THE QUIXOTIC QUIZONs OF R.P. MOVIES

SERIES ON THE GIANTS NO. 10:
THE QUIXOTIC QUIZONs OF PHILIPPINE MOVIES

By Ross F. Celino

Source: Jingle Extra Hot Movie Entertainment Magazine
No. 20, June 22, 1981

By accident or design, all the surviving Quizon brothers and sisters – save for one – had been, at one time or another, a part of local showbiz. In fact, all the female members have gone abroad and they showed ‘em foreigners what they’ve got in their systems, under their skin: beauty, body beautiful, bearing, even breeding…

For such is the QUIZON clan of Dolphy – the Philippines’ topmost laugh merchant, box-office king and a peddler of hits as far as movies are concerned – and his sisters an only brother Georgie in showbiz. Fact is, the Philippine entertainment world would not be complete without mentioning this quixotic, quick-witted, quelling family of entertainers.

So, it isn’t a bit surprising to learn that even their own mother, the former Salud Vera of Galalangin, Tondo, at 78, is still very much on her dancing feet! She even dances the Hagibis (as she calls it) with flair, elan and aplomb of one who’s really born with showmanship as her twin sister. Indeed, Aling Salud is a born entertainer although she was a teacher for six years, starting in 1925 at the Quiapo Elementary School, moving up to Soler until 1929when she married Melencio Quizon of Bigaa, Bulacan, a ship mechanic in his days.

A close relative of the Ilagans of the zarzuela and movie fame, Aling Salud is also the maternal aunt of national artist Bert Avellana. His mother, Rica Vera, is the first cousin of Aling Salud. Their mothers Hervasia and Priscilla de la Rosa are sisters and are married to the Vera brothers of Manila. If for this reason alone and their lineage to talented thespians in the performing arts, it is easy to see why Dolphy and his brood are very much a part of showbiz. And for good, measures, too!

DOLPHY AND HIS SISTERS

Aside from the king of comedy in the entertainment world, there are also the Quizon sisters – all four of them – in showbiz. The eldest, CORAZON, Zony to her public then, was a movie star in her days during the post liberation era. She did leading parts mostly in movies under the Fernando Poe, Sr. Productions, Inc. (the company owned by Ronnie Poe’s late papa) until she decided to retire to become a housewife.

Zony’s most memorable film was Dugo ng Bayan (I Remember Bataan) where she did the challenging role of a woman spy who paid high for her treachery.

“Napakagandang pelikula iyon,” she told us, “at isa sa talagang hindi ko malilimutang karanasan sa tanang buhay ko. It played at the Rialto Theater on Rizal Avenue (where the State Theater now stands) for more than a month and was well received by the public who wanted to recall their Occupation days,” Zony revealed.

Ngayon ay isa nang lola si Aling Zony. Dalawa sa kanyang anak ay naging artista rin. Sina Ray Bayona at ang kamamatay lamang na si Andong Yabut, who used to do bit roles in RVQ and FPJ Productions. Aside from acting, Zony was also a singer and a stage performer in her time, having appeared at the Opera House and the Clover Theater.

Now she is resting on past laurels and only comes out of her shell when Dolphy holds some intimate parties at home on Ubay Street in La Loma where she helps him with guests. Otherwise, she stays home in Pasay with her children and grandchildren.

A happy change indeed from the hectic, ever exciting life in showbiz. Good for Zony Quizon…

Another Dolphy sister, JOSIE, who comes after him, was also a dancer and singer onstage at the Clover and Opera House theaters during the times of Don Jose Zarah and Papang Lou Salvador, Sr. After her local stints in said theaters, nag-abroad din si Josie at kung saan-saan ito nakarating. Nasama rin siya sa pangkat ng mga Pinoy entertainers sa Far East at sa iba’t ibang lunsod ng Asia, until she decided she has had enough of entertaining and would once and for all entertain herself for a change.

Ngayon ay in-charge sa catering service ng RVQ Productions si Josie. Her three sons are also in the production end of the movies. One, Max Vera, her eldest, is a character actor in many RVQ flicks. Her second, Frank Gray, Jr., is a director who made Dolphy the FAMAS Best Actor in Omeng Satanasia for the first time in 25 years, and to think that that was Frank’s initial directorial assignment!

The third son, Andy Andico, is an assistant director to his brother, Frank, who left his engineering course to work for his uncle’s production outfit.

Bukod sa pag-aasikaso ni Josie sa pagke-cater sa mga shooting ng kanyang utol ay mayroon pa rin itong negosyong inaasikaso which is now a paying concern for her and her family. Somehow, however, and pagiging entertainer ni Josie sa stage ay nakakatulong nang malaki sa kanyang kalakal ngayon kung kaya’t kahit wala na siya sa entablado ay very much around pa rin siya sa movie crowd. Palibhasa’y mga movie people din ang kanyang mga customers at suki.

Isa pa, nariyan na sina Max, Frank at Andy na magdadala ng kanyang pangalan upang hindi siya basta malimot ng balana. Magugunita na si Max ay isang character actor. Karamihan sa mga pelikulang nilabasan niya ay yaong mga pelikula ng kanyang pinsang si Dolphy, Jr. na siya ang bida.

“Mayroon kaming deal ni Jr. na kapag siya ang bida sa pelikula ay ako naman ang kanyang kontra. Pero ang pinaka-memorable na pelikulang nagawa ko,” pagtatapat ni Max sa sumulat nito, “ay ang Kung Ano ang Puno ay Siya ang Bunga kung saan ko ginampanan ang papel ng anak ni Tito Dolph. Kasama namin ditto si Gloria Romero,” dagdag pa ni Max sa kanyang paglalahad.

Bukod sa pelikulang nabanggit, gumanap din ng mahalagang papel si Max Vera sa The Black Sheep Gang ng Sunshine Films, at sa Da Best in da West ng RVQ Films na nakatakdang itanghal sa buwang ito, na kaunaunahang pagsasama sa pelikula nina Dolphy at Lito Lapid.

Unang namahala ng pelikula si Frank sa Omeng Satanasia nang ang direktor na napusuan ni Dolphy ay hindi available. Kaya napilitan siyang gawing full director after having worked as an assistant si Frank. He had to leave his studies to be able to concentrate on his post in his uncle’s production outfit.

Pagkatapos ng Omeng….pinamahalaan din ni Frank ang Anong Uring Hayop Kami Dito Sa Mundo? Sa pangunguna nina Alma Moreno at Rolly Quizon. The flick made good in the box-office, to say the least, and this was again followed by another big blockbuster, Buhay Artista Ngayon, where his Tito Dolphy paired, for the first time, with Vilma Santos.

Again, Frank Gray, Jr. proved his box-office mettle when the picture grossed close to three million pesos in Metro Manila alone. And for a young man with no background in movie making except his experience as assistant and general factotum in RVQ Productions, this is something – if not really everything – indeed!

Is pa ring anak ni Josie ang naga-assistant director ngayon sa pelikula. Ito ay si Andy Andico, who works for his brother, Frank, as his assistant. Andy is taking up engineering but would be willing to stop should his assignments warrant it. Kasi nga raw, unti-unti na siyang nagugumon sa pelikula at siyempre, he finds it engrossing and exhilarating.

“Kaya kung magkakaroon ako ng break sa pelikula, as a director, let’s say, maaaring talikuran ko na ang pag-aaral ko,” quipped Andy. “Isa pa, Tito Dolphs told us he needs us in his production, kaya naman halos lahat kaming magkamag-anakan ay narito na. Sino pa nga ba ang tutulong sa kanya kundi kami? At ganoon din ang punto niya. Sino pa nga ba ang kanyang tutulungan kundi kaming kamag-anak niya?,” Andy philosophized. Na siyang dapat. Kung tutuusin nga ay mas mabuti na sila-sila na ang magtulungan kesa ibang tao pa na baka lokohin pa sila.

At least, mga Quizon na rin sila at siyempre the interest is there. At hindi maiaalis na blood is thicker than water kahit kailan, kahit saan.

THE OTHER QUIZONS….

Aside from Zony and Josie, Dolphy has two other sisters – LAURA and AURING – who also started on stage as singers and dancers during the days of Don Jose Zarah at the Clover Theater and Papang Lou Salvador, Sr. at the Manila Grand Opera House. Si Laura ay nakaabot din sa iba’t ibang bansa sa Far East: Hongkong, Tokyo, Taiwan, Taipei, Singapore at iba pa. Kadalasan sa kanyang mga shows ay sa NCO, sa mga Officer Clubs ng mga GI’s itinatanghal.

She was a good singer and dancer then. At dahil ditto, naging tanyang ang kanyang pangalan. Nang umuwi siya sa Pilipinas, nagtanghal din siya sa military bases, sa Olongapo, sa Clark Field, etc. It was at Clark Field where she met her husband, an American serviceman named Coopernurse with whom Laura has two children, aged 21 and 13.

Nang kailangan ni Dolphy ang mamamahala sa kanyang RVQ downtown office, hiniling niya kay Laura na siya muna ang mag-asikaso rito. Mula nung 1977 hanggang sa ngayon ay assistant General Manager si Laura and so far, everything is alright with Dolphy’s company. Naging matagumpay umano ang unang pelikula ni Laura in her present position. Ito ay ang John at Marsha ’80 na kinunan pa sa Estados Unidos.

How does she find her job? Wala ba siyang problema sa mga tauhan, sa mga bookers, checkers?

“With the help of Manny (Dolphy’s eldest son), who is the GM of the company, we both thresh out whatever problems crop up,” Laura intimated. “Sa problema, marami sa produksyon. What company doesn’t have problems? But we try to minimize these. We try to solve these in the office bago makarating kay Dolphy. Siguro, kaya niya kami kinuha ay upang tumulong sa kanya at nang mabawas-bawasan naman ang kanyang sakit-ulo.

“Precisely, this is my job. Ang tumulong sa utol ko. Besides,” dagdag pa niya, “wala naman akong ginagawa sa bahay, kaya okey lang na dito ako sa office. The children are old enough an can fend for themselves,” pointed out Laura.

Doesn’t she long for her life in showbiz? Hindi kaya niya inaasam-asam ang buhay niya sa entablado sa gitna ng mga palakpakan, sipol at hiyaw ng kanyang mga tagahanga?

“I guess I have trained myself to be a plain housewife now,” pabirong tinuran ni Laura. “I had my days of wine and roses, ‘ika nga. Ngayon naman, ang payak at simpleng pamumuhay na lang aasikasuhin ko’t natural, ang aking sarili. I have missed the life of a private person kaya heto, enjoy na rin ako sa buhay ko ngayon,” pagwawakas ni Awang.

Auring, similarly, had her share of the limelight and public acclaim. As a topnotch stage dancer of her time, she made many a man clamor for more of her act, whistling everytime her number was up. That was how exciting Auring was on the stages of Clover and Manila Grand Opera House.

One good thing about the Quizon sisters is they started together and so there was no need for a chaperone. Silang tatlo – Josie, Laura and Auring – ay magkakasama sa stage an quite naturally, they became companions an good friends as well.

Nang magsawa na si Auring sa palakpak at ingay ng dulaan, unti-unting nawala ito sa eksena. Kung may pagkakataon, lumalabas din siya sa pelikula tulad ng kanyang mga kapatid. Kung wala naman siya sa harap ng kamera ay naroon siya sa sinimulan niyang negosyo. She married Jun Salvador, a bank executive, and the two have become business partners and good friends since then.

Naging General Manager din si Auring ng RVQ Productions nung panahong kasalukuyang nananagumpay ang mga pelikula ni Dolph. Noon bang lagging topnotcher ang mga pelikula ni Dolph, noong panahon ng Facifica Falayfay, ng Bornebol, ng mga kakuwanan ng comedian sa pagsu-sward sa pelikula. At siyempre, kasama si Auring sa tuwa’t luha ng ano mang produksyon noon.

Soon she decided to form her own company, a movie producing outfit, and with husband Jun they turned out several light comedies. But it seems hindi gaanong kumita ang kanilang mga pelikula kung kaya’t medyo lay low muna ang mag-asawa.

Samantala, Auring is engaged in the financing business and is successful at it. With her husband’s expertise in banking and financing, how elsecan the couple miss?

Won’t they go on with their movie venture? Wala nab a silang maisusunod sa dati nilang mga pelikula?

“We are still studying the matter very well,” Auring quipped. “Hindi basta-basta makakaapag-prodyus ka ngayon ng pelikula. Kailangan ang malaking halaga, almost a million pesos, at kung hindi mo masyadong kabisado ang kalakaran sa showbiz ay maloloko ka lamang,” Auring mentioned.

But once a part of the entertainment world, always a part thereof, so Auring and Jun should do well to remember this.

GEORGIE, HIS BROTHER’S SHADOW

Like Dolphy, GEOGIE started out in comedy roles. In fact, he was his brother’s follower noon pang nasa Sampaguita Studios si Dolph at isa siyang mainstay ditto. Nang minsang isinama ni Dolph si Georgie sa kanyang shooting ay namataan si Georgie ng isang direktor a binigyan ito ng bit role. He was found out to have his brother’s talent and soon, Georgie found himself in one picture after another, mostly in Susan Roces-starrers where he played her sidekick or friendly neighbor.

Ito ang simula ng binyag ni Georgie sa pelikula. Naging sikat din siyang comedian. Kaya lang ang problema niya ay hindi siya makakatakas sa image at pangalan ng kanyang kapatid na lalong sikat. Kahit ano ang gawin niya ay siyempre, associated and identified siya kay Dolphy.

“Ito ang malaki kong problema,” nabanggit ni Georgie sa amin. “But I also love my brother! Kung wala naman si Ompong ay sino kami, aber! Siguro, ganito ang buhay kung mayroon kang tanyag na kapatid na parehong propesyon. Kung sino ang mas sikat, iyon ang mas kilala. At ang hindi ay nananatili sa background. Tulad ko,” aniya. “Ako ang anino ni Dolphy. Hindi ako kilala sa sarili ko. Ako raw ay kapatid ni Dolphy. And never was I called my name. Kung minsan nga ay ako raw si Dolphy. Ganoon.

“Kung minsan, I feel flattered. Pero kadalasan, tinatanggap ko na lamang nang basta ganoon. Kibit balikat baga. Ano pa nga ba ang magagawa ko? Kapatid ko iyon at sikat pa!

“Kaya lang, I really want to be on my own. I want to be known as Georgie at hindi yung kapatid ni Dolphy. I am my won individual. Iba ako, iba siya. Nagkataon lamang na nagko-comedy rin ako. Kaya hindi talaga ako makakatakas sa kanyang anino,” pagtatapat ni Georgie.

As a whole, wala naman siyang reklamo. Okey naman ang takbo ng kanyang showbiz career. Hindi siya nawawalan ng assignment. Tuwing Linggo, mayroon siyang TV show, nagge-guest din siya sa mga tanyag na shows at kung minsan, kumakanta siya sa mga roadshows, sa mga bases.

“Para sa akin, tipong okey na ang lahat,” banggit pa ni Georgie. Everything’s fine. I am busy everyday. Malusog pa ang ermat, masasaya kaming lahat. Wala na yata akong mahihiling pa,” Georgie confessed.

The other surviving brother of Dolphy and Georgie is named JIMMY, ang bunso sa lahat na hindi kailanman sumali sa showbiz. Nasa States siya ngayon at isang medical intern sa isang tanyag na ospital doon.

Sampu sanang lahat sina Dolph, kaya lang tatlo na ang namatay. Sina Tessie, ang uang Jimmy na siyang pang-walo at si Melencio, Jr. na binawian ng buhay noong early 1970’s. Ang iba – sina Zony, Dolphy, Josie, Laura, Auring at Georgie – ay pawang naging showbiz folks at dalawa na lamang sa kanila ang aktibo sa pelikula. Sina Dolphy at Georgie nalamang, bagamat ang iba, sa pamamagitan ng kanilang mga anak, ay kasama pa rin sa iba’t ibang aspeto ng paggawa ng pelikula, particular na sa RVQ Productions syempre.

DOLPHY’S KIDS, ARTISTA RIN

Ang kasabihang lumaki sa produksyon, paglaki, sa pelikula rin ag bagsak. Ito umano ang nangyayari sa mga anak ni Dolphy kay Gracita Dominguez, isa ring artista noong mga 1950’s at lumabas sa mga pelikula ni Manuel Conde. Sa anim na anak ni Pidol ditto, lahat ay nag-artista rin, one time or another.

Masasambit dito sina MANNY (Boy) QUIZON, ang panganay na anak, sina SAHLEE, DOLPHY, JR., FREDDIE, EDGAR AT ROLLIE na pawang lumabas din sa pelikula, hindi lamang sa produksyon ng kanilang erpat kundi maging sa ibang produksyon. Something in the Quizon trademark is very much apparent in the offspring.

Take the case of Manny. Aside from doing movies, he is also the General Manager of RVQ Productions and is practically minding the store, so to speak. Nasa kanyang kamay ang pagpapalakad ng kanilang negosyo. Among Dolphy’s sons, Manny Boy is the only one whom he has given this much responsibility, and the kid is dong alright.

Unang gumanap si Manny Boy sa mga pelikula ng kanyang erpat but what he considers most outstanding was the title role in Sino Si Boy Urbino, a true-to-life sotry which did very well in the box-office. Gumanap din siya sa mga pelikula ng Lea, tulad ng Andalucia kung saan niya binigyang buhay ang papel na kapatid ni Gloria Diaz, the leading lady. Ganito rin ang naging papel niya sa Bontoc ng FPJ Productions kung saan siya naging kapatid din ni Elizabeth Oropesa, ang leading lady. Anupa’t nabibigyan din ng break si Manny sa ibang produksyon.

Kasalukuyang ginagawa niya ngayon ang Nagbabagang Lupa, Nagbabagang Araw ng Supreme Film Productions where he plays a co-starring role with Dante Varona, Liz Alindogan and others. A BSC student major in management, Manny hopes to mix his career and studies, aside from the fact that he is now a married man with two children by Amore Villegas, sister of Ann and Aida and grand-daughter of heavyweight comedienne Dely Atay-Atayan.

According to Manny, showbiz has become so much a part of his life that he feels na mawawala siya kung ilalayo mo pa siya rito. Dito raw siya lumaki at ditto rin siya magtatapos. Well and good….

After Manny comes Sahlee (Salud, named after her grandmother), who used to be one of the hopefuls in the early ‘70’s. In fact, she was groomed for stardom in her father’sproductions, Go Away and Intensity ’70 where she was paired with the rage of the season, Tawag ng Tanghalan Champion Novo Bono. But it seemed Sahlee wasn’t made for showbiz. Or that showbiz didn’t fit into her personality.

Convent-bred, she found the movies too loud for her. Na hindi niya halos matanggap. But just the same, she gave it a try at the same time, give in to her dad’s wishes. When she found out that she and the movies don’t jibe, she left for the States and stayed there for good.

Now Sahlee is in charge of distributing RVQ pictures in the States. The latest from her is that she is doing tremendously well and that she is expanding her business by distributing pictures from other companies. She has such a well-oiled distribution center and a film exchange outfit in the West Coast that she hardly finds time to come home. The last time she paid her folks a visit was some two years ago where she was reported to have rekindled the flame she had with former beau, Tirso Cruz III. In fact, it was bruited about that the two would march down the aisle soon.

Whether this gets to be realized or not, one thing is certain: Sahlee, Dolphy’s only daughter, is doing well in her job in the States and, for a doting father like Dolphy, this is good news. Something that warms the cockles of one’s heart.

The third son, Dolphy, Jr., is another actor who tried the movies for the heck of it. Wala raw siyang magawa at komo inalok siyang lumabas sa pelikula, okey na rin daw ‘to. Game ang Junior ni Pidol.

Junior has appeared in Ay, Manuela! Where he played a sward. Then this was followed by Like Father, Like Son where once more, he played his real life role – that of his father’s Junior. But the most memorable film Junior made was The Red Flag Is Up by an independent company where he co-starred with Rose Revilla, one of the famous pretty daughters of veteran actor Armando Goyena and a sister of Tina and Maritess Revilla.

The flick, though done on a small budget, did well at the tills and would have been followed by more pictures except that Junior met an accident which tied him down in bed for almost a year.

Ang sumunod na anak ni Dolphy, si Freddie, ay nasa States din at kasama ni Sahlee sa pagpapalakad ng kanilang negosyo roon. While here, Freddie used to appear in pictures of his father’s company. But he first got his break in Lyra Ventures’ Uhaw na Bulaklak, Part II where he played the role of a delinquent victimized by prostie Charito Solis. This was followed by another meaty role in Regal Films’ Beerhouse. Here, Freddie showed ‘em what he’s got, which made people sit up and notice him.

This was soon followed by another scintillating performance in Sunshine Films’ The Black Sheep Gang where he shared acting honors with younger brother, Edgar.

Edgar, for his part, does bit roles in most RVQ flicks. Once in a while, he gets noticed by other producers like what they did in The Black Sheep Gang where he played a juvenile delinquent who ran away from home because of family problems.

Naging mahusay ang pagkaganap ni Edgar ditto at nangako ang prodyuser niyang si Raymund Santiago at ang maybahay nitong si Lolit Santiago na sa susunod nilang pelikula ay bibigyan ng malaking break si Egay.

Samantala, naghihintay pa rin ng break si Edgar sa produksyon ng kanyang erpat. Tutal nariyan na raw sila, kaya he might as well take advantage of it.

The youngest of all Dolphy children by Gracita is the handsomest, more popular of them all, Rollie Quizon. He was adjudged Best Actor in the 3^rd Metro Manila Film Festival for his role in Burlesk Queen as Vilma Santos’ leading man. Bukod ditto, naging leading man din siya ni Vi sa mga pelikulang ginawa nila sa Lea Productions, sa Let’s Do the Jerk, Swing It, Baby! at iba pa.

A mainstay of the weekly top-rated show, John en Marsha, Rollie never rejects any assignments. Tuwing may pelikulang hango sa John en Marsha, siyempre kasali si Rollie. Bukod pa sa mga pelikula ng RVQ Films na sadyang inilaan para sa kanya.

According to Manny, Rollie is there papa’s favorite, being the youngest, though this doesn’t mean that the others are left out.

“Iba si epa kung tumuring sa kanyang mga anak. He could be strict (like any father) but we all know he loves us all. Kaya siya nagpapakahirap at nagta-trabaho nang husto ay dahil sa amin, and now that we are quite responsible, we try to help in everything we can do,” pahayag ni Manny.

The last time the whole Dolphy brood appeared together in a picture was in The Good Father where all the children – from Manny to Sahlee to Freddie to Jr. to Egay to Rollie – appeared in their real life roles in a movie specially written for them. But most especially, for their father. Parang tribute sa kanya, ganoon.

Did the picture make money at the tills! It was one helluva movie in so far as box-office records are concerned.

DOLPHY, THE PERSON BEHIND THE IMAGE

The twin-faces of showbiz – happy and sad – seem to have been cut out for DOPHY. For that is his life as an actor, as a person, as a showbiz personality. His life had seen the ups and downs, the ebb-tides of one’s existence and for that matter, the success and pinnacle of his career. For no one fits better into the picture of the showbiz logo than Dolphy himself. The comedian. The Pagliacci, the clown. Likewise, the credo among showbiz folks that the show must go on in spite of everything.

For Dolphy has indeed gone through life’s varied ramifications with the aplomb of a veteran, the élan of a celebrity and the flair of a topnotch laugh merchant this side of local Hollywood. Because Dolphy “has weathered every rock the prize he sought is won….”

Today, he is considered one of the foremost thespians of local cinema. He commands a seven-figure talent fee, one of the two ever (Fernando Poe, Jr. is the other) in the country, and enjoys the continued patronage of the public as well. He has penetrated all levels of audiences – the A,B,C,D, and E groups – and comes out of it with flying colors! He has stayed on top for the past decades and has no intentions of going down his perch. No, not yet anyway, not in the near future. He also holds on to his position as the other box-office king of local cinema, the other again being his old chum, Ronnie Poe.

In spite of his great success as a comedian, nay, as an actor of the finest degree, his home life is far from being perfect. His sons, every now and then, get involve in some predicaments and like any devoted father to his offsprings, he’d extricate them out from the tight spot. How many times had Dolphy done this? How many times has he died a thousand deaths everytime a son gets into trouble?

Take that case when Dolphy, Jr. rammed his car against a parked bus somewhere in Quezon. For a while, the son was thought to be dead,a living vegetable, but Dolphy’s money gave Junior a new lease of life and now he’s as good as new. Only a scar in the face reminds him of that tragic experience. But this cost Dolphy a lot of moola…

Magkaganoon man, tinatawanan lamang ni Pidol ang kanyang buhay. Sadyang ganyan daw ang buhay. Tulad din ng buhay sa showbiz. Kung mayroong tagumpay, mayroon ding kabiguan. Kung may saya, mayroon ding lungkot. Ganoon. And so by this time, Dolphy has already conditioned himself and is ready to face life’s accompaniments – whether good or bad; happy or sad – with a ready heart and open mind. Basta ang mahalaga raw ay lagi siyang handa sa anumang biyayang ibibigay ng Diyos sa kanya. At taos puso niyang pasasalamatan ang ano mang idudulot nito sa kanyang buhay at pamilya.

As an actor, Dolphy has already reached the pinnacle of success. Nakakapamili na siya ng papel na gagampanan (di ba’t mayroon siyang sariling produksyon?), nagdidikta na siya ng kanyang presyo at nakakapamili na rin siya ng mga sinehang pagtatanghalan ng kanyang pelikula at ganoon din ng playdate ng mga ito. Suma-tutal nito, he’s a demi-god who invariably gets what he wants. A boss in his own right. And an experienced man who knows how to play the game, one who knows which side of his bread is buttered. One who can get his cake and eat it, too!

But is Dolphy happy? Is he contented? Doesn’t he have any problems in life?

For as long as a person lives, for as long as one still breathes and is kicking, problems are accompaniments that one can’t escape. They are always there as necessary evils that color our lives, that make life worth living for….

DOLPHY: THE GOOD, LOVING FATHER AND SON….

Kaya malapit ang suwerte kay Ompong ay dahil sa mabait na anak ito, at ama sa kanyang mga anak,” pagtatapat ni Aling Salud, ang butihing mama ni Dolphy. “Hindi siya nagpapabaya sa kanyang mga tungkulin sa kanila, at maging sa akin, lalo na’t wala na ang tao ko. Katunayan, lagi siyang dumadalaw dito sa Ubay lalo na kung wala siyang ginagawang pelikula,” patuloy pa ni Aling Salud sa kanyang pagsasalaysay tungkol sa kanyang pamosong anak.

“Mayroon akoang munting altar dito sa bahay at kapag narito siya, iyan ang unang pupuntahan niya. Ang makipag-usap kay Santo Niño namin. Wala akong masasabi kay Ompong, maliban sa talagang mabait na anak iyan,” dugtong pa ni Aling Salud.

According to Manny, Dolphy’s eldest, papa sees to it that his sons get the best.

“Hindi nagpapahalata si Epa ng pagmamahal niya sa amin pero alam naming mahal niya kami. Lalo na sa kanyang mga apo,” na ang tinutukoy ni Manny ay ang kanyang dalawang anak.

Ayon pa rin sa kanyang crew at technical staff, kaya raw nagpapatuloy si Dolphy sa pagpo-prodyus ng pelikula ay dahil na rin sa mga taong umaasa sa kanya. Kung sarili lamang daw ang iisipin niya ay malamang hindi na siya gagawa pa ng pelikula. Bukod sa napakalaki ang cost of production ay totoong mahirap na ang gumawa ng pelikula ngayon. Nariyan ang pambibitin ng mga ka-bituin, ang paghahanap ng maganda-gandang playdate at sinehan (na kahit na si Dolphy – one who can call the shots – ay nahihirapan pa rin) at iba pang problema sa paggawa ng pelikula.”

But because he has a commitment to his people – his staff, his crew, his many relatives who all depend on him – ay ipagpapatuloy ni Dolphy ang kanyang paggawa ng pelikula, alang-alang sa mga taong umaasa sa kanya.

Hindi ba’t napakalaking bagay itong ginagawa ni Dolphy sa kanyang kapwa? Hindi ba’t malaking merito din sa Diyos ang tumulong sa nangangailangan, sa kapwa, sa mga kamag-anak? Kaya hindi dapat pagtakhan na malapit ang suwerte sa kanya at ang grasya ng Diyos ay nasa kanya lagi.

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NORA AND COCOY

Philippine Free Press, March 6, 1971

Click images to enlarge

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JOSE NEPOMUCENO: THE FATHER OF R.P. MOVIES

SERIES ON THE GIANTS NO. 6:
JOSE NEPOMUCENO: THE FATHER OF R.P. MOVIES

By George Vail Kabristante

Source: Jingle Extra Hot Movie Entertainment Magazine
No. 13, May 4, 1981

The postscript on the Don Jose Nepomuceno Foundation letterhead reads as follows: Don Jose Nepomuceno started the motion picture industry in the Philippines in 1917, and has produced several hundred films throughout his lifetime. He discovered and trained about 90% of the Pre-war craftsmen in both the creative and technical fields of the industry, including stars, directors, and technicians. For his efforts and sacrifices, he has been called the “Father of Philippine Movies.”

JOSE NEPOMUCENO: A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

Don Jose Zialcita Nepomuceno was born on May 15, 1893 in a Spanish-type mansion on Regidor St. (now Quezon Blvd.), fronting Quiapo Church. His father was Jose Nepomuceno y Romero of Binondo, Manila; his mother was the former Teofila Zialcita y Torres of Orani, Bataan. Jose had an only brother named Jesus who was married to Lucila Pecson.

For some time, the Nepomucenos lived in Quiapo, Manila (in front of the old church). There is, at present, a street named in his honor (J. Nepomuceno). This street, eight years ago, was Tanduay St.

Don Jose inherited his artistic proclivities and business interest from his father, while the virtue of hard work, patience and perseverance was inherited from his mother. The family business of the Nepomucenos was mostly jewelry and cattle-raising.

Don Jose studied at San Beda College. He was able to finish a course in Painting and Electrical Engineering. A photographer by self-study, Don Jose’s knowledge of photography was enhanced by his experience in working with a priest who was in-charge of taking pictures for a school annual. Don Jose used to collect stamps like a philatelist. He would paste the stamps in an album and sell it to his classmates. From selling beautifully-desinged stamp albums, Don Jose was able to earn extra money. As a student, Jose was good at improvisations and contraptions. He learned the art of set and designing of props as well, at an early age. His services were utilized at various school program, convocations and the like

Before Don Jose embarked on movie production, he established himself in local picture-taking as very innovative and inventive. Consider the following:

He established the biggest and most exclusive photo studio called Electro-Photo Studio Parhelio located at Plaza Goiti.

He was the first local photographer to take pictures at night. This he did by designing his own transformers for his arc lamps by using big jars and putting water with salt and colored galvanized iron into them.

He was the official photographer for beauty contests, fairs, carnivals and even official functions of the government.

The concept of production design and art direction for the movies was first applied and put to use in the photography studio of Don Jose. Many of his customers used his sets as background for their picture-taking.

On May 15, 1917, Don Jose started his movie career. He bought his equipment from Yearsley and Gross and from other foreigners who came here to make movies. To add to his capital, he even sold his studio at Plaza Goiti. Don Jose first started as a documentarist. The first documentary film he did was the funeral of the first wife of Sergio Osmeña, Sr. in Cebu. Being an accredited correspondent of Pathe and Paramount News Hollywood, Don Jose was therefore able to have his documentary films or newsreels shown abroad.

Don Jose also took pictures of Pacho Villa’s wife. The newsreel which featured a background of Pacho Villa as World Flyweight Champion was in every country where Paramount pictures were being shown.

Paramount News also employed Don Jose to cover the terrible earthquake in Japan. On film, Don Jose dramatized effectively the effects of the earthquake. With the help of the Bureau of Commerce, Don Jose filmed several industries in the country like copra production, tobacco-raising, coconut-planting, buntal hat-making and the like.

Don Jose was also the first to produce cinema commercials when he incorporated his outfit with the Administracion Technica Industrial Cinematografica on Aug. 20, 1940.

Don Jose Nepomuceno is best known today for producing the first all-Filipino picture in 1919 called Dalagang Bukid from the original zarzuela written by Don Hermogenes Ilagan. Dalagang Bukid was subtitled in Spanish and English. The main lead were Atang de la Ramaa and Marceliano Ilagan. It was followed by: La Venganza de Don Silvestre (1920) with Atang de la Rama and Marceliano Ilagan again in the lead; Capullo Marchito (1920) with Luisa Acuña in the lead; Hoy O Nunca Besame (1923) with Juanita Angeles and Andres Fernandez in the lead. The other significant films were Punit na Bandila (by Fausto Galauran); Hampaslupa; Kambal; Ang Punyal na Ginto (the first Tagalog talkie from Antonio Sempio’s novel) with Alma Bella and Carlos Padilla in the lead; Dr. Kuba and Makata at Paraluman.

With Parlatone-Hispanico Filipino, Inc., Don Jose produced the following: Sa Paanan ng Krus, starring Rosario Moreno and Carlos Padilla; Awit ng mga Ulila, starring Elsa Oria and Rogelio de la Rosa; Pusong Dakila, starring Rosario Moreno, Jose Padilla, and Angel Esmeralda; and Milagro ng Nazareno, starring Yolanda Marquez and Angel Esmeralda.

As filmmaker, several companies were credited to his name: Malayan Movie (1917); Mayen Picture Corporation (1931); Nepomuceno Productions (1932); Nepomuceno-Harris-Tait Partnership (1933); Parlatone-Hispanico Filipino, Inc. (1935); X-Otic Films (1938); and Polychrome Motion Picture Corporation (1946).

In 1958, Don Jose went to Hollywood to study color film. He did not, however, live long enough to transport his knowledge to the Filipinos. He had a heart attack and was brought back to the Philippines on a hospital boat. On December 1, 1958, Don Jose passed.

In the United States, Don Jose was officially registered as the First Filipino Cinematographer and the pioneer of Philippine movies. True, he did not receive numerous trophies and awards as proof of his excellence, but people will long remember him for his contribution to the Philippine cinema. In 1972, a posthumous award was given to Don Jose for his contributions to the cinema. The award was Patnubay ng Kalinangan.

DON JOSE AS LOVER AND HUSBAND: AN ACCOUNT FROM HIS LOVING WIFE

To meet Doña Isabel Zaldarriaga y Acuña for an interview is indeed a rare opportunity. For the past years, Doña Isabel Nepomuceno kept herself in low profile for some sentimental reasons. “So far you are the first to interview me about Mr. Nepomuceno” (she calls her late husband Mr.), she told us. We asked Doña Isabel who is adept at speaking Spanish, English and Tagalog to recall how she met the late Don Jose.

“I met Mr. Nepomuceno through my brother who was his (Jose’s) classmate at San Beda. I was playing piko the first time Mr. Nepomuceno saw me. For three months he courted me. We got married on June 6, 1920. I was 16 then and he was 28, twelve years my senior. I was then in my Grado Superior (high school level) when I became Mrs. Nepomuceno. He was my first and last love. That’s why I never got to settle again with another man,” Doña Isabel recalled emphatically. “What were some of his character traitsthat you would love to remember most?” “So many. He used to tell me, wives don’t have to stay in the house. You would call him today a pro-women libber. He had always wanted me to work side by side with him in our film projects. So he taught me the rudiments of casting, scriptwriting, production design and even art direction. That’s why in the States I was considered the first casting director in the Philippines. The film projects we undertook were really husband-wife venture, or call it team.

“As casting director, I took charge of getting actors and actresses for the right role. Even convincing the actors and actresses to appear in the movies. At that time, it was not always easy to convince actors and actresses to appear in the movies. Parents were rather strict and part of the prevailing notion wa that acting for the movies was looked upon with suspicious eyes and some of you may want to call it, low class. I also checked the make-up and costumes of our performers. And even story continuity. That is, apart from my being his source of inspiration,” Doña Isabel chuckled.

“How would you describe Don Jose as a director?” “Well, he was always very professional. Being a gentleman of the old school, he never allows monkey business on the set. Once, I remember. On the set, an actress came running to Mr. Nepomuceno who cryingly told on Remegio Young, then our ace cinematographer. Hinalikan daw siya ni Remegio. You know what Mr. Nepomuceno did? Sinuntok niya si Remegio. Mr. Nepomuceno never allowed things like that to happen on the set. He was always a stickler for morality and convention. This was perhaps because he himself never had a querida in his life. Falling in love with his actresses? No. That never happened to my husband. With me pa, yes,” Doña Isabel recalled laughingly. “Once, Mr. Nepomuceno got mad at me on the set. Right in front of so many people and some members of the production staff. What I did was to keep quiet. (He used to tell me then to organize my thoughts before arguing with him). Irked by my silence, he asked, “O bakit hindi ka nagsasalita?” Nag-iisip pa kung ano ang sasabihin ko, I answered. Tumawa na lang siya to what I have said. He was that forceful in his principle but never domineering. That’s why until now I still keep some of his principles. In one of the diaries I found which is now with our daughter Isabel, he wrote: nagpapasalamat ako sa Dios at ako’y nakapag-asawa ng isang maganda, matalino, maalalahanin at matulungin na asawa.”

Don Jose Nepomuceno is survived by a total of eight siblings. They are from the eldest to the youngest): 1. Jose, Jr.; 2. Isabel (married to a Doctor in Jurisprudence); 3. Antonio (a businessman); 4. Lubin (has four Montessori schools); 5. Victor (a businessman); 6. Angel (former child actor and father of Paeng Nepomuceno who was twice World Cup Champion); 7. Luis (producer-filmmaker); and 8. Carlos (ship broker).

Nepomuceno Productions, Inc. (NPI) thus blazed the trail for the movie industry in the Philippines. Starting from scratch but buoyed up by vision, the late Don Jose Nepomuceno establishedthe first Filipino movie outfit in 1917. The outfit operated until the early 50’s, producing over 200 silent and sound feature films.

Thus, for breaking grounds in the Philippine movie industry and inspiring other early movie producers, Don Jose Nepomuceno is called the “Father of Philippine Movies” by veteral filmmakers themselves.

LUIS NEPOMUCENO TOOK AFTER HIS FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS

Nepomuceno Productions, Inc. was inactive for a number of years. It was however, revived as it approached its 50^th year. And thereafter, it released its first feature Because of a Flower (Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak). The Nepomuceno tradition of excellence was felt in the industry itself owing to the persistence of Don Jose’s son, the young Luis Nepomuceno.

When Luis picked up the footprints of his revered old man with a dramatic full-length feature (Dahil….), the critics were skeptical because drama that time was considered dead in the Philippine cinema. What with the snowballing of cheap thrills and quickies, those which chilled the blood for aimless sensationalism. But Luis proved the critics wrong. Dahil….turned out to be a financial success, reaping local as well as foreign awards.

The NPI’s succeeding productions established beyond doubt its capacity to produce films of prestige and quality. It inevitably embarked on overseas marketing for its products. It has covered the Far East, Indonesia, Latin America and other overseas exhibition.

During Luis’ time, he was able to produce and direct about ten films which were mostly for international release. The more popular ones were Because of a Flower (Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak), Ang Langit sa Lupa (Heaven on Earth), the Legend of the Tree of Life (Igorota), The Pacific Connection, The Hunted, A Time for Dying, and The Beggar (Ang Pulubi).

Uncompromising dedication to excellence has given Luis Nepomuceno a convenient lead in the Philippine movie industry. It has paid off not only in the box office but also in terms of trophies, statuettes, citations and other awards both in international and local competitions.

One of its quality films, The Beggar, for example, has reaped six awards. The Beggar was outstandingly honored for Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Child Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Color Cinematography and Best Editing.

Most notable of the international and Philippine awards are Best Actress of Asia, Best Child Actress of Asia, Rajah Soliman and FAMAS. The NPI’s other major film, Igorota, won eight FAMAS awards, among them Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actor.

Like The Beggar, Igorota has drawn praises in the international scene. Igorota drew a sellout crowd at the Madison Square Garden in New York. The raves from the premiere audience were mixed with admiration from public officials, United Nations’ dignitaries and Broadway producers, stars and film critics.

As expected, Igorota when shown at a Royal Command Performance at Petchrama Theater in Bangkok, won laurels from Queen Sirikit. Thailand’s royal couple, King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit, headed the black-tie affair. Thailand’s ranking government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and the Filipino community were among the prominent members of the audience that memorable night.

Consequently, A Time for Dying and The Beggar won Best Child Actor awards during the 16^th Asian Film Festival in Jakarta, Indonesia. Meanwhile, The Hunted garnered three awards during the 5^th Manila Film Festival, namely: Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Sound.

THE CINEMATOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT OF THE NPI

Firmly set in maintaining its leadershipand meeting squarely greater challenges, the NPI has assembled the most expensive and modern equipment that make the finest techniques and process of film production possible.

The most sophisticated Mitchell system 35s glisten in the vaults of the then Philippines’ largest studio. Its sound equipment had an automated 12-track Magnatech mixing console capable of handling 144 microphones. Another equipment, noted for its uniqueness, is the “noise” suppressor – a gadget so rare it is indispensable. The NPI’s editing department at that time owned the only five-head editor (two for pictures, three for sound) in the Philippines. There were also the rows of “sun guns”, the latest in quarts-lighting equipment, mole-Richardson spots and Brute arc lamps.

LUIS NEPOMUCENO: THE PERSON

At 7234 Malugay St., we were able to locate Luis Nepomuceno like we would a priceless treasure in hiding. Mr. Luis Nepomuceno had reasons to be in low profile because his film outfit is inactive. He has taken to a more lucrative venture which is the import-export trading business. Besides, as he puts it, I always make it a point to be in low profile because I would rather that my father be the attraction. The legacy was his (Don Jose) after all. Despite Luis’ reluctance, he allowed us to dig into his old files which really could speak for Luis himself – the filmmaker. Luis, though, talked about his family tree behind his huge executive desk in the manner of a self-contained artist who was opted for the quiet and sedentary routine of an office.

Mr. Luis Nepomuceno was born in 1930. He has seven children with the former Amparo Bomediano, they are: (from eldest to the youngest) Jose Luis, Miguel, Maria Amparo, Joaquin, Jaime, Maria Luisa and Jacobo. Most of his children are in the States including Miguelito, the former Best Child Actor who is at Wharton, taking up management.

Mr. Nepomuceno has no plans yet of reviving the NPI. He might, if he has the time, write a book on the movie industry. He wishes the government would remove the tax levied on films Hindi na nga tumutulong (the government) may tax pa. It’s a good thing the First Lady is doing something for our film industry, he pointed out.

We ended the interview with Mr. Nepomuceno with the assurance that we’ll call him back or better yet visit him again in case of a need for additional data. We left Mr. Nepomuceno’s office very much satisfied.

(Note: Our thanks to the following: Melissa Nepomuceno, granddaughter of Don Jose for lending us the thesis she did at UP (Oct. 23, 1979, 150 pp.) entitled “The Dying Quality of the Movie Industry: They Don’t Make Them Like They Used To; Doña Isabel Zaldarriaga Vda. de Nepomuceno and Mr. Luis Nepomuceno for sparing us their time; and to the pretty secretaries of Mr. Luis Nepomuceno, Mrs. Mila Santos and Mrs. Cora Sarda).

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For more readings about Jose Nepomuceno, web search for "The Role of Jose Nepomuceno in the Philippine Society" (PDF), a thesis of Nadi Tofighian, Stockholm University, Department of Cinema Studies or log on to diva-portal.org.

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THE ILAGANs

SERIES ON THE GIANTS NO. 5:
THE ILAGANS

Source: Jingle Extra Hot Movie Entertainment Magazine
No. 12, April 27, 1981

HERMOGENES ILAGAN: FATHER OF ZARZUELA

Siya ang “puno” ng mga Ilagan sa Show Business.

Siya rin ang tinaguriang “Father of Tagalog Zarzuelas” o “Father of Philippine Zarzuelas.”

Ipinanganak si Hermogenes Ilagan noong Abril 19, 1873 at namatay siya noong Pebrero 24, 1943. Coronary thrombosis ang ikinamatay niya.

Sa loob ng 40 taon, pinausbong niya ang Philippine drama at Philippine theater at sa ilalim ng kanyang mga kamay ay namulaklak ang maraming dramatistang Pilipino. Ang mga taong yaon ay tinawag na “Golden Age of Philippine Theater.”

Maagang na-exposed sa arts si Hermogenes. Ang kanyang ama, si Simplicio Ilagan, ay isang band-leader at choir master sa Bigaa, Bulacan kung saan naninirahan noon ang mga Ilagan. One time, nagmisa sa Bigaa ang parish priest ng Sta. Cruz (Manila) at doon nariig ng pari ang magandang tinig ni Hermogenes na kumakanta noon sa simbahan. Hinimok ng Sta. Cruz parish priest si Hermogenes na pumunta ng Maynila at doon na sa Sta. Cruz Church pinakanta.

Doon siya sa Sta. Cruz Church na-discover ng isang Spanish zarzuela group, isang grupong nagtatanghal ng mga drama sa iba-t ibang pook sa Pilipinas.

Mahigit na 100 zarzuelas ang iniwang alaala ni Hermogenes at karamihan sa mga ito ay mga klasiko. Ilan sa mga zarzuelang sinulat niya ay Ang Buhay Nga Naman,. Dalagang Bukid, Dahil Kay Ina at Wagas na Pag-ibig. Ang huling zarzuela na itinanghal niya ay ang Dalagang Bukid noong 1940.

Labing-apat lahat ang mga anak ni Hermogenes, 11 ang buhay at tatlo ang namatay. Ito ang Original Ilagan Family at ang kani-kanilang mga propesyon:

1. Marcelo (namatay noong sanggol pa);
2. Conrado (Conde) – dentistry (not completed), musician, film director;
3. Eustacio (Tito Arevalo) – lawyer, composer and musical-director;
4. Pilar (Laling Talte) – pharmacist and well-known comedienne;
5. Gerry (de Leon) – (needs no introduction);
6. Angel (Esmeralda) – lawyer and actor;
7. Alfredo – painter, scriptwriter and fine arts graduate;
8. Rose – lawyer;
9. Cesar – philosophy graduate (he was shot to death by the Japanese during the 2^nd World War);
10. Luz – teacher and voice-culture graduate;
11. Simplicion – (died at the age of 17);
12. Honor – voice culture graduate;
13. Hermogenes, Jr. – lawyer, composer-announcer, lyricist and former radio commentator;
14. Patria – plain housewife.

TITO AREVALO: THE MUSICIAN

Si Tito Arevalo, multi-awarded musical director, is actually a lawyer by education (an LL.B. holder, he passed the bar in 1938), although he is more widely known for being a musician.

Siya ang nakatatandang kapatid nina Gerry de Leon, Laling Talte at Angel Esmeralda (panganay nilang kapatid si Conrado Conde). Siya ang ama ni Robert na mayroon pang dalawang kapatid na babae (sina Deanna at Corazon) na walang involvement sa Show Business.

Ipinanganak si Tito noong March 29, 1911. Even as a child, talagang mahilig na siya sa musika. Katunayan, kumuha siya ng lessons in music sa ilalim ng isang private tutor. “I also learned a lot from self-study,” Tito says, “from reading books.”

Before the war, he used to play the piano for silent movies like his brother Gerry. Lumalabas din siya bilang aktor sa mga pelikula, mostly drama and comedies but later he concentrated on musical scoring. Karamihan sa mga pelikula niya ay gawa ng Palaris Productions na pinamahalaan ng nasirang Fernando Poe, Sr. Some of his memorable films are Nasaan Ka, Irog, Ama’t Anak, Ang Kanyang Ina, Hanggang Pier, etc.

Nang tanungin kung bakit iba-iba ang mga apelyido nilang magkakapatid, ang paliwanag ni Tito: “Paano, sabay-sabay kaming pumasok sa Show Business noon. Kaya para hindi mailto ang publiko, nag-iba-iba kami ng surnames. Ang talagang tunay naming surname sa father side ay Ilagan. Ang De Leon, Conde at Arevalo ay hango sa surnames ng mga kamag-anak naming sa mother side.”

Marami nang natamong FAMAS awards bilang musical director si Tito, namely: Huwag Mo Akong Limutin (1960), El Filibusterismo (1962), Igorota (1968) at Lilet (1971). Nong 1951, isang taon bago naitatag ang FAMAS, siya ang nanalo ng Best Musical Scoring sa Maria Clara Awards para sa pelikulang Diego Silang (sa sa favorite works niya; ang iba pa ay ang Noli at Fili). Noong 1969, nanalo rin siya ng Golden Harvest Award sa Asian Film Festival, also for Best Musical Scoring, para naman sa pelikulang Igorota.

Ilan sa mga walang kamatayang komposisyon ni Tito ang mga sumusunod: Magandang Bituin, Ikaw ang Mahal Ko, Hinahanap Kita, Irog Ako ay Mahalin at Minamahal, Sinasamba.

Although he has slowed down considerably, aktibo pa rin si Tito sa musical scoring field. Kasalukuyan niyang ginagawa ang Sebastian, starring Ramon Revilla in the lead role.

He is also still active as a lawyer.

“In fact,” Tito says, “kapapanalo ko pa lang ng isang kaso a few months back.”

LIBERTY ILAGAN

Nang lumagay sa tahimik si Liberty Ilagan noong 1970, tuluyan na niyang tinalikuran ang Show Business. Magmula noon, ni mag-guest sa pelikula, ni mag-appear sa telebisyon ay iniiwasan ni Liberty.

Ang naging esposo ni Liberty ay si Rod Ongpauco na dati ring artista ng Everlasting Pictures (pag-aari ng Ongpauco Family). Si Rod ay bini-build-up noon bilang young action star pero bago niya nakamit ang tagumpay ay nagsawa na siya.

Sa kasalukuyan, ang mag-asawaay abala sa pag-aasikaso ng kanilang negosyo, ang Barrio Fiesta-Ihaw-Ihaw chain of restaurants.

Ano na kaya ang buhay ngayon ni Liberty? Masaya ba siya? Hindi kaya niya nami-miss ang pelikula at ang dating mga kasama niya?

Mahirap siyang makontak sa telepono at nang sabihin niyang she would forget the movies for good, pati na yata pagpapa-interview ay kasali sa desisyon ni Liberty.

“She is happy with her life at present,” ayon sa isang kaibigan ni Liberty. “And she is enjoying her role as Mrs. Rod Ongpauco to the hilt.”

Si Liberty ay isa sa apat na anak nina Fely Vallejo at Gerry de Leon (ang kapatid niyang bunso, si Marife, ay maybahay naman ng serious actor na si Ronaldo Valdez). Nagsimula siya sa bakuran ng Sampaguita Pictures during the early 60’s. Mga light roles ang karamihan na ginampanan niya, although she is also remembered for her heavy roles in such films as Mga Anak sa Pagkakasala and Sugat sa Balikat where she played a rape victim and a blind vendor, respectively.

Because she was active during the time when the fad was the Love Team, Liberty also has her share of the “love-team fever.” Ipinareha siya noon kay Jose Mari (na ngayon ay general manager ng Romago Recording and Electronics Company) at marami silang ginawang pelikula sa Sampaguita at maging noong naging free-lancers na sila. Ang reel romance nilang dalawa ay nauwi sa real-life romance at muntik pa nga silang magkatuluyan.

RONALDO VALDEZ

Ronaldo Valdez became a member of the Ilagan Clan by virtue of marriage. Siya ang mister ni Marife, isa sa dalawang anak na babae ni Gerry de Leon.

“He is a name to reckon with as far as serious acting is concerned,” sabi ng isang kritiko. “He is the type of actor who can be convincing as an action hero, as a romantic hero, as a dramatic hero – name any kind of role and he has done it, with flying colors.”

Ronaldo – he is Ronald Gibbs in true life – began his film career in the early 60’s. Pa-ekstra-ekstra muna siya noon at kung anu-ano pang mga screen names ang ginamit niya bago siya tuluyang nakilalang Ronaldo Valdez. Initially, Ronaldo wanted to be a pilot (dahil piloto ang isang uncle niya) o kaya ay sirkero sa carnival because he used to be good in gymnastics and was inclined towards such dangerous stunts as walking on a tightrope and swinging on a piece of string when he was still a young man.

Nagkaroon siya ang malaking pagkakataon nang makilala siya ni Dolphy na siyang nagbigay kay Ronaldo ng malaking break bilang leading man ni Susan Roces sa Kaming Taga-Ilog. Magmula noon, unti-unti nang nakilala ang pangalang Ronaldo Valdez hanggang sa ma-associate siya sa serious acting.

Ronaldo is the shy and silent type. Pa-smile-smile lang siya, pero the moment he steps before the cameras, he abruptly changes personalities. Biglang nawawala ang mahiyaing Ronaldo at ang papalit ay kung anumang karakter ang ginagampanan niya at that moment.

“I am sensitive,” confesses Ronaldo, “and I suppose every artist is. One time, I went to see a movie, a dramatic movie, and I really cried. Another time, I was watching the TV-movie Brian’s Song and I was so touched I really cried. Brian’s Song is the story of two friends, close friends, and the most touching scene in it is when one of them lies dying, saying goodbye to his friend.”

ROBERT & BARBARA

Ang mag-asawang Robert Arevalo at Barbara Perez ay gumawa ng “unprecedented record” sa history ng Philippine Movies noong taong 1965 nang kapwa sila nanalo ng major awards (si Robert bilang Best Actor at si Barbara naman bilang Best Actress) sa FAMAS derby dahil sa mahusay nilang pagkakaganap bilang peasant couple sa Daigdig ng Mga Api, direksyon ng Uncle Gerry (de Leon) ni Robert na humakot ng halos lahat ng tropeo sa taong ‘yun (kasali na ang Best Picture award).

Buntis pa mandin noon si Barbara at isang madamdaming eksena ang naganap sa entablado nang yakapin nang mahigpit ni Robert habang tumutulo ang luha sa pisngi ni Barbara. Hanggang ngayon, hindi pa nauulit ang ganoong eksena at achievement.

Sayang nga lang at hindi na masyadong aktibo ang mag-asawa. Nakapanghihinayang na ang mga katulad nilang serious artists ay tuluyan na yatang mawawala sa movie scene.

“Maraming frustration sa pelikula,” ayon kay Barbara na kasalukuyang nag-e-enjoy sa papel niya bilang maybahay ni Robert at ina ng dalawa nilang anak na sina Anna (16) at Georgina (14). “Ang katulad naming senior actresses ay parang wala nang puwang sa movies ngayon, kaya hindi ko nami-miss ang movies. Kung tumanggap ka naman ng role, mapu-frustrate ka lang dahil ibibitin ka ng mga kasama mong young superstars. I don’t want the way the industry is treating senior actresses and actors. I don’t think they are treated well.”

Ganoon din ang frustration ni Robert. “Wala na siguro akong kilalang aktor na mas frustrated pa kaysa asawa ko,” dugtong pa ni Barbara. “Kapag nanood nga kami ng magagandang pelikula sa Betamax, nakikit ko sa mukha ni Robert ang kanyang frustration. Para bang nanghihinayang siya at hindi siya mabigyan ng chance ma-portray ang magagandang roles na pinanonood namin.”

Dahil nga serious actor siya at hindi box-office star, madalang ngayon ang paggawa ng pelikula ni Robert, although he is the type of actor who can easily switch from action to drama to light comedy. Karamihan sa mga pelikula niya ay yaong tinatawag na may “political themes” at may “social relevance”, katulad ng Sakada, Noli Me Tangere, Daigdig ng Mga Api, Hubad na Bayani at iba pa.

Business Administration ang kursong tinapos ni Robert sa Ateneo. Ang naghimok sa kanya para pumasok sa pelikula ay si Cirio Santiago na kaklase niya noon sa Ateneo. Palibhasa nasa dugo naman ang pag-arte (anak si Robert ng musical director na si Tito Arevalo, kapatid ni Manong Gerry), agad-agad pumayag si Robert.

Unang pelikula niya ang Noli Me Tangere (1962, direksyon ni Manong) kung saan ginampanan niya ang papel na Crisostomo Ibarra. Sinundan pa ito ng maraming pelikula na gawa ng Premiere Productions (pag-aari ng pamilya nina Cirio Santiago) kung saan nagkaroon ng contract si Robert.

Nasubukan na rin ni Robert ang magdirek ng pelikula, isang karanasang matatawag din niyang “very frustrating.” Una niyang dinirek ang Akin ang Huling Awit (with Manny de Leon in the lead role) noong late 60s. Hindi maganda ang naging resulta ng pelikula. After a few years, sinubukan uli ni Robert ang magdirek: masaklap uli ang nangyari. Ang pelikula, titled Hiwaga sa Pulong Pasig (1973), ay nagkabitin-bitin at hindi natapos. Pero dahil nga hilig, hindi nawalan ng pag-asa si Robert. Noong 1976, muli siyang nagdirek and this time, successful ang pelikula, Hubad na Bayani, na na-nominate pa mandin bilang Best Picture sa Urian Awards the next year. Si Robert din ang gumanap na lead role sa pelikula. Nasundan ng isa pa ang Hubad na Bayani at ito ay ang Sinong Pipigil sa Pagpatak ng Ulan? (1979) na hindi naman masyadong napansin ng bakya crowd at ng mga kritiko.

Kaya ayon, siguro maiintindihan ninyo kung bakit nasabi ni Barbara na “very frustrated” ang asawa niya.

Si Barbara man ay mayroon ding frustration.

“The other night,” Barbara recalls, “we were watching a movie called Song Without an End on Betamax and I love the role portrayed by Capucine. It is the story of musician Frank Litz and Capucine portrays the role of a royalty who falls in love with the musician. Ganoon ang gusto kong mga roles. They are the kind of roles na hindi ko nagawa sa loob ng mga taong aktibo ako sa movies.”

Noong aktibo pa si Barbara sa Sampaguita Pictures, ang studio-discoverer ni Barbara, panay depressing roles ang ginagampanan niya: kung hindi pilay ay maysakit, at kung hindi naman maysakit ay ‘yung malapit nang mamatay. “In fact,” Barbara jokes, “I always died in my films. Noon nga may standing joke sa Sampaguita where I always played tragic heroines. Ako raw kung hindi nagmamadre, nasa wheelchair.”

Nag-aaral noon ng journalism si Barbara sa UST nang ma-diskubre siya for the movies. Late 50s noon. Dahil sa laki ng pagkakahawig niya kay Audrey Hepburn, sikat na Hollywood actress ng panahong iyon, binild-ap siya ng pinuno ng Sampaguita na si Doc Perez (SLN) bilang Philippine Movies’ answer to Hollywood’s Audrey Hepburn. Class and image ni Barbara. Hindi lang siya mahusay na artista, isa rin siyang hinahangaang modelo (nakasama siya noon sa Karilagan Models, ang grupo ng mga “elite models” na nagpa-fashion show sa iba’t ibang dako ng mundo).

Si Barbara rin ang babaing gumawa ng “sentimental record” nang tanggihan niya ang isang Hollywood offer to star in an international movie (No Man Is An Island kung saan makakapareha sana niya si Tab Hunter) because of love. Noong panahong ‘yun, nililigawan siya ni Robert at nang mag-decide siyang tanggihan ang Hollywood movie na ‘yon, she also made up her mind that she would be Mrs. Robert Arevalo all her life.

“I have made about 40 films all in all,” according to Barbara, “at karamihan niyan ay ginawa ko hindi dahil gusto ko ang roles kundi dahil kailangang gawin ko.”

Ilan sa mga memorable pictures niya ay ang Historia De Un Amor where she played Josephine Estrada’s sister dying of cancer – “I love that movie because it is romantic---I am romantic at heart, you know”; Daigdig ng Mga Api, Ito ang Pilipino, Patria Adorada (both with Joseph Estrada) at Asedillo (with Ronnie Poe).

Ngayon, Barbara is as good as retired. Huli niyang ginawa ang Boyfriend Kong Baduy (1975) kung saan gumanap siya bilang old-maid aunt ni Orestes Ojeda.

(Correction by Pelikula, Atbp.: Ang No Man Is An Island ay isang pelikulang natuloy na gawin ni Barbara Perez katambal si Jeffrey Hunter. Kinunan ito sa Pilipinas. Ang tinanggihan ni Barbara Perez ay mga offer na pelikula mula sa MGM at Universal International na maglulunsad sa kanyang international career sa Hollywood. Para sa detalye, mag-log on sa video48.blogspot.com at hanapin ang "Barbara Perez: No Man Is An Island (1962)".

ESMERALDA & NOBLE

Matagal nang retired sa Show Business sina Angel Esmeralda at Corazon Noble at matagal na rin silang nagkanya-kanya ng landas. Sila lang mga magulang ni Jay Ilagan (na mayroon pang dalawang kapatid: sina Leslie, kuya ni Jay, at isa pang babae na napatay ng Hapon noong panahon ng giyera).

Si Angel ay isa sa mga kapatid ni Gerry de Leon. Isa siya sa mga matinee idols during the mid-30s at ilan sa mga unforgettable movies niya ay ang Estrellita, Mariposa, Kahapon Lamang, kung saan naging leading lady niya si Aling Cora. Ginawa rin ni Angel ang Nasaan Ka, Irog at Milagro ng Nazareno, dalawa sa mga pelikulang dinumog ng tao noong araw. Nagsimula si Angel sa pelikula at noong panahon ng Hapon, lumabas rin siya sa entablado tulad ng karamihan sa mga artista noong araw. Sa kasalukuyan, isang private person si Angel na tuluyan na yatang tinalikdan ang pelikula.

Samantala si Aling Cora naman ay paminsan-minsan pa ring dumadalo sa mga movie gatherings, lalo pa’t ang mga ito ay may kinalaman sa career ni Jay. Ang tanging papel niya sa buhay ngayon ay tagasubaybay kay Jay at sa kanyang mga apo. Mayroon pa rin siyang mga offers pero ayaw na talaga niyang lumabas sa pelikula.

“Sa loob ng pitong taong inilagi ko sa pelikula,” paggugunita ni Aling Cora, “mahigit na 40 films ang nagawa ko.”

Nagsimula siya noong 1939 at tumigil siya noong 1945 nang mabali ang kanyang braso sa isang malagim na pangyayari.

“Nasa Red Cross evacuation center kami noon dahil ang bahay naming sa San Juan ay kinompiska ng mga Hapon at ginawang garrison,” pagsasalaysay ni Aling Cora. “Dumating ang mga Hapon at nagkaroon ng massacre. Marami ang nasawi doon, kabilang na ang anak kong babae. Doon din tinamaan ang braso ko. Sa Ermita ang pinangyarihan ng lahat.”

Unang pelikula ni Aling Cora ang Anak ng Pari kung saan naging leading man niya si Rogelio de la Rosa. Huli niyang pelikula ang Backpay at si Rogelio de la Rosa din ang leading man niya.

Ilan sa memorable films niya ay ang Pasang Krus, Tarhata at Magsasampaguita. Star siya sa lahat ng ‘yan. Ilan sa madalas ipareha sa kanya sina Rogelio de la Rosa, Ely Ramos, Ben Rubio at Jose Padilla, Jr. maliban sa naging asawa niyang si Angel Esmeralda.

JAY ILAGAN

He is a real “child of Cinema”. Nagkaisip siya sa paligid ng mga movie cameras, mga klieg lights at sa pagbabalatkayo. Musmos pa lamang siya ay nandoon na siya sa harap ng kamera, halos walang malay na gumaganap bilang Little Ronnie Poe, Little Joseph Estrada, Little So and So.

Si Jay Ilagan ay anak ng dating aktres na si Corazon Noble at ang dating aktor na si Angel Esmeralda. Acting runs in his blood. Kaya Jay really had no choice but to follow in the footsteps of his parents and his relatives. There was no escape, wika ngak, he had no other alternatives. His genes dictate that he be in the movies – for better or for worse.

Tulad ng karamihan ng kanyang mga pelikula, makulay ang tunay-na-buhay ni Jay. Marami na siyang mga pagsubok na dinanas both in his life as an actor and as a private person.

Sino ang makakalimot ng kanyang storybook romance with Hilda Koronel, isang pag-iibigan na nagsimula noong wala pa halos sila sa kanilang teen years? Di nga ba contract stars sila pareho ni Hilda noon sa LEA Productions at nang madiskubreng nag-iibigan sila ay biglang na-banned si Jay sa LEA? Bakit, kasalanan ba ang umibig? At di nga ba tumakas pa si Hilda noon sa LEA at nagpakasal pa siya kay Jay? Sayang nga lang at hindi naging “and they lived happily ever after” ang naging ending ng kanilang love affair.

“Every experience in life helps me in playing movie roles,” nasabi noon ni Jay. Experience, ika nga, is the best teacher. Lahat ng mahuhusay nating artista ngayon have in one way or another, at one time in their lives, also gone through sad and bitter experiences.

Naging mahirap din ang transition period ni Jay, specially when he reached the age of 14 or 15. Too young to be an adult actor and yet too old to be a child actor, that was the dilemma. Pero Jay survived that period. Habang hinihintay niya ang kanyang paglaki at pagma-mature, nakisali na rin siya sa mga pelikulang kantahan, sayawan at kung anu-ano pang mga wala namang katuturan.

“Jay is a flexible actor,” says a respected director. “Meaning, okey na okey siya bilang Kenkoy; okey na okey rin siya sa drama. Maski aksyon, pupuwede siya.”

CONRADO CONDE

The eldest of the 11 living children of Hermogenes Ilagan, Conrado Conde is now 72 and retired from the movies. He stopped when the bomba craze hit Movietown in the late 60s.

During his heyday, Conrado was invariably assigned to direct serious films by Sampaguita Pictures, his “home studio.” He is noted for his adventure films and although he had been nominated several times, he never got a FAMAS award. No regrets, though. His record and achievements will speak for Conrado.

Among his more memorable films are Gumuhong Bantayog, Taga sa Bato, Harangan Man ng Sibat, Halik sa Lupa, Kamagong (with Leopoldo Salcedo in the title role) and its sequel Anak ni Kamagong (with Pol’s son Edgar in the title role), Gintong Recuerdo, Berdugo, Rosa Rossini, etc.

“Isa sa paborito ko ay ang Iginuhit ng Tadhana,” ayon pa kay Conrado, “because that film helped President Marcos win the elections in 1965. If you remember, that film was banned by the Macapagal administration and the people naturally became curious. The movie was a big hit.”

Iginuhit ng Tadhana was divided into three parts: Marcos as student, Marcos after school and Marcos in his early years in politics. Conrado directed the portion with the President as a young man, during the Nalundasan case, a crucial part in the President’s life. Before he began shooting, according to Conrado, he made his own research and first visited Batac where they shot an important scene.

Conrado took up dentistry but he didn’t finish it. Before he finally drifted to movie-directing, he first formed a band – Rady Ilagan’s Orchestra – which played in several cities around the Pacific and even in Mainland China. “Matagal kaming tumugtog sa Shanghai,” Conrado recalls. After playing abroad for 11 years, Conrado came back in 1940 and began his movie career as a musical director at LVN. “I scored only one film,” he says, “nakalimutan ko na ang title pero it had Mila del Sol in the lead role.”

From LVN he transferred to Sampaguita where he worked until his retirement. He began as a scriptwriter, then as assistant director until he was promoted as full-fledged director in Balisong. In more than 20 years, he completed almost 50 films and helped several actors and actresses win acting awards (Van de Leon, Marlene Dauden, Eddie Garcia, etc.).

Conrado is the director who launched Dolphy on his career as a comedian in his first film, Pedrong Walang Takot, one of the episodes in the five-episode movie Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang, made in the mid-50s. His last film was Mga Kamay na Gumagapang. Actually, nag-take-over lang siya kay Tony Cayado who died halfway through the movie.

ESTHER & DOYET ILAGAN

She was known as Tiya Neneng during the time Esther Ilagan was active in radio. Mayroon kasi siyang advice program noon sa DZPI for the lovelorn. Para din siyang si Tiya Dely and she offered her shoulders for people with problems to cry on.

“I worked for more than 18 years in radio,” Esther says, “and for a time, nagtrabaho din ako sa telebisyon.”

Esther, now 56, is at present the entertainment coordinator of PANAMIN. Isa sa duties niya ay ang pagko-coordinate ng mga entertainment tours na bumibisita sa mga tribes sa bundok. Once or twice a month, may mga kasama siyang mga combo, novelty acts at iba pang entertainers para aliwin ang mga cultural minorities.

“It’s a gratifying job,” says the wife of Conrado Conde.

Still remember Doyet Ilagan, the little girl who used to dance and sing in Kuya Ike’s and Ate Guy’s TV shows? Malaki na siya ngayon, dalaga na. She is Juliet “Doyet” Ilagan, bunsong kapatid nina Eddie.

Doyet is now a third year advertising arts student at Maryknoll. She’s 18. Every now and then when her schedule permits, Doyet accepts singing engagements in the Nightclub Row (Eduardo’s, Wells Fargo, etc.) but if she can help it, nagko-concentrate na lang siya sa kanyang studies.

“I want to write books someday,” says Doyet who acted once in child roles and who did some 20 recordings for Vicor and Alpha. “Mahilig kasi akong magsulat.”

Doyet calls herself a Born-Again Christian.

EDDIE ILAGAN: THE RADIOMAN

I have been working since I was 8,” says Eddie Ilagan, “and I haven’t stopped working since then.”

Eddie Ilagan is more popularly known to radio listeners and movie fans as “Eddielat:” Isa siya sa anim na anak ng batikang movie direktor na si Conrado Conde, ang panganay sa magkakapatid na Gerry de Leon, Tito Arevalo, Angel Esmeralda at iba pa.

Isa si Eddie sa sikat na announcers ng DWWA at mapapakinggan siya araw-araw magmula alas-5 ng hapon hanggang alas-8:30 ng gabi. Puno ng mga balita (mostly movie news) ang kanyang programa at mahilig siyang magbigay ng komentaryo sa mga current events hindi lamang sa movies kundi pati na rin sa ibang fields.

Nagsimula si Eddie sa Showbiz bilang child actor at karamihan ng mga ginawa niyang pelikula ay sa ilalim ng Sampaguita Pictures. He did some 20 movies as a child actor and his most important role was in his Uncle Gerry’s Noli Me Tangere where he played the role of Basilio.

He also acted in radio shows, a difficult type of acting, according to Eddie, because you portray your character with your voice. “Kaya dapat mahusay ka sa vocal acting para lumabas na malinaw ang role mo,” he says.

One of his memorable radio roles was as the sidekick of Kapitan Kidlat.

Eddie took up several courses in college – Commerce, Computer Programming, etc. – but he never got to finish one. He also did stints on stage and in television but his world is really radio.

“I’ve been a disc jockey since 1967,” Eddie says, “and I enjoy every minute of it.”

Soon, if plans push through, Eddie might host a TV variety show to be called Most Beautiful Show, one feature of which is the Most Beautiful Contest he initiated in his radio program.

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