Cinema of the Philippines
| Southeast Asian cinema |
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The cinema of the Philippines has a history that can be traced back to the early days of filmmaking in 1897, when a theater owner named Pertierra screened imported moving pictures.
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History
The Pre-War Era
The first film produced by a Filipino is Jose Nepomuceno's Dalagang Bukid (1919).
The first sound film in Tagalog is Ang Aswang (1930), a monster movie inspired by Philippine folklore.
Carmen Concha (born 1906) was a prewar Filipina film director tagged as the first female director in Philippine cinema.[1] Her filmography as a director includes:
- 1939 - Magkaisang Landas [Parlatone]
- 1939 - Yaman ng Mahirap [Parlatone]
- 1940 - Pangarap [Lvn]
Some popular movie villains of the pre-war era:
MALE: FEMALE: 1. Brian Soriano 1. Nati Rubi 2. Fernando Royo 2. Etang Discher 3. Ben Rubio 3. Patring (Monang) Carvajal 4. Rolando Liwanag 4. Naty Bernardo 5. Exequiel Segovia 6. Ben Perez 7. Teddy Benavides 8. Manuel Barbeyto 9. Ernesto la Guardia 10. Jaime G. Castellvi 11. Alfonso Carvajal 12. Jose Troni 13. Nardo Vercudia 14. Andres Centenera 15. Fermin Barva 16. Fernando Po
The Second World War
During the Japanese Occupation (1942-1945), some Filipino directors were commissioned to make propaganda pictures.
During World War II, almost all actors and actresses of these war years depended on stage shows only, mostly on major Manila movie theaters, to provide for their livelihood.
The 1950s
The 1950s was the so-called first golden age of Philippine cinema, mainly because at this time, the Big Four studios (LVN Pictures, Sampaguita Pictures, Premiere Productions and Lebran International) were at the height of their powers in filmmaking, having employed master directors like Gerardo de Leon, Eddie Romero and Cesar Gallardo and housing the biggest stars of the industry that day. The Big Four has been also churning out an estimated total of 350 films a year. This number made the Philippines second only to Japan in terms of film productions a year, which made it one of the busiest and bustling film communities in Asia. Nevertheless, Hollywood still has its grips on the Filipino audience mainly because all those 350 films are only shown in two theaters, namely Dalisay and Life theaters in Manila.
The premiere directors of the era were (but not limited to):
- Gerardo de Leon
- Gregorio Fernandez
- Eddie Romero
- Lamberto Avellana
- Armando Garces
- Cirio Santiago
- Cesar Gallardo
The biggest stars of the era were (but not limited to):
- Rogelio de la Rosa
- Jaime de la Rosa
- Carmen Rosales
- Jose Padilla, Jr.
- Arsenia Francisco
- Ben Perez
- Ben Rubio
- Fred Peñalosa
- Rosa del Rosario
- Paraluman
- Oscar Moreno
- Carlos Salazar
- Manuel Conde
- Tony Santos
- Fred Montilla
- Oscar Keese
- Bert Olivar
- Anita Linda
- Carol Varga
- Evelyn Villar
- Tessie Agana
- Linda Estrella
- Alicia Vergel
- Cesar Ramirez
- Ruben Rustia
- Lauro Delgado
- Eddie Garcia
- Gloria Romero
- Nida Blanca
- Nestor de Villa
- Luis Gonzales
- Van de Leon
- Gil de Leon
- Mila del Sol
- Rita Gomez
- Lolita Rodriguez
- Charito Solis
- Rosa Mia
- Rosa Rosal
- Delia Razon
- Eddie del Mar
- Efren Reyes
- Johnny Reyes
- Nena Cardenas
- Chichay
- Tolindoy
- Bayani Casimiro
- Bentot (Cosca)
- Vicente Liwanay
- Pugo
- Tugo
- Patsy (Pachochay)
- Lopito
- Tugak
- Pugak
- Billy "Surot" Vizcarra
- Chiquito
- Oscar Obligacion
- Dely Atayatayan
- Andoy Balumbalunan
- Levi Celerio
- Zaldy Zshornack
The Big Four studios produced most of the notable films of Philippine cinema during this era. LVN Pictures, under the leadership of the grandmotherly Doña Sisang de Leon, specialized in superproductions, rural comedies and musicals, but also produced socially-relevant films such as Avellana's Anak Dalita (1956), Tony Santos's Badjao (1957) and Manuel Silos's Biyaya ng Lupa (1959). Sampaguita Pictures mainly produced high-gloss, glamorous pictures such as Maalaala Mo Kaya (1954). On the other hand Premiere Productions released most of the action films of the decade, such as Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo (1952), Salabusab (1954) and Huwag Mo Akong Limutin (1960).
Due to the high production values of the motion pictures during this era, these movies started to win awards internationally. In 1952, Genghis Khan became the first film to be shown in the Cannes Film Festival, a feat that would not be defeated until the 1970s. In 1956, Anak Dalita copped the Golden Harvest Award (Best Picture) of the prestigious Asia-Pacific Film Festival.
In addition, the stars of these productions also won international awards. Lilia Dizon, for example, may have not romped away with the FAMAS Best Actress Award fo the time, but the prince of Cambodia, Norodom Sihanouk, presented her with the Best Actress Award from the Asia-Pacific Film Festival in 1954. Leroy Salvador was also recognized in his performance as Best Supporting Actor for the film Huk sa Bagong Pamumuhay (1953) in the Asia-Pacific Film Festival.
During this era, the first award-giving bodies were also established. The first award-giving body, the Maria Clara Awards of the Manila Times Publishing, Inc, was composed of film publicists and writers who voted for the exemplary achievements of Filipino motion pictures for a certain calendar year. In 1953, the Maria Clara folded up to give way to the establishment of the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences, the Philippines' answer to the United States' Academy Awards. With this, the Philippines set a trend in Asian cinema; FAMAS was the first film industry award-giving body in Asia.
FAMAS has awarded its most coveted Best Picture Award to the following films:
- 1952 Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo (Premiere Productions and M.J. Vistan Productions)
- 1953 Huk sa Bagong Pamumuhay (LVN Pictures)
- 1954 Salabusab (Premiere Productions)
- 1955 Higit sa Lahat (LVN Pictures)
- 1956 Luksang Tagumapay (LVN Pictures)
- 1957 Kalibre .45 (Premiere Productions)
- 1958 Hanggang sa Dulo ng Daigdig (Premiere Productions)
- 1959 Biyaya ng Lupa (LVN Pictures)
The 1960s
Characterized by the so-called bomba pictures, James Bond and western spin-offs. It was also the era of musical films starred by mostly Sampaguita Pictures discoveries.
Regal Films established by Lily Monteverde in 1962.
The 1970s to early 1980s
Touted as the Second Golden Age of Philippine Cinema, this was the period of the avant-garde filmmakers. Some of the notable films are as follows:
- Lino Brocka directs Stardoom (1971), Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang (1974), Maynila: Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag (1975) and Insiang (1976).
- Ishmael Bernal directs Pagdating sa Dulo (1971) and Himala (1981).
- Gerardo de Leon's Banaue (1975).
- Mike de Leon's Itim (1976) and Batch '81 (1982).
- Peque Gallaga's Oro, Plata, Mata (1982).
Late 1980s to 1990s
Viva Films started to produce movies in 1981.
In 1993, a television station ventured in movie production. ABS-CBN's Star Cinema produced (in cooperation with Regal Films) Ronquillo: Tubong Cavite, Laking Tondo.
it was also said that 1980's is the height of action films.
In 1998, another large television station ventured in movie production. GMA Network Films, Inc. also known as GMA Films released Sa Pusod ng Dagat and Jose Rizal which became critical acclaimed and commercial success. Followed by Muro Ami in 1999.
2000 to present
While formulaic romantic comedies have comprised majority of mainstream releases, independent filmmakers spur a renewed interest in Philippine movies with mostly digital films. Among the works:
- Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (2005) by Aureus Solito, Kubrador (2006) by Jeffrey Jeturian, Todo Todo Teros (2006) by John Torres, and Endo (2007) by Jade Castro, Tribu (2007) by Jim Libiran
Box-Office Superstars
| rank | Actor/s | Top Grossing Movie |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kris Aquino & Claudine Barretto | Sukob |
| 2 | Sarah Geronimo & John Lloyd Cruz | A Very Special Love |
| 3 | Ai Ai De Las Alas | Ang Tanging Ina |
| 4 | Judy Ann Santos & Ryan Agoncillo | Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo |
| 5 | Bea Alonzo & John Lloyd Cruz | One More Chance |
See also
- World cinema
- Asian cinema
- Southeast Asian cinema
- East Asian cinema
- Philippine Actors
- History of cinema
- Film awards bodies in the Philippines
- Metro Manila Film Festival
- List of Philippine actors
- List of Philippine actresses
- List of Philippine movie studios
References
- ↑ "Pioneering women film directors cited." (Fee required), Philippine Daily Inquirer (2 November 2002). Retrieved on 2008-09-28.
External links
- Filipino-language titles at the Internet Movie Database
- Tagalog-language titles at the Internet Movie Database
- Criticine Philippines - Philippine page of Southeast Asian Cinema journal Criticine
- Critic After Dark: A Review of Philippine Cinema
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