HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIE!

She would have turned 42 years old today

see: Julie Vega Remembered/
My Photo Session with Julie Vega

JULY 2, 1971: GAS, OIL PRICES UP 10 PERCENT

The Manila Chronicle/ July 2, 1971

Believe It or Not! Did you know that the gasoline price in 1971 was only 41 centavos per liter? It used to be 37 centavos per liter and oil companies decided to increase the price by 10 percent. I remember people going to street to protest. Even transport groups especially the jeepney sector went on strike. The gasoline price today ranges from 34 pesos for diesel to 44 to 45 pesos for premium and unleaded gasoline.

Gasoline receipt- April 30, 2010

JUNE 28, 1968: FISTFIGHT MARS FILMFEST AWARDS RITES

Two weeks before his untimely death in 1968, hot-tempered action star Jess Lapid had an altercation with a movie bit player. This ugly and unfortunate incident took place during the awards rites commemorating the Third Manila Film Festival.

June 28, 1968--- An impromptu fistfight between action star Jess Lapid and a movie bit player marred last night's awards ceremonies of the Third Manila Film Festival at the Manila Hotel. The scuffle, which occurred at the back row of the Fiesta Pavilion, was hardly noticed by the crowd although Mayor Antonio Villegas, who was on stage, was attracted by the commotion as he stood up to investigate. Police Precinct 3 Patrolman Vicente Ramirez broke up the fight and hauled Lapid and his rival, Jose Antonio Carreon, 21, of 2754 Faraday, Makati, to the precinct.

Fans, who attended the ceremonies, said timely arrival of policemen prevented Carreon from being beaten up by Lapid's cronies--- Jun Aristorenas and Paquito Diaz--- who surrounded Carreon as he wrestled with Lapid. AT the precinct headquarter, Lapid would not talk to give his side. At one instance, he even berated newsmen for "being too enterprising" and hurled unprintable remarks at a TV cameraman and a news photographer. Police sources said the fistfight was triggered by an altercation over a girl.

Two weeks after, in the early the morning of July 13, 1968, Jess Lapid was shot dead inside a Quezon City nightclub. Details here.

Taliba/ August 29, 1968

THE 1968 3rd MANILA FILM FESTIVAL: "MANILA, OPEN CITY" BEST PICTURE

A total of 16 movies vied for top honors in the 1968 Third Manila Film Festival. Manila Open City, Nepomuceno Productions' monumental and ambitious movie was awarded the Grand Rajah Soliman Best Picture Award. Virgo Productions' Kasalanan Kaya...? won 8 of 20 awards--- Eddie Rodriguez (Best Actor); Lolita Rodriguez (Best Actress); Luis Enriquez (Best Director); Roderick Paulate (Best Child Actor); Louise de Mesa (Best Story); Tony Maiquez (Best Music); Flaviano Villareal (Best Sound) and Best Picture in Drama. Eddie Garcia won the award for Best Supporting Actor in the movie Kailanma'y Di Ka Mag-iisa while the Best Supporting Actress went to Lourdes Medel in LEA Productions' Salamism.

Emar Pictures' Cuadro de Jack emerged the top grosser.

"Manila, Open City" (1968)- Stars Charito Solis, James Shigeta, Alex Nicol, John Ashley, Ric Rodrigo, Mario Montenegro, Lauro Delgado

"Kasalanan Kaya...?" (1968)- Stars Eddie Rodrigez, Lolita Rodriguez and Marlene Dauden/ with Renato Robles, Nello Nayo, Patricia Mijares, Vilma Santos, Roderick Paulate/ Directed by Luis Enriquez

"Cuadro de Jack" (1968)- Stars Joseph Estrada, Jess Lapid, Jun Aristorenas, Jing Abalos/ with Imelda Ilanan, Johnny Monteiro, Mary Ann Murphy, Sofia Moran, Ruben Rustia and George Estregan/ Directed by Augusto Buenaventura

"Ang Pagbabalik ni Daniel Barrion" (1968)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Paquito Diaz, Lou Salvador, Jr., Lito Anzures, Victor Bravo, Dencio Padilla & Norma Blancaflor/ Featuring Van de Leon, Johnny Monteiro, Martin Marfil and Ruby Villareal/ Directed by Armando Garces

Left- "Kailanma'y Di Ka Mag-iisa" (1968)- Stars Romeo Vasquez, Helen Gamboa, Eddie Garcia, Chichay, Ike Lozada, Matimtiman Cruz and Dante Rivero/ Directed by Fely Crisostomo

Right- "Salamism" (1968)- Stars Marlene Dauden, Eddie Garcia, Lourdes Medel, Lauro Delgado, Caridad Sanchez, Mary Walter, Roger Calvin, Jeanne Young, Gina Alajar/ Directed by Mitos Vilareal

"Tiririt ng May, Tiririt ng Ibon (1968)- Stars Dolphy, Nida Blanca, Panchito, Eddie Gutierrez and Pilita Corrales/ with Chichay, Dely Atay-Atayan, bayani casimiro, Georgie Quizon and Rod Navarro/ Directed by Luciano B. Carlos

Left- "Kumander Dimas" (1968)- Stars Vic Vargas, Divina Valencia, Leopoldo Salcedo, Eddie Fernandez, Von Serna, Bessie Barredo, Vic Silayan, Margie Tanquintic, Bert Olivar, Joseph de Cordova/ Directed by Lambert V. Avellana

Right- "Kamatayan Ko ang Ibigan Ka" (1968)- Stars Gloria Romero, Luis Gonzales, Dindo Fernando, Gina Pareno, Blanca Gomez, Edgar Salcedo, Vic Pacia/ Directed by Tony Cayado

"De Colores" (1968)- An All-StarCast

Left- "Jeepney King" (1968)- Stars Chiquito, Ollie dela Pena, Bert Silva, Bobby Santiago, Leni Trinidad/ Directed by Pablo Santiago

Right- "Sayonara My Darling" (1968)- Stars Rosemarie, Blanca Gomez, Pepito Rodriguez, Ricky Belmonte and Luis Gonzales & Luz Valdez/ with German Moreno, Precy Ortega, Lillian Laing/ Directed by Jose de Villa

"Mindanao" (1968)- Stars Mario Montenegro, Bernard Belleza and Zeny Zabala/ with Stella Suarez, Norma Blancaflor, Willlie Dado, Angel Confiado, Nort Nepomuceno, Jose Villafranca/ Directed by Emmanuel H. Borlaza

"Zaragoza" (1968)- Stars Jess Lapid, Paquito Diaz, Johnny Monteiro, Ramon D' Salva, Ruben Rustia, Bino Garcia, Rocco Montalban and Nancy Roman/ Directed by Teodorico C. Santos

Left- "Room For Rent" (1968)- Stars Bernard Belleza, Anna Gonzales, Arnold Mendoza, Rubirosa, Rico Roman and Zeny Zabala/ Directed by Chito Tapawan

Right- "Swinging Jet-Age" (1968)- Stars Eddie Mesa, Romano Castellvi, Nancy Roman, Helen Thompson, Jeannie, Bert Martinez, Prospero Luna, The Hi-Jacks, Jose Garcia/ Directed by George Rowe

THE 1967 2nd MANILA FILM FESTIVAL: "DAHIL SA ISANG BULAKLAK" BEST PICTURE

A total of 17 entries participated in the 1967 Second Manila Film Festival. Modus Operandi and Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak figured prominently in the 10-day festival (June 18- 27). It bested such formidable entries like FPJ's Dugo sa Buhangin, Dolphy's Sitsiritsit Alibangbang and Joseph Estrada's Valiente Brothers. Modus Operandi, another Agent X-44 spy thriller emerged the top grosser, the second time action star Tony Ferrer duplicated the feat, the first time in 1966 with the movie, Sabotage. Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak was awarded the Rajah Soliman Grand Award for Best Picture. No individual awards were given.

"Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak" (1967)- Stars Charito Solis, Ric Rodrigo, Paraluman, Rod Navarro, Ben Perez, Matimtiman Cruz, Joseph de Cordova, Mary Walter, Pianing Vidal and Introducing Liza Lorena/ Directed by Luis Nepomuceno

Liwayway Magazine/ June 19, 1967

"Modus Operandi" (1967)- Stars Tony Ferrer, Anna Gonzales, Peggy Williams and Marlene Dauden/ with Rod navarro, Lauro Delgado, Joe Sison, Bert Olivar, Manolo Noble, Rocco Montalban, Danny Rojo, Bernard Belleza and Divina Valencia/ Directed by Eddie Garcia

"Dugo sa Buhangin" (1967)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Helen Gamboa, Paquito Diaz, Lito ANzures, Victor Bravo, Manolo Robles, Vic Varrion, Mario Escudero,Bebong Osorio, Restey Sandel and Johnny Monteiro/ Directed by Armando A. Herrera

Left- "I'll See You in September" (1967)- Stars Romano Castellvi, Jean Lopez, Rico Roman, Carina Afable, Ponga and Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia/ Directed by RTS
Right- "Valiente Brothers" (1967)- Stars Joseph Estrada, Jess Lapid and Jun Aristorenas/with Perla Bautista, Alona Alegra, Eddie Garcia, Ramon D' Salva, Romy Diaz, George Estregan, Angelo Ventura and Paquito Diaz/ Introducing Sofia Moran/ Directed by Augusto Buenaventura

"The Longest Hundred Miles" (1967)- Stars Doug McClure, Katherine Ross and Ricardo Montalban/ with Ronald Remy, Helen Thompson, Berting Labra, Vic Silayan, Vic Diaz, Danilo Jurado, Vilma Santos, Bruno Punzalan/ Directed by Don Weis

"Somewhere My Love" (1967)- Stars Eddie Rodriguez, Gloria Romero and Carmen Soriano/ with Arnold Mendoza, Mirian Jurado and Rosa Mia/ Introducing Merci Molina/ Directed byArmando de Guzman

"Sitsirtitsit Alibangbang" (1967)- Stars Susan Roces, Dolphy, Panchito, Ronaldo Valdez, Rod Navarro, Teresita Sonora, Bayani Casimiro, Chichay, Dely Atay-Atayan, Helen Thompson/ Directed by Romy Villaflor

"The Kingpin" (1967)- Stars Eddie Rodriguez, Imelda Ilanan, Renato Robles, Manolo Robles, Nort Nepomuceno/ Directed by Nilo Saez

Left- "Sino ang Dapat Sisihin" (1967)- Stars Charito Solis, Luis Gonzales, Gina Pareno and Pepito Rodriguez/ with Patria Plata, Romeo Rivera/ Directed by Jose de Villa
Right- "Bus Stop" (1967)- Stars Rosemarie, Dindo Fernando, Blanca Gomez, Loretta Marquez, Edgar Salcedo and Ricky Belmonte/ with Boy ALano, German Moreno, Sarah Calvin/ Directed by Mar S. Torres

Left- "Las Vegas a'go-go" (1967)- Stars Eddie Mesa, Josephine Estrada, Roger Calvin, Carol Strasberg and ReyCard Duet/ Directed by Luciano B. Carlos

Right- "Vengeance of FuManchu" (1967)- Stars Tony Ferrer & Christopher Lee/with Marie Rohm, Douglas Wilmer and Danny Rojo

"The Son of Dyango Meets Dorango Kid" (1967)- Stars Bino Garcia, Eli Salas, Renato del Prado, Apeng Daldal, Popoy, Anna Ledesma and Merle Fernandez/ Directed by Wilthor

"Manila, Hongkong, Singapore (1967)- Stars Nestor de Villa, Eddie Mesa, Maggie dela Riva, Alfonso Carvajal


"Love and Devotion" (1967)- Stars Arnold Mendoxza, Carmen Soriano, Rosa Mia, Nello Nayo, Mary Walter and Jack Davis/ Directed by Armando de Guzman


"Virgins of Kalatrava Island" (1967)- Stars Alex Nolte, Leni Soledad, Poch Apostol, Tessie Alfon/ with Billy San Diego, Eddie Finland, Evelyn Delgado, Pianing Vidal/ Directed by Ronald Remy and Clem M. Roxas

THE 1966 1st MANILA FILM FESTIVAL: "DAIGDIG NG MGA API" BEST PICTURE

The First Manila Film Festival was held for the first time in 1966. Reserved solely for Hollywood and foreign movies, first-run downtown theaters like Ideal, Odeon, State, Ever, Galaxy, Capitol, Lyric, among others were opened for exhibition to locally-produced or Tagalog movies. The filmfest was the brainchild of then Manila Mayor Antonio Villegas. The 10-day festival which coincided on the city's foundation day (June 24) was a huge success participated in by big names in the industry.

The multi-awarded movie, Ang Daigdig ng mga Api was awarded the Rajah Soliman Grand Award for Best Picture. Five Maharnilad awards were also given: Best Drama (Passionate Strangers); Best Action (Sabotage); Best Adventure (Flight of the Sparrow); Best Technically-produced (Portrait of the Artist as Filipino) and Best Musical Entertainment (Till The End of Time). No individual awards were given.

Emerging as the top-grosser was Sabotage, starring Tony Ferrer as Tony Falcon, Agent X-44, an ace and wily spy agent who goes out of his way to neutralize a syndicate out to throw the country into chaos by sabotaging power facilities.

A total of 18 movies (14 new, 4 reissues) were exhibited during the 10-day festival. Iginuhit ng Tadhana, Portrait of the Artist as Filipino and Daigdig ng mga Api, all released in 1965, and Zamboanga, shown a month earlier, were allowed to participate.

"Sabotage" (1966)- Stars Tony Ferrer, Josephine Estrada, Miriam Jurado, Alicja Basili, Mary Louise Matheson, Max Alvarado, Joe Sison, Rocco Montalban, Nort Nepomuceno, Danny Rojo, Ray Marcos and Manolo Noble/ Directed by Eddie Garcia



"Ang Daigdig ng mga Api {Reissue}" (1965)- Stars Barbara Perez and Robert Arevalo/ with Ben Perez, Oscar Kesee, Dely Villanueva, Manny Ojeda Mona Del Cielo, Ruben Ilagan, Francisco Cruz, Quiel Segovia/ Directed by Gerardo De Leon

Left- "Sarhento Aguila at 9 na Magigiting" (1966)- Stars Fernando Poe, Jr., Paquito Diaz, Lito Anzures, Victor Bravo, Manolo Robles, Vic Varrion, Mario Escudero, Vic Uematsu, Resty Sandel and Jose Romulo/ with Oscar Kesee, Pablo Virtuoso, Dencio Padilla and Cecilia Lopez, Vic Silayan, Nello Nayo/ Directed by Efren Reyes

Right- "Target Domino" (1966)- Stars Romano Castellvi, Liberty Ilagan, Bessie Barredo, Tito Arevalo, Leni Trinidad, Val Magno, Rolando Aquino/ Directed by DLZ

Left- "Bakit Pa Ako Isinilang?" (1966)- Stars Gloria Romero, Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden and Paraluman/ with Ric Rodrigo, Vic Vargas, Bert LeRoy, Jr., Rosa Mia, Elizabeth Bankhead/ Directed by Luciano B. Carlos

Right- "Till The End Of Time" (1966)- Stars Gloria Romero, Luis Gonzales, Eddie Gutierrez, Gina Pareno, Loretta Marquez, Norma Blancaflor, Rosa Mia, Ramil Rodriguez, Shirley Moreno, Elissa, Sarah Calvin, Elizabeth Bankhead / Directed by Mar S. Torres & Jose de Villa

Left-"Triggerman" (1966)- Stars Eddie Fernandez, Jean Lopez, Imelda Ilanan, Lucita Soriano and George Estregan/ with Avel Morado, Esar Visenio/ Directed by Cesar 'Chat' Gallardo

Right- "A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino" {Reissue} (1965)- Stars Daisy H. Avellana, Naty Crame-Rogers, Conrad Parham, Vic Silayan, Sarah K. Joaquin, Nick Agudo, Pianing Vidal/ Directed by Lamberto Avellana

Left- "The Passionate Strangers" (1966)- Stars Michael Parsons, Valora Noland, Celia Rodriguez,Vic Diaz and Mario Montenegro/ Directed by Eddie Romero

Right- "Napoleon Doble and the Sexy Six" (1966)- Stars Dolphy, Lourdes Medel, Lucita Soriano, Gina Laforteza, Chona Delgado, Rita Reyes and Leni Trinidad/ Directed by Carling Marquez

"Mr. Humble Boy {Ang Dating Kampeon}" (1966)- Stars Chiquito, Eva Montes, Teroy de Guzman, Nieves Manuel, Prospero Luna,/ with Tintoy, Baby Chiquita, Rosauro Oracion, Er 'Canton' Salazar/ Directed by To-Chi-Qui

Left- "Gunfighter" (1966)- Stars Jess Lapid, Eddie Garcia, Max Alvarado, Victor Bravo, Joe Sison. Bert Olivar, Rocco Montalban, Nort Nepomuceno, Joaquin Fajardo and Paquito Diaz/ Directed by Leody M. Diaz

Right- "Rico Solitaryo" (1966)- Stars Jun Aristorenas, Gina Alonzo, Van de Leon, Leni Trinidad, Gina Laforteza, June Bergman/ Directed by Ding M. de Jesus

"Flight of the Sparrow" (1966)- Stars Ronald Remy, Tita Munoz, Conrad Parham, Henry Duval/ Introducing Anastacia Rafael, Cora Sobrepena, Soledad Gloan and the People of the Mountain Province/ Directed by Rolf Bayer

Left- "Ikaw... ang Gabi at ang Awit {Arrivedercci Roma}" (1966)- Stars Amalia Fuentes and Romeo Vasquez/ with Gloria Sevilla, Al Quinn, Fred Galand and Tony Cayado/ Directed by Tony Cayado

Right- "Saan Ka Man Naroroon" (1966)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden and Eddie Rodriguez/ with Johnny Monteiro, Diana Dean, Rosa Aguirre, Nello Nayo, Abrahan Cruz, Jimmy Morato, Bert Silva, Boy ALvarez/ Directed by Lauro Pacheco

Left- "Zamboanga {Reissue}" (1966)- Stars Fernando Poe Jr., Susan Roces, Johnny Monteiro, Ruben Rustia, Vic Silayan, Lito Anzures, Veronica Palileo, Pedro Faustino/ Directed by Efren Reyes

Right- "Iginuhit ng Tadhana {Reissue}" (1965)- Stars Luis Gonzales, Rosa Mia and Gloria Romero/ with a cast of thousands/ Directed byMar S. Torres, Jose de Villa and Conrado Conde