Tag Archives: ARTICLES

At Home with Vilma and Edgar

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“May sakit ako,” bati sa amin ni Vilman when we made pasyal sa kanilang hi-ball isang afternoon. Naka-casual lavender t-shirt siya (her paboritong kulay) and a skirt na hindi naman masyadong maikli. Panay ang brush niya sa kanyang hair, “Naku, ang init ko pa. Tignan nýo nga,” and we made a move para hipuin ang forehead niya. May slight fever pa siya. “Hindi bale, gagaling ka agad. Nandito pala ang iyong doctor,” biro namin as we spotted Edgar. “Oo na, oo na nga!” ayon ni Vi. “Kasi, pag hindi ako pumayag, hindi kayo titigil ng katutukso.” Ang gulo ng kuwentuhan namin sa kuwarto niya. Dumating pa naman ang dalawang pamangkin ni Vi, at nagtig-isa ng kalong sina Vi at Bot. “Ganyan pala ang ayos n’yo pag naging tatay at nanay na kayo,” may nagbiro sa dalawa. Namula si Vi, tumungo si Bobot. “Ito nga pala ang regalo ng mama ko noong pasko, ang ganda, ano?” ang pagmamalaki ni Vi, pointing to a colored tv set.

She switched on sa isang basketball game, Crispa versus U Tex. “Ay sayang, hindi n’yo makikita ang kulay, hidndi colored ito.” “Huwag mo nang baguhin, diyan na lang, may laro ang idolo mo, so Ko (meaning Atoy Co, the highest pointer ngayon ng Crispa). Bakit mo ba favorite iyon? Hindi naman pogi,” biro ni Bobot. “Kasi ako, gusto kong player si Papa.” “Sa papa mo ikaw, sa papa ko ako, ang papa ko? Lasing na!” at humalakhak si Vi, in the mood siyang magbiro, at ginawa ngang comedy ang isa niyang commercial. “Pero kidding aside, talagang idolo ko si Co. O ayan, tingnan mo how swift he moves…hay, su-shoot…shoot!” sigaw si Vi at tulad ng inaasahan, nai-shoot nga ang bola. Palakpak si Vi, umiiling si Bobot. “Belat, daig si Papa!” “Bot, sabi ni Vi, pabor daw siya sa early marriage. E, di pagdating niya ng twenty, ikakasal na kayo?” bulong namin kay Bot. “Ha? Aba…” tingin si Edgar kay Vi. “A, hindi pa yata. Hindi ba Edgar?” matagal na nakatitig si kay Bobot. “Ano? A…oo!” “Ang daya n’yong dalawa. Vi hayaan mong si Bobot na lang ang sumagot. Nagsi-secret pa kasi kayo,” kantyaw namin.

“Hindi…malabo pa…hindi pa kami handa,” malinaw ang sagot ni Bobot. “O, kita n’yo. Sabi nang hindi pa. Si Bobot na ang sumagot niyan ha.” At dinilaan kami ni Vi. “Naku, teka, hayan, hayan si Edgar sa tv…” and she sank into a loud ringing of laughter. Itinuro niya ang isang four feet na matabang mama, hardly seen sa hard court where six-footers tower. “Ang daya mo,” kunwari ay babatuhin ni Edgar ng throw pillow si Vi pero hindi n’ya itinuloy. “E, ikaw, ikaw iyan,” sabay turo sa janitor na nagmo-mop ng hard court. “Belat, tagalinis Ka!” “Ulitin mo nga?” kunwari ay magju-judo si Vi. “Wala, panalo ka na!” sabay tawa ni Bobot. “Hindi bagay sa iyo ang action star. Wala pa rin sa mukha mo. Ginaya mo na naman ang pinaood nating karate picture.” Maya-maya, nagpaalam si Bobot. Uuwi na raw siya sa kabila. Sabay dating ng mga pagkain ni Vi. “Diyos ko, paano na naman ako titigil ng pagkain. Seven pounds na naman ang naragdag!” And she continued munching pears, green mangoes, cookies, at ang paborito niyang mangustan. Nag-isip nga kami. Ano kaya ang itsura ni Vi pag on the way na siya at naglilihi na? Sus, kahit na siguro bituin sa langit pipilitin pa ring pitasin ni Edgar maialay lang sa kanyang mahal. – Baby K. Jimenez, Bulaklak Magazine, 05 February 1973, reposted by Pelikula Atbp (READ MORE)

News Clippings Is Back! 1/3

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Fan Club Rivalries – “…Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos, giants of the Philippine movie industry, are both just about five feet tall. But height is their only common denominator physically. As far as their other physical features go, the two petite award-winning actresses are as different as night and day. The Superstar was the little brown girl of androgynous build who broke the mold of the typical movie star, back in the time when stardom was equated with strikingly fine mestiza features. The Star For All Seasons, on the other hand, while she was not the willowy type, had fair skin and curves in the right places, which she would later show to great advantage in movies such as Burlesque Queen and Darna. Back in the days when they were young stars, Guy and Vi were also the reigning monarchs of two empires that were perpetually at war- the empires of their fanatical followers. So intense was the fanaticism of those fans that it spawned two new words in the Pinoy vocabulary: Noranians and Vilmanians. “Pati mga reporter noon talagang polarised,” veteran talent manager Lolit Solis recalls. “Talagang may distinction. Pag Nora ka, Nora. Pag Vilma ka, Vilma e, di ba, gaga-gaga ako? Noong una, maka-Nora, so write ko siya lagi. Nakakatanggap ako ng tawag sa telepono mula sa Vilmanians: “Alam namin kung saan nag-aarawl ang anak mo! Mag-ingat ka!” later, naging kay Vilma na ako. Nagalit sa ‘kin ang mga Noranians! “Balimbing ka! Ang bait-bait sa iyo ni Ate Guy! Wala kang utang na loob” Grabe, maloloka ka talaga!…” – 100 Most Beautiful Issue, YES! Magazine 2007

Faces Immortalized on Screen – “…Though she has become a successful politician, recently moving up from city mayor to provincial governor, Vilma Santos remains one of the country’s best actresses. In Mike de Leon’s Sister Stella L, she portrays a nun who experiences a political awakening. This is one of Vilma’s most important, says indi filmmaker Seymour Barros Sanchez: “Nag-transform kasi siya from a bold star sa Burlesk Queen, Alyas Baby Tsina, et cetera, to a serious actress sa pelikulang me political na tema, gaya ng Sister Stella L.” Vilma would later tell screenwriter Pete Lacaba that she was already in politica when she really understood some of the dialogue she delivered in the film. Yet, consummate actress that she is, she made her words ring with utmost conviction on screen, and the line she utters at a climatic moment in Sister Stella L. continue to reverberate to this day: “Kung hindi tayo kikilos, sino ang kikilos? Kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa?…” – 100 Most Beautiful Issue, YES! Magazine 2007

1981 MMFF Parade – “…Hindi talaga mapapantayan sa kasayahan at kaguluhan ang tradisyunal na parada ng mga artista na ginaganap tuwing ilulunsad ang Metro Manila Film Festival. Tulad na lamang noong December 24, nasaksihan muli ng publiko ang karangyaan ng mga karosa na pumarada sa kahabaan ng Roxas Blvd. bilang hudyat sa pagsisimula ng 1981 Metro Manila Filmfest. Sampung makukulay na karosa na simbulo ng kani-kanilang kinatawanang pelikula, and ipinagbunyi ng libu-libong movie fans mula sa lahat ng antas ng buhay; ang iba ay nanggaling pa sa malalayong lalawigan na nagsadya sa Roxas blvd upang saksihan ang kani-kanilang paboritong artista…” – Exclusive Photos by Min Rosales and Mar Salabit

Best Filipino Actress of All Time – “…Celso Ad. Castillo transformed this former child star and box-office teen star into his Burlesk Queen, and Vilma Santos never looked back. Emotionally open, physical, and articulate, she has an acting style that is diametrically opposed to that of Aunor, her contemporary and competitor. Memorable in Bernalès Relasyon, Broken Marriage, and Ikaw ay Akin; Gil Portes’ Miss X; and Mike de Leon’s Sister Stella L., she was underrated but spectacular as the small-town mayor (actually, the wife of small town mayor, played by Eric Quizon) in Brocka’s Hahamakin ang Lahat, as the Aids victim in Laurice Guillen’s Dolzura Cortez Story, and as a conflicted mother in two Chito Roño films, Bata Bata Paano Ka Ginawa and Dekada ’70…” – Yes! Magazine, September 2004

Golden Screen Nominee – “…Pahuhuli ba naman ang nag-iisang Star For All Seasons na si Vilma Santos sa kanyang pagganap bilang Lilia Chiong Yang sa “Mano Po 3: My Love?” Wala na ngang dapat pagtalunan kung husay din lang sa pag-arte ang pag-uusapan. Inaasahan na natin ang di rin mapapantayang galing ni Vilma. Sa Mano Po3…, kinain nang buuong buo ni Vilma ang kanyang kaeksena. Wala ngang maitatapon sa mga ipinakita niyang pagganap. Lalo ang eksena niya kasama sina Boots Anson-Roa sa loob ng kanyang opisina, napakahusay niya dito. Ganun din ang eksenang mamimili kung kanino siya sasakay; kay Michael (Christopher de Leon) o sa asawa niyang si Paul (Jay Manalo). Tulad ng karibal niyang si Nora, palaging may kakaibang ipinakikita si Vilma sa bawat pelikula niya. Kaya naman talagang kaabang-abang ang bawat character na kanyang ipo-portray. Kahit na maraming mga mahuhusay na aktres pa ang magsidatingan, mahihirapan pa rin silang pantayan ang kahusayan ni Vilma, na patuloy na nagniningning sa anumang panahon…” – Golden Screen 2005 Awards Night Souvenir

RP’s Ten Best Dressed Actresses! – “…After that controversial survey of La Solis regarding the ten most beautiful actresses and the ten sexiest actors in local flickerville, now comes another hard-earned survey of our very own Erlinda Rapadas T. The RP’s Ten Best Dressed Actresses! Whaddayaknow? Poor Lindy, she had gher sympathy of her day running and persuading these beautiful people in haute couture! Kuwento nga niya: “D’yos ko, mahigit na dalawang linggo kong pinaghahabol ang mga ‘yan. Naranasan ko pang maisnab-isnab d’yan!” Poor Lindy, (sigh) roses for you for a job well done! -that’s all we could utter. Oh before we give you the survey, here’s an end note of a bitchy scribe who refused (dahling, refused with capital R) and sent a noe in an accent the Germans would be scandalized to read. Say ng dallink namin: “…my requirement for a best dressed person is he or she must have a natural flair. Also, elan, imagination, style, someone with a built-in glamour. And who (she’s howing now) among our so-called stars have these attributes?” The question remain unaswered. German-nuts or not, here’s an exciting venture to see through the lenses of the chosen people who scribbled their choices. Comments n’yo na lang ang hihintayin namin sa Letters to the editor. Happy scrutinizing! (-editor)…” – Erlinda Rapadas T., Modern Romances and True Confessions 18 Aug 1980 – Erlinda Rapadas T., Modern Romances and True Confessions 18 Aug 1980

Pictorial: Once Upon a Time…Noong Silaý Bata Pa! – “Maaaring hindi nínyo paniwalaan, nguni’t ang mga larawang matutunghayan ninyo sa pahinang ito ay tunay na kaanyuan ng inyong ilang paboritong bituin noong silaý bata pa. Sa katunayan kund hindi namin ilalathala rito ang kani-kanilang pangalan at pababayaan namin kayong hulaang isa-isa kung sinu-sino ang mga ito, natitiyak namin na mga isa o dalawa lamang ang inyong mahuhulaan sa dahilang silaý pawang mga bata pa noon. Katunayan pa rin ang karamihan sa mga itoý mga isang taong gulang lamang nang sila’y kunan ng mga ganitong larawan. Ang pinaka-dahilan ng paglalathala namin ng Special Feature na ito na aming itinuturing ay madulutan kayo ng kasiyahan at kalugurang mamalas ang inyong ilang paboritong bituin upand pagkatapos ay mawika ninyo sa inyong sarili na “Ganito pala ang paborito kong bituin noong maliit pa” kung sinuman ang bituing inyong paborito nalalathatla rito. Ngayon pa lamang, sa pagtunghay ninyong isa-isa sa mga paborito ninyong bituing ito, inaasahan namin na nakapagdulot kami sa inyo ng ganap na kasiyahan. Narito ang mga sumusunod…” – Julio F. Silverio, Kislap Magazine April 20 1978

Most Awarded Actresses – “…These icons and their incomparable contributions to cinema continue to inspire and endure as the benchmarks for the ultimate achievement in the craft of acting…The “Star for All Seasons” has defined generations and has consistently come out on top. When tasked to come up with a number of the most awarded actresses, Vilma Santos’ name is sure to be on it. With nearly a hundred acting awards for both TV and film, she is not only the star for all seasons but all generations. Her most iconic films include Sister Stell L, Bata Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? and Relasyon for which she won the grand slam for Best Actress in 1982…” – The Pulse, October 2014

Tirso Jump to First Place! Vilma Retains Second Lead! Nora Slumps Down to Third! – “…Speaking of Vilma’s fans, they also deserve a pat on the shoulder. Imagine to maintain the second lead is quite a record kaya we wont be surprised if in the coming bilangan kayo naman ang manalo…that is kung hindi gaganti ang maka-Nora at kung hindi dodoblihin ng maka-Pip ang efforts nila…” – Baby K. Jimenez, TSS Magazine, June 19, 1970

Those Uncertain Years – “…Vilma Santos, Everyone passes through a phase in life where one is neither a grow-up, yet not a child, any longer and it is usually during these uncertain years that parents have their difficult moments bringing up children to adulthood. Fortunately, however, Vilma Santos has not given her parents this problem at all. Even as a child, she seemed far so advanced for her age, her capacity for understanding people and situations often astounded movie folks. She was first discovered as a child actress in a dramatic series on television, Larawan Ng Buhay, and has eversince appeared in almost all the movie-making outfits in the country. Her latest dramatic portrayal in De Colores garnered for her the most coveted nomination as a finalist in the Best Supporting Actress category. It is predicted that the lovely teener will emerge a dramatic star along the caliber of a Lolita Rodriguez or a Marlene Dauden. She appears as Imee (President and Mrs. Marcos eldest daughter in the films Pinagbuklod ng Langit…” – Movielife Magazine, July1969

Alin Ang Mauuna? Nora-Edgar Pictorial o Vilma-Tirso Pictorial? – “…War ngayon sina Guy & Pip. Kaya marami ang nagsasabi, tiyak daw na gagawa ng paraan ang dalawa ngayon para mai-pictorial sila na iba ang kapareha. Pasakitan, ang sabi nga. At mas magaling daw kung si Pip ay mai-pictorial kay Vilma Santos. At si Nora naman kay Edgar Mortiz. At dahil nga dito, according to some realible sources, naguunahan daw ngayon sina Guy & Pip sa kung sino sa kanila ang mauuna na mai-pictorial na kasama nga si Vi at Edgar. Balitang ang mas gumagawa raw bng paraan ngayon ay ang kampo ng mga Tirsonians. Lagi raw pumupunta ngayon ang ilang Tirsonians sa bahay nina Vil sa may Project 6 para himukin daw si Vilma na makipag-pictorial kay Pip. Sang-ayon naman sa ilang source na maka-Vilma-Edgar, hindi raw kumporme ang kanilang mga idolo sa bagay na ito. Kung nagkakagalit man daw sina Tirso at Nora, bakit daw kailangang isali pa sila sa gulo nila? Sa tinuran nilang ito, naisip namin…ito kaya ang dahilan kung bakit parang nilayuan nina Vilma at Edgar si Nora nang minsang magkita-kita sila sa FLAME? Sumama raw ng husto ang loob ni Nora dahil dito. Ini-snob daw siya ng dalawa gayong siya na nga ang lumapit. Ito ang sumbong niya sa ilang taong close sa kanya. Pero ayon naman sa panig nina Vilma, hindi naman daw nila ini-snob si Nora nang gabing iyon. Binati naman daw nila si Nora. Hindi nga lang daw sila nakipag-usap dito nang matagal dahil may kasama itong reporter nuon at may daw raw si Norang dalawang kamera. Kaya para raw hindi sila makunan ng larawan naglaro na lang daw ang dalawa ng slot machine. Dahil daw kasi, may usapan sina Vilma at Edgar na kung papayag si Edgar na mai-pictorial kay Nora ay papayag na rin daw si Vilma na mai-pictorial kay Tirso. Ang question nga lang ay kung sino sa kanila ang mauuna. Tsk-tsk-tsk, ang labo!…” – Mercy Lejarde

Faces Immortalized on Screen – “…Though she has become a successful politician, recently moving up from city mayor to provincial governor, Vilma Santos remains one of the country’s best actresses. In Mike de Leon’s Sister Stella L, she portrays a nun who experiences a political awakening. This is one of Vilma’s most important, says indi filmmaker Seymour Barros Sanchez: “Nag-transform kasi siya from a bold star sa Burlesk Queen, Alyas Baby Tsina, et cetera, to a serious actress sa pelikulang me political na tema, gaya ng Sister Stella L.” Vilma would later tell screenwriter Pete Lacaba that she was already in politica when she really understood some of the dialogue she delivered in the film. Yet, consummate actress that she is, she made her words ring with utmost conviction on screen, and the line she utters at a climatic moment in Sister Stella L. continue to reverberate to this day: “Kung hindi tayo kikilos, sino ang kikilos? Kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa?…” – YES! 100 Most Beautiful 2007

One on One for Number 1 – “…Mahalagang Balita: Tinatawagang pansin ng Kislap Magasin ang lahat ng Noranian at Vilmanians!!! Ito na ang inyong pagkakataon upang patunayan kung sino ang no. 1 – si Nora o si Vilma? Ang lahat ng ito ay sasagutin ng “One on One for No. 1 (Round One).” Isang malaking hamon sa bawat panig ang patimpalak na ito. Itaguyod ang inyong bituin at manalo ng mga sorpresang gamtimpala na ipinagkakaloob sa mapapalad ng fans na magtataguyod ng kanilang kandidata!!! Ang patimpalak ay sinimulan noong Mayo 5 at tatagal hanggang Hulyo 15, 1980. Para sa karagdagang impormasyon, basahin ang Kislap Magasin!!!…” – Pilipino Reporter

Young Superstars & Money Makers – “…Never in the history of RP Movies is there so many young superstars and money makers than in the late sixties and early seventies. Superstar Nora Aunor, the reigning movie queen started her showbiz career at the age of 14 wayback in 1967 and has since then hold on the crown. Another superstar Vilma Santos was a child actress and begun her big time movies at the age of 16 in 1969 along with her screen sweetheart Edgar Mortiz, a fifteener in 1969. Their loveteam blossomed into the most durable loveteam of RP movies. Another child actor, Jay Ilagan hit the big time in 1969 while he was only 14. Still, another would-be superstar and a box-office draw is beauteous Hilda Koronel who entered the movies in 1969 at the tender age of 13. And of course, there is Tirso Cruz III or simply TC III or Pip who crashed into the showbiz world in 1967 when he was just 17. Today, these yound superstars are raking in money not only in the box-office but also in their recordings, TV-Radio shows and personal shows, which is unheard off sa kanilang older counterparts kahit noong heydays ng mga ito…” – Pilipino Movie Alamanac, Showbiz Reporter Magazine

Ang Favorite Christmas Date ni Tirso – Hindi mapapasubalian sa ngayon, ang pinakatanyag sa ating mga kabataang bituin ay si Tirso Cruz III. Halos kabi-kabila ang kanyang mga pelikula. Hindi pa niya natatapos ang Fiesta Extravaganza ’71, New Year’s at Anniversary offering ng Sampaguita Pictures, ay nakatakda na siyang gumanap uli sa Valentine offering ng nasabing kompanya, ang My Heart Belongs to Daddy. Katulad ng alam na ninyo, makakapareha niya dito ang pinakabata sa ating mga superstars. Ang ibig naming sabihin, si Snooky. Pip, besides has also contacted by Lea Productions to do a movie with their favorite protege, Hilda Koronel. Indeed, what more can a guy like him ask for? Surprisingly, maraming baga na minimithi si Pip na hindi niya naisasakatuparan sa dahilang isa siyang tanyag na bituin. Mga simpleng bagay. Katulad, halimbawa ng pakikipag-date. Ibigin man niyang makasama ang isang babae na kanyang nagugustuhan sa mga pagtitipon ay hindi maaari. At ang dahilan, tiyak na saan man siya pumunta ay tiyak na magkakaroon ng commotion. At hindi ba, kung ikaw ay nakikipag-date, ibig mong magkaroon ng privacy? Ang mangyayari ay magiging quire embarassing sa kanyang date. Isang bagay na ayaw na ayaw niyang mangyari. Sa paskong ito, ibig ni Pip na magkaroon ng date. “Its high time na I go out with a girl in a public place, hindi ba?” sabi niyang pakindat-kindat pa. “Binata yata ako. Puwedeng puwede nang manligaw.”

This early, mayroon siyang alam na lugar na disente na pupuntahan. Dalhin man niya doon ang kanyang date, maging ito man ang kanyang nilalangit, ay tiyak na walang makikialam sa kanila. Kasi ba naman, exclusive and place. And they come out with real fun music something which Pipp really likes. Tiyak na puwede siyang makipagsayaw sa kanyang date without anyone bothering them. Nguni’t may problema siya. Hinsi niya alam kung sino sa kanyang mga kakilalang babae and kanyang aanyayahang lumabas sa Pasko…Si Hilda kaya…Si Sahlee Quizon…how about Aurora Salve…Eh, si Vilma Santos? “Gusto mo bang magkagalit kami ni Bobot. Ang Ibig kong sabihin si Edgar Mortiz. Alam naman ninyo ang dalawang iyang. Sparing partner.” saad ni Pip. Sino? Tiyak na hindi si Nora. Nasa Hollywood siya hindi ba? “Si Nora sana, kung nandito siya,” sagot niya. “On second thought, hindi na lang yata ako lalabas. Sa bahay na lang ako magce-celebrate ng Pasko. This way, I’ll make my family happy. I’ll invite na lang girls in my life na makipamasko sa amin. Kung ibig nila. Isa pa, this way, I’ll be able to celebrate Christmas with my family. At sila ang talagang mahal ko.” – Movielife, December 1970

Darna and Super Gee – “…The first of the legendary comic characters created by Mars Ravelo na binigyan buhay ng iba’t ibang glamorous stars in the late ’50s up to the ’60s Rosa Del Rosario, Liza Moreno, Eva Montes to name a few. The Darna series, Darna at ang Babaing Lawin, Darna at ang Impakto, Darna at ang Babaing Tuod, at iba pa, were all box office hits. The series catapulted the stars towards stardom. Then, in mid 1973, Vilma Santos, staged a Darna comeback in Lipad, Darna, Lipad na naging biggest box office draw, now her home studio Tagalog ilang-ilang Productions is planning a series of Darna flick beginning with their Christmas offering Darna and the Giants. On the heels of the fantastic success at the box offcie of Lipad Darna Lipad, the reigning queen of R.P. Movies, Nora Aunor, The Superstar decided on breathing life to Super Gee, another comic character created by Zoila in the celluloid. At the beginning of the productions, there were skeptics and critics that the superstar was hitching on a wrond bandwagon…yet, Guy proved to all that she could very well carry the character to box-office success when Super Gee with the second offering tentatively titled Super Gee is Back and hopes to continue the sequel not only for the country’s cinema houses but also for television…” – Pilipino Movie Alamanac, Showbiz Reporter Magazine

Big-Budget Ang “Lipad, Darna, Lipad”

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Puspusan at maingat ang ginagawang paghahanda ng Sine Pilipino para sa susunod nilang produksyon…ang Lipad, Darna, Lipad. Nakatakda na sana itong ipelikula ngunit dahil big-budget nga ito, minabuti ng mga boss ng Sine Pilipino na muli nilang pagaralang mabuti ang lahat ng mga puntos sa pagsasapelikula nito. Kaya’t minsan, nagpulong ang top brass ng Sine Pilipino sa tahanan nina Vilma Santos na siyang gaganap bilang Darna sa naturang pelikula. Ang kanilang paniya…baka sa unang linggo ng Pebrero, 1973 na nila simulan ito. At sa mga petsa ring iyan magkakaroon ng pictorials. Kabilang sa mga napagusapan sa pulong ay ang tungkol sa costumes na isusuot ni Vi bilang Darna at ang cotumes na isusuot ng mga makakasagupa niya: ang Babaing Lawin, ang Babaing Impakta, at si Valentina. Ibig kasi nila na ang pagkakayari ng mga costumes ng ma ito’y maging makatutohanan. Na pag isinuot ng tatlong villains ay talagang lilitaw ang kanilang kasamaan at kakilakilabot na mga anyo.

Tulad ng mga pakpak ng Babaeng Lawing. Gusto nila’y lumitaw itong animo mga tutuong pakpak na tumubo sa likod ng gumaganap na babaeng lawin. Pinag-aralan din nilang mabuti kung paano magagawang natural ang pagkampay nito. Sa ganang costumes ng Babaing Impakta at ni Valentina, hindi rin sila titigil haggang maging realistic ang mga ito. Na pag nakita ng manonood, tutoo silang hahanga and at the same time horribly fascinated. Ang higit nilang pinagtuunan ng pansin ay ang Darna costume ni Vi. Ang alam na naman natin ang screen image ni Vi. Maging sa tunay na buhay ay very sweet siya t unthinkable na magsusuot siya ng anumang daring suit. Ang precisely, hindi ba’t ang original Darna costume ay delightfully daring? Pero, this will run contrast nga sa image ni Vi. Sabagay, nagawan na nila ng konting innovations ang original design ng costume. Gayon man, pilit pa rin silang naghahanap ng remedyo para huwag naman masira ang image ni Darna. Na kung mamasda’y reservoir ng superhuman strength.

Pero at the same time nama’y may aura rin ng maganda at graceful femininity. “Tapos, bagama’t alam na nila kung saan-saan ang locations na gagamitin para maging tumpak na tumpak sa istorya ng Lipad, Darna Lipad nagpalabas ng scouts para maghanap ng more suitable locations, kung mayroon pa silang makikita. marmi kasing eksena sa Lipad, Darna Lipad that calls for eerie atmosphere, although marami rin namang nagsasaad ng masyang atmosphere. Ang isa pang mahalagang bagay na pinagpulungan nila ay ang tungkol sa mga camera tricks na marami sa naturang pic. Ayaw nila kasing lumabas na corny ang mga ito at halatang artipisyal. Lahat ay dapat daw gawin with precision, pati ang camera tricks. Para pag napanood ay lumabas at packed with suspense. Marami pa silang pinagusapang mabuti kina Vi tulad ng wigs, mga maskara, etc. Lahat ng mga ito ay masinsinan nilang pinagpulungan pagka’t gusto ng Sine Pilipino people na ma-justify ang big-budget na inilaan nila para sa Lipad, Darna Lipad.

De kolor ang Lipad, Darna, Lipad upang lalong lumitaw ang color nito bilang colorful story. Isipin na lang kung ano ang makikita natin sa Lipad, Darna, Lipad: isang naka-crime fighter costume na Vilma Santos fitting her strength at wisdom sa masasamang elements na pawang mga naka-costumes din na naglalarawang ng kanilang evil personalities. Wow! Tungkol sa hindi pakakatuloy ng shooting ng Lipad, Darna Lipad sa scheduled, ani ni Vi: – Tama lang naman iyon, although, honestly, sabik na sabik na akong masimulan ito. Pero, sabi nga’y “haste makes waste.” Ang “Lipad, Darna, Lipad” ay hindi pangkaraniwang pelikula. Special kind ito kaya’t kailangang ding bigyan ng special attention. Thanks to Sine Pilipino as aking ipaganap ang Darna pagka’t isa na naman itong naiibang role. Unique, challenging, and simply beautiful. Salamat din kay Uncle Mars at nag-create siya ng heroine na tulad ni Darna. Vilma a flying Darna?…Wow-Wow-Wowee!…” – Cleo Cruz, Bulaklak Magazine No. 66, 5 February 1973, reposted by Pelikula Atbp (READ MORE)

Manyikang Artista

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Nowadays, hapi-hapi threesome sina Eddie Peregrina, Esperanza Fabon at Sweetheart. Sa mga hindi pa nakakaalam, mysterious pa nga ang every now and then ay tinatawag ni Ching (palayaw ni Espy) na “Sweetheart.” Ang hula pa ng iba ay si Eddie ang pinag-uukulan ni Espy ng ganitong ka-loving at very sweet na pagtawag.‬

Kung sa bagay ay posibleng si Eddie nga ito sapagka’t sa nakikita ngayong kay-tamis na pagtitinginan ng dalawa (noon pa ito nguni’t lalo itong tumitingkad sa araw-araw halos na pagkikita at pagsasama ng dalawa) ay walang duda na siya na nga ang “sweetheart”ni Espy.‬

Ito rin ang aking hinala nang hindi ko pa natutuklasan kung sinong talaga itong si “Sweetheart”. Iyon palaý ang 2 1/2 ft. na walking doll na ibinigay ni Eddie dito kay Espy, noon nakaraang Pasko, na may kasamang card na nasusulatan ng ganito: “Dearest Espy, Hope you like this simple remembrance of mine – AFFECTIONATELY, Eddie.”

Ang isa pang walking doll ang unti-unti ay humahabol sa katanyagan ng nagmamay-ari nito…si JAYPER. Ito ang very cute na manyikang ibinigay ng mga Jay Ilagan-Perla Adea fans kay “Ling” (palayaw ni Perla), kaya pinangalanan itong Jayper. Kung ano mang tagahanga mayroon si Perla ngayon ay gayon din si Jayper. At lalong sumikat si Jayper nang isang araw ay tumanggap siya ng call slip buhat sa Sampaguita Pictures! Iyon pala ay lalabas siya sa pelikulang “Fiesta Extravaganza.” Ang role niya ay kalaro ng manyika ring si Maria Leonora Theresa! Aba, akalain ninyo, fifty pesos a day pala siya (actually, ten peson siya at pa-aginaldo na sa kanya ni “Doc” Perez and iba)! At sinundo at inihatid siyang mag-isa ng panel ng Sampaguita! Star talaga! Pero hindi lang yan. Na-request si Jayper na mag-guest sa Operetang Putol-putol, at si Jay Ilagan mismo ang nagsabit ng kuwintas na sampaguita!

Ang isa pang manyika na may magandang kuwento ay si Snooky, ang living doll. Natatawang ikinuwento sa amin ng kanyang daddy na si Von Serna na noong bisperas ng Pasko ay namasyal silang mag-anak sa San Andres Market upang mamili ng maipagnonotse buwena. Nang bigla raw nakaalala si Snooky na ang gusto niyang prutas para sa notse buwena ay ubas!

Di naghanap nga sila ng ubas. Nang makakita raw sila, tuwang-tuwa itons si Snooky kaya nagpatimbang agad ng 3 kilo si Von. Nang tanungin daw nila kung magkano ang tatlong kilong ubas, muntik na raw bumaligtad si Von sa gulat. Ang presyo kasi ng 3 kilong ubas…100 pesos! At ‘yon palang lagay na ‘yon ay may discount pa sila, alang-alang sa pagkagiliw ng tindera kay Snooky! Actually thirty five pesos ang halaga ng isang kilo ng ubas. Kaya may discount silang limang piso.

Then there is Mannette, ang Nora-Manny doll na nasa pag-iingat ni Manny at inaalagaang mabuti ng matapat na fan ni Manny na may palayaw na “Baby” (Kaya siguro siya ang pinili ni Nora na mag-alaga kay Manette, ay dahil kapaayaw o tokaya niya). Ngayong wala pa si Nora Aunor, siya ang tumatayong proxy ni Nora bilang honorary member ng Blue Ladies led by “kumander” Pedring Villasan. – Movie Talk ni Virgie Ramos Lugo (From the pages of an unknown magazine, Circa 1970s)‬

‪#‎PerlaAdea‬, ‪#‎EddiePeregrina‬, ‪#‎SnookySerna‬, ‪#‎JayIlagan‬, ‪#‎EsperanzaFabon‬, ‪#‎VonSerna

TSS’ Stars of 1970s

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ARTICLES - News clipping TSS Stars of 1970

1:00 PM Summer: 7 Stars in Special Sunday Session – Summertime. And Sunday too. So it started like a summer day. Casual yet exciting. Carefree and promising. With a lot of expectations for the moment ahead. So it was with having seven young stars around, TSS Stars ’70: Vilma Santos, Tirso Cruz III, Nora Aunor, Eddie Peregrina, Edgar Mortiz, Ed Finlan, and Hilda Koronel (in the order of their arrivals). There they were, prompt in their youth, bubbly in their youth, unassuming in their confident in their success amid an ancient backdrop, the UST Pharmacy Gardens. When age and youth meet in such a dramatic setting, there is bound to be communication, reaction, combustion. Effects! And what is a more fitting place to spend an early summer afternoon than staid, old UST with young, alive radiant stars for company and that peculiarly romantic, nostalgic summer air. And when the yound stars started posing, smiling, obliging and when the cameras went on clicking, popping shuttering and when scribes began talking, laughing directing, the summer day with its flair, laziness and air became an impromptu ball for all concerned. One fun-filled episode of a lifetime. A slice of real life to be kept in one’s heart for the memory. Now, you may wonder why we have seven successful young star this issue when TSS launched only six last January?

Blame the whole mess on Ed Finlan. Blame it on his personality, his promise, his name that just can’t be ignored. Blame it all on the zooming career of Edward Walter Valdes Finlan. So the special seven. On this photo-session hangs a story. A story of hope coupled with a little confusion from that time Kuya Bert planned to put out another issue as a follow-up. Timely enough. After all TSS started the whole pakulo. The session itself was postponed three times – just to be assured of the attendance of all – including Nora Aunor who missed it that first round. Every time it was moved to another date, we lost face some wasy, especially to Pip’s Mommy Elma with whom we played ulianin by reminding her each time we met. That first time, it was called off. Edgar and Vilma were in Baguio City for shooting. The next date, everybody can’t make it with TV programs and last time shooting to do. So it was finalized on Sunday, March 15 at 1:00 piyem. It would have been Fort Santiago as rendezvous but Sunday is Sunday in the forth with the usual Sunday crowd being there. Why not a school campus since graduation and demos were in the air? And the stars came beyond modest expectation, ahead of schedule. Vilma Santos came with her Mommy Mila and Papa Amado. Tirso Cruz III came with uncle Joey and a group of friends while Nora entered the scene with a few fans.

A Mustang (aba, bago!) ushered in Eddie Peregrina with his man Friday. Edgar Mortiz with Dad Celso adn Mom Lucy with fans Angge, Mario Cay, Luz Orellano and Araceli Paraiso. Ed Finlan arrived with his usual confident self. And Hilda came with Mila Parawan to complete the magnificence. At little confusion resulted. It began with a comedy of errors. With Vilma, Pip, Nora and Eddie, there was only scribe Ched Gozales to entertain them and out they were in the Pharmacy Gardens before one one o’clock only to be told later taht the assembly point was the UST Arch along España. Under the heat of the summer sun, the group went to the Arch only to be told that the locale would actually be the Gardens. Since after all, a big number of movie fans and onlookers had already started to form at the UST entrance. The merry excited entourage made its way to the Gardens once again. Ed Finlan with his shocking humor and equally color-shocking attire of yellow shirt with loud-striped pants under the golden sun was summer in motion. Vilma on the other hand had a ball ribbing Eddie Peregrina for being “mayabang kasi Edong ka na ngayon.” Edgar Mortiz was extra solicitous and ultra-PR conscious that time. Hilda did her thing – more of a girl, rather than woman with self-conscious laughter and sweet and pretty flair. Pip was surprisingly in his calm self and ruffled impeccable long sleeve shirt.

Eddie Peregrina was in paisley with that typical Peregrina grin. Nora, quiet and lady-like with a few smile here an a wave of hand there, was in a blue-orchid print. Hilda was the only one in pantsuit, a purple hablon, and she stood out really. Ditto with Haydee’s make-up and hair color on Ed. Oh what they had to forego just to make it to the appointment on time. Edgar and Vilma came from ABS where they had My Love For You at noon. But before that, Edgar came from Sta. Teresita Church where he acted as baptism sponsor. Hilda and Ed came from the Haydee set and they were expected back there in two. Pip was in a rush too, from ABS and then to the bingo social of his fans at their compound and the photo session as far as he was concerned. Eddie Peregrina had an appointment at 2:30 and it was Nora it seems who took her own sweet time. The Gardens yielded an old well, a gazebo-like concrete structure for photographic effects and possibilities. At half-past one, the poses were planned, the shots called for and everyone appearing swell putting their best faces forward, looking deserving of the TSS choice. An old well, very symbolic really, for the first shot and when that first one popped, the sessions began. And for a good forty minutes, the cameras aimed to catch for eternity the faces, the stances, the poses with the smile and bravura of that early Sunday afternoon. After all, that was what the session called for! And after all, what are photos for but for catching, freezing, preserving what is today for tomorrow?

The atmosphere was kept livelieer, dramatic with some curiosity-seekign fans and a number of scribes and last-minute guests. There was Jusyo C. Justo popping out of nowhere with his OBBB, OBWB, CTS and BAB, Doddie Alvarez, Donnie Ramirez, Mercy Lejarde, Marina Reyes and Ched made their presence felt with summery get-up. Late arrivals were Rene Tiosejo for a look-see and Oskar Salazar with a brand new-opera glasses (but Romy Mallari and Roldan de Villa weren’t around). Zeny Peralta of Roper’s was there for someone’s moral support. Two mothers managed to snae some attention – Lucy Mortiz in pink pantsuit and the latest Christian Dior hairdo and Mommy Milagros Tuazon Santos in blue pantsuit, with their respective male halves of course. At twenty past two, Ernie Alfonso had used u his one and half rolls of color film while Bert Verlidas had two black rolls. There was Fred Garces of Roper’s jiving in. The session, the main part of it, was now over. After all the camera clicks, the 1-2-3 shots, the photographers’ directions and the frozen poses were done and the thank-you’s and see-you were said, still one is left with the thought that so far, so good. TSS Stars ’70 are still unspoiled byt success and we hope as one that they all stay that way. And there is something more left in the memory, something better felt than described. For how can such feeling, or any feeling at all for that matter, be caught and pinned down as words in print? I am attempting to that now but I know that it would be the pictures of that special session which will speak a thousand words, a thousand feelings, a thousand hopes. Pictures, eloquent and feeling-filled, with a history of their own! – Billy R. Balbastro, TSS Komiks, 1970 (READ MORE)

Vilma-Nora: May Bagong Dimensiyon Ang Pag-aartista!

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ARTICLES - Jingle Sensation 19 July 1982 (2)

January 30, 1982. Sabado. Sa Ermita. Ala-1:00 nang hapon ay nagse-set up na ang “whore house”na iyon. Thirty minutes later, dumarating si Nora Aunor. May dalang blazer at palinga-lingang hinahanap ang kanyang mga co-stars. Alas 2:00, sumunod na dumating si Vilma Santos. Go up siya sa one-roomer na bahay na iyon. Nagkatinginan. Ngitian. Hellos. Ngitian uli. Mainit ang panahon. Walang electric fan. “Wala pa sila?” tanong ni Vilma kay Guy. “Tayo pa lang yata,”sagot ni Guy. Wala pa si Director Danny Zialcita (ang sinasabing third superstar sa cast na ito). Sa gitna na maliit na silid na iyon ay may isang kama. Malapit sa pintuan, nakahilera si Guy at ang mga kasamahan. Sa kabilang banda, sa may bintana, magkatabi sina Vilma at mga kakampi. Ehe-man. Pakiramdaman. Bulungan. Wala pa si Direk. Ang init! Anong oras na? The two camps wouldn’t know how to break the odd silence. They appeared like combatants in an open arena. Labasan ng Game & Watch. Sigarilyo. Panay ang palitan ng usok. “Anong oras kaya darating si Direk?” tanong ni Guy. “Kantýawan natin, ha. Pagdating niya, kunwari aalis na tayo,” magandang salo ni Vilma. Tawanan. Ah…kahit na yata walang electric fan ay medyo lumalamig na nang konti. The smiles became warmer. O, walang lighter si Vilma. Kaya takbo si Shirley ni Guy para sindihan ito. Nauuhaw si Guy. Offer si Viring ni Vilma ng softdrinks. International ba ang dramatic entrance ni Zialcita sa first shooting day niya? Para magkapalagayan munang mabuti ang dalawang Reyna?

Kung sa bagay, hindi naman talaga “magkaaway”ang dalawang ito. Nagkataon lamang na magkaribal sila. At sa showbiz, if you are professional rivals, chances are you are not close to each otehr – may wall, may gap. Or sa interpretation ng iba, ini-expect na may cold war. Andún ang intriga. Kesyo sino kaya ang mas may malaking bayad? Balitaý one milyon ang ginasta ng Film Ventures sa dalawang ito. Meaning to say tigpa-five hundred? Neither Vilma nor Guy would confirm this. Or alangan namang isiping ang isa ay binayaran ng 600 and the other, 400. Ayawa ng fans ng ganyan. At ang billing? “Basta sabi nial, pantay kami. Okey lang,” comment ni Guy. “Ayokong mauna. Ayoko ring mauna si Guy. Bahala na sina Ernie Rojas na mag-isip ng paraan,” malinaw na statement ni Vilma. Noong una, matunog na ang titulo a plain “T-bird” lamang. Nang sinimulan na, naging “T-Bird at Ako.” Whose idea? “Excuse me, it’s not me who asked for that. Hindi sa akin galing, at huwag isiping ako ang nag-suggest. Nang tinanggap ko ang project, alamg kong title ay “T-Bird,” mariin ang sabi ni Vilma at kapani-paniwala namang talaga. Nang lapitan ni Zialcita si Guy at inalok nito, he told Guy na “Pumayag na si Vilma. Pinangako niya sa akin ito right after she won the best actress award nitong filmfest.” Hesitant si Guy na tanggapin sana ang proyekto. “Prangkahan, sige. Si Danny ay identified kay Vilma. Nagtrabaho na sila together. Kami ni Danny, ngayon pa lang. Kilalang-kilala ni Vilma ang grupo ni Danny – Ernie and company. Ako, ngayon pa lang…kaya andu’n din ang kaba. Andu’n ang duda. Tagilid kaya ako?…Pero sinasabi ko naman ngayon, fair sila. Okey lang!”

Teka balki tayo sa first shooting day. Hayun, dumating na rin si Zialcita. Aba ayaw patawarin nin Vilma at Guy. “Sorry, pero pangako, ibo-blow out ko kayo,” pilyo niyang sabi as he stepped into the scene. Unang eksena pa lamang ay pinagsabong na niya ang dalawang bida. Malulutong na sagutan. May tulakan pa. Ngayon nga lamang nagkatapat sina Guy at Vilma nang “solohan.” Ang ibig naming sabihin, nagsama na sila in the past, pero mayroon silang ibang support at bibihira ang mga eksena nila together. But this time, sila lamang dalawa ang naka-sentro. nagsasabong. At hindi na pakanta-kanta sa ilalim ng puno or pasayaw-sayaw lamang sa entablado. Sabungan na ito ng dalawang premyadong aktres. Ng dalawang marurunong at malalakas sa takilya. Sino ang mas mahusay? Ang masa star? Ang mas karapat-dapat? Sino ang tunay na Reyna? Ang tunay na superstar? Hayan. Hulyo na nga. Hindi pa rin tapos ang “T-Bird At Ako.” Ba, nahihirapang pagtapatin ang schedules nina Vilma at Guy. At ano na nga ang nangyari between the two since their first shooting day? To the public, para bang mas magkaibigan na sila. The wall first started to crumble when Guy lost her Papay Tayoy. Vilma went out of her way not only to be among the first to send flowers, but also came to the wake. When Vilma’s son Lucky celebrated his bday, Guy sent Ian and Lot-Lot to Vilma and Edu’s home in Magallanes to bring their gifts. Edu later called up Guy to extend his gratitude sa regalong iyon. “Is this Miss Aunor?” tanong ni Edu sa kabilang linya. “Maraming salamat sa pinadala ninyong regalo at sa pagbisita nina Ian at Lot-Lot.” When Vilma and Guy saw each other on the set again, Vilma reiterated her pasasalamat to Aunor. But wait…may panibagong round.

Entra ang Sunday program ni Vilma. “Vilma in Person.” Halos katapat ng “Superstar”ni Guy. A new contest. Pero look naman, ang isa sa mga guest ni Vilma sa opening show niya ay si Guy. At di ba nagpunta rin si Vilma sa “Geym na Geyme” na isang produksiyon ng NV? When Guy celebrated her birthday on “Superstar,” it was Vilma’s turn to guest. Give and take ‘ika nga. But people are wondering. At hindi ko maaalis sa mga tao ang mag-isip ng ganito – ggano kalalim ba or kababaw ang sinasabing friendship ng dalawa? Sa opinyon ko, they are not eh best of friends in the truest sense of the word. They are friends alright, at mas nagbabatian na sila kaysa dati. Pero mukha yatang malabo kung iisiping ang pagsasamahan nila will even go deeper. Unang-una, they don’t exactly move in the same circles. While pareho nga silang superstars, parehong Reyna, mayroon silang sari-sariling kaibigan. Magkaiba ng hilig sa buhay. Magkaiba ng interes. Magkaiba ng ugali. Magkaiba sa maraming bagay. Sino ba yung nagsabing bibihirang nagkakasundo ang Scorpio (Vi) at Gemini (Guy)? Recently, tinalbugan ni Vilma si Guy nang nagkasunod ang dalawa nitong acting awards. After Vi’s victory sa filmfest, sumunod naman ay sa FAMAS. The last award na natanggap ni Guy ay mula sa Catholic Mass Media for her outstanding performance sa “Bakit Bughaw Ang Langit.” While sa FAMAS ay medyo tabla na sila ng labanan (tigda-dalawa na bilang best actress), sa Urian lamang na lamang si Guy. Vilma has yet to win an Urian award. Sa filmfest, mas marami rin ang recognition ni Guy. Sa box-office, statistic say na mas nakakalamang si Vilma. Her latest, “Relasyon” ay kumita ng more than one million sa first two days pa lamang. Now, people are curious at inaabangan kung madadaig ito ng “Annie Sabungera” ni Aunor.

ARTICLES - Jingle Sensation 19 July 1982Sa survey sa tv, still it’s “Superstar”that’s ahead of “V.I.P.” Sa film offers, paramihan ang dalawa. Vilma has “Never Say Goodbye,” “A Very Private Affair,” “Haplos,” “Once There Was A Love,” two untiled pictures for Regal, another for Film Ventures and “Hiram” for Lea. Si Guy ay mayroong “Himala,”dalawang commitments kay Peter Gan, a possible movie with Rudy Fernandez, and “Black and White” with Redford White. Ang tanong ito nga magsasabi kung sino sa dalawa ang mas tatagal. Andýan na nga ang mga bagong mukha, mas aspiring young female star na mayroon na rin namang maipagmamalaking following. Are Vilma andGuy still good for another ten years? While it is true that Vilma will not be as interesting without Guy and vice-versa, puwede rin namang either magkahatakan sila paitaas or paibaba. One thing is definited though with the two: they have to survive together. Pag nawala si Vi, wala na rin si Guy. Pagum-exit si Guy, madadamay si Vilma. At ngayon ngaý inaabangan ang pagsasabong nila sa “T-Bird At Ako.” Abogadang may identity crisis si Guy. Si Vilma naman ay isang prostiture na nakapatay. Their words clash when the lawyer offers her services to defend the killer. Vilma wonders why Guy is determined to win her case when they’re not even friends. Vilma dances at a bar and Guy feels some attraction. Some kind of a love story na si Danny Zialcita ang inspiradong magpresent at mag-interpret in such a way na magkakabanatan nang husto and akting ng dalawa. Pero habang naghihintay ang publiko…Kami naman ang kinakabahan. Sa sarili namin, gusto naming malaman kung kailan pa kaya matatapos ang “T-Bird At Ako.” – Baby K. Jimenez, Photos: Joe Claroniño, Jingle Sensation Magazine, 19 July 1982, re-posted at Pelikula Atbp (READ MORE)

Vilma Hindi Kukupas

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MEMORABILIA - Pilipino Magazine June 3 1970 (1)

Kasama ni Vilma sa pablat si Sonny Cortez, na ngayoý isang contract star ng Virgo. May sariling paraan ng pagkanta, si Sonny ay malapit nang hagaan sa Kanyang TV show, “Sonny Side Up”sa KBS.

Ang tunay na kagandahan daw ay wala sa kaanyuna kundi nasa ugali. Hindi ang tinatawag na kagandahang panlabas kundi ang kagandahan ng kanyang kalooban. At ang kagandahang ito, na walang pagkupas, ang siyang hagdan ni Vilma Santos tungo sa tagumpay. Sinumang makadaupang-palad ni Vilma ay hindi maaaring di makapansin na ang tunay niyang pagkatao ay bukas na bakas sa kanyang maaliwalas na mukha. Hindi lamang dahil sa palagi itong nakangiti (bagamat kung minsan na tuloy-tuloy ang siyuting ay kababasan din siya ng pagkahapo). Hindi lamang dahil sa totohanan niyang bukas na pagbibigay sa mga interview at pictorial saka sa mga fans na nagnanais na siya’y makaniig o mahingan ng autograph. Ang naiiwang impression ng lahat kay ay ang kanyang katapatan at kabaitan. Madali siyang makagiliwan hindi lamang dahil sa mahusay siyang kausap kundi masisinag sa kanya ang kababaang-loob. “Pasensiyosa na, maunawain pa,”anang masugid niyang tagahanga na si Manila Ballesteros. At kund kilala ninyo si Manila, maniniwala kayo sa sinasabi niyang ito. “At mahinhin pa,”dagdag naman ni Marie, isa pa ring “anino” ni Vilma na hindi nawawala saan man magpunta ang star. Bukod sa mga katangiang iyan, ang hidig na napupuri ng mga direktor na nakasama na ni Vilma ay ang kanyang professionalism. Tulad na lamang noong minsan na mag-lication shooting sila sa Merville Park sa Parañaque, Rizal. Ang eksena ay isang dream sequence at itoý kinunan sa gilid ng fountain na nakabungad sa open-air theater ng nasabing subdivision.

MEMORABILIA - Pilipino Magazine June 3 1970 (2)Malamig na ang simoy ng hangin noon (lampas hatinggabi nang idaos ang siyuting) ngunit lalong naging maginaw nang buksan na ang dancing waters. Pinapuwesto na sina Vilma, Eddie Peregrina, Alona Alegre at Edgar Mortiz sa gilid ng fountain at para namang sinasadya, patungo sa kanila ang hangin kung kayat kahit sa malayo, kitang-kita ang panginginig ng mga tuhod at baba ng apat na bituin. At dahil nga mga professional sila, tuloy rin ang siyuting. Maunawain naman ang direktor at pinilit nilang tapusin ang eksena sa lalong madaling panahon. Anupa’t parang sinusubok na talaga, kung kailan solo frame nina Vilma at Edgar noon pa kinailangang mag-reload ang cameraman ng negatibo. Hindi naman makaalis ang dalawa sapagkata masisira ang continuity ng eksena, di katakatakot na pintas na naman ang ibubuntonghininga ninyo sa panonood nito. Minsan naman, nalipasan ng gutom ang kanyang ina na kasama niyang lagi saan man siya dalhin ng kanyang mga commitments nang kinailangan nitong makipagkita sa isang prodyuser at abutan ng traffic sa oras ng pagkain. Nang bumalik ito sa set ng siyuting ang tiyan. Nagkataon naman na comedy ang eksenang kukunan at close-up rin, ngunit buong husay na nagampanan ito ni Vilma sa kabila ng labis na pag-aalala sa ina. Maging parteng ito ay napupuri rin ang dalagita. Hindi lamang daw ito mapagmahal at masunuring anak. May isip na ito at kailanman ay hindi dinulutan ang mga magulang ng sakit sa ulo, lalo na sa kanyang pag-aaral. Natural amn na purihin ito ng kanyang ina at ama na sina Ginoo at Ginang Amado Santos (ang dating Milagros Tuazon), hindi naman masasabing OA kapag nakilala ninyo nang lubusan ang bituin.

Maging ang kanyang mga kapatid ay walang maipipintas sa ugali nito at hindi lamang daw dahil sa pinagbibigyan sila nito lagi sa kanilang favorite shows na telebisyon. Maalalahanin daw ito at hindi kailanman ginagawang dahilan ang kanyang pagiging star sa tahanan, kahit na sa biro. Ang katotohanan niyan, sa loob ng anin na taong inilalagi ni Vilma sa show business, wala pang narinig na namintas o nag-complain sa kanya. Sa halip, pulos papuri ang inaani niya at kapag nakilala na ninyo siya, hindi niyon masasabing exaggeration o too impossible to be true ito. Hindi rin naman masasabing aral o pilit ang kanyang magandang pakikitungo sa lahat. Pagkat hindi lamang pantay-pantay ang pagkamagiliw niya, kundi salat ito sa pagkukunwari. Sa isang kabataang tulad niya, madaling mauunawaan kung siya man ay magkamali paminsan-minsan, ngunit sa wari’y malayong mangyari sa isang bituin kay Vilma, ang labis na paniniwala sa sarili. Hindi kataka-taka kung gayon kung bakit siya ang hinuhulaang isa sa mangilan-ngilang kabataang bituin na mananatiling sikat sa mahabang panahon. Hindi rin mahirap paniwalaan kung bakit marami ang humahanga sa bituing ito, fan man o hindi. Paanoý taglay niya ang uri ng kayamananang hindi mabibili ng salapi, isang kayamanang bibihira ang nagbibigay ng halaga, ang kagandahang walang pagkupas: magandang ugali. – Ched Gonzales, Pilipino Magazine, 03 June 1970, reposted from Pelikula Atbp (READ MORE)

Remembering Mark Gil

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Bing Pimentel – “…We were supposed to be kissing while watching a very violent scene from Stanley Kubrick’s ‘A Clockwork Orange…I was stiff, naturally, because Mark was practically a stranger and it was my first day on the set of my first movie…I didn’t think much of him because I was dating another actor that time, (Roel Vergel de Dios)…After 28 takes, the director yelled ‘Pack up! Mag-date muna kayo!’ (Go out on a date first!)…” – Bayani San Diego Jr., Philippine Daily Inquirer, 25 September 2014 (READ MORE)

Enchanted Family – “…On a more personal note, we got to know Mark earlier than most because, in the ’70s, we tapped his beautiful and gifted mother, Rosemarie Gil, as one of the hosts (along with Pete Roa, Gigi Lacson and Bey Vito) of the pioneering TV magazine show, “Sanlinggo,” that we scripted and directed for PTV 4. Rosemarie would sometimes bring her children to our taping and shooting sessions, so we first saw Mark, Cherie and Michael as lovely and spirited kids, and we found the entire family, including dad Eddie Mesa (a fine singer and actor in his own right) absolutely enchanting. That early, we simply knew that all of the Eigenmann kids would also become exceptional performers and stars. —What we didn’t know was that their thespic genes would “power” another generation of dynamic players, including Mark’s son, Sid Lucero, who was named after the character he played in “Batch ’81,” and Andi Eigenmann…” – Nestor U. Torre, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 06 September 2014 (READ MORE)

Still Friends – “…THE movie Miss X, filmed and released in the ’80s, will forever be memorable to Mark Gil. Then still very young and raw as far as acting is concerned, Direk Gil Portes tapped Mark to play Governor Vi’s leading man. Miss X had Governor Vi playing the title role. It was filmed entirely in Amsterdam, the official capital of the Netherlands. The entire cast, crew and staff, headed, of course, by Direk Gil, stayed in Amsterdam for about a month. As expected, the film was a blockbuster when it was shown. Henceforth, Mark admitted, life was never the same for him after the film. That he has a lot to thank Governor Vi is a given. Kaya for Mark, ang chance na makatrabaho uli si Gov. Vi is something to be grateful about. “Kasi she has not changed,” aniya. “Kung ano’ng pag-uugali niya when we were in Amsterdam together at pareho pa kaming bata noon, ganu’n pa rin siya ngayon. “Considering all the achievements na kanyang natamo, ’di lang bilang artista kundi bilang public official din, I am glad she still takes to me as a friend,” pahayag ni Mark. Doing The Healing with Gov. Vi is another challenge for the actor….” – Nel Alejandrino, Journal, July 11, 2012

Days in Amsterdam – “…Where to now?” I heard my mommy ask Gil when all the proper and necessary introductions were conducted. “Since it is a Sunday,” Gil suggests, “Why don’t we hear mass at the church of the Bigginhoff?” The church is situated in a strategic area, along several residential houses, and it is one of the only two Catholic churches in Amsterdam. Since between the two churches, it is the Bigginhoff which celebrates one mass in English, it is where most Filipinos attend their Sunday mass. The front yard of the church, after the mass, serves as a melting pot of sorts for most Filipinos. It si here where they renew acquaintances, exchange tete-a-tete, or get the latest tsismis about a fellow Filipinos. It is in this area where my group and I chanced upon Eddie Gutierrez, who was on the last leg of his European tour. Eddie works as a promotional salesman for Belcraft International, a firm which has its main office in Canada and which specializes in household wares….Happily for all of us, nothing untoward happened since then. We managed to even finish shooting the entire movie ahead of schedule. Now that I am back home, things which I should have done and which I shouldn’t keep rushing back into my mind. Truly, my days in Amsterdam continue to evoke memories for me, both pleasant and otherwise. For example, how can I forget the group who made up Miss X? They were such a happy lot that I would love working with them again. Gil, my director, despite himself, is a dear. I love the guy, since I know he loves me, too. Mark G., my leading man, will forever hold a special place in my heart. He proved so sweet, so pleasant to work with, so much so, I pray he will succeed. And my Ductch leading man, Max van Os, he did make my last days in Amsterdam memorable. I will always take him as one of the most warm-heated persons I’ve ever met in my whole life. My memories of Amsterdam will never be complete without me mentioning the kindness and generosity of the Filipinos residing there. The way they welcomed and treated us in their respective homes truly amazed me. I love them all and will cherish their memories for a long, long time…” – Ethelwolda A. Ramos, Expressweek December 20, 1979 (READ MORE)

Generous Actor – “…If there is one thing that Mark Gil should be remembered for, it is his generosity. His career is marked by performances wherein he is required to work with others, whether it is a director with a distinctly unique vision or filmmaking style, or an ensemble of actors with varying ranges. In all his works, it never appeared that he was occupying much of the limelight. He was simply not there for himself. He was there for the film. Even Sid Lucero, the name that jumpstarted his career, he generously lent to his son, Timothy Eigenmann. Perhaps this is the reason why Mark Gil is such a great actor. He just had so much to give, but too little time to keep giving…Even up to the end, he was preparing for projects, for various filmmakers, for himself. There were simply no boundaries, not even the pain he was suffering because of the illness he had kept a secret, when it comes to his craft…” – Oggs Cruz, Rappler, 02 Sep 2014 (READ MORE)

Nora Aunor on Mark Gil – “…I got to work with Mark in ‘Rock ’n’ Roll’ (1981) and then in ‘Babae’ (1997). He was one of the best. I would get nervous in our scenes together. I last saw him at the thanksgiving party of Direk Maryo J. de los Reyes last year. We talked about making a movie together again. Sayang it didn’t push through. He still had so much to give to the movie industry…” – Bayani San Diego Jr., Philippine Daily Inquirer, 08 Sep 2014 (READ MORE)

Raphael Joseph De Mesa Eigenmann (born September 25, 1961), better known as Mark Gil, is a Filipino actor. He is the son of actors Eddie Mesa and Rosemarie Gil, brother of actors Michael de Mesa and Cherie Gil. He is fourth Filipino, fourth Spanish, and half Swiss German American descent. He is the father of singer/actor Gabby Eigenmann and Ira Eigenmann from actress Irene Celebre. He is also the father of Tim “Sid Lucero” Eigenmann and Maxene “Max” Eigenmann from actress Bing Pimentel, and of Andi Eigenmann from another actress, Jaclyn Jose. He has been married for 18 yrs to Maricar Jacinto-Eigenmann. – Wikipedia (READ MORE)

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Magkaribal is 36 (Videos)

Posted on by Standard

FILMS - Magkaribal 6

Released Date: August 17, 1979

Plot Description: A story of a woman whose closest friend became her worst rival. They were once very close to each other-almost like sisters. She even confides all her troubles and heartaches to this friend. Later, she sensed some changes in her friend’s attitude towards her which became obvious when this friend of hers tried to outshine her in everything. She tried not to mind this but worse came to worst when she discovered that the other woman in her love one’s life is the very same friend thus a never-ending conflict arised. It stars: Vilma Santos, Christopher de Leon, Alma Moreno. – Trigon Video