MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ELY RAMOS, FERNANDO POE, MILA DEL SOL, FLEUR DE LIS, PRECIOSO PALMA, BEN RUBIO, CECILIO JOAQUIN IN "GILIW KO" (1939): LVN PICTURES' FIRST MOVIE/ UPDATED

LVN Pictures was established in 1939 by three friends--- Doña Narcisa "Sisang" Buencamino de Leon, Carmen Villongco and Eleuterio Navoa, whose initials spelled the name of the company. Their first movie, Giliw Ko, a musical starring Ely Ramos, Fernando Poe, Sr., Mila del Sol and Fleur de Lis (later renamed Mona Lisa) was a sensational box-office hit. However, its succeeding films did not fare well at the tills and in order to save the company, Doña Sisang had to buy out the other stockholders.

Giliw Ko, directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa, is one of the five existing pre-war movies available.

The movie was released and shown at Grand Theater, July 29, 1939.

"Giliw Ko" (1939)

LVN Pictures
Release Date: July 29, 1939/ Metropolitan Theater
and August 1-10, 1939/ Grand Theater

Director Carlos Vander Tolosa

Cast Ely Ramos, Fernando Poe, Mila del Sol, Fleur de Lis, Ben Rubio, Precioso Palma, Cecilio Joaquin

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ERNESTO VALLEJO, FELY VALLEJO, ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, FLEUR DE LIS, JOSEFINO CENIZAL IN "BAHAY KUBO" (1938)

Songstress Fely Vallejo starred alongside Ernesto Vallejo, the celebrated Filipino violin virtuoso, and Rogelio de la Rosa, the matinee idol adored by half the women of the Philippines, in “Bahay Kubo.” Parlatone spared no effort in this production—and the result is nothing short of magnificent. Never before have audiences witnessed such elaborate sets, such powerful performances, and such exquisite music.

From its melodies alone, “Bahay Kubo” stands as a true masterpiece. One captivating song follows another in a breathtaking succession, weaving a spell of sound and vision that will leave viewers enthralled. Every music lover owes it to themselves to experience this film; every movie fan must not miss it. For anyone—man, woman, or child—1938 would not be complete without seeing this cinematic gem.

The movie, directed by Gerardo de Leon, also starred Fleur de Lis and Josefino Cenizal. It was released and shown at the New Fox Theater, December 20, 1938.

"Bahay Kubo" (1938)

A Parlatone Christmas Offering

Release Date December 20, 1938/ Fox Theater

Music Julio Esteban Anquita

Orchestration Juan Hernandez

Direction Gerardo de Leon

Cast Ernesto Vallejo, Fely Vallejo, Rogelio de la Rosa, Fleur de Lis, Josefino Cenizal

(Image, courtesy of Pinoy Kollektor)

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: CARLOS PADILLA, ROSITA RIVERA, ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, MARIA CLARA RUIZ, FLEUR DE LIS, GERARDO DE LEON, GREGORIO TICMAN, ARMANDO CRIS IN "BUKANG LIWAYWAY" (1938)

"A movie that takes you into the very heart of movie life..." says the ad in this 1938 musical comedy, "Bukang Liwayway." It tells of "two young people who met in the woods of Antipolo, fell in love, and parted only to meet again after more than a year. One had become a director, the other the wife of a producer. The tragic part is that they were still in love with each other. Their love almost ended in tragedy."

The movie was released and shown at Fox Theater, September 8, 1938.

"Bukang Liwayway" (1938)

Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc.

Release Date September 9, 1938/ Fox Theater

Story Consuelo Ruiz

Music Josefino Cenizal

Direction Carlos Padilla

Cast Carlos Padilla, Rosita Rivera, Rogelio de la Rosa, Maria Clara Ruiz, Fleur de Lis, Gerardo de Leon, Gregorio Ticman, Armando Cris

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, MARIA CLARA RUIZ, ROSITA RIVERA, FLEUR DE LIS, ARMANDO CRIS, GERARDO DE LEON, GREGORIO TICMAN, BEN RUBIO IN "MGA SUGAT NG PUSO" (1938)

"A story of two hearts who gave each other pain because of a love so deep it had to be misunderstood!" says the ad in this 1938 romantic drama, "Mga Sugat ng Puso."

The movie, directed by Carlos Padilla, starred Rogelio de la Rosa, Maria Clara Ruiz, Rosita Rivera, Fleur de Lis, Armando Cris, Gerardo de Leon, Ben Rubio.

"Mga Sugat ng Puso" (1938)

A Parlatone Production

Release Date July 29, 1938/ Grand Theater

Directon Carlos Padilla

Cast Rogelio de la Rosa, Maria Clara Ruiz, Rosita Rivera, Fleur de Lis, Armando Cris, Gerardo de Leon, Ben Rubio

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, MARIA CLARA RUIZ, ROSITA RIVERA, FLEUR DE LIS, ARMANDO CRIS, GERARDO DE LEON, GREGORIO TICMAN, BEN RUBIO IN "BAGO LUMUBOG ANG ARAW" (1938)

“Bago Lumubog ang Araw,” produced by Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc., premiered at the Grand Theater on June 28, 1938. Directed by Carlos Padilla from a story by Lazaro Francisco, the film portrays the lives of students both at home and on campus, starring Rogelio de la Rosa, Maria Clara Ruiz, Rosita Rivera, Fleur de Lis, Armando Cris, Gerardo de Leon, and Ben Rubio.

"Bago Lumubog ang Araw" (1938)

Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc.

Release Date June 28, 1938

Directon Carlos Padilla

Cast Rogelio de la Rosa, Maria Clara Ruiz, Rosita Rivera, Fleur de Lis, Armando Cris, Gerardo de Leon, Ben Rubio

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: ANGEL ESMERALDA, ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, YOLANDA MARQUEZ, PURITA STA. MARIA, FLEUR DE LIS IN "SANGGUMAY" (1938)

Four great stars together for the first time in "Sanggumay," a romantic drama, produced by Parlatone Hispano- Filipino, Inc. The movie, directed by Mar I. Esmeralda, starred Angel Esmeralda, Rogelio de la Rosa, Yolanda Marquez and Purita Sta. Maria. Fleur de Lis co-starred.

It was released and shown at Grand Theater, April 14, 1938.

"Sanggumay" (1938)

Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc.

Release Date April 14, 1938/ Grand Theater

Story Gregorio C. Coching

Direction Mar I. EsmeraldaCast Angel Esmeralda, Rogelio de la Rosa, Yolanda Marquez, Purita Sta. Maria, Fleur de Lis

 

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: LUCITA GOYENA, ARMANDO CRIS, FLEUR DE LIS, GREGORIO TICMAN, BEN RUBIO, RUDY CONCEPCION, CONSUELO RUIZ, LALING ILAGAN, ANA SERRANO IN "WALANG PANGALAN" (1939)

Produced by Parlatone Hispano- Filipino, Inc., the movie, "Walang Pangalan," directed by Carlos Padilla, starred Lucita Goyena, Armando Cris, Fleur de Lis, Gregorio Ticman, Ben Rubio, Rudy Concepcion, Consuelo Ruiz, Laling Ilagan, Ana Serrano.

It was released and shown at Cine Oro, March 11, 1938.

Synopsis: Armando Cris plays a wealthy man who courts Lucita Goyena, though her heart secretly belongs to Ben Rubio. Despite her feelings, Lucita is forced into marriage with Armando. Years later, Armando departs for Europe to expand his business, but before leaving he secretly fathers a child with another woman, unknown to Lucita.

Fate intervenes when Lucita and Ben cross paths again after her marriage, meeting through a car accident in which Ben’s life depends on a blood transfusion. To save the man she truly loves, Lucita offers her own blood, rekindling their romance.

The two dream of escaping to the United States to annul her marriage while Armando is away in Europe. But just before their departure, Lucita receives an urgent telegram from her mother. Ben sails alone, heartbroken, and takes his own life during the voyage.

Months later, Lucita gives birth to Ben’s child. Afraid of Armando and seeking to protect her name, she abandons the baby at a church, where a poor couple adopts it. Years pass, and the children of Lucita and Armando grow up—unaware of their past—and eventually fall in love.

 On her deathbed, the woman who raised Lucita’s child finally reveals the long-guarded secret, leading to the dramatic conclusion of Walang Pangalan, a story filled with passion, fate, and heartbreaking twists.

"Walang Pangalan" (1938)

Parlatone Hispano-Filipino, Inc.

Release Date March 11, 1938/ Cine Oro (formerly Radio)

Story B.G. Medina

Direction Carlos Padilla

Cast Lucita Goyena, Armando Cris, Fleur de Lis, Gregorio Ticman, Ben Rubio, Rudy Concepcion, Consuelo Ruiz, Laling Ilagan, Ana Serrano