The Glory Days of the Visayan Movies: A Final Look Back

CEBU, Philippines - Nobody thought it would end. But just as everybody was expecting for its days to get even brighter, the screen dimmed for the Visayan movies. Today those glorious days remain only in the fading memory of the people who were there and just couldn't forget.

The movie "Alimatok" (Leech) was produced by Mutya Productions, which had its office and film laboratory along D. Jakosalem Street, near the corner of Manalili. It was the company's last project. Eva de Villa was its star.

But before Mutya Productions folded up, it had produced three movies earlier - "Ungo sa Parian" (The Witch of Parian), directed by Gene Labella and starring Tony Cruz and Dolphing Jurado, the midget brother of photo journalist Loy Jurado, and Entang Navarro, who was so good as the "ungo," and "Mutya sa Saging Tindok" (The Pearl of the Banana Tree), also starring Tony Cruz and Dolphing Jurado, who was also a good dancer despite his diminutive size.

Several scenes of the movies "Politika" (Politics) and "Ungo sa Parian" were shot right behind the Yap-Santiago ancestral house in Parian that still stands today.

By 1972, Mutya Productions tried to go back producing Visayan movies again. The company rented the rooftop of Chua Choy building at the corner of Manalili and Legaspi streets, where the famous Ding Hao Chinese restaurant was also located. Mr. Alfonso Ang, who was renting the ground floor of the building for his automotive supply store, also produced a movie, titled "Itlog Manoy Orange" (Eggs, Sir, and Oranges) starring Olivia Solis, Vivian Long, Martin Astillo, Edgar Rodriguez, Bert Mansueto, Pepe Gabiana, and Yoyoy Villame.

"Itlog, Manoy, Orange" was quite a hit here in Cebu City, encouraging Mr. Ang to make a sequel, still with Tony Solis as writer-director. But the plan did not push through. Instead, they later made a Tagalog-Visayan film starring Manila-based Cebuano stars Manilyn Reynes and Nova Villa, among others. The film was a big flop.

The Arong brothers, Doming and Rey, together with Justo C. Justo and Joe Macachor, put up JRJ Productions and produced the movie "The Batul of Mactan" - where "batul" meant "bottle" not "battle" - starring Chanda Romero, Eddie Peregrina, Manjo Martinez, Porcing Torevillas, Yoyoy Villame, Goying Echivarre-Diez and the 1972 "Tawag Ng Tanghalan" singing champion Alice Mendez. The movie was a success, prompting the resurgence of other Visayan movie outfits.

Diadem Films produced "Abay Dading Bay" (My Pal Dading), top-billed by Tinoy de Garcia, Porcing Torevillas, and Boy Patalinghug.  "Papay Placid" (Placid's Fan) followed, starring Chanda Romero, Porcing Torevillas, Alice Mendez and others. Chanda Romero again starred in "Anino sa Villa Lagrimas" (The Shadow of the Lagrimas Mansion) with imported Tagalog star Ernie Gracia, and co-starred by Jess Vestil, Dodong Racaza and other local talents who just faded away afterwards. Tagalog stars Dindo Fernando and Alicia Alonzo were also brought in to star in "Bulawan sa Lapok" (Gold in the Mud).

Incidentally, the theme songs of "Abay Dading, Bay" and "Bulawan sa Lapok" were both sung by Dulce, who was still Marites Llamedo at the time. Years later, after Marites was brought to Manila by talent scout, to sing at a nightspot called "Cebu." It was there that maestro Ryan Cayabyab spotted her and asked her to sing the theme song of the movie "Dulce Amor," the launching vehicle of Lorna Tolentino as a grown-up actress.

Dulce then developed further as a songstress, eventually winning in two international songfests. She was chosen as Best Interpreter performing "Ako ang Nasawi, Ako Ang Nagwagi," which was also chosen Best Song Composition.

Nobo Bono, Jr., the 1971 Grand Champion of the talent search "Tawag Ng Tanghalan" starred as the love interest of Marilou Mercader in "Mayor Andal," which also starred Tinoy de Garcia as Mayor Andal, Tessie Sevilla as the mayor's wife, and Porcing Torrevillas. "Mayor Andal" was produced by Dr. Leonardo Enad, a member of the Cebu Provincial Board at the time.

The momentum heightened further. Atty. Gonzales produced "Maria Flordeluna," starring the pretty Baby Condeno and Rose Medecillo. Baby Condeno also played the role of the fairy in "The Batul of Mactan." Boy Dee produced two movies: "Sabrina," starring Chanda Romero and Ernie Garcia, and also featuring Nadine Celeste: and "Alma Bonita," again starring Chanda Romero.

Freddie Madarang produced Gene Labella's "Alyana," starring Chanda Romero and introducing Bert Impas. The movie also featured Riel Ylaya and Marina Sales Villanueva. It was his first and last try as a movie producer. Producers from Mindanao joined in the bandwagon, turning in "Anay Nga Nagbakya" (Swine in Wooden Sandals" and "Tolo Ka Hambugero" (Three Braggarts), which both flopped.

Tony Aldeguer planned to produce Visayan movie to star his brother folksinger Gus and two dancing sisters, the Aldeguer Sisters. He appointed this writer to take charge of publicities. The plan, however, did not materialize, and Mr. Aldeguer later turned his interest to boxing.

Amonia Aragon, who owned the defunct Queen Mini Theater, produced "Mga Milagro ni Sr. Sto. Nino" (Miracles of the Holy Child). Lorte Cabrera played as the Child Jesus.

Lorte's daughter, Lormel, has taken after her father, being currently a favorite in several TV series at CCTN Channel 47 of Nonito Limchua, and as co-host of Jeffery "Tiboy" Astillo in radio DYAB's Barangay Idol. Jeffrey is the son of writer-actor Martin Astillo.

Editha Flores, now Mandaue City councilor, had tried the movies in her youth and had a small part in "Anino sa Villa Lagrimas," also starred in "Gulpi'g Bun-og" (Knocks and Bruises) of Toting Villarino. Mutya Productions tried to produce again and made "Remember Erlinda," starring Rudy Gamboa, and "Ug Unya Nalinaw" (And Then Peace), starring Mike Lozano, Dodo Piedad and Tony Cruz.

Maribel Abelardo attempted to produce too. But plans miscarried when her supposed financier went to the U. S. When the guy came back sometime later, he was more interested to follow in his father's footsteps as a politician than joining in the movie business. Maribel stirred controversy when she allegedly tried to ask financial assistance from the guy - for their child. 

Much earlier, when Gloria Sevilla was the "Queen of the Visayan Movies," Kadyo Roma reigned as the Visayan Comedy King. But then the Visayan movie industry soon went into a short hiatus, after which Kadyo Roma was no longer heard of. Another comedian surfaced - Porcing Torrevillas. Porcing was not alone, though; there were others, too, like Bert Mansueto and Nanding Celeste. Both Porcing and Bert Mansueto tried to make it in Manila, but they failed. As a matter of fact, Bert Mansueto just died there, and with the help of Nanding Celeste, who was already the Vice-Governor of Cebu then, Bert's dead body was shipped here. Porcing also got sick, and died at the Southern Islands Hospital (now Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.}

After "Ang Mga Milagro Ni Sr. Sto. Nino," Mrs. Amonia Aragon made "Korak," starring Chanda Romero as lead star, with Romy Rivas. Mrs. Aragon acquired the rights to the story from the writer who wrote it for radio DYHP. She also got a Manila director to direct the movie, who unfortunately had a temper but not so good in his craft.

Zodiac records, tried also to produce a Visayan movie. The movie, written by Ben Abarquez Villaluz for DYSS, was directed by known award-winning director of Tagalog movies Emmanuel Hombrebueno Borlaza. The movie starred Tagalog stars too, Rosalie Robles, Romeo Miranda, and Aristeo Dimavivas, all singers. Rosalie sung the theme song of the movie titled "Walog sa Luha" (Valley of Tears). Ben Abarquez Villaluz collaborated with Rafael Indab Tortor on the story. Villaluz and Tortor were radio writers who had hit dramas to their names.

Tortor's last work for radio, titled "Rosalie," was so popular that it was in demand at town fiestas as a live play. Diadem Films wanted to make it into a movie, but due to financial problems the company closed down before it could start the project. Tortor died late last year, already in his late 60s and a single man. 

Director Emmanuel H. Borlaza had endeared himself to Visayan movie stars. So endeared that at the Awards Night of the first and last Visayan Film Festival, sponsored by the LUDABI (Lubas sa Dagang Bisaya) headed then by the late Vic Abangan, when Gene Labella's name was announced as Best Director, many of the stars in attendance were dismayed. When Chanda Romero was called to the stage to receive her trophy as Best Actress for her role in Ben Abarquez Villaluz's "Anino Sa Villa Lagrimas," she did received her trophy, all right, but threw it away as soon as she got hold of it, to the great shock of the audience.

Then the popularity of the once favorite Visayan films dropped, and dropped some more until it ultimately went no more.

Editor's Note: The Writer passed away recently. This piece was his very last submission. (FREEMAN)