In 1955, LVN produced a landmark movie, the Cebuano musical Honi sa Gugma (Song of Love), topbilled by Priscilla Cellona and Mat Ranillo who came from Cebu. The movie was in Cebuano (70 percent), Tagalog (20 percent) and Ilonggo (10 percent).
At that time, Priscilla was one of LVN’s leading ladies, while Mat was king of Cebuano movie. His queen then was Gloria Sevilla. Mat and Glo are parents to Archie and Suzette Ranillo.
Cebuano tunes filled the film: Dandansoy, Ako Kanang Kalag, Ihalad Ko Kanimo, Torna a Sorrento, Very Glad and the theme Honi sa Gugma. The cast included Visayan actors.
Priscilla’s first starring role was LVN’s Pag-asa (1951) with Armando Goyena, directed by Bert Avellana and written by his wife Daisy Hontiveros. The couple was much later named National Artists. Priscilla was described as ‘winsome Cebuana,’ her Filipina features and skin perfect for sweet and demure roles.
Her other notable starrers were Pasiya ng Langit and Dalawang Panata.
When Priscilla retired from the movies in the late ’50s, she taught English at the University of the East. — RKC