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- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Physically imposing, intense Yaphet Kotto was one of the few actors of his generation to succeed in breaking racial stereotypes in Hollywood. He was born in Harlem, New York, the son of Gladys, a nurse and army officer, and Abraham Kotto, a businessman-turned-construction worker. His father was a Cameroonian immigrant, of royal ancestry (his great-grandfather had been a king in pre-colonial days), and his mother's family was from Antigua and Panama. Yaphet, whose first name means "beautiful" in Hebrew, was raised in the Jewish faith. After his parents divorced, he was brought up by his grandparents in the tough Bronx district of New York. He also had an aunt in showbiz who ran a dance academy. Among her alumni were Marlon Brando and James Dean. In fact, it was Brando's performance in On the Waterfront (1954) which inspired Kotto to go into acting.
He began acting on stage in 1958 with little theatrical experience, making his debut in the title role of Othello, a role he eventually reprised on screen in 1980. He also appeared on Broadway as understudy to James Earl Jones in The Great White Hope. After joining the Actor's Studio, Kotto commenced his screen career and soon gathered critical recognition with several edgy performances across diverse genres. From playing a barkeeper in 5 Card Stud (1968) and a thief in The Thomas Crown Affair (1968), he moved on to juicier supporting roles as the evil Kananga/Mr. Big in the James Bond thriller Live and Let Die (1973), Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the telemovie Raid on Entebbe (1976) and the ill-fated Nostromo engineer Parker in Alien (1979). Kotto also starred as a street-smart Detroit car worker in Blue Collar (1978) and had a recurring role as a senior detective on television's long-running crime series Homicide: Life on the Street (1993) (in addition to penning several scripts for the show). He was even on a Paramount shortlist for the coveted role of Jean Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987), alongside Mitchell Ryan and Roy Thinnes). He apparently spurned the role for fear of being typecast, but came to rueing that decision in later years. For the same reason Kotto had also turned down the part of Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars franchise (which went to Billy Dee Williams).
Kotto died on March 15 2021 in Manila, Phillipines at the age of 81.- Director
- Producer
- Writer
Producer/director Cirio H. Santiago is the son of Dr. Ciriaco Santiago, who founded Premiere Productions in Manila in 1946. He has two siblings. After starting out as a producer he started directing English-language movies in the early 70s. Santiago became one of the pioneers of the "Blaxploitation" genre by being one of the first to cast black actors and especially actresses as strong action heroes. Movies like TNT Jackson (1974) became instant cult classics. In the 80s, Santiago became known for his numerous low-budget Vietnam war movies such as Firehawk (1993) which gave him a reputation as the "master of the Vietnam war genre". A long running partnership with Roger Corman assured proper distribution of his movies in the USA. Many of today's hottest filmmakers such as Jonathan Demme, Joe Dante or Carl Franklin got their first directing jobs with Santiago. In 1995 he was named president of the Philippines Film Development Funds by President Ramos. The organization strives to uplift the quality of Filipino filmmaking to new, higher standards and to encourage production of foreign movies on location in the Philippines. Premiere Productions, headed by Cirio H. Santiago, still remains one of the biggest studios in the Philippines and went public in 1997.- Actor
- Producer
- Director
The young Poe, only 16 years old, had dropped out of second year high (the farthest he got in school) to work as messenger for a film exchange at php18 a week,. Some friends of his at Everlasting Studio thought of him during a scene where a knife had to hit on a tree. Knives are usually wired for such scenes; but Ronnie was called in when the director heard he could hit the target with an unwired knife. He did - and got treated to a beer blowout by the crew. Markmanship and horsemanship were really got him into the movies. Those childhood summers in Baguio when he rode the ponies on Burnham Park, all the riding lessons he ever had, stood him in good stead when he turned movie "double." It started when lead star Lilia Dizon, who was doing Simaron (1956) with co-star Johnny Moreiro, sprained an ankle and couldn't do a riding scene, Asked to do it for her, Ronnie put on a shirt, tied on a bandana, made like a girl on a horse, and exhibited such riding skill. He became a regular stuntman st Everlasting, where he doubled in riding and other action sense.- Tessie Quintana was born on 17 July 1931 in Santa Rosa, Laguna, Philippines. She was an actress, known for Alaala kita (1961), Batas ng puso (1958) and Sa Tokyo ikinasal (1948). She died on 25 February 1969 in Manila, Philippines.
- Actor
- Producer
Rudy Fernandez was born on 16 March 1952 in Manila, Philippines. He was an actor and producer, known for Bitayin si... Baby Ama! (1976), Bingbong: The Vincent Crisologo Story (1991) and Pasukuin si Waway (1984). He was married to Lorna Tolentino. He died on 7 June 2008 in Quezon City, Philippines.- The 1981 Manila International Film Festival was designed by First Lady Imelda Marcos as an elaborate showcase of Filipino culture. To everyone's horror, the only film that sold to the world was a midget spy film - a miniature mockery of Western pop iconography, and a joyously naïve celebration of Filipino Goon Cinema - called For Y'ur Height Only. Its star, a two-foot nine primordial dwarf named Weng Weng, became the most famous Filipino celebrity of his generation both inside the Philippines and abroad, yet curiously, less than 30 years later, the real Weng Weng story has all but been forgotten even by those who worked alongside him. Blame faulty or selective memories, or a fad-driven culture that never pauses long enough to ask "who?", "what?" or "why?" - truth is, the story of Weng Weng has become one of the Philippines' greatest urban legends, and the wildest and woolliest of stories fill in the gaps. Stand-up comedian married to a porn actress, real-life secret agent, hit karaoke chanteur with Imelda, the flow is endless. Once the horsecrap hardens, it's almost impossible to extricate truth from fiction, the right from the rot.
It's taken me over a year, three visits to the Philippines and more than 40 interviews with the people closest to him, including his only surviving relative, brother Celing de la Cruz, to glean the following information. There are still enormous gaps, but this is the most detailed portrait of Weng Weng I am able to put together; my documentary The Search For Weng Weng is as complete as it ever will be.
Weng Weng was born Ernesto de la Cruz, the youngest of five brothers, on 7th September 1957 in Balacaran, a district of Pasay City (now part of the sprawling 17-city Metro Manila). A condition known as primordial dwarfism caused him to be born, in the words of his brother Celing, "no bigger than a coke bottle", and he spent the first 12 months of his life in an incubator. He was not expected to live. Naturally, it was declared a miracle when he did, and in a country that venerates miraculous acts of faith, it is no surprise that Weng Weng was dressed as the Christ-child figure at the head of Baclaran's yearly Santo Nino parade.
A cheerfully mischievous child, his family nicknamed him Weng Weng, an epithet usually reserved for toy dogs. He was obsessed with martial arts and trained almost daily, until his instructor contacted film producer Peter Caballes and said, "You just have to see THIS." Peter and his wife, the successful businesswoman Cora Ridon Caballes, took Weng Weng on the rounds of film producers, including Bobby A. Suarez, whose novelty kiddie films The Bionic Boy (1977) and Dynamite Johnson: The Bionic Boy Part 2 (1978) were already international hits. Suarez turned down the idea of Weng Weng as a midget Superman, but successful indie producer/director Luis San Juan, who specialized in kung fu films for the export market, cast Weng Weng in a cameo in a film whose name is now lost to the sands of time. Peter Caballes then introduced Weng Weng to the King of Philippines Comedy, Dolphy, who cast him as his kung-fu kicking sidekick in his spy caper The Quick Brown Fox (1980) and western parody Da Best In Da West (1981).
Weng Weng, meanwhile, was a frequent visitor of the Marcos family at the Presidential Palace, where he was made an honorary Secret Agent by future President General Ramos, and was presented with a badge and a 25-callibre pistol. This act may have been the direct inspiration for Weng Weng's first starring role as Agent OO in the James Bond parody For Y'ur Height Only, produced by Peter and written by Cora Caballes for their company Liliw Productions. Eddie Nicart, renowned stunt director for the SOS Daredevils, trained Weng Weng every day for three months to be a professional stuntman, and was given his first opportunity to direct.
It's hard to pin down the appeal of For Y'ur Height Only - whether it's the inadvertently genius deconstruction of both Western action films and their Pinoy counterparts, surreal pot-addled dubbing by American expats (and Apocalypse Now survivors) Jim Gaines and Nick Nicholson, or inspired casting of every Bad Guy (or "Goon") still alive at the time, and the James Bond of the Philippines himself, Tony Ferrer aka Agent X44, as Weng Weng's boss. It all adds up to an absurdist masterpiece of gloriously bad cinema, one which was sold all over the world and became one of the Philippines' most successful exports.
Weng Weng became an instant superstar, appearing on TV and at parties, film festivals, movie openings. Liliw Productions quickly cranked out a much less successful Agent OO sequel, The Impossible Kid (1982), and a modern Pinoy western D'Wild Wild Weng (1982), starring Weng Weng as a government agent known as "Mr Weng", which doesn't appear to have made it beyond the Philippines borders. There may be other Weng Weng film appearances, including a starring role in Agent OO (c.1981) and a guest cameo alongside the stick-thin Palito's character "James Bone", but even in the Philippines information is sketchy at best, if not non-existent.
As the profits diminished, Cora Caballes moved on to a political career and Liliw Productions folded. As a result, Weng Weng found himself no longer flavour of the month and without a film career. According to his brother, his family was poor before he became famous, and afterwards remained as poor as ever. In a bizarre twist of fate, General Ramos decided to put Weng Weng through paratrooper training; this time he was given a genuine Agent badge and was sent on infiltration missions where his size would been used to its maximum advantage. Thanks to the Caballes' connections at Manila Airport, Weng Weng was seen patrolling the Arrivals Lounge in the mid-Eighties in his blue uniform as the unlikeliest "Welcome To Manila" banner.
He continued to live in the family home in Baclaran, gained weight and, according to some reports, drank heavily, and developed hypertension after a severe reaction to eating crabmeat. His health declined steadily over the next twelve to eighteen months, and he died of heart failure on 29th August 1992, just short of his 35th birthday.
The Philippines' tiniest film icon is buried in a modest white marble tomb with his parents, grandparents and great-grandmother in Pasay City Cemetary. - Actress Halina Perez was born Vanessa Uri in Perez, Quezon City in the Philippines, where she graduated from the Quezon National High School and enrolled at the Enverga University, before being transferred to Manila whereupon she embarked into show business. Halina appeared in over 10 films during her brief career, most notably in erotic Filipino thrillers and comedies. She gained fans by portraying sexy, provocative women in movies. Notable credits includes the skin flicks Kiskisan (2003), Balat Sibuyas (2002), Amorseko (Damong Ligaw)(2001) and Ikapitong Gloria (2001). Halina, her manager Isah Munio, sexpot entertainer Danna Garcel along with three others were returning to Manila after attending a grand opening of a Konica store in Legazpi City, when the car they were driving veered out of line and slammed into a van. Five of the car's passengers, including Halina, were asleep at the time of the crash, Halina was still breathing when she was pulled out of the car by rescuers, but was declared dead on arrival at the hospital after suffering a broken neck, her manager Isah Munio was also declared dead. The other four including Danna Garcel suffered fractures and minor injuries but survived the crash. She was buried at Loyola Memorial Park, Marikina City, Philippines.
- Babalu was born on 29 June 1942. He was an actor, known for Oki Doki Doc (1993), Di bale na lang (1987) and Wanted: Perfect Father (1994). He died on 28 August 1998 in Antipolo City, Philippines.
- Additional Crew
Epoy Molina is known for SineSerye (2007). Epoy was married to Cathy Garcia-Molina. Epoy died on 29 March 2009 in Baguio City, Philippines.- Erford Gage was born on 5 April 1912 in Northfield, Massachusetts, USA. He was an actor, known for The Seventh Victim (1943), Hitler's Children (1943) and Gangway for Tomorrow (1943). He died on 17 March 1945 in Manila, Philippines.
- Pepsi Paloma was born on 11 March 1966 in Manila, Philippines. She was an actress, known for Virgin People (1984), Krus sa bawat punglo (1982) and The Victim (1982). She died on 31 May 1985 in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
- Actor
- Director
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Eddie Garcia was born on 2 May 1929 in Juban, Sorsogon, Philippines. He was an actor and director, known for Atsay (1978), Saan nagtatago ang pag-ibig? (1987) and Bwakaw (2012). He died on 20 June 2019 in Makati, Philippines.- Ronaldo Valdez was born on 27 November 1947 in Manila, Philippines. He was an actor, known for Loving Someone (1993), Sukob (2006) and Nasaan ang puso (1997). He was married to Maria Fe Ilagan Gibbs. He died on 17 December 2023 in Manila, Philippines.
- Director
- Writer
- Actor
Lino Brocka was born on 7 April 1939 in Pilar, Sorsogon, Luzon, Philippines. He was a director and writer, known for Dirty Affair (1990), Bayan Ko (1984) and Dipped in Gold (1970). He died on 22 May 1991 in Quezon City, Philippines.- Actor
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Redford White was born on 5 December 1955 in Cebu, Philippines. He was an actor and writer, known for Kokey (2007), Johnny Rambotang-go Part III (1984) and Three Men and a Lola. He was married to Elena Cermeño. He died on 25 July 2010 in Caloocan City, Philippines.- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Chiquito was born on 12 March 1928 in Manila, Philippines. He was an actor and writer, known for Servillano Zapata (1970), James Bondat (1970) and Atorni Agaton: Agent Law-ko (1969). He was married to Ely "Vilma" Isidro. He died on 2 July 1997 in Makati, Philippines.- Director
- Writer
- Composer
Born October 22, 1947 in Jefferson County, Kentucky, William Brent Girdler launched his filmmaking career with the 1972 release of Asylum of Satan. He made a total of nine films in six years and provided the music for the Pat Patterson quickie Dr. Gore. Girdler died in a helicopter accident in the Philippines after completing his final movie The Manitou.
Girdler wore many hats in respect to his filmmaking, writing six of his nine films and composing the music for three. He also produced two of his own movies. His early works were filmed in his hometown of Louisville, KY with the assistance of many friends and local investors. Girdler's first two low budget horror entries, Asylum of Satan and Three on a Meathook, made only a slight impact on the drive-in movie scene, but they got his foot in the door with Sam Arkoff and AIP. Girdler subsequently made three blaxploitation films: Zebra Killer, Abby, and Sheba Baby. After his AIP stint ended, Girdler directed the political thriller Project Kill starring Leslie Nielsen. Eager to return to horror, Girdler sought finances from Edward Montoro and thus brought Grizzly and Day of the Animals into the world. Girdler hoped to strike gold when he bought the rights to Graham Masterton's 1976 best-selling novel 'The Manitou' for $50,000, and he did just that. Within three months of securing the rights, Girdler began shooting the movie with Tony Curtis and Susan Strasberg in the leading roles.
William Girdler's most successful effort is Grizzly, a bleak Jaws knockoff starring a giant fuzzy bear. Made on a fairly tight budget, Grizzly ranked among the most successful films of 1976. Abby, a 1974 Exorcist rip-off which prompted a lawsuit from Warner Brothers, was also a box-office hit and made more money via domestic rentals than Blacula. Legal issues prevented Girdler from seeing profits for both films. Other box office hits born of Girdler include the Pam Grier vehicle Sheba Baby and The Manitou (a posthumous hit).- Joel Alano was born on 11 December 1965. He was an actor, known for Blusang itim (1986), Pati ba pintig ng puso? (1985) and Santa Claus Is Coming to Town! (1982). He died on 27 October 1987 in Makati City, Philippines.
- Actor
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Dolphy was born on 25 July 1928 in Manila, Philippines. He was an actor and producer, known for Espadang patpat (1990), John and Marsha (1974) and Omeng Satanasia (1977). He died on 10 July 2012 in Makati City, Philippines.- JM Canlas was born on 4 March 2006 in the Philippines. He was an actor, known for ANi (2019), Kiko Boksingero (2017) and Unconditional (2020). He died on 3 August 2023 in the Philippines.
- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Tikoy Aguiluz was born on 23 September 1952 in the Philippines. He was a director and writer, known for Rizal in Dapitan (1997), Segurista (1996) and Biyaheng langit (2000). He died on 19 February 2024 in the Philippines.- Actor
- Director
- Producer
Paquito Diaz was born on 28 May 1937 in Arayat, Pampanga, Philippines. He was an actor and director, known for Ang mananandata (1965), San Basilio (1981) and In This Corner (1982). He was married to Josefa "Nena" Gutierrez. He died on 3 March 2011 in Daraga, Albay, Philippines.- Actor
- Art Department
Lito Legaspi was born on 10 September 1941 in the Philippines. He was an actor, known for Sinong kapiling? Sinong kasiping? (1977), Ilustrado (2014) and Ang probinsyano (2015). He died on 8 September 2019 in San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines.- Dindo Fernando was born on 19 November 1940 in Virac, Catanduanes, Philippines. He was an actor, known for Langis at tubig (1980), Gaano kadalas ang minsan? (1982) and Magdusa ka! (1986). He died on 27 August 1987 in Manila, Philippines.
- Mark Gil was born on 25 September 1961 in Manila, Philippines. He was an actor, known for Zuma (1985), Palipat-lipat, papalit-palit (1982) and Agaw armas (1986). He was married to Maricar Jacinto-Eigenmann, Irene Celebre, Jaclyn Jose and Bing Pimentel. He died on 1 September 2014 in Manila, Philippines.
- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Writer
Johnny Delgado was born on 29 February 1948 in Manila, Philippines. He was an actor and writer, known for Ligalig (2006), Santa santita (2004) and Ang alamat ni Julian Makabayan (1979). He was married to Laurice Guillen. He died on 19 November 2009 in Quezon City, Philippines.- Actor
- Stunts
- Production Manager
Danny Labra was born on 4 January 1950. He was an actor and production manager, known for Ooops, teka lang... Diskarte ko 'to! (2001), Super Mouse and the Roborats (1989) and Lucas Abelardo (1994). He died on 4 April 2017 in Metro Manila, Philippines.- Actor
- Music Department
Spanky Manikan was born on 22 March 1942 in the Philippines. He was an actor, known for Miracle (1982), Behind Enemy Lines (1997) and The Two of Us (2009). He was married to Susan Africa. He died on 14 January 2018 in the Philippines.- Writer
- Actor
- Producer
Mark Joseph was born on 4 August 1957 in Bantayan, Cebu, Phillipines. He was a writer and actor, known for Reynaldo Barcenas: Rey Guinto - Terror Hunter (1991), Utol Ni Ben Tumbling (1991) and Zuma (1985). He was married to Miriam. He died on 21 December 2020 in Marikina City, Philippines.- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Eddie Romero, who initially used the screen name 'Enrique Moreno' early in his directing career, was born July 7 1924 in Dumaguete City. He is the son of Pilar Cinco, a school teacher, and José E. Romero, a former congressman, Secretary of Education, and Philippine Ambassador to London. He was married to Carolina Gonzales, with whom he had three children, including film director Joey Romero; actress Chanda Romero is also a niece. He studied at Dumaguete Elementary School, Ateneo de Manila, University of the Philippines (UP) High School, and Siliman University High School in Dumaguete City. He earned his bachelor's degree in UP, completed the associate in arts (pre-law) program at Siliman University, and was conferred the honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, by the Foundation University in Dumaguete City. A leader in the industry, Romero has served as deputy director of the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), and Chair of the Sub-Committee on the Arts of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Romero's major influences were Gerardo de Leon and Yasujirô Ozu, a Japanese director. He observed production trends, film techniques and the work of noted directors in the United States and Europe. He was first involved in film when he wrote the script of Gerardo de Leon Ang maestra (1941), which starred Rogelio de la Rosa, Rosa Del Rosario and Sylvia La Torre. He joined Sampaguita Pictures, as scriptwriter of de Leon's Isumpa mo giliw (1947), then directed exclusively for Sampaguita Pictures from 1947 to 1953. Among his early films are: Ang kamay ng Diyos (1947); Hindi kita malimot (1948); Selosa (1948); Apoy sa langit (1949); Abogada (1949); 'Ang Asawa Kong Amerikana' (1953), with Oscar Moreno, Joan Page, Chichay, Boy Alano, Eddie Garcia and Bella Flores - this was the first Filipino movie to win an important award in an Asian Film Festival. During this period, Romero was also known as the director of the Pancho Magalona-Tita Duran movies: Always kay ganda mo (1949); 'Sa Piling Mo' (1949); Kasintahan sa pangarap (1951); Ang ating pag-ibig (1953). Romero became a producer-director with the film Buhay alamang (1952), which he adapted from a stage play by Gerardo de Leon. Under Hemisphere Productions, he produced films for international release which he himself wrote and/or directed, foremost of which was 'Day of the Trumpet' (1957), which starred Hollywood actors John Agar, Richard Arlen, Myron Healey and Jennings Sturgeon, alongside Filipino actors Pancho Magalona, Alicia Vergel, Cielito Legaspi, Vic Diaz and Max Alvarado. (This movie was released in the US as The Day of the Trumpet (1958).) Other English-language films Romero made were The Kidnappers (1958) (originally titled 'Man on the Run'), with Hollywood stars Burgess Meredith', William Phipps, Paul Harber, Theodore Bikel, costarring Filipino actors Olivia Cenizal, Carol Varga, Amado Cortez, Zaldy Zshornack, Johnny Monteiro; Terror Is a Man (1959), topbilled by Francis Lederer, with Greta Thyssen, Richard Derr and Filipino actors Oscar Keesee, Peyton Keesee, Lilia Duran, and Flory Carlos; Espionage: Far East (1961) with Tod Andrews, Mila Del Sol, Leopoldo Salcedo, Diane Jergens, Manuel Conde, Shirley Gorospe and Joan Tabor; Escape to Paradise (1960), starring Bruce Baxter, Joe Dennis, Diane Jergens, Jennings Sturgeon with Filipino actors Rosie Acosta, Arsenio Alonzo, Johnny Monteiro, Renato Robles, Leopoldo Salcedo, Joe Sison; The Passionate Strangers (1966), with Michael Parsons, Valora Noland, Claude Wilson, and Filipinos Mario Montenegro, Celia Rodriguez, Vic Diaz, Butz Aquino and Cesar Aguilar; The Raiders of Leyte Gulf (1962), with Leopoldo Salcedo, Michael Parsons, Efren Reyes, Liza Moreno, Eddie Mesa, Oscar Keesee and Jennings Sturgeon; Manila, Open City (1968), with Charito Solis, Ric Rodrigo, Mario Montenegro, James Shigeta, Eddie Garcia, Vic Diaz, Lauro Delgado, Alex Nicol, John Ashley, Nova Villa, Rosa Mia and Norma Blancaflor. Starting with Mad Doctor of Blood Island (1968), with John Ashley, Angelique Pettyjohn, Ronald Remy, Alicia Alonzo, Tita Muñoz, Alfonso Carvajal and Johnny Long, a film closely resembling Island of Lost Souls (1932), Romero began a collaboration with Hollywood-based actors like John Ashley. This was followed by several other exotically-themed films, usually with Eddie Garcia, like Beast of the Yellow Night (1971), costarring John Ashley again and Leopoldo Salcedo, Mary Charlotte Wilcox, Vic Diaz and Ken Metcalfe; Beast of Blood (1970) costarring 'John Ashley (I) and Celeste Yarnall; The Twilight People (1972), costarring Ashley again, Charles Macaulay, Pat Woodell, Pam Grier and Letty Mirasol; Black Mama White Mama (1973), topbilled by Pam Grier, Margaret Markov, Lynn Borden, with Zaldy Zshornack and Alona Alegre; The Woman Hunt (1972) with John Ashley, Pat Woodell, Charlene Jones (I)', Lisa Todd, Laurie Rose and Lotis Key; Savage Sisters (1974) with Gloria Hendry, Cheri Caffaro, Rosanna Ortiz, John Ashley (I)', Sid Haig, and Rita Gomez; Sudden Death (1977), with Hollywood stars Robert Conrad and Don Stroud, costarring Felton Perry, Angie Ferro and Ken Metcalfe'. In the mid-1970s Romero returned to the local scene with the now-famous This Is How We Were Before, How Are You Doing Now? (1976); Sinong kapiling? Sinong kasiping? (1977); Banta ng kahapon (1977); Durugin si Totoy Bato (1979); Aguila (1980); Kamakalawa (1981); Ang padrino (1984); and Hari sa hari, lahi sa lahi (1987). In 1992 he scripted and directed the 13-episode TV version of Jose Rizal's Noli me tángere (1961) for the Cultural Center of the Philippines. He has made over 20 films for international distribution and over 35 Filipino movies for local distribution. Romero's last directorial foray was Faces of Love (2007), starring Christopher De Leon, Angel Aquino, Alfred Vargas, Juliana Palermo, Bembol Roco, Chanda Romero, Ricky Davao, Mon Confiado and Rodel Velayo.
Romero has received a total of 22 awards; these include five Best Screenplay awards from the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts & Sciences (FAMAS), for Buhay alamang (1952), The Passionate Strangers (1966), Durugin si Totoy Bato (1979), Aguila (1980) and Ang padrino (1984), elevating him to the Hall of Fame. He was chosen FAMAS Best Director for The Passionate Strangers (1966) and Aguila (1980). FAMAS eventually awarded him to the FAMAS Hall of Fame in 1986, the FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993, and the Presidential Award in 2000. In 1951 he won the Maria Clara Award for Best Director for Ang prinsesa at ang Pulubi (1950); the following year, yet another Best Director Award for Diego Silang (1951). Romero is a recipient of the Dr Ciriaco Santiago Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Movie Industry for 'Day of the Trumpet' (1957), the first coproduction with a foreign film company; this film was released in the US as The Day of the Trumpet (1958). At the Gawad Urian Awards, he won Best Direction and Best Screenplay for This Is How We Were Before, How Are You Doing Now? (1976), as well as the Dekada Award (Best Film of the Decade) for the said film, given in 1981; he garnered Urian nominations for Best Screenplay for Sinong kapiling? Sinong kasiping? (1977) and Best Screenplay and Best Direction for Banta ng kahapon (1977), and again for Best Screenplay and Best Direction for Aguila (1980). Gawad Urian gave him a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995. He won the Festival Prize (Best Direction and Best Screenplay) for This Is How We Were Before, How Are You Doing Now? (1976), at the Metro Manila Film Festival. He received a Papal Award as Film Director of the Decade, 1971-1980, at the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA). At the FAP Awards, he won nominations for Best Screenplay and Best Direction for Faces of Love (2007). He was also presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Cinemanil International Film Festival in 2000. Romero passed away on May 28, 2013- causes cited were blood clot and prostate cancer. (He would have
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Director
- Actor
Ricky Rivero was born on 7 May 1972 in Manila, Philippines. He was an assistant director and director, known for Eva Fonda (2008), Bakit may kahapon pa? (1996) and Magdusa ka! (1986). He died on 16 July 2023 in Manila, Philippines.- Rico Yan was born on 14 March 1975 in the Philippines. He was an actor, known for Mula sa puso (1997), Got 2 Believe (2002) and Flames: The Movie (1997). He died on 29 March 2002 in Palawan, Philippines.
- Actress
- Producer
Susan Roces was born on 28 July 1941 in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. She was an actress and producer, known for Maligno (1977), Gumising ka... Maruja (1978) and Patayin mo sa sindak si Barbara (1974). She was married to Fernando Poe Jr.. She died on 20 May 2022 in Manila, Philippines.- Actress
Mona Lisa was born on 22 June 1922 in Manila, Philippines. She was an actress, known for Insiang (1976), Cain at Abel (1982) and Huwag mong salingin ang sugat ko (1991). She was married to Abelardo Guinto. She died on 25 August 2019 in Manila, Philippines.- Miguel Rodriguez was an actor, known for Ibulong mo sa Diyos (1988), The Lethal Hunt (1985) and The Elsa Castillo story... Ang katotohanan (1994). He was married to Irene Salud Tess Que. He died on 14 February 1997 in Las Piñas City, Philippines.
- Mahal was born on 20 December 1974 in the Philippines. She was an actress, known for Id'Nal (Mapusok) (2012), Kokey (1997) and Owe My Love (2021). She died on 31 August 2021 in the Philippines.
- Actor
- Transportation Department
- Camera and Electrical Department
Ben Sanchez was born on 19 May 1930. He was an actor, known for Dongalo Massacre (1988), Maj. Napoleon Velasco: Kumander Kalbo (1993) and Adan Ronquillo: Tubong Cavite... laking Tondo (1993). He died on 28 March 2002 in San Rafael Public Cemetery San Rafael, Bulacan Province, Central Luzon, Philippines.- Actor
- Producer
- Director
Tony Ferrer was born on 12 June 1934 in Macabebe, Pampanga, Philippines. He was an actor and producer, known for Sabotage (1966), Ang agila at ang falcon (1980) and Blackmail (1966). He was married to Imelda Ilanan. He died on 23 January 2021 in the Philippines.- Director
- Writer
- Actor
PEQUE Gallaga was recently awarded The Natatanging Gawad for Lifetime Achievement for Filmmaking from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino during the 32nd Gawad Urian last September 19 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera, founding member of the Manunuri, the society of respected film critics, says Gallaga is "the epitome of the compleat Filipino cinema artist," and that it is only fitting that Gallaga be honored by all those who love Filipino cinema "before the sun completely sets on the film industry."
The waxing and waning of the fortunes of mainstream cinema seems reflected in the person of Gallaga, a serious filmmaker with a track record of box-office hits and successful remaking of commercial genres, particularly of horror and fantasy movies. As mainstream commercial cinema struggles, independent and out-of-studio films have shown vibrancy and resilience, even catapulting Filipino movie to new global renown. Part of these stirrings of hope can be gleaned from the emergent regional cinema, whose mentorship and encouragement owes to Gallaga's selfless tutelage. Gallaga has won several Urian awards: Best Director for "Oro Plata Mata" in 1982; Best Production Design for "Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?" (together with Laida Lim Perez) in 1976, and for "Manila By Night: City After Dark" in 1980. Gallaga entered into prominence with "Ganito Kami Noon..." directed by Eddie Romero. This important historical movie was shown on the same year as Brocka's "Insiang," Ishmael Bernal's "Nunal sa Tubig," Lupita Concio's "Minsa'y Isang Gamu-Gamo," Gerry de Leon's "Banawe," Mike de Leon's "Itim," Mario O' Hara's "Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos," and Gil Portes' debut movie, "Tiket Mama, Tiket Ale, Sa Linggo ang Bola" - making 1976 the peak of the second golden age of Philippine cinema. Gallaga's early career illustrates the truism that great filmmakers do not necessarily influence each other; more practically, they work with each other, often in an unwitting sort of apprenticeship. Brocka had worked with Romero as scriptwriter; Mike de Leon had worked with Brocka and later, Romero, as cinematographer. Gallaga, who finished Commerce and Liberal Arts at De la Salle University but had enrolled briefly in the architecture school of the University of Santo Tomas, had worked with Romero and Bernal (notably in "Manila By Night") as production designer. Also an actor, Gallaga played a part in "Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos," and Brocka's "Gumising Ka, Maruja" (1978).Gallaga would become a full-fledged filmmaker with his second directorial effort, "Oro Plata Mata" (1982), and later, "Scorpio Nights" (1985), arguably his two best movies. In both movies, Gallaga shows directorial breadth of vision and art director's capaciousness, and it is hard to tell which is which. Since he's also the writer of "Oro," Gallaga may have demolished the classic auteur theory or embodied it in its fullest sense: he is author and creator in one. He would exhibit the same bravura in "Virgin Forest" (1985), "Unfaithful Wife" (1986), and in his recasting of the horror genre, the very successful "Shake, Rattle and Roll" series. His "Once Upon a Time" (1988) is another brilliant recasting, this one of Filipino folklore, with Dolphy playing the mythical role of the Filipino netherworld's tikbalang. And his "Gangland" (1998) may have set off the gritty urban street drama of today, as manifested in such provocative movies as Brillante Mendoza's "Tirador" and Jim Libiran's "Tribu." Gallaga continues to make movies while based in his hometown of Bacolod, where he is artist-in-residence, and where he teaches theater and film at the University of St. La Salle. He has mentored future filmmakers and media artists, including Jay Abella, Manny Montelibano, Vicente Groyon and Richard Somes. A multi-variegated artist of intrepid vision and incredible stamina, Gallaga has become one of our few elder statesmen of the cinema arts.- Writer
- Director
- Producer
Carlo J. Caparas was born on 14 December 1948 in Pampanga, Philippines. He was a writer and director, known for Bubble's Ativan Gang (1988), Pieta (1983) and Lipa 'Arandia' Massacre: Lord, Deliver Us from Evil (1994). He was married to Donna Villa. He died on 25 May 2024 in the Philippines.- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Amalia Fuentes was born Amalia Muhlach in Bicol and is said to have German lineage. She was educated in Catholic school. She was dubbed as the "Elizabeth Taylor of the Philippines" by the movie industry during the late 1950s.
Her father died during the war, and as the eldest she became the family breadwinner. Her two younger brothers, Alex and Alvaro, are also actors. Amalia married fellow actor Romeo Vasquez in 1965 in Hong Kong, but they separated in 1969. They have a daughter, Liezl Sumilang (wife of actor Albert Martinez). After her divorce from Vasquez, Amalia married Joey Stevens, an American businessman with whom she has an adopted son, Geric Stevens. She divorced Stevens after 28 years of marriage, citing infidelity. Stevens died in 2012.
.- Lilia Cuntapay was born on 3 January 1935 in Tuguegarao, Cagayan, Philippines. She was an actress, known for Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay (2011), Brokedown Palace (1999) and Ang probinsyano (2015). She died on 20 August 2016 in Pinili, Ilocos Norte, Philippines.
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- Actor
- Writer
Gerardo de Leon was born on 12 September 1913 in Manila, Philippines. He was a director and actor, known for Noli me tángere (1961), Huwag Mo Akong Limutin (1960) and El filibusterismo (1962). He died on 25 July 1981 in Manila, Philippines.- Thane Eugene Cesar died on 11 September 2019 in the Philippines.
- Actor
- Director
- Producer
After his school education, Gustaf Gründgens volunteered for the Western Front in 1916. The following year he joined the Saarlouis front theater group, which he led two years later. After the war, he trained from 1919 to 1920 at the Düsseldorf Theater School of Stage Arts. He took on his first roles at the municipal open-air theater and a year later an engagement at the municipal theaters in Halberstadt. This was followed by acting work in Kiel and Berlin. From 1923 Gustaf Gründgens played at the Kammerspiele in Hamburg. Within five years he took on 71 roles and directed 32 productions.
During this time he acquired a wide repertoire from classical drama to modern plays. In 1924 he made his debut as a director of plays such as "Anja and Esther" (1924) by Klaus Mann. In it he played the main role alongside Erika and Klaus Mann as well as Pamela Wiedekind. Gründgens married Erika Mann in 1926, but the marriage ended in divorce almost three years later. In 1927, Gründgens played at the Kammerspiele of the German Theater in Berlin. Productions and engagements at various stages in Berlin followed until 1933. In 1929 he directed his first opera, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro". He appeared frequently in cabarets with Grethe Weiser and Ernst Busch.
Gründgen also began his film work during this time. Gründgens often played seducers, shady characters, bon vivants, con artists and blackmailers, who were later portrayed well in films. In 1932, Gründgens was engaged at the Prussian Theater. There he played his first role as Mephistopheles in Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's "Faust". Two years later he took over the position of director at the State Theater and became a state actor. He was appointed State Councilor in 1936 and married the actress Marianne Hoppe. In 1937 Gustaf Gründgens became general director of the Prussian State Theater.
He also appeared in front of the film camera several times for titles such as "The Girl Johanna" (1935), "Dance on the Volcano" (1938) and in the propaganda film "Ohm Krüger" (1941). He also directed films such as the aviation comedy "Capriolen" and "The Step from the Way" (1938) with Marianne Hoppe. A propagandistic tendency includes Gründgen's film "Two Worlds" (1939), which tells of two boys' harvest work. In 1938 and 1941, Gründgens staged opera works in Berlin and Vienna. He achieved a personal success in 1941 with the new production of Goethe's tragedy "Faust I", in which he also played Mephistopheles. The following year he was a member of the troop support team in Norway and in 1943 he took part in the service in the replacement department as a private.
After the end of the war, Gründgens spent nine months in a Soviet internment camp. In the denazification process, he was exonerated by, among others, Ernst Busch. In 1946 he played at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin. His first role was that of Christian Maske in "The Snob" by Carl Sternheim. From 1947 to 1955, Gründgens headed the Düsseldorf Municipal Theater as general manager. He was then general director of the Deutsches Schauspielhaus Hamburg. His production of "Faust I," which he performed in Moscow and New York, became world-famous. The play was made into a film in 1960. After the 1962/63 season he resigned from the position of director.
Gustaf Gründgens died of a stomach hemorrhage in Manila on October 7, 1963, during a trip around the world.- Dick Israel was born on 10 December 1947 in Porac, Pampanga, Philippines. He was an actor and writer, known for Kanto Boy 2: Anak ni Totoy Guapo (1994), Patrolman (1988) and Boyong Mañalac: Hoodlum Terminator (1991). He was married to Melinda Michaca. He died on 11 October 2016 in Makati City, Philippines.
- Nestor De Villa was born on 6 July 1928 in Nueva Ecija, Philippines. He was an actor, known for Mga yapak na walang bakas (1961), Naku... Yabang! (1963) and Saan darating ang umaga? (1983). He was married to Marilou Cacho. He died on 21 February 2004 in Metro Manila, Philippines.
- Actor
- Art Department
- Animation Department
Nonong De Andres was an actor, known for Balandra Crossing (1987), S.W.A.K. (Samahang Walang Atrasan sa Kalaban) (1985) and Nonoy Garote and the Sidekicks (1987). He died on 6 November 2018 in Plaridel, Quezon, Philippines.- Actress
Anita Linda was born Alice Buenaflor Lake in Pasay City, Manila, Philippines. Her parents were James Lake, an American mining engineer, and Gorgonia Buenaflor of Iloilo. She attended Polo Elementary School and graduated from Good Shepherd Convent High School. She married actor Fred Cortes, with whom she had a son, actor Fred Cortes Jr..
Before WWII, a teenaged Alice, while watching a stage show at the Avenue Theater starring Leopoldo Salcedo and Lopito, was called backstage by director Lamberto V. Avellana and asked if she wanted to become an actress. There must have been something in her that the renowned director saw as she sat watching the show. She demurred that, being Visayan, she couldn't speak Tagalog. The director, nevertheless, told her to report for rehearsals for the next show. When she failed to appear he had her fetched. This is how she became an actress.- Roy Alvarez was born on 23 March 1950 in Pagbilao, Quezon, Philippines. He was an actor, known for Diskarte (2002), Ben Delubyo (1998) and A Dangerous Life (1988). He was married to Nieves Campa-Alvarez. He died on 11 February 2014 in the Philippines.