Viva’s most significant cinematic contributions

(Second of a series)

To mark its 25th year, Viva has released The Silver Series, a compilation of recordings of its past artists – all top-notch in the field. Most of the songs in this set of albums were actually used as the soundtrack of Viva movies – those memorable films that will always be part of the history of local cinema.

Last Tuesday, I already started my list of Viva’s most significant contributions to Philippine movies. Below is the continuation:

9. Viva gave us Sa Hirap at Ginhawa, a touching love story that details the problems of teenage marriages. Starring Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion, the film also featured their wedding as an added attraction. The movie, however, was able to stand by itself and it is here where we see for the first time the acting potentials of both Sharon and Gabby, who later would become award-winning performers in the movies.

10. Viva established Cherie Gil as Philippine cinema’s la primera contravida in the tradition of Rosa Rosal – classy and sophisticated. A product of Regal Films, where she did some very memorable movies – like Manila By Night where she was outstanding as the lesbian Kano – Cherie later moved to Viva where she was cast as chief nemesis to Sharon Cuneta, starting with Sa Hirap at Ginhawa. But it was in Bituing Walang Ningning (as Lavinia Arguelles) where she carved her niche as one of cinema’s best contravidas.

11. It gave us Bagets, which is one of the best – if not best – musicals ever made in local cinema. Directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes, Bagets also gave us one of our best leading men (and one of our finest actors) in the person of Aga Muhlach.

12. Viva recorded on celluloid a lot of komiks materials. That time, more serious moviegoers may not have appreciated the film company’s efforts in translating komiks materials into film, but now we realize the importance of what Viva did then – especially now that the komiks industry is fast fading away.

13. It gave us a remake of Jack & Jill, a comedy that was first made by Sampaguita Pictures with Dolphy and Lolita Rodriguez. That black and white movie was so funny, but Viva’s remake was just as hilarious, especially with Herbert Bautista there playing a cross-dresser.

14. It made a box-office star out of Phillip Salvador. Phillip is definitely one of our best actors – the best probably after Vic Silayan. But in the early ’80s, he was box-office poison because his movies – although critically-acclaimed – were never big hits. When he started doing action films for Viva, he became a box-office star finally – doing winners at the tills and yet praised as well-made projects.

15. It gave us Dawn Zulueta. Basically a product of Viva, I first noticed Dawn Zulueta’s potential as an actress in Kasalanan Bang Sambahin Ka, where she earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino. Eventually, she was hailed not only as one of cinema’s loveliest, but also one of our finest actresses.

16. Viva gave us Gumapang Ka sa Lusak. Directed by Lino Brocka, the film depicts the greed and corruption of our politicians in a very realistic manner. It won Best Picture and Best Screenplay (for Ricky Lee) in the 1990 Gawad Urian and earned acting nominations for Dina Bonnevie, Christopher de Leon and Charo Santos. When the Manunuri chose the Best Films of the ’90s, Gumapang Ka sa Lusak was included in the list.

(To be concluded)