THE FIFTIES # 177: JAIME DE LA ROSA, EDNA LUNA, WITH CAROL VARGA, FERNANDO ROYO IN MARS RAVELO'S "DYESEBEL" (1953)/ A FILM BY GERARDO DE LEON/ UPDATED

 "Dyesebel"
Premiere Productions
Release Date July 4- 13, 1953/ Dalisay 

Serialized in Pilipino Komiks
Story Mars Ravelo
Direction Gerardo de Leon
Cast Jaime de la Rosa, Carol Varga, Fernando Royo and Edna Luna in the title role

Dyesebel first appeared in the pages of Pilipino Komiks in the 50s. Created by renowned and prolific Filipino novelist Mars Ravelo and drawn by Elpidio Torres, the komiks novel has been adapted into movies in 1953, 1973, 1978, 1990 and 1996. A sequel was made in 1964, “Anak ni Dyesebel.” Here's the first and last installments of that original version of Dyesebel, as it made its memorable run in 1952 to 53.

Unang Labas/ Pilipino Komiks/ 1952

click images to enlarge

Katapusang Labas/ Pilipino Komiks/ 1953

click images to enlarge

Source: Komiks materials from

the collection of Steve Santos

THE FIFTIES # 659: LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, EFREN REYES, CESAR RAMIREZ, EDNA LUNA, JOHNNY MONTEIRO, CYNTHIA ZAMORA, BOB SOLER IN "ANG MATAPANG LAMANG" (1959)

"Ang Matapang Lamang" (1959)

People's Pictures, Inc.

Release Date October 17-26, 1959/ Life

Story Cirio H. Santiago

Screenplay Augusto Buenaventura and Bert Duenas

Music Tony Maiquez

Direction Cesar Gallardo

Cast Leopoldo Salcedo, Efren Reyes, Cesar Ramirez, Edna Luna, Johnny Monteiro, Cynthia Zamora, Bob Soler/ Co-starring Lito Anzures, Max Alvarado, Francisco Cruz, Aida Villegas/ with Bino Garcia, Jesus Lapid, Poleng Mendoza

THE SIXTIES # 207: EDNA LUNA, BERT SILVA, PUGAK & TUGAK, VILMA VALERA, HELEN GAMBOA AND BERTING LABRA AS "HUGO, THE SIDEWALK VENDOR" (1962)

"Hugo, The Sidewalk Vendor" (1962)

Larry Santiago Productions, Inc.

Release Date March 17, 1962/ Center

Based on the character created by Danny Villanueva and Rody Ragodon

Screenplay Mike Caguin

Music Tony Maiquez

Direction Larry Santiago

Cast Edna Luna, Bert Silva, Pugak and Tugak, Vilma Valera, Helen Gamboa and Berting Labra (in the title role)/ Co-starring Paquito Diaz, Johnny de Leon, Fred Panopio, Pabo Zapata, Doro de los Ojos, Billy Viscarra, Flor Bien, Jerry Pons, Romeo San Jose, Zeny Buena, Rory Santiago/ with Arsenio Alonzo, Rafael Jimenez, Francia Ferrer, Jane Palomar, Dadang Ortega, Dely Villanueva, Cleng-Cleng, Rene Gutierrez, Boy Pineda, Joey Joven, Armando Escueta, Pery Punla, Vince Juarez

THE SIXTIES # 162: ZALDY ZSHORNACK, JOSEPH ESTRADA, EDNA LUNA, ROBERT CAMPOS IN "NAG-U-UMPUGANG BATO" (1961)

"Nag-u-umpugang Bato" (1961)

Larry Santiago Productions

Release Date October 4-10. 1061/ Center

Based on Dominador Ad Castillo's Bulaklak novel "Inang Pilipina"

Serialized by Artemio Marquez and Pablo Santiago

Aired over DZXL

Screenplay Tommy David

Music Tito Arevalo

Direction Pablo Santiago

Cast Zaldy Zshornack, Joseph Estrada, Edna Luna, Robert Campos, Anita Linda, Van de Leon, Ben Perez, Vilma Valera, Paquito Diaz/ Featuring Boy Montes, Randy, Tony Montes/ with Francisco Cruz, Ely Nakpil, Arsenio Alonzo, Ponching Adiano, Ponching Alvares, Lota de Guzman, Sandra Santiago, Leni Trinidad, Angie Alegre, Manding Rinio, Fred Ramirez

THE SIXTIES # 104: AN ALL-STAR CAST, 4 STORIES, 4 DIRECTORS IN "KONSIYERTO NG KAMATAYAN" (1961)

"Konsiyerto ng Kamatayan" (1961)

Premiere Productions, Inc.

Release Date March 13-22, 1961/ Dalisay

a DZXL Radio Serial

Four Stories:

First Story: "Ave Maria"

Direction Abraham Cruz

Cast Cesar Ramirez, Cecilia Lopez, Jose Garcia, Ruben Rustia, Adorable Liwanag, Menggay, Balut

Second Story: "Sumpa ng Kaluluwa"

Direction Teodorico C. Santos

Cast Edna Luna, Lauro Delgado, Chiquito, Vener Vizconde, Teroy de Guzman, Teresita Mendez, Lito Anzures, Benny mack, Vicente Liwanag, Dely Atay-Atayan, Eddie Arce, Lydia Antonio

Third Story: "Noche Azul"

Direction Danilo H. Santiago

Cast Alicia Vergel, Bob Soler, Renato Robles, Celia Rodriguez, Marilou Munoz

Fourth Story: "Lumuluhang Bangkay"

Direction Cirio H. Santiago

Cast Roanld Remy, Aura Aurea and Johnny Monteiro

THE SIXTIES # 89: EDNA LUNA, BOB SOLER, EDDIE MESA, CHIQUITO, TEROY DE GUZMAN, CELIA RODRIGUEZ IN "DIYES ISANG KANTA" (1961)

"Diyes Isang Kanta" (1961)

Premiere Productions, Inc.

Release Date January 9, 1961/ Life

Story Clodualdo del Mundo

Serialized in Espesyal Komiks

Music Tony Maiquez

Direction Efren Reyes

Cast Edna Luna, Bob Soler, Eddie Mesa, Chiquito, Teroy de Guzman, Celia Rodriguez/ Introducing Vener Vizconde

THE SIXTIES # 65: AN ALL-STAR CAST, 4 STORIES, 4 DIRECTORS IN "PAGSAPIT NG HATINGGABI" (1960)

"Pagsapit ng Hatinggabi" (1960)

Premiere Productions, Inc.

Release Date September 28, 1960/ Center

a DZXL Radio Serial

Direction Teodorico C. Santos, Cesar Gallardo, Abraham Cruz, Cirio H. Santiago

4 Stories: 

1. Ang Bahay sa Talampas; 2. S.L.N.; 3. Ang Aswang sa Baryo; 4. Multong Pugot

(movie ad: courtesy of James dela Rosa/Pelikula atbp)

THE SIXTIES # 62: AN ALL-STAR CAST, 4 STORIES, 4 DIRECTORS IN "TRUE CONFESSIONS" (1960)

"True Confessions" (1960)

Larry Santiago Productions, Inc.

Release Date August 31- September 6, 1960/ Center

a DZRH Radio Serial

Screenplay Pablo Santiago, Artemio Marquez, Armando de Guzman, Cesar Liongson

Direction Larry Santiago, Artemio Marquez, Armando de Guzman, Pablo Santiago

First Story- Cast Ramon Revilla, Cielito Legaspi, Jose Romulo, Yolanda Guevarra, Rodolfo Cristobal, Nello Nayo

Second Story- Cast Edna Luna, Amado Cortez, Marietta Miranda, Oscar Keesee, Rosie Acosta 

Third Story- Cast Jose Padilla, Jr., Joseph Estrada, Loreta de Lara, Ben Perez, Marichu Llora

Fourth Story- Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Berting Labra, Chiquito, Paquito Toledo, Boy Francisco, Butch Bautista, Boy Sta. Romana, Tony Cruz, Jerry Pns ang Guia Gomez

Introducing: Zenaida Buena, Francia Ferrer

THE SIXTIES # 20: OLIVIA CENIZAL (IN THE TITLE ROLE), 26 BIG STARS, 7 GREAT DIRECTORS IN "VIUDA DE ORO" (1960)

"Viuda De Oro" (1960)

Premiere Productions, Inc.

Release Date March 20-29, 1960/ Dalisay

Story Leleng Isla

Based on DZXL Radio Serial

Music Tony Maiquez and Tito Arevalo

Direction Teodorico C. Santos, Ramon A. Estella, Danilo Santiago, Nemesio E. caravana, Cesar Gallardo, Efren Reyes and Gerardo de Leon

Cast Olivia Cenizal (in the title role) and 26 big stars (in order of appearnnce)--- Edna Luna, Ronald Remy, Jose Romulo, Nello Nayo, Eddie Mesa, Johnny Monteiro, Leonor Vergara, Bob Soler, Teresita Mendez, Vicente Liwanag, Jose Garcia, Fernando Poe, Jr., Lauro Delgado, Lani Oteyza, Cesar Ramirez, Cynthia Zamora, Chiquito, Ruben Rustia, Efren Reyes, Arsenia Francisco, Miriam Jurado, Lito Anzures, Zaldy Zshornack, Shirley Gorospe, Oscar Roncal, Celia Rodriguez

THE FIFTIES # 652: FERNANDO POE, JR., EDNA LUNA, MIRIAM JURADO, RONALD REMY, ACE YORK IN "ANAK NG BULKAN"(1959)/ KOMIKS SERIAL AND MOVIE ADAPTATION/ Re-posted

A monstrous giant bird soars high across Manila and suburbs in 1959 in Emmanuel Rojas’s Anak ng Bulkan. It caught the attention of the moviegoers because of its awesome display of visual and special effects unprecedented during that time. It’s truly amazing how Rojas was able to capture the needed effects with the limited resources at hand. The movie, set in a remote volcanic island, tells of the friendship between a little boy named Bentoy and a giant bird named Goliat.

Fernando Poe Jr. shared top billing with veteran actress, Edna Luna, but the main stars of the movie was the giant bird and the little boy played by 7-year old Ace York (or Ace Vergel). Veteran character actor Bruno Punzalan in the role of Mang Kanuto, the stepfather of Bentoy was unforgettable who made life miserable for the boy.

Two film clips are uploaded (see below)---

"Anak ng Bulkan"
Premiere Productions, Inc.
Release Date December 23- 30, 1959/ Life
Story Jose Domingo Karasig
Screenplay Jose F. Sibal
Music Tito Arevalo
Direction Emmanuel Rojas
Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Edna Luna, Miriam Jurado, Ronald Remy/ Featuring Ace York/ Introducing Elizabeth Rigor/ with Bruno Punzalan, Jose Garcia, Belen Velasco, Felisa Salcedo, Josephine Sancho, Dina Morales, Marieta Sanz, Diana Corral, Maya Navarro, Rosie Acosta

---to read, click images to enlarge---

Literary Song Movie Magazine/ 1959

"Anak ng Bulkan"
Story by Jose Domingo Karasig
Artwork by Dionisio J.Roque
Serialized in Liwayway Magazine

---to read, click images to enlarge---

Courtesy of Premiere Productions

THE FIFTIES # 557: ALICIA VERGEL, EDNA LUNA, ZALDY ZSHORNACK IN "ANAK NG LASENGGA" (1958): KOMIKS SERIAL AND MOVIE ADAPTATION/ Re-posted

"Anak ng Lasengga" (1958)
People's Pictures, Inc.
Release Date October 22, 1958/ Life
Story Augusto Fuentes
Serialized in Liwayway Magazine
Screenplay Teodorico C. Santos
Music Tony Maiquez
Direction Cesar Gallardo
Cast Alicia Vergel, Edna Luna and Zaldy Zshornack/ with Lopito, Belen Velasco, Nello Nayo, Lily Marquez, Abraham Cruz, Francisco Cruz, Paquito Salcedo, Bino Garcia, Mariano Tolentino, Felisa Salcedo/ Featuring Carlos Badion

Here’s one movie that touches the controversial theme of alcoholism. Based from the Liwayway novel by Augusto E. Fuentes, Anak ng Lasengga tells of a mother, Aling Doray (Alicia Vergel) who resorts to drinking when her husband dies. She blames herself for his death. Her son, Lino (Zaldy Zshornack), a medical student, quits schooling to be with his mother in order to help her escape from the clutch of the bottle. Lino is doubly hurt when his friends abandon him and even the girl he is engaged to marry backs out. However, he finds love in another woman, Alicia (Edna Luna), daughter of the doctor who helps his mother escape the power of alcohol.


According to a review, “Alicia Vergel comes off with a portrayal so vivid, powerful yet appealing, dwarfing all her past performances. The swagger, the hollow laughter, the idiotic drunken stare, the ceaseless tramping around for wine, wine and more wine, and the ultimate anguish of an alcoholic’s losing battle with a merciless destroyer--- all these come alive with such shocking realism on the screen in the person of Aling Doray, the ‘lasengga,’ played by Vergel.”

Liwayway Magazine/ Pebrero 17, 1958
Nobela ni Augusto E. Fuentes
Guhit ni E.R. Cruz

THE FIFTIES # 532: EDNA LUNA, JOSE ROMULO, CIELITO LEGASPI, CHIQUITO AND BOB SOLER (IN HIS FIRST TITLE ROLE) AS "MR. BASKETBALL" (1958)

"Mr. Basketball" (1958)

People's Pictures, Inc.

Release Date July 18, 1958/ Life

Story and Screenplay Artemio Tecson

Music Tony Maiquez

Direction Cesar Gallardo

Cast Bob Soler (his first title role), Edna Luna, Jose Romulo, Cielito Legaspi, Chiquito/ Introducing Carlos Badion (Mr. Basketball 1957) and the Nation's Outstanding Basketball Stars

THE FIFTIES # 490: EDNA LUNA, ZALDY ZSHORNACK, LEONOR VERGARA, LOPITO AND BOB SOLER IN GERARDO DE LEON'S "BAKYA MO NENENG" (1957)

"Bakya Mo Neneng" (1957)

People's Pictures, Inc.

Release Date December 30, 1957 to January 8, 1958/ Dalisay

Screenplay Cesar J. Amigo

Music Tito Arevalo

Direction Gerardo de Leon

Cast Edna Luna, Zaldy Zshornack, Leonor Vergara, Lopito/ Introducing Bob Soler/ with Dolly Garcia, Renato Robles, Paquito Salcedo

THE FIFTIES # 464: EFREN REYES, DANILO MONTES, EDNA LUNA, CYNTHIA ZAMORA, AMADO CORTEZ IN "KALIBRE .45" (1957)

Winner of 5 FAMAS awards- Best Picture, Best Director (Cesar Gallardo), Best Screenplay (Augusto Buenaventura), Best Editing (Gervacio Santos) and Best Sound (Demetrio de Santos)

 

 "Kalibre .45" (1957)

Premiere Productions, Inc.

Release Date September 1-10, 1957/ Dalisay

Story and Screenplay Augusto Buenaventura

Serialized in Bulaklak Magazine

Music Tony Maiquez

Direction Cesar Gallardo

Cast Efren Reyes, Danilo Montes, Edna Luna, Cynthia Zamora, Amado Cortes, Quiel Segovia, Leonor Vergara, Nello Nayo, Oscar Roncal, Boy Francisco, Max Alvarado