"Danny Boy" (1969)
MANILA, Philippines — Veteran actor Jose Maria Rodriguez, widely known as Pepito, has passed away at the age of 83.
His family confirmed that the former matinee idol succumbed to pneumonia. Nephew Marco Yutuc shared on Facebook that Pepito died in the early hours of February 26 while hospitalized.
“We will miss you dearly, especially seeing you at our Rodriguez family reunions, Tito Pepito. We love you so much, and so do your loyal fans,” Yutuc wrote, remembering him as a gentleman who was soft-spoken, humble, and deeply compassionate toward others.
Pepito, who remained unmarried, was the brother of late veteran actor Ramil Rodriguez. Both were prominent talents of the now-defunct Sampaguita Pictures, appearing in numerous productions during the studio’s golden years.
The Rodriguez brothers were members of Sampaguita’s celebrated “Stars ’66” roster alongside Gina Pareño, Dindo Fernando, Loretta Marquez, Shirley Moreno, Bert Leroy Jr., and Rosemarie Sonora — Pepito’s frequent screen partner.
He was introduced in "Abaruray Abarinding" and later appeared in several "Bata" series--- "Batang Iskwater," "Mga Batang Milyonaryo," "Mga Batang Bakasyonista" and several others.
In 1969, the Sampaguita star won Best Supporting Actor at the Manila Film Festival for his performance in "Stop Look Listen." More recently, in 2024, he was honored with the Iconic Movie Actor of Philippine Cinema recognition by the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) in acknowledgment of his lasting contributions to Philippine cinema. (Internet source)
"Abaruray-Abarinding" (1963)
VP Pictures
Released thru VP Enterprises, Inc.
Release Date January 1, 1963
Story Jose Leonardo and Emmanuel Borlaza
Screenplay Emmanuel Borlaza
Music Constancio de Guzman
Direction Rosa Mia
Cast Susan Roces, Eddie Gutierrez, Daisy Romualdez, Tito Galla, Rosemarie, Dindo Fernando, Blanca Gomez/ Introducing Pepito Rodriguez
"Sweet Valentines"
VP Pictures
Released thru VP Enterprises, Inc.
Release Date February 8, 1963/ Life
Story and Screenplay Emmanuel Borlaza, Luciano B. Carlos, Ben Feleo, Danny Holmsen, Pepito Vera Perez, Chito Tapawan, Medy Tarnate
Music Danny Holmsen
Direction Tony Cayado, Conrado Conde, Rosa Mia, Octavio Silos, Carlos Vander Tolosa, Jose de Villa, Romy Villaflor
7 Stories
First Story:
"Some Enchanted Evening"
Cast Susan Roces and Eddie Gutierrez
Second Story:
"Secret Love"
Cast Jose Mari and Liberty Ilagan
Third Story:
"Prisoner of Love"
Cast Tito Galla and Josephine Estrada
Fourth Story:
"You Made Me Love You"
Cast Jean Lopez and Lito Legaspi
Fifth Story:
"Sinner or Saint"
Cast Rosemarie and Dindo Fernando
Sixth Story:
"When You Wish Upon a Star"
Cast Blanca Gomez and Pepito Rodriguez
Seventh Story:
"Too Young"
Cast Juvy Cachola and Bert LeRoy, Jr.
Co-starring Etang Discher, Tony dauden, Boy Alano, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, Jose Villafranca, Venchito Galvez, Hector Mallares, Naty Mallares
"Dance-O-Rama" (1963)
Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.
Release Date April 14, 1963/ Life
Based on the popular live show over DZTM-TV Channel 5
Story Jose Leonardo and Lynn S. Pareja
Screenplay Ben Feleo
Music Danny Holmsen
Choreography Mitos Seva
Direction Tony Cayado
Cast Susan Roces, Jose Mari/ Also Starring Rosemarie, Juvy Cachola, Dindo Fernando, Bert LeRoy, Jr., Blanca Gomez, Pepito Rodriguez and Meldy Corrales/ Co-starring Zeny Zabala, Mitos Seva, Boy Alano
"Sosayting Tindera" (1963)
VP Pictures
Released thru VP Enterprises, Inc.
Release Date April 30, 1963/ Life
Story and Screenplay Tina LOy
Music Nestor Robles
Direction Romy Villaflor
Cast Nida Blanca, Luis Gonzales, Blanca Gomez, Pepito Rodriguez/ Co-starring Venchito Galvez, Lillian Laing, Tina Loy
"Haliging Bato" (1963)
Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date July 23, 1963/ Life
Story Pablo S. Gomez
Serialized in Pilipino Komiks
Screenplay Luciano B. Carlos
Direction Conrado Conde
Cast Gloria Romero, Mario Montenegro, Barbara Perez and Eddie Garcia/ Also Starring Blanca Gomez, Pepito Rodriguez an Zeny Zabala/ with Ray Marcos, Tony Dauden, Matimtiman Cruz, Naty Mallares
"Ikaw at Ikaw Rin" (1963)
VP Pictures
Released thru VP Enterprises, Inc.
Release Date June 23, 1963/Life
Story Jose Leonardo and Emmanuel Borlaza
Screenplay Emmanuel Borlaza
Music Danny Holmsen
Directed by Tony Cayado
Cast Gloria Romero, Luis Gonzales/ Also Starring Rosemarie, Bert LeRoy, Jr., Juvy Cachola, Pepito Rodriguez, Blanca Gomez, Dindo Fernando
"Prinsipeng Tulisan" (1963)
VP Pictures
Release Date August 10- 19, 1963/ Life
Story Jose Miranda Cruz
Televised over Channel 3
Screenplay Chito Tapawan
Music Danny Holmsen
Direction Jose de Villa
Cast Josephine Estrada, Vic Vargas, Juvy Cachola, Bert LeRoy Jr., Blanca Gomez, Pepito Rodriguez and Eddie Garcia/ Co-Starring Charlie Davao, Noel Nolasco and Hector Mallares
"Ang Class Reunion" (1963)
Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.
Release Date August 30 to September 8, 1963/ Life
Story Jose Leonardo
Screenplay Medy Tarnate
Music Constancio de Guzman
Direction Rosa Mia
Cast Liberty Ilagan, Lito Legaspi, Rosemarie, Dindo Fernando, Juvy Cachola, Bert LeRoy, Jr., Blanca Gomez, Pepito Rodriguez and Fred Montilla & Paraluman/ Introducing Sarah Calvin, Loretta Marquez, Shirley Moreno/ with Boy Alano, Jose Morelos, Maria Victoria, German Moreno, Gina Pareno, Ely Roque, Naty Mallares, Isa Rino, Aring Bautista
"Mga Kwela sa Eskwela" (1963)
VP Pictures
Released thru VP Enterprises, Inc.
Release Date September 19-30, 1963/ Life
Story and Screenplay Emmanuel Borlaza
Music Danny Holmsen
Direction Octavio Silos
Cast Rosemarie, Juvy Cachola, Blanca Gomez, Dindo Fernando, Bert LeRoy, Jr., Pepito Rodriguez/ with Eddie Garcia (in a special participation)/ Co-starring Lillian Laing, Boy Alano, Meldy Corrales, Nori Dalisay, Rey and Rose Javier, Gina Pareno, German Moreno, Apolonio Rivera
"Sa Bawa't Lansangan" (1963)
Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.
Release Date November 17, 1963/ Life
Story Jose Leonardo and Chito Tapawan
Screenplay Chito Tapawan
Music Ariston Avelino
Direction Romy Villaflor
Cast Juancho Gutierrez, Marlene Dauden, Tito Galla, Liberty Ilagan, Naty Santiago, Juvy Cachola, Dindo Fernando, Bert LeRoy, Jr., Pepito Rodriguez and Rosa Mia/ Guest artists- Tony Cayado, Jose de Villa, Bella Flores, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia/ Featuring Boy ALno, Jose Morelos, Sarah Calvin, Loretta Marquez, Shirley Moreno, Gina Pareno, German Moreno, Apolonio Rivera, Jr./ Supported by Ven Medina, Nenita Navarro, Venchito Galvez, Nova Villa, Marcela Garcia
"Mga Batang Iskwater" (1964)
Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.
Release Date February 2, 1964/ Life
Story Jose Roberto
Screenplay Medy Tarnate
Choreography Rey and Rose Javier
Music Pastor de Jesus
Direction Tony Cayado
Cast Lito Legaspi, Rosemarie, Dindo Fernando, Juvy Cachola, Bert LeRoy, Jr., Blanca Gomez, Pepito Rodriguez, Meldy Corrales/ with the special participation of Jean Lopez/ Also Starring Boy Alano, Nori Dalisay, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, Amparo Lucas, German Moreno, Sarah Calvin, Jose Morelos, Loretta Marquez, Jun Dalit, Shirley Moreno, Jun Yuson, Gina Pareno, Boy Yatco, Rose Javier, Rey Javier
"Sa Bilis, Walang Kaparis" (1964)
Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date April 18- 27, 1964/ Life
Story Goyito Leonardo and Emmanuel Borlaza
Screenplay Emmanuel Borlaza
Music Danny Holmsen
Direction Jose de Villa
Cast Susan Roces, Vic Vargas and with the special participation of Lolita Rodriguez/ Also Starring Pepito Rodriguez, Bella Flores, Charlie Davao, Gina Pareno, Martin Marfil, Boy Alano, German Moreno/ Co-Starring Jose Morelos, Ray Marcos, Lillian Laing, Nori Dalisay, Matimtiman Cruz,, Tita Ampil, Jaime Javier, Willie Dado
More on the movie: click here
"Magkakapatid na Waray" (1964)
VP Pictures
Release Date April 8- 17, 1964/ Life
Story Pepito Vera Perez
Screenplay Bert R. Duenas, Jr.
Music Ariston Avelino
Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa
Cast Eddie Gutierrez, Tito Galla, Lito Legaspi, Dindo Fernando, Bert LeRoy, Jr., and Rosemarie/ Also Starring Blanca Gomez, Pepito Rodriguez, Naty Santiago, Rosa Mia/ Supported by Boy Alano, Jose Morelos, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, German Moreno, Amparo Lucas, Totoy Torrente, Jaime Javier, Willie Dado, Naty Mallares
Screenplay Bert R. Duenas, Jr.
Music Ariston Avelino
Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa
Cast Eddie Gutierrez, Tito Galla, Lito Legaspi, Dindo Fernando, Bert LeRoy, Jr., and Rosemarie/ Also Starring Blanca Gomez, Pepito Rodriguez, Naty Santiago, Rosa Mia/ Supported by Boy Alano, Jose Morelos, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, German Moreno, Amparo Lucas, Totoy Torrente, Jaime Javier, Willie Dado, Naty Mallares
'Mga Batang Bakasyonista" (1964)
VP Pictures
Release Date April 28, 1964/ Life
Story Jose Antonio and Lynn S. Pareja
Screenplay Medy Tarnate
Music Danny Holmsen
Direction Octavio Silos
Cast The Girls: Rosemarie, Blanca Gomez, Gina Pareno, Shirley Moreno, Meldy Corrales, Amparo Lucas, Sarah Calvin, Loretta Marquez/ The Boys: Lito Legaspi, Dindo Fernando, Bert LeRoy, Jr., Pepito Rodriguez, Boy Alano, Jose Morelos, German Moreno, Romeo Rivera/ and the special participation of Jean Lopez/ Co-starring Tony Dauden, Rey and Rose Javier, Jose Villafranca, Cora Maceda, Nena Perez Rubio, Dory Sobrevilla and the Paulettes
"Mga Batang Milyonaryo" (1964)
VP Pictures
Release Date June 20, 1964/ Life
Story Jose Leonardo, Lynn Pareja
Screenplay Luciano B. Carlos
Music Danny Holmsen
Direction Octavio Silos
Cast Rosemarie, Lito Legaspi, Blanca Gomez, Dindo Fernando, Bert LeRoy, Jr., Pepito Rodriguez, Meldy Corrales, Loretta Marquez, Gina Pareno, Shirley Moreno, Boy Alano, German Moreno/ with the special participation of Jean Lopez/ Also Starring Nori Dalisay, Amparo Lucas, Sarah Calvin, Boy Planas, Romeo Rivera, Boy Yatco/ Co-Starring Tony Dauden, Lillian Laing, Jose Morelos, Ray Marcos
"Jukebox Jamboree" (1964)
VP Pictures
Release Date July 17, 1964/ Life
Story Jose Leonardo
Music Danny Holmsen
Screenplay and Direction Luciano B. Carlos
Cast Gloria Romero, Luis Gonzales, Susan Roces, Eddie Gutierrez, Liberty Ilagan, Josephine Estrada, Rosemarie, Bert Leroy, Jr., Dindo Fernando, Blanca Gomez, Pepito Rodriguez, Ramil Rodriguez, Gina Pareno, Boy Alano, Meldy Corrales, Elizabeth Ramsey, German Moreno, Daisy Romualdez,
"Mga Batang Artista" (1964)
Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.
Release Date August 16, 1964/ Life
Story Chona Leonardo, Manolo Hombrebueno
Screenplay and Associate Direction Emmanuel Borlaza
Choreography Rally Calvo/ Assisted by Bert LeRoy, Jr.
Music Danny Holmsen
Direction Octavio Silos
Cast Rosemarie, Lito Legaspi, Jean Lopez, Bert LeRoy, Jr., Blanca Gomez, Dindo Fernando, Cynthia Ugalde, Manding Claro, Pepito Rodriguez, Gina Pareno, Sarah Calvin, Loretta Marquez, Boy Alano, German Moreno, Shirley Moreno, Edgar Salcedo, Nori Dalisay, Boy Planas, Romeo Rivera/ Co-Starring Lillian Laing, Tony dauden, Ven Medina/ Supported by Boy Yatco, Aring bautista, Naty Mallares, Herminia Carranza
"Fighting Warays sa Ilokos" (1964)
Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.
Release Date September 15, 1964/ Life
Story Jose Leonardo
Screenplay Manolo Hombrebueno
Music Pastor de Jesus
Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa
Cast Gloria Romero, Eddie Gutierrez, Rosemarie, Bert LeRoy, Jr., Boy Alano, German Moreno/ Also Starring Liberty Ilagan, Pepito Rodriguez, Gina Pareno/ with Luis Gonzales (in a special participation)/ Co-starring Jose Morelos, Venchito Galvez, Romeo Rivera, Marcela Garcia, Willie Dado/ Featuring Suzette Speis/ Guest stars Lito Legaspi, Rosa Mia
"Mga Bata ng Lagim" (1964)
VP Pictures
Release Date September 25, 1964/ Life
Story Goyito Leonardo, Luciano B. Carlos
Screenplay Medy Tarnate, Dionisio Galang
Music Danny Holmsen
Direction Mar S. Torres
Cast Rosemarie, Dindo Fernando, Blanca Gomez, Bert LeRoy, Jr., Gina Pareno, Pepito Rodriguez, Shirley Moreno, Loretta Marquez, Boy Alano, German Moreno, Edgar Santiago, Nori Dalisay, Sarah Calvin, Boy Planas, Liana Ghigliotti/ Also starring Chichay/ Supported by Matimtiman Cruz, Herminia Carranza, Cora Maceda, Aring Bautista, Isa Rino, Marcela Garcia/ with Jose Morelos, Hector Mallares, Jaime Javier, Venchito Galvez, Santiago Duenas, Fausto Tolentino, Boy Tuason
"The Dolly Sisters" (1964)
VP Pictures
Release Date November 14, 1964/ Life
Story Jose Leonardo, Lynn S. Pareja
Screenplay Manolo Hombrebueno
Music Danny Holmsen
Direction Carlos Vander Tolosa
Cast Susan Roces, Rosemarie, Pepito Rodriguez, Ramil Rodriguez and Miss Carmen Rosales/ Also starring Bella Flores, Etang Discher and Ven Medina
"Show of Shows" (1964)
Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date December 5- 15, 1964/ Life
Story Greg Leonardo, Luciano B. Carlos
Screenplay Luciano B. Carlos
Music Danny Holmsen
Coordinating Director Luciano B. Carlos
Direction Rosa Mia
Cast Gloria Romero, Luis Gonzales, Daisy Romualdez, Rosemarie, Bert LeRoy, Jr., Paolo Rocco/ Featuring top stars in cameo roles- Miss Carmen Rosales, Pilita Corrales, Josephine Estrada, Liberty Ilagan, Lito Legaspi, Dindo Fernando, Blanca Gomez, Gina Pareno, Pepito Rodriguez, Ramil Rodriguez, Boy Alano, German Moreno, Shirley Moreno, Sarah Calvin, Loretta Marquez, Nori Dalisay, Edgar Salcedo, Pepito Vera Perez, Bella Flores, Chichay, Panchito, Aruray
"Umibig ay Di Biro" (1964)
VP Pictures
Release Date December 1964/ Life
Story and Screenplay Luciano B. Carlos, Bert Duenas, Jr., Dionisio Galang, Marichu Perez Maceda, Lynn S. Pareja, Chito B. Tapawan, Medy Tarnate
Music Danny Holmsen
Direction Emmanuel Borlaza, Luciano B. Carlos, Conrado Conde, Rosa Mia, Octavio Silos, Carlos Vander Tolosa, Romy Villaflor
Cast Liberty Ilagan and Lito Legaspi; Josephine Estrada and Ramil Rodriguez; Luz Valdez and Robert Campos; Jean Lopez and Tito Galla; Rosemarie and Pepito Rodriguez; Blanca Gomez and Dindo Fernando; Gina Pareno and Bert LeRoy, Jr./ Also Starring Boy Alano, German Moreno, Etang Discher, Lillian laing, Matimtiman Cruz, Jose Morelos, Venchito Galvez, Ven Medina, Romeo Rivera, Renato del Prado and other surprise guest stars
"Mga Reynang Engkantada" (1965)
VP Pictures
Release Date March 26, 1965/ Life
Story Jose Leonardo & Associates
Screenplay Chito Tapawan
Music Dick Zamora
Direction Artemio Marquez
Cast Susan Roces, Rosemarie, Pepito Rodriguez, Ramil Rodriguez/ Also starring Boy Alano, German Moreno, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia/ Introducing Rey Tomenes/ Co-starring Etang Discher, Renato del Prado, Cora Maceda, Nena Perez Rubio, Lillian Laing, Ven Medina, Venchito Galvez, Jaime Javier Willie Dado, Eddie Torrente and a cast of thousand
---click images to enlarge---
"Babaing Hudas" (1965)
Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.
Release Date April 20, 1965/ Life
Story Dr. Fausto J. Galauran
Serialized in Liwayway Magazine
Screenplay Emmanuel H. Borlaza
Music Ariston Avelino
Direction Jose de Villa
Cast Luis Gonzales, Blanca Gomez, Pepito Rodriguez, Loretta Marquez, Rosa Mia and Lolita Rodriguez (in the title role)/ Co-starring Ven Medina, Tony Dauden, Romeo Rivera, Isa Rino, Lucy Johnson, Jose Villafranca, Pablo Raymundo
"Mga Batang Turista" (1965)
Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date May 1, 1965/ Life
Story Jose Leonardo & Associates
Screenplay Luciano B. Carlos
Music Danny Holmsen
Associate Director Emmanuel Borlaza
Direction Octavio Silos
Cast (The Girls) Rosemarie, Blanca Gomez, Gina Pareno, Shirley Moreno, Nori Dalisay, Sarah Calvin and Jean Lopez/ (The Boys) Pepito Rodriguez, Ramil Rodriguez, Edgar Salcedo, Boy Alano, German Moreno/ Co-starring Jose Morelos, Romeo Rivera, Aring Bautista, Alex Soneja
"Inday, Palalayasin Kita!" (1965)
United Brothers Productions
Released thru VP Enterprises, Inc.
Release Date May 11, 1965/ Life
Music Restie Umali
Story, Screenplay and Direction Artemio Marquez
Cast Rosemarie (in a dual role), Pepito Rodriguez, Ramil Rodriguez, Loretta Marquez, Pepito Vera-Perez, German Moreno/ Introducing Teresita Sonora/ Co-starring Nenita Navarro, Ven Medina/ with the special participation of Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia
"Rosalie" (1965)
Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date August 17, 1965/ Life
Serialized in Liwayway Magazine
Story Pablo S. Gomez
Screenplay Medy Tarnate
Music Pastor de Jesus
Direction Luciano B. Carlos
Cast Rosemarie (in a dual role), Bert LeRoy, Jr., Pepito Rodriguez/ Also Starring Boy Alano, German Moreno, Shirley Moreno/ Co-starring Ven Medina, Matimtiman Cruz, Rey Tomenes, Naty Mallares, Aring Bautista and Maria Victoria/ with Dino Tuazon, Henry Stevens
Screen Stardom/ August 1965
"Alaala ng Lumipas" (1965)
Sampaguita Pictures, Inc.
Release Date May 23, 1965/ Life
Story Erlinda Mijares, Rosario Gonzales
Screenplay Emmanuel Borlaza
Music Restie Umali
Direction Mar S. Torres
Cast Gloria Romero, Ric Rodrigo, Lolita Rodriguez, Rosemarie, Pepito Rodriguez/ With the special participation of Rosa Mia/ Co-starring Maria Victoria, Matimtiman Cruz/ with Aring Bautista, Naty Mallares, Nelson Miralles
"Papa Um Mamaw" (1965)
VP Pictures
Release Date November 27, 1965/ Life
Story Jose Leonardo, Nap Cevilla
Screenplay Manolo Hombrebueno
Music Restie Umali
Direction Jose de Villa
Cast Rosemarie, Blanca Gomez, Gina Pareno, Bert LeRoy, Jr., Pepito Rodriguez, Edgar Salcedo and Ric Rodrigo (in a very special role)/ with Miss Pilita Corrales/ ALso Starring Boy Alnano, German Moreno and Lillian Laing
1965: The most popular reel (and real) brother-team in local movies today is that of Pepito and Ramil Rodriguez. Coming from well-to-do families, this duo finds the movie world of entertainment so fascinating that they are willing to forgo the easy-going pleasures of life that is theirs for the asking in exchange for the rigorous and tasking work that picture-making entails. With such drive and ambition there is no doubt that these brothers, who have actually made the grade, will reach higher heights in this- their chosen profession.
Source: Spotlight on Show business/ 1965
