Vi And Bot – Sweet Sixteen

Posted on August 15, 2010 by @ffv Standard

Sina Vilma Santos at Edgar Mortiz ang isa sa mga itunuturing na pinaka-durable loveteam ng lokal na aliwan. Alam naman ng lahat na si Edgar ang first love ni Ate Vi. Ang mga tagahangang nakasaksi sa kanilang pagmamahalan ay di-akalaing magwawakas agad iyon. Ate Vi was 14 years old then nang mapasama sa popular radio show ni Ka Tinno Lapuz,ang Eskwelahang Munti. Dito niya nakilala ang di inaasahang magiging ka-loveteam na si Edgar. Nakilala ang kanilang loveteam as “Vi and Bot” .Sumabay ang kanilang team-up sa “Guy and Pip” nina Tirso at Nora. Una silang napanood sa lokal na aliwan bilang suporta ng yumaong singer na si Eddie Peregrina sa pelikulang “My Darling Eddie” in 1969. Klik agad ang kanilang tambalan and from then on ay nagkasunodsunod na ang kanilang mga ginawang pelikula, gayundin ang mga TV shows, tulad ng “The Sensations” at “Edgar Loves Vilma.” Kinanta ng dalawa ang Devoted To you and the fans were hooked. Nagsimulang nagtatag ang kanilang mga tagahanga ng Vi-Bot Fans Club all over the country, as against sa karibal nitong Guy and Pip tandem. Parang kabuteng nagsulputan ang kanilang mga fans from Aparri to Jolo.

Tinagurian noon ang kanilang tambalan na Subok na Matibay, Subok na Matatag na siyang blurb noon ng isang kilalang bangko na naging commercial nila. Sinundan agad ng pelikulang The Jukebox King as second lead na nagtampok din kay Eddie Peregrina. Taong 1970, ginawa nila ang “Young Love” under VP Pictures na kung saan kasama ang karibal nilang tandem, ang Guy and Pip. Nagkasunod-sunod ang pagpapareha nila sa mga pelikulang Song and Lovers, Bulaklak at Paru-Paro, My Pledge of Love, Love Is For the Two Of Us, From The Bottom Of My Heart, Young Idols, Sixteen, Because You are Mine, Love Letters, Sweetheart, Mga Batang Bangketa, I Love You Honey, Edgar Loves Vilma, Sapagkat Sila’y aming Mga Anak, Vilma My Darling, Baby Vi at Renee Rose. Sa loob ng taong 1970, nakagawa ang kanilang tambalan ng labing walong pelikula. That was also the same time na na-inlove na si Bobot kay Vi. By the way, ang aktres mismo ang nagbinyag kay Edgar ng Bobot. Nang mabuo na nga ang kanilang tambalan, unti-unti nang nagpalipad-hangin si Bobot kay Vi. Ayon nga sa pagbabalik-tanaw, si Ate Vi noon ay labing-anim na taong gulang nang maging magkatipan sila ni Bot. Ang kanikanilang tagahanga ay naniwalang meron na talagang affair ang mga idols nila. In February, 1970 nagtapat si Bobot kay Vi ng “I love You.” Nadebelop ang feelings nila sa isa’t isa dahil sa kanilang loveteam. Pero aprubado naman ng kani-kanilang parents ang relasyon. Botong-boto kasi at giliw na giliw si Mama Santos kay Bobot noon. Naging neighbors pa nga sila ni Bobot sa Arfel Homes sa Project 6, Quezon City. Nasundan pa ang kanilang pagtatambal noong sumunod na taon, 1971.

Ginawa nila ang Love At First Sight, The Sensations, Angelica, The Wonderful World Of Music, Young Lovers, Our Love Affair at Eternally. Mapapansin na karamihan sa mga pelikula na kanilang ginawa ay puro hango sa titulo sa mga kantang pinatanyag noon. Usually, ang karamihan sa mga eksena ay tadtad ng mga musical numbers. Dahil sa kainitan ng tagumpay sa takilya at popularidad ang kanilang tambalan, ginawa ng Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions, ang Aloha My Love, taong 1972 na kinunan pa sa Hawaii, Don’t Ever Say Goodbye na kinunan pa sa Pasadena Palm Spring, San Francisco USA, Dulce Corazon, Remembrance na ka-love triangle ang yumaong si Jay Ilagan, Dama de Noche, an award winning movie ni Vi na nagpanalo sa kanya ng FAMAS Best Actress where she played a dual role, 3 Mukha ni Rosa Vilma at Leron-Leron Sinta. Their trip in Hawaii where they did Aloha My Love was very memorable. Marami kasi ang umaasa nilang mga fans na magaganap ang Hawaiian wedding nila pero hanggang sa pelikula lang ito nangyari. Taong 1973, muli silang nagtambal sa pelikulang Now and Forever at Anak ng Asuwang.

Nasundan pa ng dalawang pelikula noong 1974, ang Biktima at Kampanerang Kuba. Akala nila ay panghabambuhay na ang kanilang relasyon. But tulad ng kasabihan, nothing lasts forever, nabuwag din ang kanilang tambalan. Mahigit na 50 pelikula ang kanilang pinagtambalan. On and off, pinapanatili ng Tagalog Ilang-Ilang ang kanilang loveteam na talagang tinatangkilik ng kanilang matatapat na tagahanga. Ang last movie na pinagtambalan nila ay ang “Karugtong ng Kahapon,” taong 1975 para sa TIIP. Nagkaroon ng lamat ang kanilang loveteam nang mapatambal si Ate Vi sa iba’t ibang leading men. Nag-split sila formally noong April 28, 1974. Sa kanilang break-up ay hindi nawalan ng pag-asa si Bobot who kept looking forward for a reconciliation. Only years after, when Bobot got married nang hindi na talaga sila puwede pang magkabalikan ni Ate Vi,ang kanyang first love. Ate Vi went on with her career as a solo star at tinangkilik ng publiko na maipareha sa ibang aktor. Sa paghihiwalay ng landas nina Vi at Bobot sa pelikula ay napanatili nila ang kanilang magandang bonding hanggang ngayon. – Willie Fernandez, V Magazine, Dec. 2006

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Remembering Vilma’s 18th Birthday!

Posted on December 10, 2009 by @ffv Standard

The year was 1971, when ate Vi celebrated her debut. Ang tagal na pala. Parang kailan lang when I cut these photos sa isang newspaper. I was still in grade school then, at wala pang pambili ng mga magazines. So, I content myself sa newspaper naming sa bahay. As far as I can remember, isang bonggang birthday celebration iyon. Nagkaroon ng isang asalto on the eve of her birthday. Meron din fans party na ginanap sa Mehan garden, pero ang talagang coming-out party niya ay ginanap sa The Plaza restaurant. Wala na itong restaurant na ito ngayon, but it was very popular ng mga panahon na iyon.

The restaurant, which was, located sa Makati, ay siya ring naging venue ng reception ng wedding nina FPJ at Susan Roces. Ang asalto, fans party sa Mehan garden at ang debut party ay added attraction sa movie nina ate Vi at Edgar na “Eternally.” Ang gown ni ate Vi was made by Ben Farrales. Sa isang write-up interview kay Danilo Franco, na siyang gumawa ng wedding gown ni ate Vi, nabanggit nito that he was working for Mang Ben during that time. The white gown bore hand-painted pink roses, which were made by Danilo Franco. Star-studded ang party ni ate Vi. Halos lahat ng young stars of the era ay dumating. Ang mga kasamahan niya sa TV show na The Sensations ang siyang mga kasali sa cotillion.

Dumalo rin ang big stars of the era like sina Rosemarie at Ricky Belmonte, at doon nila inannounce na magpapakasal sila the following month. Special guest din si Mr. Manda Elizalde of Panamin, na tinulungan noon nina ate Vi at Edgar para ikampanya para sa Senado. Dumalo rin ang super big action star noon na si Tony Ferrer kasama ang kanyang misis na si Mutya Ng Pilipinas winner, Alice Crisostomo. Naroon rin ang mga producers ni Ate Vi at ang mga press people. It’s now 2005, 34 years na ang nakakaraan, pero andito pa rin si Ate Vi at siyang nangungunang Reyna ng pelikulang Pilipino. Nawala na ang mga kasabayan niya at maging ang mga sumunod sa kanya, pero nanatiling nag-iisa ang tunay na Reyna ng Pelikulang Pilipino sa lahat ng panahon. – Eric Nadurata, V Magazine 2006

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Filmography: Biktima (1974)

Posted on December 2, 2009 by @ffv Standard

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Basic Information: Directed: Nilo Saez; Story: Laura Santos; Screenplay: Jose F Sabal; Cast: Helen Gamboa, Celia Rodriguez, Perla Bautista, Cristina Reyes, Divina Valencia, Leopoldo Salcedo, Bert Leroy Jr., Joe Sison, Tony Santos Jr., Yoyoy Villame, Tommy Abuel, Vilma Santos, Edgar Mortiz, Ike Lozada, German Moreno, Max Alvarado, Renato Robles, Patria Plata, Elizabeth vaughn, Maribel, Danny Rojo, Joaquin Fajardo, Steve Alcarado, Lope Policarpio, Romy Luartes, Lex Amores, Boy Clinton; Executive producer: Espiridion Laxa; Cinematography: Ricardo Dano

Plot Description: In a strange turn of events, Dolores (Vilma Santos) moves in to live with her grandfather, who has sole custody of her ever since her mother was imprisoned for the m rder of Dolores’ father. Mystery unfolds as Dolores stays with her grandfather when members of the household are murdered one by one. Will Dolores escape the chaos unraveling around her or will she be the next victim? – Kabayan Central (READ MORE)

A gripping whodunit with young superstar Vilma Santos at the center of a terrifying murder whirlpool! In the style of Agatha Christie, the story is about Dolores (Vilma Santos), a poor girl who has suddenly found herself a member of a strange but wealthy household, thanks to her newly-discovered sick and aging grandfather. The family members, however, get murdered one by one, making every surviving member a suspect. An all-star cast supports Vilma in this murder mystery, including Helen Gamboa, Celia Rodriguez, Perla Bautista, Edgar Mortiz, Leopoldo Salcedo, Max Alvarado, and Bert Leroy Jr. A Tagalog Ilang-Ilagn Productions presentation. – Trigon Video

Film Achievement: Entry to 1974 Manila Film Festival

Film Review: This was the ending scene (see video below) in the movie “Biktima”, Ate Vi’s entry in the 1974 Manila Film Festival. In the movie, she killed Cristina Reyes, Helen Gamboa, Divina Valencia, Celia Rodriguez, Yoyoy Villame to avenge her mother’s imprisonment who was wrongfully accused of murder. Perla Bautista played Ate Vi’s mother. I think Bobot played as a reporter. Ate Vi was caught and was sentenced to die in the electric chair. That’s why she was bald in the last scene. – moviefan808 (You Tuber)

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Filmography: Tok, Tok, Palatok (1974)

Posted on December 2, 2009 by @ffv Standard

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Basic Information: Directed: F. H. Constantino; Screenplay: Bert R. Mendoza; Cast: Vilma Santos, Panchito, Bentot, Pugak, Dencio Padilla, Tange, Max Alvarado, Jojit Paredes, Ike Lozada, Ponga, Rodolfo boy Garcia, Alicia Alonzo, Mary Walter, Ange; Original Music: D’ Amarillo; Cinematography: Fermin Pagsisihan

Plot Description: Vilma Santos played a twin sister…of a snake.

Film Achievement: No Available Data

Film Review: “…That was not the first time I met her. Actually, I know her way way back when she was only 8 or 9 years old, pumupunta sila sa amin. Kasi regular customer ng Mother ko ang Mama niya sa ready made clothes, yun kasi ang business ng Mother ko noon sa Rustans. I was about 10 or 11 years old then, and while her mom is making the selection of cloth, iniiwan naman niya si Vilma sa living room namin. Minamasdan ko siya, ang ganda-ganda ng mukha niya…Maasikaso sa set, malambing, mabait lalo na sa maliliit na crew. Doon kami nagkaroon ng bonding when we were doing that film. Mabuting tao talaga si Vilma, she has a good heart and always willing to help others. We became very close, di ko makakalimutan na minsan ay nag-drive ako ng 3 hours just to see her…Let’s split it up into two. Personality and how she relates to others. Personality wise, mabuting tao siya, she is so trusting to the extend that it becomes disadvantage on her part , she trusted people so much. About relation to others, she is so approciable, a perfect politician, she’s always ready to help, not skimming, she has social conscience and will do things to achieve her goal…” – Franco Gabriel (READ MORE)

“…And so, to prove them wrong, Vilma’s manager smartly plotted follow-up recordings. Not only did Vilma record her follow-up album, she recorded a string of mini-LPs. Mini-LPs are shorter version of the big vinyl record with two songs on each side. She ventured into Tagalog songs, recording six songs that include instants hits like Isipin Mong Basta’t Mahal Kita, a theme song to a film she did opposite Filipino chess grand master, Eugene Torre; Palong-Palo, where she received a golden record award in 1974 and an up-tempo opm, Tok-Tok Palatok, another theme song from one of her comedy film with the same title opposite Jojit Paredes…” – RV (READ MORE)

“…Very few probably are aware that Ronnie was once a matinee idol in the music profession. He was the other half of the famous singing duo called The Two of Us. His partner was Jojit Paredes, the cousin of Jim Paredes, who was also a kilabot ng mga colegiala as part of the Apolinario Mabini Hiking Society, now better known as the APO. Ronnie and Jojit were schoolmates in La Salle grade school, while Jim and his then large group were from rival Ateneo…After The Two of Us, Jojit eventually disappeared from the scene (he is now in L.A. married to an American and works as an assistant administrator in a hospital), while Ronnie’s popularity lingered, especially when he and Vilma Santos began dating. Ronnie also joined Penthouse 7 as executive producer/dancer and also part of the group was Ida Ramos, who many years later would become his wife. (Ida Henares now heads GMA Artist Center.) In between, he also hosted his own variety shows on TV, primarily in the Broadcast City stations…” – Butch Francisco (READ MORE)

RELATED READING: Interview with Jojit Paredes

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Filmography: Kampanerang Kuba (1974)

Posted on December 2, 2009 by @ffv Standard

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Basic Information: Directed: Nilo Saez; Story: Pablo S. Gomez; Screenplay: Nilo Saez, Jose Flores Sibal; Cast: Vilma Santos, Edgar Mortiz, Celia Rodriguez, Dindo Fernando, Rosanna Marquez, Perla Bautista, Max Alvarado, Ernie Garcia, Tony Santos, Jr., Patria Plata, Metring David, Greg Lozano, Joaquin Fajardo, Steve Alcarado, Romy Luartes, Francisco Cruz, Carmen Romasanta, Danny Rojo, Edwin Cruz, SOS Daredevils, P I Boys; Executive producer: Espiridion Laxa; Original Music: Tito Arevalo; Cinematography: Benjamin L. Lobo

Plot Description: Kampanerang Kuba (lit. Hunchbacked Lady Bellringer) was a fantasy soap opera television series broadcast by ABS-CBN in the Philippines. It was inspired by 1973 film with same title, which was starred by Vilma Santos and Bobot Mortiz. It was tagged as Pinoy Disney. It was originally based from a comic book series written by Pablo Gomez. – Wikipedia (READ MORE)

Film Achievement: Film adapted from comics written Pablo S. Gomez; Illustrated by Alex Nino for Planet Komiks, 1971; Remade into TV series in 2005 by ABS-CBN and starring Anne Curtis, Luis Manzano, Jomari Yllana with Edgar Mortiz and directed by Wenn Deramas, Andoy Ranay.

Film Review: Kampanerang Kuba’s convulated, long story maybe attributed to the original comics material of Pablo Gomez. A good director should ironed out all the twists and turns and all its one-dimenssional characters. For example, Celia Rodriguez character, Tateng. She is so masochistic that it is just right to know why she is so mean and that with her towernesque beauty, she decided to remained in the town where everything seems to be so tribial. Nilo Saez (with Jose Flores Sibal adapted the script) failed miserably in this regard. Shot in Nagcarlan Laguna, Kampanerang Kuba showcased the old Filipino beliefs in patron saints, religious rituals and miracles. It also demonstrates that people can be so cruel, can passed judgement, and can asked for forgiveness that quick when confronted with truth. All will be forgiving without taking into account all the harm that they have done. In the real world, these people will be punished. Celia Rodriguez seems to be wooden in so many scenes but equally infuririating when she started to do her verbal and physical abuse of Anda. With limited dialouge, a young Dindo Fernando portrayed Tateng’s lover convincingly. All the other supporting roles including Perla Bautista, Ernie Garcia and others gave a forgettable performances. About the two main lead, Edgar Mortiz and Vilma Santos did what they can to portrayed their roles. Edgar Mortiz seems to be trying very hard to be effective as the priest but acting is clearly not his forte. Would this be different if Jay Ilagan did this role? Vilma Santos succeed more with her solo scenes, talking to the patron saints and the bell tower, eating with her bare hands and trying to beautify her ugly face. – RV, (READ MORE)

“Despite of (or perhaps because of) her hideous appearance, she is held dear by the parish priest Padre Damaso but abhorred by the church caretaker, Edeng who maltreats her at every opportunity. Andang is ugly, ugly, ugly and deserves all the pain she can get…don’t think Mang Martin will give the miracle for free. Vilma emerges as the ugly hunchback Andeng! Sandra is gone! Death to fantasy!…” – Silver Screen Surfer, (READ MORE)

Feast for Eyes, Soul – “With only a little over an hour spent on the road, Lenten pilgrims can explore the heritage churches of Laguna province for the traditional “visita iglesia” (church visit) today. Laguna has 86 Catholic churches, 26 of these built between the 16th and 19th centuries. The churches give pilgrims glimpses of the Catholic faith’s beginnings and its role in the spiritual and cultural development of Laguna. Jerry Gaela, 51, a parish priest administering St. Paul the First Hermit Cathedral in San Pablo City, said that while visita iglesia was not a required practice among Catholics, it was “additional devotion for personal and spiritual growth.” Visita iglesia is traditionally done on the night of Maundy Thursday when the Blessed Sacrament is displayed in the churches. People used to visit seven churches, but now, they would go to as many as 14 churches and pray at the Stations of the Cross. The spirit is “to accompany the Lord in his Passion,” Gaela said. These are seven of Laguna’s heritage churches worth a visit today…San Bartolome Apostol Church, Nagcarlan town, The baroque church, 15 km from San Pablo, was first built in 1583 using light materials. It was in 1752 when the second church was built from stone and brick. However, the structure was damaged by a fire in 1781. A choir loft was added when the church was rebuilt in 1845 by Rev. Vicente Velloc, who also built the nearby Nagcarlan underground cemetery. The church was featured in the 1974 film, “Kampanerang Kuba,” starring now Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto, and the film’s 2005 television remake of the same title, starring Anne Curtis…” – Kimmy Baraoidan, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 13 April 2017 (READ MORE)

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Filmography: Happy Days are Here Again (1974)

Posted on December 2, 2009 by @ffv Standard

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Basic Information: Directed: Cirio H. Santiago; Cast: All Star Cast; Production Co.: Premiere Productions/LVN Productions/Sampaguita Pictures; Release Date: November 15, 1974

Plot Description: A collections of special film clips, mostly production numbers, from the hit films of the big three, Sampaguita, Premeire, and LVN. Films of the 50s, 60s and 70s narrated by the big studio’s contracts stars like Gloria Romero, Nida Blanca, Eddie Gutierrez and others.

Film Achievement: No Available Data

Film Review: “…In 1974, the Big 3 studios of the 50s, LVN Pictures, Sampaguita Pictures and Premiere Productions reproduced a full-length movie showcasing a compilation of the musical comedies produced by the three studios. It was a painstaking job for the researchers since most of the best musicals produced by the three studios were either lost or destroyed. At the start of the project, director Lamberto V. Avellana was supposed to direct the film but eventually replaced by Cirio Santiago after so many changes in the project including the script. He ended up as consultant of the movie. The film was HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN, with brief narrations by movie stars like Gloria Romero, Nida Blanca, Susan Roces, Leopoldo Salcedo, Jaime de la Rosa, Eddie Gutierrez, Tirso Cruz III, Pugo, German Moreno and Ike Lozada…” – Pelikula Atbp (READ MORE)

“Happy Days Are Here Again (Sampaguita Pictures / LVN Studios And Premiere Productions, 1974) proves to cynics that there was a golden age of Filipino movies. From the pre-war era to the early 50’s, the Filipino film industry produced movies with superior techniques and highly entertaining plots. These films were considered a national past-time not only by a common public but also by an elite group who looked upon its stars as peers. If moviegoers nowadays look upon their plots as overused formulas and their gawky sentiments as embarrassments, it is because these films expressed the spirit of their times, an innocence albeit hypocritical, which we have overgrown. Although limited to the output of three major studios LVN, Sampaguita and Premiere, the movie has many memories to offer. If we do let a tear fall, it’s because there has been nothing to replace them. First and foremost of the excerpts is from Giliw Ko (1939), a musical with Mila del Sol being serenaded by Fernando Poe. The movie was restored by The National Film And Sound Archive Of Australia and the Philippine Information Agency in 1998 since most of the pre-war films are either lost or destroyed. Among the other outstanding excerpts are the finale from Nasaan Ka Irog (1957) with Letty Liboon, Diomedes Maturan singing The Rose Tatoo, Nida Blanca’s singing and dancing in Batangueña (1953) and Waray-Waray (1954), Pugo and Togo in scenes from their comedies, Dolphy and Lolita Rodriguez as Jack And Jill (1953), Hollywood actor Don Johnson singing Close To You, a song popularized by The Carpenters to leading lady Nora Aunor in a deleted scene from Lollipops And Roses (1971) and the grand finale from Hawayana (1953)…” – Jojo Devera, Sari-saring Sineng Pinoy (READ MORE)

“…Cirio H. Santiago had grown up in the studio owned by his parents and in 1957, aged only 21, had enough business acumen to forsee the grim future for the Big Three studios. Of particular interest to Santiago were the opportunities to be made in the lucrative and ever-expanding American drive-in circuit. With dreams of taking his films to the world’s screens, and with the American drive-in circuit firmly in his sights, Santiago took a huge financial risk for Premiere: along with Eddie Romero, he set up the Philippines’ first production, The Day Of The Trumpet (1957), for the international market. Santiago himself continued to pursue a career in the international whilst keeping Premiere Productions afloat. By the early Seventies Premiere began seeking out co-production deals with countries including the United States; Premiere, one of the Big Three studios of the Fifties, was rapidly evolving to become primarily, though not exclusively, a production unit for international features and co-productions including those of Roger Corman. In Corman, Santiago found the perfect partner in crime, and would continue a working relationship and close friendship from their first meeting in 1970 until Cirio passed away in 2008…” – Andrew Leavold (READ MORE)

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Filmography: Vilma and the Beep, Beep, Minica (1974)

Posted on December 2, 2009 by @ffv Standard

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Basic Information: Directed: Romy Susara; Story, screenplay: Nilo Saez; Cast: Vilma Santos, Nick Romano, Romeo Miranda, Ramil Rodriguez, Rudy Fernandez, Max Alvarado, Angelo Ventura, Joaquin Fajardo, Elizabeth Ramsey, Renato Robles, Ruben Ramos, Romy Luartes, Romy Medalla, SOS Daredevils; Original Music: George Canseco; Cinematography: Tommy Marcelino

Plot Description: No Available Data

Film Achievement: No Available Data

Film Review: “…She was also a hit in “Dyesebel” and the thrillers “Takbo, Vilma, Dali” and “Hatinggabi Na, Vilma.” She also did other fantasy films like “Phantom Lady,” “Vivian Volta,” “Wonder Vi,” and “Vilma and the Beep Beep Minica…” – Mario Bautista (READ MORE)

“…Rodolfo “Rudy” Valentino Padilla Fernandez, screen name Rudy Fernandez[1] (March 3, 1952 – June 7, 2008), also known as “Daboy”, was a multi-awarded Filipino actor and producer. He came to prominence as an action star in the Philippine cinema during the 1980s up to the early 1990s…” – Wikipedia (READ MORE)

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Filmography: Kamay na Gumagapang (1974)

Posted on December 2, 2009 by @ffv Standard

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Basic Information: Direction:Tony Cayado; Story: Pablo S. Gomez; Screenplay: Mauro Bautista; Cast: Vilma Santos, Rosemarie Gil, Romeo Miranda, Alicia Alonzo, Dick Israel, Matimtiman Cruz, Tita De Villa, Jose De Villa, Venchito Galvez, Conrado Conde, Naty Mallares, Winnie Santos, Rey Tomenes, Elisa Robles, Louie Zapata; Original Music:Totoy Nuke; Cinematography: Felipe Santiago; Release Date:26 July 1974 (Philippines); Production Company:VP Pictures

Plot Description: No Available Data

Film Achievement: No Available Data

Film Review: “Pablo S. Gomez is one of the top komiks writers in the Philippines. He is also a movie scriptwriter and director. His most popular works include Kurdapya, Petrang Kabayo, among others…Among the prolific writers in the Philippines, Gomez created more than 1,000 komiks novels and stories. Some 300 of which were given film adaptations by movie studios like Sampaguita Pictures, Lea Productions, FPJ Productions, Seiko Films, Viva Films, and Regal Films…In the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, his list of works that became blockbuster movies were…Kampanerang Kuba (1973), Kamay na Gumagapang (1974)…” – Wikipilipinas (READ MORE)

“…My first big break as a kontrabida was given by Dr. Perez of Sampaguita Pictures in Kamay Na Gumagapang. In one of our press conferences, he told everyone “Watch out for this guy, Dick Israel, he’s going to be the next Eddie Garcia…” – Edwin P. Sallan (READ MORE)

“…Ang masterpiece ni Tony Cayado na Kamay Na Gumagapang (July 26, 1974) ay handog ng VP Pictures na pinangunahan nina Vi, Rosemarie Gil, Romeo Miranda, Alicia Alonzo, Dick Israel, Matimtiman Cruz, Tita de Villa, Venchito Galvez, Winnie Santos at Naty Mallares. Ito ay sa panulat ni Pablo S. Gomez at iskrip ni Mauro Bautista. “Beware: Kamay Na Gumagapang is creeping at your back!…” – Alfonso Valencia (READ MORE)

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Filmography: Vivian Volta (1974)

Posted on December 2, 2009 by @ffv Standard

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Basic Information: Direction Bobby Santiago; Story and Screenplay Antonio Pascua; Cast: Vilma Santos (in the title role), Edgar Mortiz, Eddie Garcia, Paquito Diaz, Romy Diaz, Leopoldo Salcedo, Leonor Vergara, Darius Razon and Cristina Reyes; Cinematography: Alfonso Alvarez; Music: D’Amarillo; Production Company: GPS Productions; Release Date: 12 October 1974 – Andrew Leavold (READ MORE)

Plot Description: Martial arts Vilma fights bad guys as Vivian Volta.

Film Achievement: Box office hit of 1974

Film Review: “…There was a time in the 70s, particularly in 1973 and 1974, when a spate of Pinoy fantasy films featuring Pinoy superheroes graced our big screens. I think it was Vilma Santos’ Lipad Darna Lipad that started it all. It ushered in this wave of so-called trend in fantasy movies. Besides Darna, Vilma came up with Wonder Vi (1973), Phantom Lady (1974) and Vivian Volta (1974); Nora Aunor had Super Gee (1973) based on a popular komik serial; Superman and Batman had their local counterparts in Zoom, Zoom Superman (1973) with Ariel Ureta and Fight Batman Fight with Victor Wood. Vilma came out with another sequel of Darna titled Darna and the Giants, also in 1973; Dolphy had his own version of Captain Barbell in Captain Barbell Boom (1973). It was the movie, Supergirl (1973) which starred Pinky, that made a major impact among the moviegoers that time. It was a surprise hit that year. It was reshown several times due to insistent public demand…” – Simon Santos (READ MORE)

Mad Scientist vs Volta – “…Eddie Garcia is a mad scientist who plans to destroy the world, and comebacking star Leonor Vergara is his wife in GPS Production’s Quezon City Film Fest entry “Volta” in full color. It stars Vilma Santos and Edgar Mortiz under the direction of Bobby Santiago…”

Fight Scene – “…In 1974, our house became a setting of GPS Productions’ “Vivian Volta.” Vilma Santos shot one scene, a fight scene…Edgar Mortiz , who was also in the movie, accompanied Vi to the set. I read in some gossip column that Vilma and Edgar that time had already problem with their relationship. Basketball star Dave Brodett, who was rumored to be courting Vilma, paid the young actress a visit at the set. Several scenes were also shot the following day, with veteran actor Eddie Garcia, playing a mad scientist and comebacking actress Leonor Vergara, who played his wife…” – Posted by Simon Santos, Video 48, 21 September 2017 (READ MORE)

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Filmography: Basta’t Isipin Mong Mahal Kita (1975)

Posted on December 1, 2009 by @ffv Standard

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Basic Information: Directed: Armando De Guzman; Cast: Vilma Santos, Eugene Torre, Panchito, Coney Reyes, Roldan Aquino, Teroy De Guzman, Teddy Blarmino, Ellen Esguerra, Ponga, Greg Lozano, Rhonna Mercado, Golay, Menggay, Marlyn Pastera, Ursula carlos; Theme Songs: “Isipin mong Mahal Kita” performed by Vilma Santos

Plot Description: No Available Data

Film Achievement: No Available Data

Film Review: “…Eugene Torre: “…Medyo mahirap kasi (It was quite difficult because) I played a poor man and a rich man at the same time…I had to wear a tuxedo in some scenes then plain clothes the next. It was hard to make the switch…” – Manolo Pedralvez, Rappler, 28 June 2014 (READ MORE)

“…Coney made her movie debut in “Return of the Dragon” in 1975. She has been hosted for Student Canteen since its first airing on GMA Network in 1975. In 1982, Coney Reyes left Studio Canteen for Eat Bulaga on RPN. In exchange, Chiqui Holmann-Yulo filled the slot vacated by Reyes. Coney’s hosting stint with Eat Bulaga opened more opportunities for her and has been co-starred with Dolphy, Fernando Poe Jr., Vilma Santos, Lorna Tolentino, Maricel Soriano, Helen Vela, Aiza Seguerra and Vic Sotto among others in several movies and TV programs…” – Wikipilipinas (READ MORE)

“Eugenio Torre (born November 4, 1951) is a chess Grandmaster (GM). He is considered the strongest chess player the Philippines has ever produced during the 1980s and 1990s period, following the heels of Fischer-era Filipino chess champions National Master (NM) Ramon Lontoc, International Master (IM) Renato Naranja, IM Rodolfo Tan Cardoso and GM Rosendo Balinas, Jr. Super GM Wesley So is currently the top Philippine chess player. GM Torre shot to prominence in 1976 as a possible future title challenger after winning a strong four-man tournament in Manila ahead of world champion Anatoly Karpov – thus becoming the first player to finish ahead of Karpov in a tournament since the latter became world champion. The high-point of his career came in the early 1980s when he was ranked world No.17; successfully going on to qualify to be a candidate for the world championship after tying for first with Lajos Portisch during the 1982 Toluca Interzonal. Torre has the distinction of being the first Asian player to earn the title of International Grandmaster. He qualified for the Candidates Matches for the 1984 World Championship. In that preliminary stage, the contenders play matches against each other to determine who will challenge the world champion. Torre was eliminated when he lost his match against Zoltán Ribli by a score of 6-4. After losing his quarter-final candidates match to Zoltán Ribli in 1983, Torre became disillusioned with chess and more or less went into semi-retirement. He went on to become a minor celebrity due to his daily one hour TV programme Chess Today…” – Wikipedia (READ MORE)