1986 - Durugan Ang Kutang Bato(Bukang Liwayway Films)
[Philippines release date 29th May 1986; released on German VHS as "Die Rebellen"]
Director Tony Y. Reyes Writer Jerry O. Tirazona Producer Arnie Talavera Cinematography Ricardo Herrera Music Rey Ramos Editor Pepe Marcos Sound Gabby Castellano
Cast Mohamad Faizal [as Muhammad Faisal], Philip Gamboa, Emily Loren, George Estregan, Romy Diaz
1982 – Get My Son: Dead Or Alive (Bukang Liwayway Films)
[Philippines release date 27th May 1982]
Director Jose “Pepe” Marcos Story Felix E. Dalay Screenplay Jerry Tirazona Producer Precy Mendiola Talavera Executive Producer Jerry Paz Talavera Cinematography Rey de Leon Music Gabby Castellano Editor Gervacio Santos Art Director Rolly Sto. Domingo Production Manager Celso Paz Talavera Assistant Director Dante Javier Sound Effects Editor Rodel Capule Sound Engineer Robert TejadaColor Consultant Rafael Uy Publicity and Promotions Mar F. Cornes, Rod Samson
Cast Rudy Fernandez, Eddie Garcia, Vic Vargas, Perla Bautista, Marilou Bendigo, Phillip Gamboa, Nick Aladdin, Jing Caparas, Joseph de Cordova, Renato Del Prado, Paquito Diaz, Ernie Forte, Baldo Marro, Jose Romulo, Jun Santos, Larry Silva, Vilma Vitug (Vilma) [Greek VHS cover also lists “Rechard Folk” and Joan Beck]
Extremely rare 1986 Philippine war-action flick, with lots of fighting scenes. A group of guerrillas unknowingly have a spy in their unit, tipping off the government when they plan to kill their leaders. It's someone they'd never suspect! Lots of shootings, fights, explosions, etc.
1983 - Over My Dead Body (Sunfilms International Inc)
[Philippines release date 25th December 1983]
Director/Writer Arsenio Bautista
Cast Tony Ferrer, Efren Reyes Jr, Bembol Roco, Raoul Aragon, Anna Marie Gutierrez, Lolita Marquez, Jing Abalos, Dave Brodette, Charlie Davao, Romy Diaz, Baldo Marro, Bomber Moran, Boy Padilla, Bobby Tabalis, Vic Varrion, Zandro Zamora, Arsenio “Boots” Bautista, Nick Romano, Philip Gamboa, Larry Silva, Bing Davao, Roxanne Recto, Rey Sagum, Olivia Obregon, Susie Jane, Christopher Paloma
Very rare and obscure Filipino film - yep you saw it here first - about a Mafia hitman who cleans for another Mafia bigshot who wants to rid the area of any rats who may leak information to the police. Next thing you know, there’s a war between the major mafia bosses in Asia. Lots of great action including shootings, fights, police brutality, etc…
1985 – Revenge For Justice(Sittis Film Exchange Philippines Inc)
[Released in the Philippines on 6th April 1985 as “Bilang Na Ang Oras Mo”; released on Finnish VHS as “Kosto Oikeuden Puolesta”, and on German VHS as “Ein Bulle Rechnet Ab”]
Director Manuel “Fyke” Cinco Story Dave Brodett Screenplay/Associate DirectorJojo M. Lapus Producer Hadja Sitti Aiza Ummar H-545 Associate Producer/Casting Director Hadji Mohammad Ali Ajihil H-536 Executive Producer Hadji Usman Ummar H-555 Cinematography Edmund Cupcupin Editor Augusto Salvador Music Jaime Fabregas Musical Arranger Nonong Buencamino Sound Supervision Rolly Ruta Production Designer Orlando Tolentino Art Director Rolly Sto. Domingo Production Managers Dante Javier, Eddie Castillo Stunt Coordinator Baldo Marro Opticals Carlos Lacap, Bonnie Austria Titles Dick Gonzales, Manny Bueno, Oscar Manzon Post-Production Manager Johnny Leoncio Assistant Editors Danny Gloria, Efren Salvador, Boy Gloria Special Sound Effects Danny Salvador Makeup Artist Lerma Calara Schedule Masters Andy Pomasin, Domingo Bautista Talent Coordinator Julio Garcia ScriptgirlContinuity Lydia Aclo Stills Sambas Ajihil, Boy Listangco Sets/Props/Effects Rolly Sto. Domingo, Boyet Sto. Domingo, Nestor Nano Ptico Catering In-Charge Mohammad Utonoh Ajihil In-Charge Of Production Yusuf Salim Ajihil Production Supervisor Mohammadnur Ajihil Sales In-Charge Abdua Usman Office Manager Bayani Penus Office Secretary Tessie de Leon Production Utilities Rey Manoling, Isnine Kulot
Cast Rudy Fernandez (Bobby), Donna Villa (Malou), George Estregan (Police Lieutenant), Ronnie Lazaro (Younger Brother), Fauzi Omar, Yusuf Salim (Sergeant), Paquito Diaz, Perla Bautista, Johnny Wilson (Atty Dayao), Bomber Moran, Dick Israel, Dave Brodett, Tony Bernal, Melinda Mendez, Leon Pajaron, Yashin Mohd. Nur, Paula Palanca, Philip Gamboa, Max Alvarado, Victor Bravo, Renato del Prado, Juco Diaz, Rodolfo “Boy” Garcia Cops Ali Al-Hadz, Nick Alladin, Tony Tacorda, Rey Tomenes, Eddie Tuazon, Vic Belaro, Pol Lopez Dayao’s Men Sonny Valencia, Joe Baltazar, Ding Mendoza, Sammy Brillantes, Danny Labra, Boy Sta. Maria, Raymund Vargas Benjie’s Men Ernie Forte, Joey Padilla, Tony Concepcion, Nonoy de Guzman, Avel Acosta, Intoy Waray Mike’s Men Belo Borja, Jess Bonzo, Bebeng Amora, Boy Padilla Beerhouse Goons Robert Miller, Ernie David, Rene Romero, Vic Santos, Larry Esguerra, Roger Moring, Bobby Oreo, Ronald Asinas Gambling Den Goons Romy Nario, Romy Romulo, Boy Salvador, Buddy de Leon, Danny Amora Bank Robbers George Wendth, Dante Rijalde, Waldo Reyes Bank Tellers Olive Madridejos, Alice Montemayor, Adora Soriano Guest Stars Bebong Osorio, Nick Lizaso, Rolan Montes, Luis Benedicto, Nuno Ajihil Bukas Kotes Gang Mel Arca, Joe Andrade, Art Veloso Featuring Rene Hawkins, Eddie Gicoso, Eris Navarro, Pilo Puruganan, Alex Labay, Boy Antiporda, Big Boy Gomez, Ramon Lee, Ding Sibal, Pempe Padilla III, Frank Dumalagan, Lito Acuna, Eddie Samonte, Roger Belaro, Manny Jacinto, Fred Quidlat, Rey Abella, Benny May, Nestor Brillantes, Mat Fulluso, Totoy Magno, Tony del Prado, Professional Stuntmen
[Project started by Tessie Monteverde - daughter of Regal
Films' Mother Lily - in 1983, filmed and released around 1985; released on Japanese
VHS as “Omega Commando”, in West Germany as "Special Force U.S.A.", in
Argentina as "Eliminator", and in Brazil as "Território de
Sangue"]
Director Danilo Cabreira Story Rodolfo Dabao Screenplay Don Gordon Bell, Paul Vance [Nick Nicholson worked on the first draft] Producer Jovita P. Monteverde Executive Producer Teresita G. Monteverde Cinematography Vic Anao Music Lutgardo Abad Editor Jose Joe Solo Sound Effects Danny Sanchez Assistant Editors Dante Nava, Tony Acurin Project Co-Ordinator Manolo Maglaya Production Manager Minda Maglaya Assistant Production Manager Nita Co Jim Production Secretary Norma Tang Production Assistant Elena Ching Technical Advisor Don Gordon Bell Animation/Titles Charlie Jaleco Art Director Aurthur Nicdao Set Director Donnie Gonzales Assistant Set Director Waldo Masconi 1st Unit Cameraman Roger Estrada 2nd Unit Cameraman Alfonso Anao Assistant Cameraman Danny Subiaga Stillman Willy Anao 1st Assistant Director Roger Rivero 2nd Assistant Director Totoy Garcia, Johnny Capistrano Makeup Artist Ricardo Villamin Assistant Makeup Artist Choleng Mauricio Prosthetics/Special Makeup Cecille Baun Special Effects/Property Apolonio Abadeza Wardrobe Master Manny Espoloy Assistant Wardrobe Rafael Cui Military Liason Aurthur Bandril Stunt Groups Tanay Stuntmen, Perdiz Stuntmen, Tiger Stuntmen, SOS Stuntmen
JPM Unit Assistant Cameraman Basilio Boy Anao Field Soundman Fred Montesinos Electrician Catcho Lopez Clapper Danny Cabornay Assistant Clapper Gerry Laluan Boom Man Romano Anao Grips Andy Estrada, Jose Rory Anao
Cast Michael James (Captain John Gabriel), Don Gordon Bell (Sargeant Evans), Rex Lapid (Chief Y Bang), Paul Vance (Sargeant Smitty), Willy Williams (Sargeant Washington), Peter Barker (Lieutenant Johnson), Gabby Ferro (Sargeant Mallory), Michael Kruze (Lieutenant Epstein), Mike Cohen (Brigadier General Brown), Doc McCoy (Msgt. “Top” McCoy), Philip Gamboa (NVA Colonel), Den Montero (VC Major), Glenda Areneta (Wife of Captain Gabriel), Totoy Garcia (High Priest), Joe de Guia (Aide of NVA Captain), Mike Neylan (POW), Brent Muller (Helicopter Pilot) Montagnards Vic Santos, Carlos David, Jay Grama, Fred Quidlat, Greg Sta. Ines, Chock Agustin, Rene Nival
Mini-review by Andrew Leavold:
From
Filipino company JPM Productions, the brainchild of Tessie Monteverde – as in
daughter of Regal Films’ Mother Lily – comes an attempt to enter the export
market via the well-trodden Ho Chi Minh Trail. Its bare-bones narrative charts
a cross-border mission led by Captain Gabriel (Searchers Of The Voodoo
Mountain’s Michael James) into VC-infected Laos to destroy a radar station,
and the long march back to base camp through countless ambushes and bamboo
traps while being pursued by a tenacious NVA Colonel (Philip Gamboa). Some
negatives, like the same loop of native fucking flutes (!!!), are outweighed by
the positives: an abominably high body count, beheadings, a belt of sliced
ears, exploding limbs, and a tree groaning under the weight of its severed
heads, all courtesy of the Philippines’
Godmother of Gore, Cecille Baun. This emphasis on brutal realism is hammered
home by the presence of real world Marine Don Gordon Bell, playing Sgt Evans as
well as co-writing and acting as “Technical Supervisor”, and ex-Navy Willy
Williams as the jive-talking, Stones-listening Sgt Washington. Rounding out the
team are Dutch-born Paul Vance (co-writer with Bell and “Bugsy” Dabao, and also in JPM’s
bizarre 1984 post-apocalyptic Mad Warrior/Clash Of The Warlords) and Rex
(brother of Lito) Lapid as leader of the Montagnards, cutting an impressively
heroic figure throughout with a machine gun welded to his hand. In final
analysis, director Cabreira seems a lot more comfortable with action scenes
than dialogue, so it comes as a relief there are very few moments where M16s
AREN’T chewing the living cud out of the Philippines’ jungles. See the entire
movie here.
Nick Nicholson: Crossbone
Territory was with Tessie
Monteverde of JPM Productions. Bugsy Dabao, Paul Vance and I wrote the script,
but we were stuck with Cinex on Firebird Conspiracy. This was back in 1983 and
Don had just finished Stryker with Cirio and was brought into the project and
ended up rewriting the script (which was terrible, since we were writing at
Bugsy's brother, Vic Dabao's home in Santa
Ana on Hollywood
Street (of all places). LOL At the time Don was
sharing an apartment with Michael James in Ermita, and even had a Burger and
Chili Stand in front of Walt's "Cathouse" in Makati... After those projects were done we
worked together on Kings Ransom aka The Destroyers with Cirio.
Don Gordon Bell: Tessie Monteverde of JPM Productions. I do remember
that Bugsy asked me to work on changes on the script because you were on the
EPIC Firebird Conspiracy that took FOREVER to finish. We did use
REAL RATS caught from the hotel of a certain producer, I will not name...in the
scene with Aussie Mike. He had the balls to let five rats lick "movie
blood" Karo pancake syrup with #5 Red dye. Poor rats died from the red
dye. The two girls that worked at the Burger and Chili stand took it over and
did quite well, according to the Man himself, Nigel Hogge.
Yes, Paul and I worked on the screenplay together, with
Bugsy Dabao. We were almost locked up in the hotel of Mr. Lim night and day for
three weeks. During the day we worked on everything like uniforms, web gear,
military supplies, insignia, props for both Viet Cong, North Vietnamese Army,
Green Beret 'over the fence' or Special Observations Group team members.
Bugsy taught us the how to figure the Production Breakdown
of sequences and requirements for Daily Shooting Schedule, based on
Sequences/set locations/Day or Night/special requirements, etc.
At night we would pound out the scenes with me manning the Corona manual typewriter.
I went through three ribbons and many revisions. Actual shooting was done in
under 7 weeks start to finish. Later I helped out on the rough cut with the
director. It was a good film for the price Mr. Lim paid, AND we even convinced
him to have "Smokeless" Squibs on the BODY HITS. That was progress.
[release date 7th March 1985, original Tagalog version “Ulo Ng Gapo”]
Director Nick Lizaso Screenplay Tony Calvento Executive Producer Ben Yalung Cinematography Sergio Lobo Sound Rolly Ruta Editor Edgardo "Boy" Vinarao
Cast Rudy Fernandez, John Cunningham, Charito Solis, Eddie Garcia, Dang Cecilio, Rowell Santiago, Jenny Lyn Ramirez, Paquito Diaz, George Estregan, Bomber Moran, Philip Gamboa, Raul Aragon, Romero Rivera, Vangie Labalan, Robert Talabis, Eddie Arenas, Rodolfo Meyer, James Gaines, Ron Peterson [DVD cover also lists Robert Lee]
[Full onscreen title “Masyong Bagwisa Jr Bodyguard”; Philippines release date 14th August 1986]
Director/Writer Mike Relon Makiling Executive Producer Wilson Tieng Associate Producers Lucia Tieng Cabochan, Willy Tieng Cinematography Christopher Jones Lobo Music Emil Losneda Editor Edgardo “Boy” Vinarao Production Manager Emiliano “Gunding” Lopez Assistant Director Johnny Ramirez Routine/Stunt Director Baldo Marro Special Effects Jun “Gapo” Marbella Sound Effects Danny Salvador Sound Engineer Rolly Ruta Assistant Editors Francis Vinarao, Ben Tala Assistant Production Manager Nestor “Boy” Lopez Production Design Gerry Pascual Art Director Hector Petilla Wardrobe Tasi Stills Ben Nollora Layout Artist Bing Santos Sound Man Rolly Donozo Assistant Cameraman Edgar Lavarias Boom Man Ohdie de Leon Clapper Boy Tony Trinidad Electrician Simon Primian Unit Driver-General Jay-Ar Ramos Crew Arnel Donozo, Butch dela Cruz, Danny Tindella, Dave Cosico Schedule Master Raul Rios Makeup Artist Clarita Maceda Props & Setting Salvador Camposano, Reynaldo Samoza Service Drivers George Lobitana, Alejandro Canlas, Pedro Canlas Utility Boys Jerry Estrada, Rolando Samoza, Julie Marcelo Field Cashier Lilia “Mynne” Mesa Assistant Field Cashier Juliet Cabanag Title Design Rolly Sante? Graphics Joe Yap, Abe Ampayo, Rene Canlas, Jordan Nogo? Animation Camera Supervisor Oscar Manzo
Cast Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr, Philip Gamboa, Cristina Crisol, Ronnie Ricketts, Rachel Anne Wolfe, Brandy Ayala, Baldo “Waray” Marro, Charlie Davao, Mario Escudero, Alicia Alonzo, Bomber Moran, Lucita Soriano, Johnny Madrid, Emilio Estrada, Alvin Alonzo, Vic Varrion, Robert Miller, Danny Riel, Cris Castillo, Rey Sagum, Fred Moro, Usman Hasim, Bobby Henson, Joe Baltazar, Steve Alcarado, Belo Borja, Jun Romero, Mike Francisco, Rod Francisco, Rey Solo, Boy Ranay, Rene Romero, Erning Mariano, Aida Pidido, Boy Clinton, Raul Marquez, Danny Zurbano, Lito Francisco, Omay Rivera, Gil Gaganti, Joy Pidido, Eddie Manalac, Lino Mariano, Boy Faranas, Alan Medina, Sonny Davao, Limbo Lagdameo
Director “George Richardson”/Bobby A. Suarez Producer/Story Bobby A. Suarez Romeo N. Galang ScreenplayCinematographers David Hung, Eduardo ‘Baby’ Cabrales Alex ‘Boy’ Pecate Action DirectorEditor David Cheung Production Managers Bonnie Esguerra (Philippines), Sonny Lim, Neo Choon Wah (Singapore), David Hury [Hung?] (Hong Kong)
Cast “Marrie Lee”/Doris Young (Cleopatra Wong), George Estregan, Dante Varona, Johnny Wilson, Kerry Chandler, “Chito”/Franco Guerrero (Ben, Cleo’s boyfriend), Alex Pecate, Philip Gamboa, Bobbie Greenwood, Joaquin Fajardo, Joe Cunanan, Danny Rojo, Jesse Lee, Vic Romero, Steve Havarro, Avel Morado, Bernie Bernardo, Tony Castro, Romy Misa, Joe Canlas, Mark Sherak, Clem Parsons, Robert Mendez, Don Bell, Skip Kriegel, Bill James, Paul Mejares, Buddy Philipps, Robert Mallet, Mike Youngblood, John Stewart, Brian Richmond (Sims), Doreen Quek, Mehar Singh (wrestler), Alice Leong, Puran Singh, Niranjan Singh, Rodney Yee,Lee Kim Kee, Carter Lee, Lim Tian Wah, Sequeena Wong, Jason Chang, Lam Sze Wai, Liu Hok Ming, Lo Keung, Wong Chi Kueng, Wan Yin Jo, Thunderboys Stuntmen, P.I.S. Stuntmen
Cleo Wong herself, MARRIE LEE, reviews the complete set of 15 lobby cards for They Call Her...Cleopatra Wong (1977), directed by Bobby A. Suarez as "George Richardson" [all scans from the personal collection of Marrie Lee, reprinted with her permission]
1 a)A trophy that I collected from this one day shoot at the YamahaArcheyRange in Manila is a beautiful deep bluish bruise on my top left arm, the size of my fist here.
1 b) Clem Parsons, as one of the baddie monks in charge of the nuns in the monastery. Since when do monks and nuns live together?
2) The Bruce Lee wannabe gang leader of the Singapore triads getting a well deserved kick from Cleopatra Wong for bad acting.
3 a) On a plateau in busy HK, a stranger from the people watching the shoots come up to the director to ask for money coz her house is right on one of the flats in the background. This really happened.
3 b) Confident looking Marrie Lee has a tough job of trying not to throw up on this junk. I actually get sea sick on a water bed.
4) The baddies having a last supper as Cleo Wong and gang are just outside the monastery, ready to bust their asses.
5) One of the scenes where the Chief Baddie is checking the quality of the fake currencies. Do you know that the finale at the monastery was actually filmed in four places and then edited to look like in a single location? 1. A real printing press to show fake money printed… 2) A real strawberry jam factory where the jam was produced and packed… 3) A real school where the real nuns were kept prisoners… and 4) The main location Diplomat Hotel which was converted from a former monastery!
6) Cleo Wong and her team trying the access the monastery through the roof. Not a very bright idea as the monastery has numerous doors and windows. Blame it on the scriptwriter.
7) Dante Verona, the aerialist expert, almost couldn’t make up his mind whether to kill with bayonet or ropes. The bayonet wins in the end.
8) George Estregan, the cold blooded killer in the movie. Does anyone spot the resemblance between him and ex-President Joseph Estrada? Yes, they are brothers.
9) And Dante, if the bayonet fails, somersaulting and landing on your enemies help too.
10) One side of the monastery is rebuilt on this facade that was totally bombed and destroyed. Sure looks like the real McCoy...
11) This is the one scene that was to propel me as the only female star to be able to cock a .45 calibre gun single-handedly. Unfortunately on screen, it looks easier than it really was and I tore a chunk off my pinkie practising for it too.
12) Riding a motorbike on this terrain was hard enough, having to shot from two machine guns mounted on the back of bike was near impossible. To shoot straight too was probably asking too much?
13 a) My bruise exercise was repeated in this scene, and to beat the first scene, the bike had to drop on my toes too.
13 b)Even dying, this extra know this importance of showing best side to camera.
14) The helicopter is a REAL helicopter, not a facade, albeit bought from the scrapyard, I suppose.
15) You can’t have only the bad guys dying so we decided to sacrifice Alex Pecate in the finale. Does he know how heavy he was when we had to carry his supposedly dead body down the slopes?
MANY THANKS TO MARRIE LEE FOR SHARING HER MEMORIES!
Director Eddie Nicart Screenplay Cora Ridon Caballes Music Pablo Vergara
Cast Weng Weng (Agent 00), Ramon Zamora (Agent 001/“Dragon”), Philip Gamboa (Agent 002/“Diego Salvador”), Dante Varona (Agent 003/“Ermitanyo”), Dolphy (The Quick Brown Fox)
THE BIRTH OF AGENT 00! Long thought to be another urban legend, the poster confirms the existence of a fourth (and original) Agent 00 film. Weng Weng’s “first starring role” reunites him with Ramon “Chop-Suey” Zamora, in a film that is unlikely to have been dubbed into English, and is currently AWOL. It’s also the first film as director for Eddie Nicart, award-winning Philippines stunt wizard through SOS Daredevils, who would also direct Weng Weng’s next four features as well as Dante Varona (SOS Daredevil turned actor) in 1981’s Commander Lawin.
Weng Weng's first feature as the two-foot-nine Agent 00 (1981) is still MIA, but here's the set of theatrical stills to give you a taste of 00's debut!
Many thanks to the Mowelfund Library in Quezon City for giving me access to their photo archives, and to Nina Dandan for photographing and cropping each image.
Yes, that's Dolphy! The Pinoy King of Comedy makes an unbilled cameo as a favour after Weng Weng's appearances in three Dolphy vehicles (The Quick Brown Fox, Stariray and Da Best In Da West)