THE FIFTIES # 326: ARMANDO GOYENA, CECILIA LOPEZ, WITH JOHNNY REYES, OSCAR KEESEE, JOSEPH DE CORDOVA, OSCAR OBLIGACION IN "ANAK NG BERDUGO" (1955)/ UPDATED

"Anak ng Berdugo" (1955)

LVN Pictures

Release Date December 11-22, 1955/ Dalisay

Story Susana C. de Guzman

Serialized in Romansa Komiks

Music F. Buencamino, Jr.

Direction Richard Abelardo

Cast Armando Goyena, Cecilia Lopez, Johnny Reyes, Oscar Keese, Joseph de Cordova, Oscar Obligacion, Dan Mensinas, Jose Vergara, Nela Alvarez, Leonora Ruiz, Sim Pajarillo

THE FIFTIES # 286: MARIO MONTENEGRO, CECILIA LOPEZ, MILAGROS NAVAL, BAYANI CASIMIRO, JOSE TRONI, LUDY CARMONA, PRISCILLA RAMIREZ, NELIA ALVAREZ IN "MARIANG SINUKUAN" (1955)/ UPDATED

 

"Mariang Sinukuan" (1955)

LVN Pictures

Release Date May 25- June 3, 1955/ Dalisay

Story Narciso Asistio

Music F. Buencamino, Jr.

Direction Richard Abelardo

Cast Mario Montenegro, Cecilia Lopez, Milagros Naval, Bayani Casimiro, Jose Troni, Ludy Carmona, Priscilla Ramirez, Nelia Alvarez, Mario Roldan, Tino garcia, Loida Morales, Jerry Reyes, Vic Cabrera/ Introducing Angel Castillo

THE FIFTIES # 205: TESSIE QUINTANA, TEODY BELARMINO, WITH GIL DE LEON, EUSEBIO GOMEZ, NELA ALVAREZ, OSCAR OBLIGACION, MINING ALVAREZ IN RICHARD ABELARDO'S KRUS NA BAKAL" (1954)/ UPDATED

"Krus na Bakal" (1954)
LVN Pictures
Release Date May 20-29, 1954/ Dalisay
Story E. Vianzon Ranola
Music F.Buencamino, Jr.
Direction Richard Abelardo
Cast Tessie Quintana, Teody Belarmino, Gil de Leon, Eusebio Gomez, Nela ALvarez, Oscar Obligacion, Miniong Alvarez

Synopsis: Dr. Mascardo discovers a potion which would change his appearance to that of a young man who soon becomes known in the town as Antenor. No one shares the Doctor's secret, although his pretty daughter, Gloria (Tessie Quintana), is troubled by her father's strange behavior when he is out of his Laboratory where he spends most of the time.

When Nestor (Teody Belarmino) pays a visit to Gloria and is met by Dr. Mascardo, the doctor gets furious, tries to hurt the young man who has to retaliate in self-defense. Nestor’s parents, Tasio and Anday, explain that the doctor’s hatred for Nestor" is due to Anday’s refusal to marry him when both were young. Anday fears for her son, but Tasio assures them that nothing would happen.

Another encounter takes place between Nestor and the doctor when the latter surprises the young lover in a tryst, and Nestor gets wounded. Tasio goes to the doctor’s house for retaliation, but is met on the way by Antenor who picks up a quarrel with Tasio and is wounded. Antenor gets hold of Igme’s bolo, and slays Tasio. The clues point out to Dr. Mascardo as having something to do with the crime, but in the absence of proofs, the authorities can not touch him.

Meanwhile, Antenor has disappeared. Dr. Mascardo becomes nice to the young lover, after the incident, and renews his previous courtship with the now widowed Anday. But there is something in the ways of the doctor which makes her feel strongly he is the murderer of her late husband, and as he is about to approach her, she shrieks for help, and in comes Igme, the househelp, who grabs the doctor by the ar,s, tearing away his shirt sleeves. The doctor becomes frantic as the scar in his arm is exposed--- in the very place where Antenor got wounded by Tasio. Dr. Mascardo rushes home where he attempts to kill Nestor who is warned on time by the shouts of Gloria. Nestor gives chase, ut as he enters the laboratory, acids are spilled around, and a table is set aflame, burning the clothes of the doctor who jumps through the window unto his death.

(Source: Literary Song-Movie Magazine)

THE FIFTIES # 115: JAIME DE LA ROSA, DELIA RAZON, WITH ALFONSO CARVAJAL, FRANK GORDON, ROSA AGUIRRE, GIL DE LEON, MARIA CRISTINA, MIGUEL LOPEZ, ARTURO MORAN, MARIA NORMA MENDOZA IN "TAONG PANIKI" (1952)/ UPDATED

"Taong Paniki" (1952)

LVN Pictures

Release Date October 17-26, 1956/ Dalisay

Music Josefino Cenzal

Direction Richard Abelardo

Cast Jaime de la Rosa, Delia Razon, Alfonso Carvajal, Frank Gordon, Rosa Aguirre, Gil de Leon, Maria Cristina, Miguel Lopez, Arturo Moran, Maria Norma Mendoza

THE FIFTIES # 93: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, LILIA DIZON, WITH JOSE VERGARA, VEN MEDINA, JOSE CORAZON DE JESUS, ELENA ACOSTA IN "HARING COBRA" (1951)/ UPDATED

Screen legend Rogelio dela Rosa played dual role in this exciting costume movie, as Felipe, a shipyard stevedore and as Haring Cobra, the deposed king. The scheming Haring Cobra hired the services of Felipe, his look-a-like, to double for him and devised a plan to reclaim his throne. Director Richard Abelardo, known for his terrific and superb camera works and visual effects, was able to put the two characters in a single frame perfectly. One wonders how he did it given the crude movie equipments he had during that time.

Haring Cobra" (1951)
LVN Pictures
Release Date November 17- 26, 1951/ Life
Story Jose L. Santos
Direction Richard Abelardo
Cast Rogelio dela Rosa, Lilia Dizon, Jose Vergara, Ven Medina, Jose Corazon de Jesus, Elena Acosta

The Story--- While working in a shipyard in Jolo, Felipe (Rogelio dela Rosa) is coerced by two henchmen of a deposed monarch, Haring Cobra, to accept a twofold mission - to impersonate him and kill the present usurper to the throne, his cousin, Rahmed (Jose Vergara) and thus stop the forthcoming marriage of Rahmed and the lovely Amahda (Lilia Dizon). In a short flashback, Haring Cobra relates the events that led to his overthrow - how he was betrayed by Rahmed and together with his loyal aides, set upon a raft and left to drift aimlessly at sea; how he lost his right arm and instead of a hand, now has grotesque sharp steel claws (see clip below).

Courtesy of LVN Pictures

The adventurer Felipe is intrigued by the prospects of a huge reward, and the chance of meeting Amahda. He receives a thorough training in impersonating Haring Cobra, including the trademark smirk that the deposed King is famous for. Arriving at this Balinese-type island not far from Jolo, Felipe, now as Haring Cobra, is smitten by the beautiful Amahda, who also feels an attraction to a man she knows to be an impostor.

Rahmed is also in love with Amahda, and wishes to make her his queen, but Felipe (as Haring Cobra), upon meeting Rahmed, is told another version of events that led to Haring Cobra's overthrow. Haring Cobra was the usurper, who grabbed power from his own father, Razul, and killed him. But only Haring Cobra knows that Razul is not dead, but locked up in the ruins of an ancient temple. Felipe is confused by the turn of events, but nevertheless engages Rahmed in a swordfight.

In the meanwhile, the real Haring Cobra arrives in the kingdom, and orders the murder of his own father. His men seize the palace, and Rahmed is killed. Haring Cobra's success is complete, save for one thing. One of his henchmen, Asaad (Ven Medina), reveals to the ruthless King that Felipe and Amahda are in love and plan to run away. The enraged Haring Cobra pursues them and is about to kill them when he himself is gunned down - by his own father, Razul, who managed to escape from his temple-prison. Felipe and Amahda finally leave the island, and Razul regains his throne.(Sypnosis: From Kabayan Central- LVN)

Courtesy of LVN Pictures








(Stills: LVN Pictures)

THE FIFTIES # 63: JAIME DE LA ROSA, DELIA RAZON, WITH BEN RUBIO, LILA LUNA IN "SHALIMAR" (1951)/ UPDATED

"Shalimar"
LVN Pictures, Inc.
Release Date August 25- September 3, 1951/ Rialto
Music Quin Velasco
Direction Richard Abelardo
Cast Jaime de la Rosa, Delia Razon, Ben Rubio, Lila Luna

THE FIFTIES # 46: PUGO & TOGO, WITH TONY SANTOS, LILA LUNA IN RICHARD ABELARDO'S "DOKTOR X" (1950)/ UPDATED

"Doctor X"
LVN Pictures
Release Date September 21- 30, 1950/ Dalisay
Direction Richard Abelardo
Cast Pugo and Togo, Tony Santos, Lila Luna

THE FIFTIES # 32: MILA DEL SOL, JAIME DE LA ROSA, WITHGIL DE LEON, EUSEBIO GOMEZ, LILA LUNA, JOSE CRIS SOTO, PAMBOY, ENGRACIO IBARRA, JUSTINA DAVID, FLORENTINO BALLECER IN "NUNO SA PUNSO" (1950)/ UPDATED

"Nuno sa Punso"
LVN Pictures
Release Date: April 26, 1950/ Life
Direction Richard Abelardo
Cast Mila del Sol, Jaime de la Rosa, Gil de Leon, Eusebio Gomez, Lila Luna, Jose Cris Soto, Pamboy, Engracio Ibarra, Justina David, Florentino Ballecer, Tony Dantes, Jose de Castro, Jr., Amandita Llave

THE FIFTIES # 54: JOSE PADILLA, JR., REBECCA GONZALES, DELIA RAZON, TEODY BELARMINO IN "MUTYA NG PASIG" (1950): A FILM BY RICHARD ABELARDO/ Re-uploaded

Mutya ng Pasig, directed by Richard Abelardo, is a supernatural melodrama of a woman's misfortune and suffering interwoven with the legend of the Pasig. The legend itself is inspired by the immortal kundiman of the director's brother, Nicanor Abelardo. The movie, released in 1950, starred screen legends Jose Padilla, Jr., Rebecca Gonzales, Teody Belarmino and Delia Razon.

Mercedes (Rebecca Gonzales), aside from being the town's current mutya (fiesta queen), is about to be married to his childhood sweetheart. (Roger Nite). Unknown to them, Dr. Modesto Millar (Jose Padilla Jr.), is also secretly in love with Mercedes. One night, Modesto's house is robbed and the blame is placed on Mercedes' groom-to-be. He is arrested and imprisoned after which Modesto courts Mercedes and eventually marries her. When the former fiancé is finally released, gossip spreads about him and Mercedes.

Consumed by anger and jealousy and believing the superstitious talk that the baby girl is not his because of an ugly birthmark, he banishes Mercedes and the child, chased by his monstrous dog, and she drowns in the river. From that point on, a legend spreads about a woman, a sirena, haunting the river singing a sad but beautiful song.

Mercedes' daughter is saved by a childlesss couple (Tolindoy and Angge) and grows into a lovely woman (Delia Razon) inheriting her mother's love for music. She is betrothed to Basilio (Teody Belarmino), the son of Mercedes' former flame. When Delia becomes the town's mutya, a commotion ensues and in the dead of night, she takes a banca and ventures into the dark river. Basilio is frantic and searches for her, believing she may have drowned.

He hears the haunting song and witnesses the apparition, but it is no sirena, but the ghost of the lovely Mercedes, hovering over a bed of water lilies with the practically lifeless body of her daughter at her feet. Mercedes is singing the haunting kundiman "… ako ang Mutya ng Pasig…"

The townspeople take the unconscious Delia to Don Modesto but at first he refuses to treat the young woman until he sees the birthmark on the young woman's shoulder. He finally realizes the truth and finally accepts Delia as his daughter.
(Stills and synopsis- from LVN-Kabayan Central site)

Here's the movie's final 10 minutes---

Courtesy of LVN Pictures

POST-WAR TAGALOG MOVIES # 60: JAIME DE LA ROSA, LILIA DIZON, LILIAN VELEZ, WITH CECILIO JOAQUIN, GIL DE LEON, FRED DE LARA, JOSE DE CORDOVA IN "ENKANTADA (SA MAHIWAGANG PULO)" (1948)/ UPDATED

"Enkantada (Sa Mahiwagang Pulo)" (1948)
LVN Pictures
Release Date July 23, 1948/Dalisay
Story and Screenplay Hernando R. Ocampo
Direction Richard Abelardo

Cast Jaime de la Rosa, Lilia Dizon, Lilian Velez, Cecilio Joaquin, Gil de Leon, Fred de Lara, Jose de Cordova, Fred Gonzalez, Inday Jalandoni, Juan Urbano, Tony Dantis, Ramon Tello Jr. and Bayani Casimiro and Tony Navarro

Jaime de la Rosa and Lilian Velez

THE SIXTIES # 932: GLORIA ROMERO, VAN DE LEON, BELLA FLORES, MATIMATIMAN CRUZ, MENCHU MORELLI AND JING ABALOS, ROGER CALVIN WITH MARIFI IN THE TITLE RILE OF "MIRANDA: ANG LAGALAG NA SIRENA" (1966)

"Miranda: Ang Lagalag na Sirena" (1966)

Lea Productions

Release Date September 26, 1966/ Dalisay

Serialized in Universal Komiks

Story Pablo S. Gomez

Screenplay Maria Saret

Music Tony Maiquez

Direction Richard Abelardo

Cast Gloria Romero, Van de Leon, Bella Flores, Matimtiman Cruz, Menchu Morelli and Jing Abalos and Roger Calvin, with Marifi (in the title role)/ Special performances- Etang Discher, Venchito Galvez, Caridad Sanchez, Fred Param

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

THE SIXTIES # 708: VON SERNA (IN THE TITLE ROLE), LYN D'AMOUR, BELLA FLORES, MARTIN MARFIL, MALONY ANTONIO AND NANCY WEBER IN MARS RAVELO'S "LASTIK MAN" (1965)

Lastik Man, a Mars Ravelo creation, was first serialized in Aliwan Komiks in 1964. Based and patterned from the original DC comics superhero, Plastic Man, Lastik Man can also stretch, transform and reshape whatever or any imaginable forms and shapes he desires.

It was adapted into the big screen for the first time in 1965 with Von Serna in the title role.

"Lastik Man" (1965)

Vonabille Productions

Released thru Luzon Productions

Release Date August 5, 1965/ Main

Serialized in Aliwan Komiks

Story Mars Ravelo

Screenplay and Direction Richard Abelardo

Cast Von Serna (in the title role), Lyn D'Amour, Bella Flores, Martin Marfil, Matimtiman Cruz, Malony Antonio, Rod Evans, Boy Pangilinan, Flor Bien, Ike Jarlego, Jr., Sylvio Ramiro and Nancy Weber/ Introducing Robert Ravel/ Guest stars- Jose Vergara, Salvador Zaragosa

Aliwan Komiks/ December 7, 1964 issue

THE SIXTIES # 222: EDDIE ARENAS, LINA CARINO, OSCAR OBLIGACION AND BENTOT IN "IN THIS CORNER" (1962)

"In This Corner" (1962)

MML Productions

Release Date May 3, 1962/ Galaxy

Music Joe Climaco

Direction Richard Abelardo

Cast Eddie Arenas, Lina Carino, Oscar Obligacion and Bentot/ Co-starring Rolando Liwanag, Miniong Alvarez, Paquito Salcedo, Novie Estrella, Eva Vega, Oscar Frazenda, Tony Samonte, C. Cruz/ Introducing Robert Dean/ Guest Star Elizabeth Ramsey

THE SIXTIES # 7: NORMA BLANCAFLOR, CELIA FUENTES, JESUS 'OG' RAMOS, LINDA MADRID, JESS MEDINA AND VON SERNA IN RICHARD ABELARDO'S "KAMBAL SA SINUKUAN" (1960)

"Kambal sa Sinukuan" (1960)

Everlasting Pictures, Inc.

Release Date January 28- February 3, 1960/ Center

Story Nemesio E. Caravana

Serialized in Ilang-Ilang Magazine

Screenplay Johnny Legarda

Music Tito Arevalo

Direction Ricahrd Abelardo

Cast Norma Blancaflor, Celia Fuentes, Jesus 'Og' Ramos, Linda Madrid, Jess Medina and Von Serna/ with Lydia Resma, Jerry Lopez, Bruno Punzalan, Pedro Faustino, Leonor Ruiz, Johnny Long, Luciano Lazam, Blackie Francisco, Pareng-Pareng, Andres Albo, Frankie Munio, SOS Daredevils and Flor Bien/ Featuring Mario Escudero, Nora Nunez/ Introducing Doris Estrella

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DIRECTOR RICHARD ABELARDO: WIZARD OF THE CAMERA by JOSE A. QUIRINO/ 1958

One of the most spectacular scenes in Cecil B. de Mille’s immortal “The Ten Commandments” was the parting of the Red Sea to allow the people of Moses to escape the cruel Egyptians. De Mille reportedly spent over a million dollars to film this single sequence of the expensive film.

Here in the Philippines we have a movie director who also divided a sea and created the same illusion as De Mille’s screen magic. But while Hollywood’s greatest showman spent a million dollars to do the trick, Richard Abelardo, a dusky 56-year old megman of LVN Pictures, duplicated the wizadry despite limited funds and inferior equipment. Abelardo performed De Mille’s trick in “Tungkod ni Moises,” a picture directed by Manuel “Sano” Silos which was released years ago. This means that Abelardo did the trick before De Mille. 

...to continue reading, click image below---

see: Richard Abelardo: Visual Effects Man Par Excellence
       More on Richard Abelardo: Pioneering F/X Wizard and Film Director