THE FIFTIES # 280: JOSE PADILLA, JR., OLIVIA CENIZAL, CORAZON RIVAS, JOSE ROMULO, LOPITO IN " HA CHA CHA" (1955)/ UPDATED

"Ha Cha Cha" (1955)

Premiere Productions, Inc/ People's Picture

Release Date April 20-29, 1955/ Life

Story and Direction Nemesio E. Caravana

Cast Jose Padilla, Jr., Olivia Cenizal, Corazon Rivas, Jose Romulo, Lopito, Abraham Cruz

THE FIFTIES # 267: JOSE PADILLA, JR., JUAN MONTEIRO, OLIVIA CENIZAL IN "MINERA" (1955)/ UPDATED

"Minera" (1955)

People's Pictures/ Premiere Productions, Inc.

Release Date January 30- February 8, 1955/ Life

Story J.D. Karasig and Nemesio E. Caravana

Direction Nemesio E. Caravana

Cast Jose Padilla, Jr., Juan Monteiro, Olivia Cenizal

THE FIFTIES # 253: EFREN REYES, CORAZON RIVAS, CAROL VARGA, JOSE ROMULO, WITH RUBEN RUSTIA, PACO ZAMORA, ANGELITO ANZURES, PAQUITO SALCEDO, IMPERILA IN "ABENTURERA" (1954)/ UPDATED

"Abenturera" (1954)

Premiere Productions, Inc.

Release Date November 26- December 5, 1954/ Dalisay

Music Ariston Avelino

Story and Direction Nemesio E. Caravana

Cast Efren Reyes, Corazon Rivas, Carol Varga, Jose Romulo, Ruben Rustia, Paco Zamora, Angelito Anzures, Fely Imperial, Paquito Salcedo

THE FIFTIES # 230: JOSE PADILLA, JR., ARSENIA FRANCISCO, WITH AMADO CORTEZ, CORAZON RIVAS, RUBEN RUSTIA IN "GINTO SA LUSAK" (1954)/ UPDATED

"Ginto sa Lusak" (1954)

Premiere Productions, Inc./ Balatbat-Flores

Release Date September 7-16, 1954/ Dalisay

Story Nemesio Caravana

Direction Cesar Gallardo

Cast Jose Padilla, Jr., Arsenia Francisco, Amado Cortez, Corazon Rivas, Ruben Rustia

THE FIFTIES # 227: LEILA MORENA, EFREN REYES, LOPITO, RAMON D' SALVA, WITH FRANCISCO CRUZ, DADANG ORTEGA, PAQUITO SALCEDO, FELISA SALCEDO IN "ANDER DI SAYA" (1954)/ UPDATED

"Ander Di Saya" (1954)

Premiere Productions/ Larry Santiago Productions

Release Date August 23- September 1, 1954/ Life

Story Jose Karasig and Nemesio Caravana

Music Tony Maiquez

Photography Ricardo Marcelino

Direction Nemesio E. Caravana

Cast Leila Morena, Efren Reyes, Lopito, Ramon D' Salva, Francisco Cruz, Dadang Ortega, Paquito Salcedo, Felisa Salcedo, Baby Zobel, Ben Balatbat

THE FIFTIES # 139: EFREN REYES, ROSITA NOBLE, WITH CAROL VARGA, OSCAR KEESE, AMADO CORTES IN NEMESIO E. CARAVANA'S "KAPITAN BERONG" (1953): KOMIKS SERIAL & MOVIE ADAPTATION/ UPDATED

"Kapitan Berong" (1953)
Manuel Vistan Production 
Released thru Premiere Productions
Release Date October 17- 26, 1953/ Life
Story and Direction Nemesio Caravana
Cast Efren Reyes, Rosita Noble, Carol Varga, Oscar Keese, Amado Cortes

"First in Spectacle!...in Thrills!... and in Romance!, says the blurb of the 1953 action-adventure movie, “Kapitan Berong.” It thrilled fans and went on to shatter box-office records when it was shown that year. I have seen the movie countless times in the 60s when it was shown on TV and as a young kid I was impressed and overwhelmed. Set during the Spanish period, the story revolves around a young man named Berong (Efren Reyes) who was born with a saber and a horse who can talk, sing and fly. Based on the novel penned by Nemesio E. Caravana, “Kapitan Berong” was serialized in Liwayway Magazine in 1952. Here's the first three installments of the popular komiks novel drawn by Ben Alcantara---

click images to enlarge

click images to enlarge

Komiks materials courtesy
of Steve Santos of Unang Labas blog

THE FIFTIES # 170: ANITA LINDA, EFREN REYES, AMADO CORTES AND JOHNNY MONTEIRO IN "CARLOS TRECE" (1953)/ UPDATED

Screen legends Anita Linda, disguised as a young and dashing eskrimador, Efren Reyes and Johnny Monteiro, both top swordsmen in Philippine cinema, display their fencing skill as they fight it out for "the crown, throne and kingdom."

The movie, Carlos Trece, broke all existing box-office records during its theatrical run in 1953. The 15-minute sword fight, a duel to the end, between Reyes and Monteiro took the production crew two weeks of rigorous practice and training and one week to shoot.

"Carlos Trece" (1953)
Premiere Productions
Release Date March 30- April 9, 1953
Direction Nemesio E. Caravana
Cast Anita Linda, Efren Reyes, Johnny Monteiro, Amado Cortes/ 

Kislap Magazine/ April 1, 1953
(click image to enlarge)

THE FIFTIES # 665: JOSE PADILLA, JR., CELIA FLOR, WITH ALFONSO CARVAJAL, CARLOS SALAZAR IN "MARIA MERCEDES" (1953)/ UPDATED

"Maria Mercedes" (1953)

LVN Pictures

Release Date January 15- 24, 1953/ Dalisay

Serialized in Liwayway Magazine

Story Angel Fernandez

Music Maj. Antonio Buenaventura

Direction Nemesio E. Caravana

Cast Jose Padilla, Jr., Celia Flor/ Also Starring Alfonso Carvajal, Carlos Salazar/ Also Starring Annie Sales, Patsy Mateo, Nora Linda, Minda Miranda, N.E. Caravana, Agnes Rey

THE FIFTIES # 668: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, LILIA DIZON, ROSA ROSAL, ALFONSO CARVAJAL IN "DIMAS: THE SAINTED ROBBER" (1952): KOMIKS SERIAL AND MOVIE ADAPTATION/ UPDATED

Dimas: The Sainted Robber was adapted from a serialized Liwayway novel by Caravana, del Mundo and Laudico and starred Rogelio dela Rosa in the title role. It is the story of Dimas who vows vengeance when his father was imprisoned and killed by Centurion Magnus.

"Dimas: The Sainted Robber" (1952)
LVN Pictures
Release Date January 11- 20, 1952/ Dalisay
Serialized in Liwayway
Story Nemesio E. Caravana and Clodualdo del Mundo
Direction Nemesio E. Caravana
Cast Rogelio dela Rosa, Lilia Dizon, Rosa Rosal, Alfonso Carvajal/ Also Starring Nestor de Villa, Jose Corazon de Jesus

Rogelio dela Rosa, Lilia Dizon and Jose Vergara in a scene from the movie, "Dimas."

Liwayway Magazine/ 1951

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

From the private collection of Steve Santos
(Unang Labas Blog)

THE FIFTIES # 660: ARMANDO GOYENA, TESSIE QUINTANA, LOU SALVADOR, SR., MILAGROS NAVAL IN "DAVID AT GOLIATH" (1951)

The first color film fully processed in the Philippines, utilizing the Ansco color process.



"David at Goliath (1951)
LVN Pictures
Release Date April 10-20, 1951/ Life
Direction Nemesio E. Caravana
Cast Armando Goyena, Tessie Quintana, Lou Salvador Sr. Milagros Naval, Jose Corazon de Jesus

(No movie ad available)

Tessie Quintana and Armando Goyena

(Photos- Dona Sisang Filipino Movies/ 1977 and Contra Mundum/ 2015)

THE FIFTIES # 36: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, LILIA DIZON, ARMANDO GOYENA, ROSA ROSAL, EVELYN VILLAR IN "SOHRAB AT RUSTUM" (1950)/ UPDATED

"Sohrab at Rustum"
LVN Pictures
Release Date November 22- December 1, 1950/ Life
Direction Nemesio Caravana
Cast Rogelio de la Rosa, Lilia Dizon, Armando Goyena, Rosa Rosal, Evelyn Villar

THE FIFTIES # 2: MILA DEL SOL, ARMANDO GOYENA, WITH JOHNNY REYES, ALFONSO CARVAJA, LUISITO CASTELLVI IN "DAYANG-DAYANG" (1950)/ UPDATED

"Dayang-Dayang"
LVN Productions
Release Date July 1-13, 1950/ Dalisay
Story and Direction Nemesio Caravana
Cast Mila Del Sol, Armando Goyena, Johnny Reyes, Alfonso Carvajal, Luisito Castellvi, Cora Madrid, Andres Montalban

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 128: LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, MILA DEL SOL, WITH ALFONSO CARVAJAL, CARMENCITA PALMA, GIL DE LEON, SALVADOR ZARAGOZA, JOSE DE CORDOVA, FLORNTINO BALLECER, LOU SALVADOR, BAYANI CASIMIRO IN "KUBA SA QUIAPO" (1949)/ UPDATED

"Kuba sa Quiapo" (1949)

LVN Pictures

11th Anniversary Presentation

Release Date August 11-22, 1949/ Dalisaay

Serialized in Paruparo Magazine

Story and Direction Nemesio E. Caravana

Cast Leopoldo Salcedo, Mila del Sol/ Also Starring Alfonso Carvajal/ Co-starring Carmencita Palma, Gil de Leon, Salvador Zaragoza, Jose de Cordova, Florentino Ballecer, Lou Salvador, Bayani (Casimiro)

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 90: CELIA FLOR AND ARMANDO GOYENA, WITH ALFONSO CARVAJAL IN "MARIA BELES" (1949)/ UPDATED

"Maria Beles"
LVN Pictures
Release Date April 1-10, 1949/Life

Story and Direction Nemesio Caravana
Cast Celia Flor, Armando Goyena, Alfonso Carvajal

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 163: JOSE PADILLA, JR., LILIA DIZON, ARMANDO GOYENA, WITH ALFONSO CARVAJAL, BAYANI CASIMIRO, LUIS SAN JUAN, ARMANDO CANSECO IN "KAAWAY NG BABAE" (1948)/ UPDATED

"Kaaway ng Babae" (1948)

LVN Pictures

Release Date November 20-29, 1948/ Dalisay

Story and Direction Nemesio E. Caravana

Cast Jose Padilla, Jr., Lilia Dizon, Armando Goyena, Alfonso Carvajal, Bayani Casimiro, Luis San Juan, Armando Canseco

More on the movie, click here

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 123: NORMA BLANCAFLOR, TONY ARNALDO, WITH ROSA ROSAL, VICTOR SEVILLA, EUSBIO GOMEZ, JOSE CRIS SOTO, ENGRACIO IBARRA, JUSTINA DAVID IN "HULING DALANGIN" (1948)/ UPDATED

"Huling Dalangin"

LVN Pictures

Release Date October 10-21, 1948/ Center

Music Constancio de Guzman

Direction Susana C. de Guzman

Cast Norma Blancaflor, Tony Arnaldo, Rosa Rosal, Victor Sevilla, Eusebio Gomez, Jose Cris Soto, Engracio Ibarra, Justina David, Eliseo Carvajal, Mike Accion, Constancio de Guzman, Juanito Montes, Leonor Carmona, Pablo Virtuoso

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 53: ROGELIO DELA ROSA, TONY ARNALDO, ROSA ROSAL AND INTRODUCING CELIA FLOR IN "HAMPAS NG LANGIT" (1948)/ UPDATED

"Hampas ng Langit"
LVN Pictures, Inc.

Release Date August 22- 31, 1948/Dalisay

Story Susana de Guzman, Inigo Ed. Regalado, Nemesio Caravana

Photography Enrique Rosales

Sound July Hidalgo

Assistant Director Juanito Montes
Direction Susana de Guzman

Cast Rogelio de la Rosa, Tony Arnaldo, Rosa Rosal/ Introducing Celia Flor/ with Merly Fernandez, Priscilla, Eusebio Gomez, Jose Cris Soto, Amandita

Rogelio de la Rosa and Celia Flor in "Hampas ng Langit" (1948)

(Photo, courtesy of Casa Grande)

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: FLOR DE JASMIN, VICENTE OLIVER, WITH AMPARO AQUINO, OSCAR DEL ROSARIO, NEMESIO CARAVANA, SOCORRO BASILIO, NELLY SUNICO, GUILLERMO E. CARLS IN "KRISANTEMO" (1940)

"The company that gave you "Florante at Laura" and "Angel na Tukso," now proudly offers you a picture with new emotions, different and unforgettable!.." says the ad in this 1940 romantic drama, "Krisantemo."

The movie, directed by Vicente Salumbides, starred Flor de Jasmin, Vicente Oliver, Amparo Aquino, Oscar del Rosario, Nemesio Caravana, Socorro Basilio, Nelly Sunico, Guillermo E. Carls, Dan de Jesus, Tembong and others.

It was released and shown at Fox Theater, October 15, 1940.

"Krisantemo" (1940)

Salumbides Film Corp.

Release Date October 15, 1940/ Fox Theater

Story Jose Esperanza Cruz

Music Constancio de Guzman

Direction Vicente Salumbides

Cast Flor de Jasmin, Vicente Oliver, with Amparo Aquino, Oscar del Rosario, Nemesio Caravana, Socorro Basilio, Nelly Sunico, Guillermo E, Carls, Dan de Jesus, Tembong

MORE ON PRE-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES: AMPARO KARAGDAG, CARLOS PADILLA, WITH DINA VALLE, VILMA VIDES, NEMESIO CARAVANA, VICENTE SALUMBIDES IN "ANGHEL NA TUKSO" (1940)

Philippine movie fans are in for a revelation as Amparo Karagdag, noted Manila socialite, makes her stunning screen debut in “Anghel Na Tukso”—a picture destined to unveil a genuine screen luminary.

From the very beginning, Karagdag captivates audiences—not with sweetness, but with fiery contempt and feminine guile. Yet, as the story unfolds, those same audiences will find themselves moved to tears by the tragic fate that befalls her. Her portrayal reveals not merely talent, but the natural depth and brilliance of a born actress—the inimitable Amparo Karagdag.

Opposite her is Carlos Padilla, who gives a compelling performance as a cold, detached young man—one untouched by earthly passions—until the irresistible allure of the glamorous Corazon Cielo awakens in him a burning desire.

Synopsis:

Not contented with love of her suitor Rodrigo Rubi (Nemesio Caravana), Corazon Cielo (Amparo Karagdag) craves to alienate the affection of Narciso Gloria (Carlos Padilla) lover of Lagrimas Cielo (Dina Valle) her sister. Corazon has made up her mind to win debonair Narciso Gloria at all cost. 

Corazon completes her sinister scheme to plot against her own sister. She lures Narciso into her love-trap blindly. Corazon makes a headway in her infamous plan to win the favor of the lover of her sister. Her tempting, captivating and sweet smiles converted Narciso into a slave of her of passionate infatuation. Corazon finally succeeded in leading Narciso to the altar and say "Yes, I do." 

Later, she had a daughter whom she named Lila Gloria (Vilma Vides). Corazon turned over a new leaf and became a model wife. But, circumstances conspired against her. Rodrigo, her first fiance, came in between her and Narciso. The happiness and peace of their home was crashed to bits as Rodrigo executed his dishonest designs. Corazon was forced by adverse twist of destiny; live with her former suitor, Rodrigo. 

She cannot forget her Lila, her daughter. She loves her dearly. After four years, she discovered that Lila has made a name as a singing actress. Lila will sing at the biggest theatre (Metropolitan) in the city. The performance was a huge success. But, Narciso stopped Corazon's attempt to meet her daughter to offer her a bouquet.

One day, Corazon tried to meet and talk to her daughter. She swore to Narciso that she would not reveal her identity to Lila. She posed as a reporter and requested an interview with the young actress. 

The two (mother and child) talked with each other. Corazon could hardly speak. Her heart throbbed with excessive joy. Lila told the reporter that her mother, died when she was still a baby. She was not even allowed by her father to visit her mother's grave. 

Corazon shot Rodrigo to death when he tried to tear off Lila’s picture. At last, Lila recognized her own mother in a train accident.

(The Tribune, March 17, 1940)

"Anghel na Tukso" (1940)

Salumbides Film Co., Ltd.

Release Date March 17, 1940/ Metropolitan Theater

Story Carlos Padilla, Nemesio Caravana

Direction Nemesio Caravana

Cast Amparo Karagdag, Carlos Padilla, with Dina Valle, Vilma Vides, Nemesio Caravana, Vicente Salumbides and others