LOLITA RODRIGUEZ, 81

Veteran actress and one of Philippine Cinema icons, Lolita Rodriguez passed away on Monday (November 28). She died in California after a stroke. She was 81.

Literary Song-Movie Magazines/ April 1955 and April 1956 issues

Lolita Rodriguez, Dolores Clark in real life, was born on January 29, 1935 in Urdaneta Pangasinan. In 1953, at the age of 18, she entered the movies. She was given walk-on roles. As an extra, she used to earn 5 pesos per appearance. Her first movie was Ating Pag-ibig, followed by Gorio at Tekla, El Indio, Cofradia, Kiko, Reyna Bandida, Sa Isang Sulyap mo Tita and Diwani.

She was introduced as second lead in Pilya (1954) where she portrayed Gloria Romero’s older sister. Her first starring role was Jack and Jill (1955), the same movie that established Dolphy as the top comedian of the country. After being nominated twice, she finally won her first Famas Best actress award in 1956 for the movie Gilda. In the first nomination, despite her credible portrayal as a tomboyish jeepney driver in Jack and Jill, she lost the 1954 award to a fellow Ilocana (Gloria Romero in Dalagang Ilocana) by a mere two votes. The next year, she again lost to Rosa Rosal (Sonny Boy) by only one vote.

From a comedy to light drama roles in 1954, Lolita eventually landed to a more mature and heavy drama roles in the 60s.

1. Pilya (1954)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Ric Rodrigo/ Introducung Lolita Rodriguez Directed by Tony Cayado
2. Sabungera (1954)- Stars Ric Rodrigo, Lolita Rodriguez, Dolphy, Boy Alano/ Directed by Tony Cayado

3. Batas ng Alipin (1955)- Stars Ric Rodrigo, Lolita Rodriguez, Tito Galla, Liberty Ilagan/ Directed by Octavio Silos
4. Binibining Kalog (1955)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Lolita Rodriguez, Rudy Frnacisco, Rosa Mia/ Directedby Octavio Silos



5. Jack and Jill (1955) - Stars Rogelio de la Rosa, Lolita Rodriguez and Dolphy/Directed by Mar S. Torres
6. Rosana (1955)- Stars Ric Rodrigo, Lolita Rodriguez, Norma Vales/ Introducing Daisy Romualdez/ Directed by Armando Garces



7. Tanikalang Apoy (1955)- Stars Paraluman, Rita Gomez, Lolita Rodriguez, Van de Leon, Eddie Garcia, Etang Discher, Bella Flores, Matimtiman Cruz/ Directed by Jose de Villa
8. Gilda (1956)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Eddie Arenas, Rosa Mia, Eddie Garcia, Zeny Zabala/ Directed by Armando Garces

9. Kanto Girl (1956)- Stars Oscar Moreno, Lolita Rodriguez, Aruray, Bella Flores/ Directed by Oliive de la Torre10. Busabos (1957)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Eddie Arenas, Rudy Francisco, Daisy Romualdez/ Directed by Jose de Villa

11. Gabi at Araw (1957)- Stars Ric Rodrigo, Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden, Eddie Garcia, Tolindoy/ Directed by Octavio Silos
12. Taga sa Bato (1957)- Stars Paraluman, Lolita Rodriguez, Luis Gonzales, Van de Leon and Eddie Garcia/ Directed by Conrado Conde



13. Tarhata (1957)- Stars Fred Montilla, Ramon Revilla, Van de Leon, Barbara Perez and Lolita Rodriguez/ Directed by Armando Garces
14. Kundiman ng Piso (1958)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Eddie Arenas, Tony Marzan, Marlene Dauden/ Directed by Tony Cayado



15. Mapait na Lihim (1958)- Stars Ric Rodrigo, Lolita Rodriguez, Van de Leon, Marlene Dauden, Etang Discher/ Directed by Octavio Silos
16. Alipin ng Palad (1959)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Luis Gonzales, Eddie Garcia, Tony Cayado,Bella Flores, Zeny Zabala/ Directed by Octavio Silos




17. Cicatriz (1959)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Luis Gonazales, Barbara Perez, Carlos Salazar, Greg Martin, Rosita Noble, Bella Flores, Zeny Zabala,Venchito Galvez, Ven Medina/ Directed by Tony Cayado
18. Lupa sa Lupa (1960)- Stars Gloria Romero, Lolota Rodriguez, Luis Gonzales, Bella Flores and Eddie Garcia/ Directed by Mar S. Torres


In 1963, two great Sampaguita talents, Lolita Rodriguez and Marlene Dauden and drama king Eddie Rodriguez starred in Sapagka’t Kami’y Tao Lamang, the movie that turned out to be a sensational and phenomenal hit. The movie garnered the year’s top FAMAS awards--- Best Actor for Eddie Rodriguez; Best Supporting Actress for Marlene Dauden; Best Director for Armando De Guzman. It started the series of the so-called love triangle movies featuring the three dramatic icons in Philippine movies.

Ms. Dauden was memorable in such dramas as Anino ni Bathala (1958) and Kamandag (1959). In both films, Marlene won the FAMAS best supporting actress trophies. She was also awarded the FAMAS Best Actress awards twice: Sa Bawa’t Pintig ng Puso (1964) and Kapag Puso’y Sinugatan (1967).Lolita, on the other hand, was also a FAMAS Best Actress awardee twice: Gilda (1956) and Tinimbang Ka’t Nguni’t Kulang (1974).
Eddie was one of the greatest dramatic actors of Philippines movies and starred in such classics as Kundiman ng Lahi (1959) and Malvarosa (1959).
Together, the troika of Eddie, Lolita and Marlene made their mark in the local movie industry, pooling their talents to come up one hits after another.

Sapagka't Kami'y Tao Lamang (1963) -

Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden and

Eddie Rodriguez/ Directed by Armando De Guzman

Iginuhit sa Buhangin (1965)-
Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden and
Eddie Rodriguez
Directed by Armando de Guzman

Hindi Nahahati ang Langit (1965)-
Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden and
Eddie Rodriguez with Vilma Santos/
Directed by Lauro Pacheco

Kay Tagal ng Umaga (1965)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden and Eddie Rodriguez/ with Vilma Valera and Vilma Santos/ Directed by Lauro Pacheco

Saan Ka Man Naroroon (1966)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden and
Eddie Rodriguez/ Directed by Lauro Pacheco

Kapag Puso'y Sinugatan (1967)- awarded FAMAS Best Picture- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden and Eddie Rodriguez/ Directed by Fely Crisostomo

Sino Ang May Karapatan? (1968)-Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden and Eddie Rodriguez with Vilma Santos / Directed by Ding M. De Jesus

Ikaw... (1969)- Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden and
Eddie Rodriguez/ Directed by Luis Enriquez

"Tubog sa Ginto" (1970)

Lea Productions

Release Date December 25, 1970/ Dalisay

Story Mars Ravelo

Cinematography Steve Perez

Music Doming Valdez

Screenplay and Direction Lino Brocka

Cast Lolita Rodriguez, Hilda Koronel, Jay Ilagan and Eddie Garcia/ Also Starring Luis Gonzales, Marissa Delgado, Mario O'Hara, Veronica Palileo

"Stardoom" (1971)

Lea Productions

Release Date October 8, 1971/ Opera

Story Orlando Nadres

Cinematography Fredy Conde

Music Jose Mari Chan

Screenplay and Direction Lino Brocka

Cast Lolita Rodriguez, Eddie Garcia, Walter Navarro and Hilda Koronel/ Introducing Lotis Key/ Also Starring Caridad Sanchez, Tita Munoz, Mary Walter, Ruben Rustia, Mario O'Hara and Jimmy Morato/ Co-starring Veronica Palileo, Celeste Legaspi, Joonee Gamboa, Glenn Bernardo, Marco Polo, Estrella Kuenzler

"Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang" (1974)

"Lunes, Martes, Miyerkules, Huwebes, Biyernes, Sabado, Linggo" (1976)

"Ina, kapatid, Anak" (1979)

"Ina Ka ng Anak Mo" (1979)

"Paradise Inn" (1984)

THE SEVENTIES # 498: FERNANDO POE, JR., BOOTS ANSON-ROA, ALONA ALEGRE, PAQUITO DIAZ AND MAX ALVARADO IN "SANTO DOMINGO" (1972): A HIGH ADVENTURE MOVIE/ FPJ AT HIS FIGHTING BEST/ Re-posted

Santo Domingo was adjudged the top grosser in the 7th Manila Film Festival and child star Frankie Navaja, Jr. was awarded the festival's Best Child Performer. Based from a komiks serial created by Pablo S. Gomez, the movie starred Da king, Fernando Poe, Jr. under Celso Ad. Castillo direction.

"Santo Domingo" (1972)
FPJ Productions
7th Manila Film Festival Entry
Serialized in United Komiks
Story Pablo S. Gomez
Screenplay Fred Navarro
Cinematography Sergio Lobo
Music Restie Umali
Direction Celso Ad. Castillo
Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Boots Anson-Roa, Alona Alegre, Paquito Diaz and Max Alvarado/ Also Starring Lito Anzures, Bruno Punzalan, Vic Varrion, Johnny Long, Robert Talby, Belo Borja, Luis Benedicto, Nonoy de Guzman and Frankie Navaja, Jr./ Featuring Jun Mariano



"Santo Domingo"
Nobela ni Pablo S. Gomez
Guhit ni Alex Nino
Serialized in United Komiks

Synopsis: A band of ruthless, marauding pirates led by Carbungco (Max Alvarado) and Tuta (Paquito Diaz) siege the monastery in the coastal town of Santo Domingo killing most of the priests except for three. The pirates temporarily took control of the place to cool off after a spate of killings and lootings.

Vener (Fernando Poe, Jr.), a fisherman in the nearby town, recovered a dead body of a slain priest and feared that something wrong was going on at the monastery. Vener had a score to settle with the pirates when his family and some of his town mates were brutally killed when he was young. He still vividly remembered the menacing face of Carbungco.

Vener sailed to Santo Domingo and was able to penetrate the island killing some of the pirates guarding the island. As he was hiding, he accidentally punched Loreta (Boots Anson-Roa) which he mistook her as one of the pirates. Loreta had a young brother named Punggi (Frankie Navaja, Jr.), a mischievous, wandering kid. Vener introduced himself to Loreta and Punggi and told them that the monastery was under siege.

Vener devised a plan on how to get inside the monastery. He needed the help of the town folks but with no guns and only bolos, he gave up the plan… and also help from the authority would take 5 days. He decided to do it alone.

Disguised as a priest, he entered the monastery. However, his plan backfired. He was nabbed and captured. Unknowingly, Punggi was in tow, and was able to enter the monastery in a secret passage. With Punggi’s help, Vener was able to escape. He held Carbungco hostage and freed the priests and the women hostages. With Carbungco as hostage, they were able to get out of the monastery unharmed. Tuta was pleased of the result as he was able to get rid of Carbungco and assumed power.

On the other hand, Loreta was kidnapped by Tuta’s men and when Vener learned about this, he went back to the monastery. Punggi showed him the secret passage.

This time, the town folks, all armed with bolos, stormed the monastery. Fights ensued as the town folks subdued the pirates. Vener, in turn, was able to save Loreta from Tuta’s hands. However, Carbungco, at this time escaped, but the avenging Vener was able to corner him in the coastline and killed him.

The band of pirates headed by Carbungco (Max Alvarado) and Tuta (Paquito Diaz) landed at the monastery of Santo Domingo.

Carbungco grilled the monks at the monastery

Carbungco's men

The town folks of Santo Domingo led by Loreta (Boots Anson-Roa) paid a visit at the monastery bringing with them foods and offerings.

Vener (Fernando Poe., Jr.) recalled how his family were brutally killed by Carbungco and his men.

Vener explained his mission to Loreta

Vener and Punggi (Frankie Navaja, Jr.)

Loreta concerned on Vener's safety

The monastery located near the coastline of Santo Domingo

Vener, disguised as priest, went to the monastery

Carbungco and his men dressed in monk's attires



Vener is surrounded and captured...



and Loreta, too...



The fight to the end between Vener and Carbungco

---Lobby cards and stills from the movie---