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Basic Information: Direction, Screenplay: Jose Miranda Cruz; Cast: Vilma Santos, Ronald Remy, Willie Sotelo, Bert Silva, Oscar Keesee, Vilma Valera and Liza Moreno; Production Co.: Larry Santiago Productions; Release Date: July 13, 1963

Plot Description: Duelo Sa Sapang Bato was a DZXL radio serialized drama. Serious citations are needed to find basic information about this film. One writer cited FPJ was the lead actor but this was confusing since FPJ also has a film with similar title, Bandido ng Sapang Bato. Also, the director cited for this film was Jose Miranda Cruz who also has a similar film (another serialized radio drama), Hiwaga sa Bahay Bato.

Film Achievement: On march 21, 1964, The 12th FAMAS Awards Night was held at the Fiesta Pavillion of the Manila Hotel. Vilma Valera was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Duelo sa Sapang Bato. Unfortunately, she lost to Marlene Dauden for Sapagkat Kami’y Tao Lamang. The other Vilma won that night – Vilma Santos, the child star received her first acting award for her title role film, Trudis Liit.

Film Reviews: “…Ipinanganak nga marahil si Ma. Rosa Vilma Tuazon Santos sa show business dahil sa pagitan ng taping ng “Larawan..” ay nagkasunod-sunod na ang kanyang mga pelikula…“Duelo Sa Sapang Bato” ng Larry Santiago Productions (Hulyo 13 – 22, 1963)…ng lumikha ng rekord sa takilya…Makalipas ang mga tatlong buwan, nakatanggap ng maikling sulat si Mama Santos muka lay G. Agra. Naghahanap ang Sampaguita Picutures ng batang babae na gaganap ng mahalagang papel sa “Anak, Ang Iyong Ina!” at isinali ng amain ang pangalan ni Vi. Hindi puwedeng lumiban si Papa Santos sa pinpasukang government office, at ayaw naman nilang mapahiya ang kamag-anak, kaya napilitan si Mama Santos na humingi ng day=off sa opisina (Aguinaldo’s). Pagdating sa studio, wala si G. Agra at nasa location shooting, ngunit totoong naroroon ang pangalan ni Vi, kaya’t pinapasok sila sa tanggapan. Napadaan sa harapan ni Mama Santos si Bella Flores na dala ang script ng “Trudis Liit.” Nagulumihanan si Mama Santos. Binasa niyang muli ang liham ni G. Agra. Mali yata ang napuntahan nila! Akma niyang tatawagin si Vi na noon ay nkikipaglaro sa iba pang mga bata upang yayain na itong umuwi, nang pumasok sina Mommy Vera, Dr. at Mrs. Perez, at Eddie Garcia. At doon nagsimula ang movie career ni Vi na magpahanggang ngayon ay batbat pa rin ng iba’t ibang panunuri, opinyon at konklusiyon…” – Ched P. Gonzales (READ MORE)

“…Ang Duwelo Sa Sapang Bato (July 13, 1963) ay serialized sa DZXL Radio sponsored by PMC at prinodyus ng Larry Santiago Productions. Pinangunahan ito nina Vi, Ronald Remy, Willie Sotelo, Bert Silva, Oscar Keesee, Vilma Valera at Liza Moreno. Ang sumulat ng istorya at nagdirek ay si Jose Miranda Cruz….” – Alfonso Valencia (READ MORE)

Citation Needed – Child star, Danilo Jurado’s Wikipilipinas biography listed “Duwelo Sa Sapang Bato,” directed by Jose Miranda Cruz and produced by Larry Santiago Production in 1963 as part of his filmography. – Wikipilipinas (READ MORE)

Similar Title – “…Hiwaga sa Bahay na Bato (1962-63), written and directed by Jose Miranda Cruz, stars Dalton de Castro, Flora Cristobal, Eva Darren, Teddy Santos, Noel Nolasco, Estela Grande, Lita delos Reyes, Baby Bernardo, Ernesto Fajardo, Lina Chico and Ben David…You had your first television set sometime in 1961 or 62, a black-and-white RCA Victor (there’s no color TV that time). You remember rotating the knob and tuning to Channel 3, watching old tagalog classics or Channel 7, with Uncle Bob’s Lucky 7 or reruns of Popeye animated cartoons. At this time, ABS-CBN Channel 3 premiered the first TV soap opera titled Hiwaga sa Bahay na Bato. It was aired from Monday to Saturday, 6:30 to 7:00 pm. That was in the latter part of 1962 and as a child, You were horrified seeing a monstrous and disfigured hunchback who lived beneath the stone house unknown to the owner, a filthy rich hacendero (played by Dalton de Castro). The hunchback was played by a radio talent, Ben David, who later became popular for being overacting or “OA.” He was known portraying Judas or Hudas in Lenten plays and would burst with phrases like “O…Hindi…” or “ngingit ng mga pangit” Ben David’s love interest was the very young Eva Darren, who up to now is appearing in TV soaps (now called telenovelas or teleseryes). Darren is one of the pioneers as far as TV soap operas are concerned. Hiwaga ran for about 4 to 5 months, from September 1962 to January 1963. It was one of the most successful early soap operas and made unheralded Director Jose Miranda Cruz a household name. Cruz went on to do more soap operas— Prinsipeng Tulisan, Hanggang May Buhay, Larawan ng Pag-ibig, among others. …” – Missosology (READ MORE)

“Born in Sta Cruz, Manila on November 25, 1951 to Jose Jurado a stage comedian also known as “Bembot” and wife Lydia Galura He is popularly known in showbiz circles as Danilo or Danny Jurado, a former child star of the late 50’s until the 60’s era. He was one of the most promising young actors of his time, as an adolescent he became a radio talent in the 70’s hit musical-variety show Operetang Putol-Putol of Johnny de Leon which holds the stellar cast of Edgar Mortiz, Jay Ilagan, Richard Merk, Perla Adea, Tessie Lagman-Balboa, Dolly Favorito, Joe Alvarez, Elizabeth Ledesma, Esperanza Fabon Ben David at Danny Taguiam which is written and directed by Manolo Favis…” – Wikipilipinas (READ MORE)

The Other Vilma “…Vilma Valera (her real name is Judy Johnson) is no exception. She is a “tisay” (short for mestiza). Her father, Vincent Johnson, is an American while her mother, Judy San Jose, is a Filipina from Bicol. She was born on July 2, 1945 in Bicol but she grew up in Manila. She spent many years in a convent in Quezon City which was ran by Irish sisters. She spent her years there until her third year in high school. Like many movie stars, she became preoccupied with her acting, which prevented her from finishing high school. It was when she moved to the United States, that she was finally able to complete high school and pursue higher education. Vilma’s biggest break was in 1964 in the movie, “Salambao” with Eddie Rodriguez and Van de Leon as her co-stars.

She was nominated as FAMAS best actress in “Salambao.” She was versatile as an actress that landed her in several roles in action, drama, comedy, musical with top actors at that time as her leading men: Ronnie Poe, Jr., Dolphy, Eddie Mesa, Eddie Gutierrez, among others. When LVN studio closed shop, Vilma signed a contract with Larry Santiago Production. She decided to join Larry Productions upon the invitation of Pablo Santiago, who was then the boyfriend of Vilma’s aunt Cielito Legaspi. Although Vilma had an exclusive contract with Larry Santiago Productions, she was allowed to do movies with other companies like Sampaguita Pictures and Sultana Productions. When we talked about the movie, “Pogi” (1967), which she did with Eddie Gutierrez, I couldn’t help but ask Vilma if there was any truth to the rumors back then that she got romantically involved with Eddie. She responded, “Nung magkasama kami sa “Stop, Look, and Listen,” naging close kami. Lahat ng problema ko, at kung ano-ano pa, siya ang binubulungan ko, Vilma continued. “Sa studio, laging naka-akbay sa akin si Eddie. Akala ng mga fans ko may affair kami. Hindi nila alam cover-up lang ako ng relationship nya kay Pilita Corrales. When Pilita needed to take a leave from her TV show, Eddie wanted her to take the place of Pilita. “Ako ang gusto ni Eddie na pumalit kay Pilita,” she added. “Nung pumalit ako kay Pilita, akala ng mga fans ko, kami na ni Eddie. Ang hindi nila alam, pakulo lamang namin yon.”

…Among the movies she made where she had the title role were “Reyna ng Tundo” (1964), with Amado Cortez, Van de Leon, Charlie Davao, Vic Diaz, and Willie Sotelo; “Pitong Desperada” (1964) with Liza Moreno, Miriam Jurado, Stella Suarez, Mila Montanez, Juvy Cachola and Zeny Zabala; “Mamatay sa Laban” (1964) with Willie Sotelo, Cynthia Lopez, and Eddie Rodriguez; “Naligaw na Angel” (1964) with Willie Sotelo, Maggie de la Riva, Vilma Santos and Van de Leon; “Let’s Go” (1964) starring Eddie Mesa, Jose Mari, Helen Gamboa, Reycard Duet, Elizabeth Ramsey, and Jerry Pons; “Danilo Ronquillo: Cavite Boy” (1965) starring Jun Aristorenas, Van de Leon and Ponga; “Kay Tagal ng Umaga” (1965) with Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden, Eddie Rodriguez with special participation of Vilma Santos. “”Pogi” (1967) with Eddie Gutierrez and Nora Aunor as guest star; “Shake-a-Boom” (1997) with Dolphy, Merci Molina, Ike Lozada, and Norma Ledesma; “Way Out in the Country” (1967) with Bert Leroy, Jr. Blanca Gomez, Gina Pareno, Edgar Salcedo and Ricky Belmonte; “Batang Matadero” (1969) with Fernando Poe, Jr.; “Nardong Kutsero” (1969) with Fernando Poe, Jr., Paquito Diaz, Pablo Virtuoso, and Dencio Padilla’ “Boogaloo” (1968) with Helen Gamboa, Bobby Gonzales, and Roger Calvin.

…Vilma was not only a movie star but also a singer. She remembers well her years as a choir member while she was at the convent. That was how she developed her singing talent, which later on became part of her career. “I really wanted to be a singer, so I joined a band,” she said. She put up her own band, “R-Gents Band” (so named because all the names of the members of the band started with letter “R.” She studied how to play the drums. Eventually she was not only the band’s soloist singer but also a drum player. The band performed in Hawaii, Okinawa, and Asian countries. At one event, she had a concert with Eddie Mesa. In between her concert tours, she would make movies. Vilma recorded several albums before her retirement from show business. Her signature songs were “It Must Be Him” and “One Day…” – Romy R. Protacio (READ MORE)