THE FIFTIES # 106: TITA DURAN AND PANCHO MAGALONA/ WITH RUDY FRANCISCO, CHICHAY, TOLINDOY, SYLVIA LA TORRE, LEONORA RUIZ IN MARS RAVELO'S "BUHAY PILIPINO" (1952)/ UPDATED

"Buhay Pilipino" (1952)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date July 4, 1952/ Life Theater
Music Pastor de Jesus and Tirso Cruz and his Manila Hotel Orchestra

Direction Olive La Torre

Cast Tita Duran, Pancho Magalona, Rudy Francisco/ Also Starring Chichay, Tolindoy, Aruray, Sylvia La Torre and Leonora Ruiz/ Supported by an All-Star Cast

RIP, RUDY FRANCISCO, 96

Rudy Francisco, the actor who played the beloved, forgetful grandfather of Karen and Gina in a McDonald’s iconic and heart-warming 90’s commercial, "Karen Po," passed away on Wednesday, May 8 at the age of 96.  

In the said commercial, Lolo Rudy kept calling Karen "Gina" instead of her real name. "Saan ka ba galing, Gina?" Lolo Rudy asks in the commercial, to which Karen replies, "'Lo, Karen po!" When Karen appears irked by Lolo Rudy calling her Gina, the elderly man slices his burger in half and says the other half will go to her favorite granddaughter. "Ito, sa paborito kong apo, si Karen," he says.The commercial had touched the hearts of millions of viewers 

Francisco, a Sampaguita Pictures contract star had a brief movie stint in the 50s. He quit and decided to to pursue law.

"Buhay Pilipino" (1952)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date July 4, 1952/ Life Theater
Music Pastor de Jesus and Tirso Cruz and his Manila Hotel Orchestra

Direction Olive La Torre

Cast Tita Duran, Pancho Magalona, Rudy Francisco/ Also Starring Chichay, Tolindoy, Aruray, Sylvia La Torre and Leonora Ruiz/ Supported by an All-Star Cast

"Binibining Kalog" (1955)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date October 2-11, 1955/ Dalisay

Music Prof. Rodolfo Cornejo, Jr.

Direction Octavio Silos

Cast Ramon Revilla, Lolita Rodriguez, Rudy Francisco, Rosa Mia, Tolindoy, Manolo Noble, Rod Navarro, Zeny Zabala, Ben Johnson, Precy Ortega/ Introducing Nelly Baylon

"Pampanggenya" (1956)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date August 22-31, 1956/ Life

Story Caravana and Laudico

Serialized in Liwayway Magazine

Music Constancio C. de Guzman

Direction Jose de Villa

Cast Rogelio de la Rosa, Linda Estrella, Rudy Francisco, Barbara Perez, Panchito Alaba, Nori Dalisay, Justiba David, Ben Johnson, Vic Guevarra, Marcela Garcia, Apolonia Aguilar 

 "Busabos" (1957)

Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date September 26- October 5, 1957/ Life
Screenplay Tommy David
Music Danny Holmsen
Story Pablo S. Gomez
Serialized in Hiwaga Komiks
Cast Lolita Rodriguez, Eddie Arenas, Rudy Francisco, Etang Discher, Daisy Romualdez, Chichay, Etang Discher, Bella Flores, Pablo Guevarra, Manolo Noble, Isa Rino, Jose Villafranca

THE FIFTIES # 468: LOLITA RODRIGUEZ, EDDIE ARENAS, RUDY FRANCISCO, DAISY ROMUALDEZ IN PABLO S. GOMEZ' "BUSABOS" (1956-57): KOMIKS SERIAL AND MOVIE ADAPTATION/ Re-posted

 "Busabos" (1957)

Sampaguita Pictures
Release Date September 26- October 5, 1957/ Life
Screenplay Tommy David
Music Danny Holmsen
Story Pablo S. Gomez
Serialized in Hiwaga Komiks
Cast Lolita Rodriguez, Eddie Arenas, Rudy Francisco, Etang Discher, Daisy Romualdez, Chichay, Etang Discher, Bella Flores, Pablo Guevarra, Manolo Noble, Isa Rino, Jose Villafranca

Based from the novel by prolific writer, Pablo S. Gomez, comes this engrossing movie, “Busabos,” which tells of a woman’s undying and enduring love for a man.
Elvira (Lolita Rodriguez) grew up under the care of her overprotective and strict mother, Aling Binday (Etang Discher in her award-winning performance). With Elvira’s stunning beauty and gifted singing voice, Aling Binday had good plans for her. She gave her all the amenities, luxuries and comforts in life--- nice dresses, good education, etc. However, when she learned of Elvira having a boyfriend, it devastated her completely.
Knowing that her good plan for Elvira was in jeopardy, Aling Binday devised a wicked and drastic action. She told Armando (Eddie Arenas), Elvira’s boyfriend, a big lie, that Elvira had a “dark past”--- she was a ‘disgrasyada.’ Elvira and Armando separated; an ugly confrontation between the mother and daughter occurred (see film clip 1 below). Elvira left home in haste, her good name and character shattered. She went to Armando but was rejected.

Courtesy of Sampaguita Pictures
 

Though shamed, humiliated and dejected, Elvira hoped that someday her honor and dignity will be restored and her name be vindicated. It was her unwavering love for Armando that kept her spirit going. In the end, Elvira won the battle. (see clip 2)

Courtesy of Sampaguita Pictures
 

"Busabos"- Nobela ni Pablo S. Gomez/ Guhit ni Jesse Santos/
Hiwaga Komiks/ Hulyo 25, 1956

click images to enlarge

Komiks materials-
From Steve Santos Collection

THE FIFTIES # 380: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, LINDA ESTRELLA, RUDY FRANCISCO, BARBARA PEREZ IN "PAMPANGGENYA" (1956)

"Pampanggenya" (1956)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date August 22-31, 1956/ Life

Story Caravana and Laudico

Serialized in Liwayway Magazine

Music Constancio C. de Guzman

Direction Jose de Villa

Cast Rogelio de la Rosa, Linda Estrella, Rudy Francisco, Barbara Perez, Panchito Alaba, Nori Dalisay, Justiba David, Ben Johnson, Vic Guevarra, Marcela Garcia, Apolonia Aguilar 

THE FIFTIES # 313: RAMON REVILLA, LOLITA RODRIGUEZ, RUDY FRANCISCO IN "BINIBINING KALOG" (1955)

"Binibining Kalog" (1955)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date October 2-11, 1955/ Dalisay

Music Prof. Rodolfo Cornejo, Jr.

Direction Octavio Silos

Cast Ramon Revilla, Lolita Rodriguez, Rudy Francisco, Rosa Mia, Tolindoy, Manolo Noble, Rod Navarro, Zeny Zabala, Ben Johnson, Precy Ortega/ Introducing Nelly Baylon