EMORABLE – This is a continuation of yesterday’s Highspeed, focused on restoring and preserving films…produced by Armida “Tita Midz” Siguion Reyna in particular.
This time, the focus is on memorable films topbilled by two of the country’s greatest actresses: Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos. Yes, many of their movies are worth restoring and preserving. Perhaps, never again will there be another Nora and Vilma, identified with the ‘70s but keep on shining to this very day, surviving the peaks and valleys of their careers…and even personal lives.
Ambet Nabus of “Chismax” (DZMM Teleradyo) and Leo Katigbak of Star Cinema discussed cinema restoration, the starting point of Highspeed today and yesterday.
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50th YEAR – Leo announced that Star Cinema is restoring Nora’s “Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos” in commemoration of her 5oth year in showbiz this year. Has it really been this long, Ate Guy? But then the Superstar started when she was only 12 in the late ‘60s via “Tawag ng Tanghalan.”
Nora produced “Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos,” directed by Mario O’Hara and co-starring Boyet de Leon and Bembol Roco.
Wonder whatever happened to other fine films Nora produced or starred in: Gerry de Leon’s “Banaue,” Gil Portes’s “Merika” and “Andrea,” O’Hara’s “Condemned” and “Bulaklak sa City Jail,” Elwood Perez’s Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M, Danny Holmsen’s “Carmela,” Lupita Auino-Kashiwahara’s “Minsa’y Isang Gamu-Gamo,” Lino Brocka’s “Bona” and “Ina Ka ng Anak Mo,” Totoy Buenaventura’s “Bakya Mo Neneng” and “Erap Is My Guy,” Maryo de los Reyes “Naglalayag,” Eddie Garcia’s “Atsay.”
In “safe hands” are Nora’s Regal movies, especially those directed by Elwood Perez, including the classic “Bilangin and Bituin sa Langit.”
Needless to say, Star Cinema restored “Himala,” voted by CNN viewers as the best Asia-Pacific movie of all time. Cheers!
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VILMA’S BEST – One of Vilma Santos’ best films, Mike de Leon’s “Sister Stella L,” has been restored and shown.
It’s sad to hear though that the classic “Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak” is no longer available. Vilma produced “Pagputi,” but she told Leo that she could no longer find a copy.
Directed by Celso Ad Castillo, “Pagputi” is set in the turbulent ‘50s, when Huk rebellion was at its height.
It’ll be recalled that the budget of “Pagputi” escalated to monstrous proportions and took forever to finish. It nearly sent Ate Vi to the poor house. But then she recovered financially.
Other Vilma films worth restoring are Ishmael Bernal’s “Relasyon,” “Broken Marriage,” and “Pahiram ng Isang Umaga.”
Lino Bocka’s “Rubia Serbios” and “Adultery,” Laurice Guillen’s “Kapag Langit ang Humatol” and “Ipagpatawad Mo,” Butch Perez’s “Haplos,” Eddie Garcia’s “Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-ibig.”
This is not to forget her two movies with Nora: Bernal’s “Ikaw Ay Akin” and Danny Zialcita’s “T-Bird at Ako,” both restored.
