NOW – In the Moviegoer column of Brother Nestor (Cuartero) in Manila Bulletin, he noted the “love, depression in films,” whose titles are mostly in English. He wrote, “They are the stuff romantic comedy movies, currently the staple in Philippine cinema, are made of. They are also a reflection of a pervasive spread of mental illness threatening today’s population, especially affecting our youth.”
Some of the “now” titles enumerated by Bro. Nes: “First Love,” “The Hopeful Romantic,” “To Love Somebody,” “Para sa mga Broken Hearted,” “Through Night and Day,” “My Perfect You.”
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THEN – Contrast those “now” titles with “then” titles of movies. Highspeed refers to the book published by Danny Dolor, “The Golden Years: Memorable Tagalog Movie Ads 1946-1956.” Tagalog was then often used.
Carmen Rosales and Rosa del Rosario were the queens . Some of their starrers:
Carmen – “Selosa,” “Hele-Hele Bago Quiere,” “Guerilyera,” “Carmencita Mia,” “Simpatika,” “Kampanang Ginto,” “Huling Konsiyerto,” “Inspirasiyon,” “Luha ng Birhen,” “Matandang Dalaga,” “Uhaw na Pag-ibig,” “Iyung-Iyo.”
Rosa – “Himala ng Birhen sa Antipolo,” “Bakya Mo Neneng,” “Caprichosa,” “Bagong Sinderela,” “Tandang Sora,” “Rosario Cantada,” “Bulaklak at Paruparo,” “Kumander Sundang,” “May Karapatang Isilang,” “Kundiman ng Luha,” “ Singsing na Sinulid,” “ Darna,” “Darna at ang Babaing Lawin.”
(Rose is the first Darna…and said to be the best.)
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OTHERS – Highspeed enumerates unusual “then” titles, still from “The Golden Years.”
“Tubig na Hinugasan,” “Apoy na Ginatungan,” “Siyudad sa Ilalim ng Lupa,” “Gamugamong Naging Lawin,” “Berdugo ng mga Anghel,” “Basahang Ginto,” “Sampay Bakod,” “Buhay Alamang,” “Tampalasan,” “Ang Biyenang Hindi Tumatawa,” “Dakilang Pagpapakasakit.”
Oh, there were a few English titles, more the exception than the rule.
“Voice of Freedom,” “So Long , America,” “Death March,” “Honeymoon,” “Sword of the Avenger,” “Sunset Over Corregidor,” “The Pirates Go to Town,” “His Darkest Hour.”
