Leopoldo Salcedo, Lirio del Valle, Nela Alvarez, Baby Jane, Ruben Navarro, Rosa Aguirre, Miguel Anzures, Gregorio Ticman, Tolindoy, Oscar Obligacion

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: JOSE PADILLA, JR., LEILA MORENA, WITH BN PEREZ, EDUARDO DEL MAR, MIGUEL ANZURES, DON DAMON IN LAMBERTO AVELLANA,S "RONQUILLO (TIAGONG AKYAT)" (1949)

The movie, "Ronquillo: Tiagong Akyat" was based on the true-to-life story of Santiago Ronquillo, a notorious and dreaded bandit of the 20s and one of the famous outlaws in Philippine history.

"Ronquillo"Tiagong Akyat" (1949)

Nolasco Bros. Pictures

Release Date September 27, 1949/ Dalisay

Direction  Lamberto V. Avellana

Cast Jose Padilla, Jr., Leila Morena, Ben Perez, Eduardo del Mar, Miguel Anzures, Don Damon/ Introducing Jose Santiago

Tiagong Akyat was one of the most famous outlaws in Philippine history. He terrorized Manila and the nearby provinces in the 1920s, looting homes and establishments. There was a legend that he only looted the homes of the rich and even helped the poor. Such was his notoriety that rarely had a newspaper been issued in any day without any news about him.

Born Santiago Ronquillo in Imus, Cavite sometime in the late 19th century, Tiagong Akyat got his moniker because he simply entered homes and loot it of its wealth amidst the horrified residents (it should be noted that during the early 20th century, few homes had gates).

Legend has it that Tiagong Akyat possessed an amulet that made him invisible. This amulet is called "Tagabulag" in Philippine folklore. People believed that this was the reason why the Manila police failed to capture him, despite huge rewards awaiting for the person to bring to Police Tiago "Dead or Alive".

Yet, despite Tiagong Akyat's notoriety, there was existing rumors that he was a "Robin Hood" character, helping the poor and looting the rich.

In 1923, Manila Chief of Police John Fulton Green received an intelligence report that Tiagong Akyat was seen in Noveleta, Cavite. In cooperation with the Philippine constabulary, Green organized a formidable force to capture Tiagong Akyat. It was rumored that Tiago may have been ill when the Constabulary surrounded the house in Noveleta where Tiago was hiding.

Despite Tiago's defenseless condition, the constabulary riddled the house with multiple shots, killing Tiago.

The Manila police was criticized for this overkill, despite the fact that they ended the career of one of the most famous outlaws in Philippine history.

Sources: Wikipilipinas; Ang Kamatayan ni Santiago Ronquillo Lipang Kalabaw, Maynila, February 22, 1923; Editoryal: Hulihin si Tiagong Akyat Telembang, Maynila, January 18, 1923

In 1973, the elder Ramon Revilla reprised the role in "Hulihin si Tiagong Akyat."

"Hulihin si... Tiagong Akyat" (1973)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Liza Lorena, Robert Jaworski, Aurora Salve, Van de Leon and Max Alvarado/ with Michael Murray, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, Aurora Ortiz, Rosa Mia, Jesus 'Og' Ramos, Conrad Poe, Manolo Robles, Rocco Montalban, Pedro Faustino/ Directed by Armando A. Herrera

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CORAZON NOBLE, ROBERTO ROSALES, WITH BERT LE ROY, TITA DURAN, NARDING ANZURES, ISA DELGADO, ROSA AGUIRRE, MIGUEL ANZURES, NITA CARMONA, ANGELES TARNATE, EUSEBIO GOMEZ IN "BAHAG-HARI" (1940)

"Bahag-Hari" (1940)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date August 8, 1940/ Grand Theater

Direction Don Danon

Cast Corazon Noble, Roberto Rosales, with Bert Le Roy, Tita Duran, Narding Anzures, Isa Delgado, Rosa AGuirre, Miguel Anzures, Nita Carmon, Angeles Tarnate, Eusebio Gomez

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CORAZON NOBLE, ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, LOTA DELGADO, OCTAVIO ROMERO, NARDING ANZURES, WITH MIGUEL ANZURES, BERT LE ROY, RITA RICA, ADELINA SOLANO, MANUEL BAUTISTA, JUSTINA DAVID IN "GUNITA" (1940)

“Gunita” is an emotionally charged film directed by Manuel Silos, blending music, love, laughter, sorrow, and tragedy in a story that grips audiences throughout. It marks a milestone in Philippine cinema as the first local film to feature a dual role, masterfully portrayed by Rogelio de la Rosa as both father and son.

The story by Jovita Martinez-Memije follows a once-happy couple torn apart by deceit, their only link a haunting, unfinished song that recalls both love and pain. Corazon Noble delivers a strong performance as the forsaken wife, while Lota Delgado becomes the love interest caught between two brothers unaware of their blood ties. Narding Anzures adds touching depth as the musically gifted son devoted to his mother.

Supported by a talented cast and enhanced by Prof. Santiago S. Suarez’s music and Higino J. Fallorina’s fine cinematography, “Gunita” stands as a landmark production for Sampaguita Pictures.

The movie, directed by Manuel Silos,  was released and shown at Grand Theater, May 16, 1940.

"Gunita" (1940)

Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.

Release Date May 16, 1940/ Grand Theater

Direction Manuel Silos

Cast Corazon Noble, Rogelio de la Rosa, Lota Delgado, Octavio Romero, Narding Anzures/ with Miguel Anzures, Bert Le Roy, Rita Rica, Adelina Solan, Manuel Bautista, Justina David

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CARMEN ROSALES, ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, WITH JAIME CASTELLVI, GREGORIO FERNANDEZ, MIGUEL ANZURES, RITA RICA, ROBERTO ROSALES, MARIA ROBERTO, NARDO VERCUDIA, ENGRACIO IBARRA IN "SENORITA" (1940)

"Love... ardent and young between beauteous senorita and her dashing chauffeur!… a screen-load of thrill, music and romance!, says the ad in this 1940 super musical romance, "Senorita."

Produced by Sampaguita Pictures and directed by Gregorio Fernandez, the movie starred Carmen Rosales, Rogelio de la Rosa, with Jaime Castellvi, Gregorio Fernandez, Miguel Anzures, Rita Rica, Roberto Rosales, Maria Roberto, Nardo Vercudia and Engracio Ibarra.

It was released and shown at Grand Theater, February 14, 1940.

Senorita" (1940)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date February 14, 1940/ Grand Theater

Direction Gregorio Fernandez

Cast Carmen Rosales, Rogelio de la Rosa, with Jaime Castellvi, Gregorio Fernandez, Miguel Anzures, Rita Rica, Roberto Rosales, Maria Roberto, Nardo Vercudia, Engracio Ibarra

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ROSARIO MORENO, CARLOS PADILLA, NATY BERNARDO, WITH FERNANDO ROYO, MARIA MIRANDA, MIGUEL ANZURES, EXEQUIEL SEGOVIA, JOAQUIN SAN AGUSTIN, JOAQUIN GAVINO, JOSE BERNARDO IN "SIYA'Y AKING ANAK" (1939)

"Siya'y Aking Anak" (1939)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date July 23, 1939/ Grand Theater

Story Luis F. Nolasco and Carlos Padilla

Direction Carlos Padilla

Cast Rosario Moreno, Carlos Padilla, Naty Bernardo, with Fernando Royo, Maria Miranda, Miguel ANzures, Exequiel Segovia, Joaquin San Agustin, Joaquin Gavino, Jose Bernardo

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: YOLANDA MARQUEZ, RUDY CONCEPCION, PRECIOSO PALMA, WITH FERNANDO ROYO, SILVIA ROSALES, ROSA AGUIRRE, MIGUEL ANZURES, MERCEDES DE GAVINO IN "GABAY NG MAGULANG" (1939)

"Here's the gripping story of a monstrous son who repays the love of his father with poison in his mind and evil in his heart!" ("Narito ang kapanapanabik na kuwento ng isang halimaw na anak na ginantihan ang pagmamahal ng kanyang ama ng lason sa isipan at kasamaan sa puso!")... says the ad in 1939 drama, "Gabay ng Magulang."

The movie, directed by Octavio Silos, starred Yolanda Marquez, Rudy Concepcion, Precioso Palma, with Fernando Royo, Silvia Rosales, Rosa Aguirre, Miguel Anzures and Mercedes de Gavino.

It was released and shown at Grand Theater, June 13, 1939.

"Gabay ng Magulang" (1939)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date June 13, 1939/ Grand Theater

Direction Octavio Silos

Cast Yolanda Marquez, Rudy Concepcion, Precioso Palma, with Fernando Royo, Silvia Rosales, Rosa Aguirre, Miguel Anzures, Mercedes de Gavino

(Image, courtesy of Pinoy Kollektor)

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ROSARIO MORENO, RUDY CONCEPCION, WITH TITA DURAN, ANDRES CENTENERA, NATI RUBI, MIGUEL ANZURES, SOLEDAD AQUINO IN "ALIPIN NG PALAD" (1938)

"Here's the most gripping story of a woman whose life rested between the cruel fangs of fate, blasting with agonizing misery and torturing tragedy!," says the ad in this 1938 romantic drama, "Alipin ng Palad."

Hailed as “the greatest dramatic hit of the year,” the film featured an impressive cast led by Rosario Moreno, Rudy Concepcion, and Tita Duran, with Andres Centenera, Nati Rubi, Miguel Anzures, Soledad Aquino, Carmen Martinez, Gloria Imperial, Tomasa Alvarez, and Enrique Espinoza, under the direction of Octavio Silos.

It was shown at Grand Theater, August 11, 1938.

"Alipin ng Palad" (1938)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date August 11, 1938/ Grand Theater

Written and Directed by Octavio Silos

Cast Rosario Moreno, Rudy Concepcion/ with Tita Duran, Andres Centenera, Nati Rubi, Miguel Anzures, Soledad Aquino, Carmen Martinez, Gloria Imperial, Tomasa Alvarez, Enrique Espinoza

 

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ROSA AGUIRRE, RUDY CONCEPCION, TEDDY BENAVIDES, LIGAYA FLORES, MIGUEL ANZURES IN "HIMAGSIKAN NG MGA PUSO" (1938)

"His mother's misfortune crumpled his love into fragments of bitter shame threatening the only happiness he struggled to fight and live for!," says the ad in this 1938 electryfying musical drama, "Himagsikan ng mga Puso."

Based from the novel, "Talang Bodavil" by Julian C. Balmaceda, the movie was direded by Manuel Silos and starred Rosa Aguirre, Rudy Concepcion, Teddy Benavides, Ligaya Flores, Miguel Anzures, Horacio Morelos, Tomasa Alvarez, Luis Salvador and the Romancers.

"Himagsikan ng mga Puso" (1938)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date July 12, 1938/ Grand Theater

Story Julian C. Balmaceda

Direction Manuel Silos

Cast Rosa Aguirre, Rudy Concepcion, Teddy Benavides, Ligaya Flores, Miguel Anzures, Horacio Morelos, Tomasa Alvarez, Luis Salvador and the Romancers

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: EXEQUIEL SEGOVIA, TEDDY BENAVIDES, MIGUEL ANZURES, NITA LINDA, JOSE DEL PRADO, PRECIOSA PALMA, NENA OLGA, TERRIBLE MAX, YOUNG PANCHO VILLA, JOSE PAYUMO IN "TIGRE" (1938)

"His own people branded him a murderer and a murderer of his own people he became! This is the gripping story of an innocent convict whose thirst for vengeance forced him to take justice in his own way!," says the ad in this 1938 action thriller, "Tigre."

The movie, directed by Carlos Vanver Tolosa, starred Exequiel Segovia, Teddy Benavides, Miguel Anzures, Nita Linda, Jose del Prado, Preciosa Palma, Nena Olga, Terrible Max, Young Pancho Villa, Jose Payumo.

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Synopsis--- 

Don Teofilo (Miguel Anzures), a powerful politician, secretly leads a counterfeiting ring. Suspicious of his associate Amado (Exequiel Segovia), whom he believes to be cheating in their dealings, Teofilo frames him for murder after a gang clash, planting evidence with the help of his cohorts. Even Emilia (Nita Linda), Teofilo’s sister and the beloved of young reporter Luis (Teddy Benavides), supports the false accusation. Amado is convicted and vows revenge.

Years later, freed on parole, Amado begins eliminating those who betrayed him—Teofilo, Gregorio, Irineo, and Rafael—leaving only Emilia’s name uncrossed in his chilling memorandum, which spells out “TIGRE” from their initials. When Amado finally confronts Emilia, Luis defends her in a deadly struggle, killing Amado. The police uncover the truth: Amado committed the recent murders, while Don Teofilo was the counterfeiters’ ringleader. With justice restored, Luis and Emilia find happiness together.

"Tigre" (1938)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date April 7, 1938/ Grand Theater

Story Teodoro Virrey

Screenplay Luis F. Nolasco

Music Jose Estella

Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa

Cast Exequiel Segovia, Teddy Benavides, Miguel Anzures, Nita Linda, Jose del Prado, Preciosa Palma, Nena Olga, Terrible Max, Young Pancho Villa, Jose Payumo

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: JOSE PADILLA, JR., ALMA BELLA, MARY WALTER, WITH MIGUEL ANZURES, CRAZON NOBLE, SALVADOR ZARAGOZA, NARDING ANZURES, MANUEL BARBEYTO IN "ANG BATANG TULISAN" (1938)

Adapted from Liwayway popular serial created by Gregorio Coching, "Ang Batang Tulisan" starred Jose Padilla, Jr., Alma Bella, Mary Walter, Miguel Anzures, Corazon Noble, Salvador Zaragoza, Narding Anzures and Manuel Barbeyto, and with Rod Avlas at the helm.

The movie was released and shown at Fox and Savoy theaters, February 12- 14, 1938, and unfortunately the exhibition was stopped by the Censors but was reshown 8 months later, on October 10, 1938, under a new title, "Binatang Parang."

The movie the turbulent story of Gabriel (Miguel Anzures), a scientist whose life is destroyed after marrying Atang (Mary Walter), a woman entangled in an illicit affair with Mat (Manuel Barbeyto). Betrayed, Gabriel saves Atang’s child, joins outlaws, and vows revenge. Meanwhile, Atang becomes a poison-wielding murderer. Years later, her daughter Oning falls in love with bandit leader Mausig (Narding Anzures). Identities unravel: Mat reappears disguised as a priest, Atang kills him, and then takes her own life to spare Oning shame. The tale ends in redemption, with Gabriel and the bandit queen, and Mausig and Oning, choosing straight lives after the bandits disband.

"Ang Batang Tulisan" (1938)

Filippine Films

Release Date February 12-14, 1938/ Fox and Savoy Theaters

Story Gergorio C. Coching

Direction Rod Avlas

Cast Jose Padilla, Jr., Alma Bella, Mary Walter, with Miguel Anzures, Corazon Noble, Salvador Zaragoza, Narding Anzures, Manuel Barbeyto