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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.- Actor
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Additional Crew
George Estregan was born on 10 July 1939 in Tondo, Manila, Philippines. He was an actor, known for Kid kaliwete (1978), Sa bulaklak ng apoy (1984) and Lumakad kang hubad... Sa mundong ibabaw (1980). He died on 8 August 1988 in Santa Mesa, 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
- 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.- 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.- 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.
- 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. - 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.- 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.
- 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.- 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
- 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.
- 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.- 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.- Director
- 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), El filibusterismo (1962) and Huwag Mo Akong Limutin (1960). He died on 25 July 1981 in Manila, 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.- Menggie Cobarrubias was born on 10 August 1953 in Manila, Philippines. He was an actor, known for Jaguar (1979), Mauban: Ang resiko (2014) and Impostor (2010). He died on 26 March 2020 in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, 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
- 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).- Kristoffer King was born on 22 May 1982 in the Philippines. He was an actor, known for Verdict (2019), The Coin Bearer (2012) and Kristo (2017). He died on 23 February 2019 in Pasay City, 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.
- 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.
- 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.- 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.- Writer
- Soundtrack
Jose Rizal was born on 19 June 1861 in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines. He was a writer, known for El filibusterismo (1962), Sisa (1951) and Noli me tangere (1930). He died on 30 December 1896 in Bagumbayan [now Luneta], Manila, 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.- Charito Solis was born on 6 October 1935 in Manila, Philippines. She was an actress, known for In the Wink of an Eye (1981), El filibusterismo (1962) and Of the Flesh (1983). She died on 9 January 1998 in Laguna, Philippines.
- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Leopoldo Salcedo ("Pol" or "Poldo"to his family and close friends) was born in Cavite Puerto (now Cavite City ) on 13 March, 1912 to Juan Salcedo y Mayobre and Basilia Red Ganal. He was the 2nd child and had 5 siblings, Magdalena (the eldest who later became a nun and took the name Sor Agustina), Virginia (a former businesswoman now living in New York), Milagros, Delfin (who died at the tender age of 14) and Salvador.
His father, Juan Salcedo, was born in the Philippines but whose family originally hailed from Spain . The Salcedos were aristocrats. They were descendants of Juan de Salcedo, grandson of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.In fact, Juan Salcedo's paternal grandfather was Don Juan Salcedo y Mantilla de los Rios,the famous Spanish politico military governor of Cavite (1880-1886). A carpenter by profession and a gifted musician,Juan refused to return to Spain with his parents and 2 siblings (also named Leopoldo and Magdalena). Later ,he met and married Basilia Red Ganal, a pretty lass from Binakayan ,Cavite during the early 1900s. She was a fisherman's daughter and sold fishes and fruits in the market.
Leopoldo Salcedo's family was very poor when he was young.But his was a family that stuck together due to the kindness and guidance of his mother.His father was very strict.This strictness was tempered by his mother's gentle and loving ways. Unfortunately, she died in 1933 due to a liver illness.She didn't live to see his son become a famous actor. He was a naughty lad prone to mischief. He was not a good student.In fact, he dropped out and never finished. But he had many friends and was popular among the ladies. He claimed to have lost his virginity at 14.
In his youth, he performed in school plays. Later, he worked as a "ballyhoo man", the prewar term for people who wore placards to advertise products. He also would ride a horse wearing a king or sultan's costume to announce the coming attraction in movie theaters. In those days when stage shows were the rage, he acted or sang in "prologo" or front act for the main act of the show. He had a good singing voice and started out as a singer before becoming a full pledged actor.
He got his first break as second lead to Rogelio dela Rosa in "Sawing Palad" in 1934. Actress Alma Bella saw him and introduced him to producer Nepomuceno who immediately cast him in this film. His first lead role was in "Santong Diablo" .But it was in the film,"Gamugamong nagging Lawin" where he became a superstar. During the war, he acted on stage shows mostly as a guerrilla, his fine acting shining through and giving hope of freedom for the Filipinos. However, these stage shows were scripted subtly in order not to enrage the Japanese conquerors.
In 1950, Salcedo set up his own movie company LGS Films (Leopoldo Ganal Salcedo Films) and came up with such good films as ,"Highway 54","La Roca Trinidad "(the name of his home) and "Tampalasan".
Salcedo went on to make films for a span of 60 years (1930s to 1990s). His was a splendid career ,winning several awards and recognition of his fine acting ability.He also directed and co directed a few of his films, mostly uncredited.
He was a ladies' man and ,as the saying goes,"had a girl in every port!" He fathered several children and had 6 significant women in his life. Although his personal life left little to be desired (he was neither a good father nor husband), the same can not be said of him as an artist for he was an excellent and talented performer (stage or screen).
He died on 10 June, 1998 due to complications from heart attack. He was 86 years old.- Writer
- Additional Crew
- Actress
Daisy H. Avellana was born on 6 January 1917 in Roxas City, Philippines. She was a writer and actress, known for A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino (1965), Pag-asa (1951) and Sakay (1939). She was married to Lamberto V. Avellana. She died on 12 May 2013 in Manila, 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.
- 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.- 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.- 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.
- 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.
- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Lamberto Avellana's career in film starter with an offer of then General Carlos P. Romulo to direct a film on the revolutionary hero Macario Sakay for the big screen. Although his wife, Daisy (Hintiveros-Avellana) apparently chided him for not knowing the first thing about movies, Avellana was not dissuaded and Daisy ended up writing the screenplay. "Sakay" jumped-started what came to be Avellana innovative introduction of a point of view replacing the traditional eye level camera angle in film storytelling. With the assistance of William "Pop" Jansen, a man he acknowledges as mentor in his starting years, Avellana learned the nitty gritty of film-making and at the age 23 was dubbed "The Boy Wonder of Philippines Movies. "Sakay" was adjudged best film of 1939, cheered for its technical aspects and especially for realism that uncommon in Philippines cinema. The fly in the ointment was their portrayal of "Sakay" as bandit instead of revolutionary, which belatedly Avellana realized had been based on American propaganda materials of the time, His son Mari Avallana, who was later to follow in his directorial footsteps, tell us that his dad was so disturbed by the mistaken portrayal that he had always planned a remake the wrong but died before this was realized.- Chat Silayan was born on 8 July 1959 in the Philippines. She was an actress, known for Esperanza (1997), Ang maestro (1981) and Wanted: Leon Mercado (1982). She was married to Michael Bailon. She died on 23 April 2006 in Quezon City, Philippines.
- 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), Magdusa ka! (1986) and Bakit may kahapon pa? (1996). He died on 16 July 2023 in Manila, Philippines.- Actor
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Director
Phillip Lazaro was born on 12 June 1971 in Phillipines. He was an actor and assistant director, known for Bawal na game show (2020), Prima Donnas (2019) and The Seed of Love (2023). He died on 11 July 2022 in the Philippines.- Actor
- Writer
- Director
John Regala was born on 28 May 1965 in Manila, Philippines. He was an actor and writer, known for Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story (2011), Askal (1997) and Encantadia (2005). He was married to Victoria Alonzo and Aurina Manansala. He died on 3 June 2023 in Quezon City, Philippines.- Dorothy Acueza Jones was born Jan 6 1936, the only child of Inocencia Acueza and American national John William Jones II. She finished high school at the Adamson University and took up Pre-law at the University of Sto Tomas (UST). She has a daughter, Kay Torres, by estranged husband Victorino Torres. Blanca was only 13 when she joined an amateur singing contest in Manila. Film star Delia Razon brought her to LVN matriarch Doña Sisang (Narcisa de Leon), who immediately cast her in Reyna Elena (1951). This was followed by Amor mio (1951), her first film appearance opposite Nestor de Villa, costarring Armando Goyena. Since then, she has appeared in numerous films, in various genres, but mostly with de Villa as a romantic and dancing partner. See Tumbalik na Daigdig (1953), Hijo de familia (1953), Waray-Waray (1954), the film which popularized her tomboyish, knife-wielding, man-battling persona; Ikaw Kasi (1955), Talusaling (1955), Darling Ko (1955), Ganyan Ka Pala (1956), Handang Matodas (1956), Bahala Na (1956), Turista (1957) and Tingnan Natin (1957). Still perpetuating her image as a tomboyish but lovable screwball, she also made Galawgaw (1956) opposite Jaime de la Rosa, who had earlier played leading man to her knife-wielding gamin in Batangueña (1953). Ms Blanca early on in her durable career could easily switch from screwball comedy to drama, as in Babaing Hampas-Lupa (1952), Rosalina (1957) and Limang Dalangin (1958). When LVN Studios stopped producing, Ms Blanca free-lanced, proving her mettle in a variety of films such as Shake, Baby, Shake (1966), Pag-Ibig, Masdan ang Ginawa Mo (1969), Forgive and Forget (1982), in which her popular love team with Nestor de Villa had a comeback, and My Heart Belongs to Daddy (1982), among many others. All in all, Ms Blanca made some 50 films with the dashing de Villa. Television proved to be very viable for Ms Blanca too. The "Nida-Nestor Show" and "John 'en' Marsha" became two of the longest-running sitcoms on Filipino television. In Fifty-Carats, O Di Ba? (1993), she shared top-billing with veterans Gloria Romero and the late Charito Solis. She also appeared in the television soap Mana-Mana. Ms Blanca has won 16 awards for her film work. She won the very first Best Supporting Actress award from the Film Academy of Movie Arts & Sciences (FAMAS) for her role as a tragic Korean woman, Lee Ming, who falls in love with Filipino soldier Boni Serrano in the film Korea (1952). She also won the best supporting actress award at the Metro Manila Film Festival for Batu-Bato Sa Langit (1975); Best Actress awards simultaneously from Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), Gawad Urian Awards and Catholic Mass Media Awards for Miguelito, Ang Batang Rebelde (1985); Best Supporting Actress awards from FAP and FAMAS for Magdusa Ka (1986); and Best Supporting Actress awards from FAP, FAMAS and CMMA for Kid, Huwag Kang Susuko (1987). She was also twice winner of the Citizens' Award for Television (CAT) for Best Female TV Performer for the Nida-Nestor Show; and three-time winner of the Pambansang Akademya ng Telebisyon sa Agham at Sining (PATAS) award in 1975, 1976 and 1978, as Most Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series, for John 'en' Marsha. In 1997, she won Best Supporting Actress for Babae (1997), from the FAP and the Metro Manila Film Festival. Two years later, still proving her timeless mettle, she won Best Actress at the FAMAS ceremonies for her work in Sana, Pag-Ibig Na (1998). She was top-billed for this film-- no mean feat, considering she was 62 years old. In 2000 and 2002, the Gawad Urian Awards and the FAP, respectively, honored her with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Ms Blanca was horrendously murdered in a parking lot in November 7, 2001. Her gruesome murder remains unsolved to this day.
- 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.
- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Roberto Gonzalez was born in 1942 in the Philippines. He was an actor and writer, known for Chaku-Judo Aikido (1968), Sa araw at gabi, saan ka pupunta? (1987) and Target: Karate King (1969). He died on 5 February 2009 in Tandang Sora, Quezon City, 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
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Ramon Revilla was born on 8 March 1927 in Imus, Cavite, Philippines. He was an actor and producer, known for Hulihin si Tiagong Akyat (1973), Nardong Putik (1972) and The Killing of Satan (1983). He was married to Azucena Mortel. He died on 26 June 2020 in Taguig City, Philippines.- Actor
- Producer
Jay Ilagan was born on 20 January 1953 in Manila, Philippines. He was an actor and producer, known for Maging akin ka lamang (1987), In the Wink of an Eye (1981) and Salawahan (1979). He was married to Hilda Koronel and Amy Austria. He died on 3 February 1992 in Quezon City, Philippines.- Director
- Producer
- Writer
Marilou Diaz-Abaya was born on 30 March 1955 in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. She was a director and producer, known for Muro-ami (1999), New Moon (2001) and José Rizal (1998). She was married to Manolo Abaya. She died on 8 October 2012 in Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines.- Bella Flores was born Remedios Papa Dancel in Sta Cruz, Manila. Her parents are Emilia Papa and Matias Dancel. She married Nestor Reyes, a detective police officer, with whom she has one child, Ruby Rose Arcilla, who lives presently in Las Vegas, U.S.A. Bella studied at the Cecilio Apostol Elementary School and Arellano High School, finishing her secondary education at Roosevelt College. She was a college sophomore at Far Eastern University when she decided on a movie career. Flores was only 14 years old when she made her first movie, Balaraw (1950), with Premiere Productions. She took a screen test at Sampaguita Pictures and was placed under a four-year contract. Her first big role was in Roberta (1951), as the cruel stepmother of child actors Tessie Agana and Boy Alano. This movie saved the studio from bankruptcy after it was razed by a fire early that year. Among her other films with Sampaguita are Bernardo Carpio (1951) with Cesar Ramirez, Batas ng daigdig (1951) with Fred Montilla and the mother-daughter team of Linda Estrella and Tessie Agana, _Rebecca (1952) with Van De Leon, Chichay and Gloria Romero, Kerubin (1952) again with Agana, Estrella, De Leon and Chichay, and 'Ang Asawa Kong Amerikana' (1953), the first Filipino movie to win a major award at the Asian Film Festival. When her contract with Sampaguita Pictures expired, she continued to play the role of villainess in the productions of other film companies. Later, she brought her own brand of movie villainy to the stage, as when she appeared in Bulwagang Gantimpala's 'Sipgnet' and 'Amag sa Tampipi' with Lou Veloso. On television, she has been a mainstay of such popular shows as 'Pa Easy-Easy' (1988), 'Victoria Hills' (1983), 'Yagit' (1982) and 'Dahong Lagas' (1973). Flores won the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS)best supporting actress award for _Kaibigan ko'ng Sto. Niño (1967)_. She was also nominated by FAMAS for Kilabot sa Makiling (1959), and Mga batang yagit (1984). She received the best supporting actress award from the Olongapo Film Festival for her performance in 'Dugo ng Bayan' (1973). In 1989 she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Film Academy of the Philippines. She has recently been visible again, mostly in indie films like Illusion (2005), Imahe nasyon (2006), The Fortune Teller (2008) and as well as in the recent mainstream blockbuster/Vic Sotto starrer Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak! (2011). Her life story was made into a features episode in the weekly television docu-drama UNTOLD STORIES Mula sa Face to Face, aired on TV5.
- Actor
- Make-Up Department
- Costume and Wardrobe Department
Fanny Serrano was born on 1 February 1948 in the Philippines. He was an actor, known for Tarima (2010), Dirty Affair (1990) and Babangon ako't dudurugin kita (1989). He died on 10 May 2022 in Manila, 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.- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Manila born with solid theater training from the University of California, Santa Barbara where he graduated with a Master of Arts Degree, and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts under a British Council grant. An established name on stage, TV and film, he proved adept at drama, comedy and musicals in English and starred in numerous productions of Repertory Philippines. He also essayed critically-acclaimed roles in Tagalog for Tanghalang Pilipino. He won Best Actor for the role of Manay in Ishmael Bernal's _City After Dark, Manila by Night (1980)_, but his popularity zoomed with his Steve Carpio character in ABS-CBN Channel 2's long-running sitcom, "Home Along da Riles", opposite Filipino Charlie Chaplin, Dolphy. Through the years, he has appeared in Japanese, Chinese, French-Italian and American co-productions filmed in the Philippines.