16. 14 VINTAGE FILMS WITH KAPAMPANGAN THEMES

Long before the triumphs of recent films with distinct Kapampangan themes like Brillante Mendoza’s “Kaleldo” (Summer Heat, 2006) ,Jason Paul Laxamana’s “Magkakabaung” (The Coffin Maker, 2014),  Bor Ocampo’s “Dayang Asu” (Dog Nation, 2015) and Carlo Enciso Catu’s “ARI: My Life with a King” (2015), there were a few  films that dealt with matters of Kapampangan interest. Here are a few of them from the post-war era to the 1980s period:

The Golden Years:Memorable Tagalog Ads, 1946-56.
from the collection of Danny Dolor.

1. CAPAS (1949)
Plot: An action picture set during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. The story centers around characters that survived the infamous 'Death March' in Bataan, and ended up in a concentration camp in Tarlac, Camp O'Donell.

Cast:  Leopoldo Salcedo, Celia Flor, Teody Belarmino, Inday Jalandoni, Nela Alvarez, Tony Santos Sr., Jose Cris Soto, Oscar Obligacion

Directed by: Dr. Gregorio Fernandez

The Golden Years: Memorable Tagalog Ads, 1946-56.
from the collection of Danny Dolor.

2. CANDABA (1950).

Plot: Action-drama film about agrarian conflict in a Huk-infested Pampanga town.

Cast: Tessie Quintana, Teody Belarmino, Tony Santos, Lila Luna

Directed by: Dr. Gregorio Fernandez

The Golden Years: Memorable Tagalog Ads, 1946-56.
from the collection of Danny Dolor.

3. HUK SA BAGONG PAMUMUHAY (1953)

Plot: Based on the DZFM radio drama serial and produced by LVN Pictures to aid the government's propaganda effort against the spread of communism in the country. It is the story of Carding, the anti-Japanese guerrilla turned Huk when his family's land is taken over by the greedy landlord.

Cast: Jose Padilla Jr., Celia Flor, Leroy Salvador Jr., Joseph de Cordova

Directed by: Lamberto V. Avellana

Picture: VIDEO 48http://video48.blogspot.com

4. MARIANG SINUKUAN (1955)

Plot: An LVN fantasy-romance picture based on the age-old legend of the mysterious Arayat maiden, Mariang Sinukuan of Arayat, who is pursued by a mortal.

Cast: Mario Montenegro, Cecila Lopez, Milagros Naval

Directed by: Richard Abelardo

The Golden Years: Memorable Tagalog Ads, 1946-56.
from the collection of Danny Dolor.

5. PAMPANGGENYA (1956)

Plot: A professor teaches a Kapampangan lady lilting “Mekeni”melodies in a comedy-drama that will captivate your hearts.

Cast: Rogelio de la Rosa, Luis Gonzales, Linda Estrella, Barbara Perez, Dolphy

Directed by: Jose de Villa

6. MEKENI, ABE (1959)

Plot: A Kapampangan, a Batangueño and a Visayan throw in the riots in this romantic comedy.

Cast: Zsaldy Zshornack, Lauro Delgado, lani Oteyza, Chiquito

Directed by: Nemesio E. Caravana

Source: www.video48.blogspot.com

7. MEKENI’S GOLD (1969)

Plot: The title is taken from the movie western, “McKenna’s Gold”, starring Gregory Peck and Omar Sharif. This spoof comedy centers on the search for the elusive “Mekeni’s Gold”.

Cast: Dolphy, Panchito, Rod Navarro, Verna Gaston, Rosanna Marquez

Directed by: Luis San Juan

Pix of Ramon Revilla: www.waytofamous.com

8. LEON NG CENTRAL LUZON (1980)

Plot: A an action-packed biopic of military man, Major Diosdado De Leon, who actively defended the region from NPA attacks.

Cast: Ramon Revilla, Boots Anson-Roa, Rez Cortez

Directed by: Leonardo Garcia

Source: www.pelikulatabp.blogspot.com

9. KUMANDER ALIBASBAS (1981)

Plot: Based on the true-to-life story of Cesario Manarang, no. 3 man in the Huk hierarchy, from Concepcion, Tarlac.

Cast: Joseph Estrada, Perla Bautista, Suzette Ranillo, Paquito Diaz, Dave Brodette

Directed by: Augusto “Totoy” Buenaventura

10. PEDRING TARUC (1982)

Plot: Biopic of the Huk leader, Pedro Taruc. The showing of this movie was bocked by the Marcos regime,citing that no outlaw should be made into a hero for a film.

Cast: Joseph Estrada, Ronaldo Valdez

Directed by: Augusto “Totoy” Buenaventura

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym-b2xl1QMg

Apr 13, 2015 - Uploaded by tarptart

11. KILABOT NG PAMPANGA (1984)

Plot: Agrarian unrest, exploitation of peasants by greedy landlords.

Cast: Alex de Leon, Laarni Enriquez, Nina Sara, Charlie Davao, Myra Manibog, zandro Zamora, Nick Romano

Directed by: Dante Pangilinan

Source: www.pinterest.com

12. VIRGIN FOREST (1985)

Plot: The movie is set during the Philippine Republic. Macabebe soldiers are trying to capture Aguinaldo. Alfonisto and Chayong are caught up in this pursuit and in a love triangle. In the end, Aguinaldo is captured and the Macabebe soldiers are killed.

Cast: Sarsi Emmanuel, Miguel Rodriguez

Directed by: Peque Gallaga

13. MARUSO, ROBIN HOOD NG ANGELES (1987)

Plot: Romeo Maruso, the notorious burglar of Angeles City, robs the rich to help the poor. Always eluding the authorities, the slippery Maruso always left clues of his crime like unwashed plates and food leftovers—as he always ate in the home he broke into.  

Cast: Lito Lapid, George Estregan, Angela Perez, Charlie Davao, Romy Diaz

Directed by: Augusto “Totoy”  Buenaventura

14. KUMANDER DANTE (1988)

Plot: Biopic of Bernabe Buscayno, leader and founder of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Cast: Philip Salvador, Laarni Enriquez, Paquito Diaz

Directed by: Ben Yalung

EXTRA:

www.movieposter.com, "Huk", 1956

HUK (1956)

Plot: This U.S.-made movie tells of an American’s return to the Philippines to sell his dead father's plantation, which he soon discovers, has been overrun by Huks,  one of whom was the rebel leader who killed his father. One of the characters in the movie bears a distinct Kapampangan surname, Major Balatbat (which  means “assault’ or ‘attack’), played by Filipino actor, Teddy Benavidez.

Cast: George Montgomery, Mona Freeman, Cindy Rogers, John Baer, Teddy Benavidez, Ben Perez Directed by: John Barnwell