Books on movie queens, kings, and directors

BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS – A number of actors have turned authors. And more are coming up this year.

This columnist has said it before and is saying it again. Why not books on movie kings and queens and directors elevated to the pantheon of National Artists?

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QUEENS – Let’s start with movie queens.

Carmen Rosales has already one, “Ang Tanging Kong Pag-ibig,” penned by Manny Fernandez and published by Danny Dolor.

But then, there are no book written yet on Rosa del Rosario, Gloria Romero, Nida Blanca, Susan Roces, Amalia Fuentes, Sharon Cuneta, Maricel Soriano.

Oh, there are books on Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos, but that was decades back and an update is in order.

Come to think of it, why not just one book devoted to those movie queens? It’ll be a collector’s item.

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KINGS – Now, let’s segue to movie kings.

From way back, the kings were Pol Salcedo, Roger de la Rosa, Pempe Padilla, and Fernando Poe Sr.

From the ‘60s up to the ‘80s there were Fernando Poe Jr., Ramon Revilla, Dolphy, Joseph Estrada, Eddie Rodriguez, Dindo Fernando, Rudy Fernandez, Boyet de Leon, Richard Gomez.

Again, why not one book on all those kings?

Come to think of it, FPJ deserves a book all his own. He is a National Artist and the longest reigning king of Philippine cinema. Of course, books devoted to FPJ, Dolphy, Joseph Estrada, and Rudy Fernandez have been published.

But nothing like just one book about them.

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DIRECTORS – They are National Artists.

Bert Avellana, Gerry de Leon, Manuel Conde, Eddie Romero, Lino Brocka, and Ishmael Bernal.

Brocka and Conde have been memorialized in books, written by Mario Hernando and Nic Tiongson, respectively.

Sadly, none on the rest.

Calling the attention of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Please bankroll books on Gerry de Leon and company.

Members of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino can collaborate on those books.