Movies That Mark 30th Year in May 1996

At least 12 Filipino movies were released in theaters in May 1996. At present, some of these movies can be viewed on YouTube, while others are occasionally aired on free television.

Ang Tange Kong Pag-Ibig

SPO4 Santiago: Sharpshooter

Cedie

Nights of Serafina

Wanted: Perfect Mother

Hagedorn

Takot Ka Ba sa Dilim?

Mga Nagbabagang Labi

Tolentino: Lumaban Ka Hanggang Gusto Mo!

Hindi Ako Ander! Itanong Mo Kay Kumander

Mula Noon Hanggang Ngayon

Itataya Ko ang Buhay Ko

Details of each mentioned title follow.

Ang Tange Kong Pag-Ibig (Tagalog: My Stupid Love)

Original Release Date: May 1, 1996

Production Companies: Mother Studio Films and M-Zet Films

MAIN CAST

Vic Sotto    ...    Restituto Roso

Maricel Soriano    ...    Amanda Moran

Ruby Rodriguez    ...    Cutie

Yoyong Martirez    ...    De Niro

Larry Silva    ...    Tyopips

SELECTED CREW

Direction    ...    Danilo P. Cabreira

Story and Screenplay     ...    Danilo P. Cabreira and Bibeth Orteza

Cinematography    ...    Johnny Araojo and Romulo Araojo

Production Design    ...    Abel Molina

Editing    ...    Rogelio Salvador and Joe Solo

Musical Direction    ...    Mon Del Rosario

Executive Producers    ...    Lily Monteverde and Marvic C. Sotto

NOTES:

*** Prior to this movie, Vic Sotto has worked with Maricel Soriano in other films. In those films, Vic Sotto is cast as part of the comedic trio Tito, Vic, and Joey. Age Doesn't Matter and I Have Three Hands are among those films.

*** Ruby Rodriguez joins Yoyong Martirez and Larry 'Pipoy' Silva as the trio of sidekicks. In most Vic Sotto movies oth, Richie D'Horsie completes the said trio.

SPO4 Santiago: Sharpshooter

Original Release Date: May 1, 1996

Production Companies: Mahogany Pictures and Viva Films

MAIN CAST

Ramon 'Bong' Revilla Jr.    ...    SPO4 Jaime 'Jimmy' B. Santiago

Tonton Gutierrez    ...    Boy Palomar

Ina Raymundo    ...    Elsa Lopez

Dindi Gallardo    ...    Santiago’s Wife

Raymond Bagatsing    ...    Boy’s Goon

SELECTED CREW

Direction and Editing    ...    Pepe Marcos

Story    ...    Jaime Santiago

Screenplay    ...    Jojo M. Lapus

Cinematography    ...    Danny Bustos

Production Design    ...    Sonny Maculada

Musical Direction    ...    Mon Del Rosario

Executive Producers    ...    Victor Villegas and Vic Del Rosario Jr.

NOTE:

*** Jaime Santiago himself attended the premiere with lead actor Bong Revilla, but had to leave early when he heard of a hostage situation taking place in Tondo. After negotiations proved unsuccessful, Santiago positioned himself in a nearby house and shot the hostage taker and rescued the hostage who was a one-year-old girl.

Cedie

Original Release Date: May 8, 1996

Production Company: Star Cinema

MAIN CAST

Tom Taus Jr.    ...    Cedric 'Cedie' Errol

Ronaldo Valdez    ...    Earl of Dorincourt

Jaclyn Jose    ...    Annie Errol

Mark Gil    ...    Capt. James Errol

Subas Herrero    ...    Mr. Hobbs

SELECTED CREW

Direction    ...    Romy V. Suzara

Story    ...    Fumio Ishimori (based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett)

Screenplay    ...    Mari L. Mariano

Cinematography    ...    Joe Batac Jr.

Production Design    ...    Manny B. Morfe

Editing    ...    Joyce Bernal

Musical Direction    ...    Nonong Buencamino

Executive Producers    ...    Charo Santos-Concio and Lily Monteverde

NOTE:

*** This movie is an adaptation of the popular TV anime series Little Prince Cedie which was in turn based on the 1886 children's novel Little Lord Fauntleroy by English playwright and author Frances Hodgson Burnett.

Nights of Serafina

Original Release Date: May 8, 1996

Production Company: Mother Studio Productions

MAIN CAST  

Giorgia Ortega    ...    Serafina

Mike Magat    ...    Albert

John Apacible    ...    Anton

Angelika dela Cruz    ...    Diana

Joan Jackson    ...    Betty

SELECTED CREW

Direction    ...    Joey Gosiengfiao

Story and Screenplay    ...    Ricky Lee, Jonas Sebastian, Frank Rivera

Cinematography    ...    Rey De Leon

Production Design    ...    Judy Lou de Pio

Editing    ...    Edmund 'Bot' Jarlego

Musical Direction    ...    Jessie Lasaten

Executive Producer    ...    Lily Y. Monteverde

NOTE:

*** Follows the story of Serafina, a woman from the slums of Manila, and Anton, a wealthy logger. After getting married, they move to Anton's house on a tropical island where they live with his domineering mother.

Wanted: Perfect Mother

Original Release Date: May 8, 1996

Production Company: Neo Films

MAIN CAST  

Christopher de Leon    ...    Dante Zulueta

Regine Velasquez    ...    Sam

Bing Loyzaga    ...    Bing

Bobby Andrews    ...    Arnel

Kate Gomez    ...    Crissy

SELECTED CREW

Direction    ...    Ike Jarlego Jr.

Story    ...    Mars Ravelo

Screenplay    ...    Melissa Mendoza-Del Rosario

Cinematography    ...    Jun Pereira

Production Design    ...    Manny Morfe

Editing    ...    Marya Ignacio

Musical Direction    ...    Jesse Lasaten and Louie Ocampo

Executive Producer    ...    Vic del Rosario Jr.

NOTE:

*** Based on a similarly titled novel by Mars Ravelo that was serialized in Pilipino Komiks. This komiks novel was adapted into a movie of the same title in 1970

Hagedorn

Original Release Date: May 16, 1996

Production Company: Merdeka Films

MAIN CAST  

Fernando Poe Jr.    ...    Edward Hagedorn

Sharmaine Arnaiz    ...    Elena Marcelo

Jun Aristorenas    ...    [information to be provided upon availability]

Bob Soler    ...    [information to be provided upon availability]

Dante Rivero    ...    [information to be provided upon availability]

SELECTED CREW  

Direction    ...    Ronwaldo Reyes

Story    ...    Edward Hagedorn

Screenplay    ...    Manuel Buising, Senen Dimaguila, and Henry Nadong

Cinematography    ...    Ver Reyes

Production Design    ...    Arnold De Jesus

Editing    ...    Augusto Salvador and Rene Tala

Musical Direction    ...    Jaime Fabregas

Executive Producers    ...    Edmer Lim and Lolita Lim

NOTE:

*** A biographical film based on the life and times of Edward Solon Hagedorn. Hagedorn was the mayor of Puerto Princesa, Philippines, and later the representative of Palawan's 3rd congressional district. At the time of the movie's release, Hagedorn was serving his second term as mayor.

Takot Ka Ba sa Dilim?

Original Release Date: May 1996

Production Company: Viva Films

MAIN CAST  

Angelu de Leon ... Carly

Rica Peralejo ... Mariel

Bobby Andrews ... Jude

Onemig Bondoc ... Eddie Boy

Red Sternberg ... Rico

SELECTED CREW  

Direction ... Don Escudero

Story ... Jose Javier Reyes

Screenplay ... Jose Javier Reyes

Cinematography ... Jun Agravante

Production Design ... Arthur Dominguez

Editing ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Musical Direction ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Executive Producer(s) ... William Leary

OTHER NOTES

Horror film featuring mythical creatures like manananggal and tikbalang.

Mga Nagbabagang Labi

Original Release Date: May 1996

Production Company: Seiko Films

MAIN CAST  

Jestoni Alarcon ... Dindo Valdez

Rosanna Roces ... Carol

Daniel Fernando ... [role]

Sheila Ysrael ... [role]

Marita Zobel ... [role]

SELECTED CREW  

Direction ... Victor Tango

Story ... Salvador Royales

Screenplay ... Salvador Royales

Cinematography ... Rosendo Buenaseda

Production Design ... Ronnie Cruz

Editing ... Ferren Salumbides

Musical Direction ... Bienvenido Medina

Executive Producer(s) ... Robbie Tan

OTHER NOTES

Rosanna Roces starred in one of her boldest roles.

Tolentino: Lumaban Ka Hanggang Gusto Mo!

Original Release Date: May 1996

Production Company: [information to be provided upon availability]

MAIN CAST  

Lito Lapid ... Tolentino

Joanne Quintas ... [role]

Jess Lapid Jr. ... [role]

Sylvia Sanchez ... [role]

Melissa Mendez ... [role]

SELECTED CREW  

Direction ... Joji Vitug

Story ... Joji Vitug

Screenplay ... Joji Vitug

Cinematography ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Production Design ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Editing ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Musical Direction ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Executive Producer(s) ... Lily Monteverde

OTHER NOTES

Action film about a security guard battling bank robbers.

Hindi Ako Ander! Itanong Mo Kay Kumander

Original Release Date: May 1996

Production Company: Neo Films / Magic Adobo Productions

MAIN CAST  

Janno Gibbs ... Tomas

Bing Loyzaga ... Cindy

Alyssa Gibbs ... Princess

Pilita Corrales ... Doña Luisa

Elizabeth Ramsey ... Matilda

SELECTED CREW  

Direction ... Edgardo Vinarao

Story ... Mel Mendoza-Del Rosario

Screenplay ... Mel Mendoza-Del Rosario

Cinematography ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Production Design ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Editing ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Musical Direction ... Ricky del Rosario

Executive Producer(s) ... Eric Cuatico

OTHER NOTES

Family comedy starring real-life couple Janno Gibbs and Bing Loyzaga with their daughter Alyssa.

Mula Noon Hanggang Ngayon

Original Release Date: May 1996

Production Company: MAQ Productions / Star Cinema

MAIN CAST  

Aiko Melendez ... Beverly

Chin Chin Gutierrez ... Maxine

Jomari Yllana ... Nico

Robin Da Roza ... [role]

Dante Rivero ... [role]

SELECTED CREW  

Direction ... Khryss Adalia

Story ... Shaira Mella Salvador

Screenplay ... Mel Mendoza-Del Rosario, Jojo Atienza, Khryss Adalia

Cinematography ... Joe Tutanes

Production Design ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Editing ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Musical Direction ... Nonong Buencamino

Executive Producer(s) ... Malou N. Santos

OTHER NOTES

Romantic drama about childhood friends whose bond is tested by time and circumstance.

Aiko Melendez and Jomari Yllana were popular love-team figures in the mid-1990s.

Itataya Ko ang Buhay Ko

Original Release Date: May 1996

Production Company: [information to be provided upon availability]

MAIN CAST  

Phillip Salvador ... [role]

Sunshine Cruz ... [role]

Ruel Vernal ... [role]

Dick Israel ... [role]

Michael Locsin ... [role]

SELECTED CREW  

Direction ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Story ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Screenplay ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Cinematography ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Production Design ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Editing ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Musical Direction ... [information to be provided upon availability]

Executive Producer(s) ... [information to be provided upon availability]

OTHER NOTES

Typical of Phillip Salvador’s action films, with themes of loyalty and sacrifice.

Sunshine Cruz was emerging as a leading lady in both drama and action genres.

Red Bananas with Heart in the Jungle: Notes About a Staple Fruit in Filipino Movies

If you watched Pinoy movies in the late 80s or 90s, you probably know Starzan: The Shouting Star of the Jungle. What stuck with me was the detail that the red banana gave him extraordinary strength. So I was shocked when I saw at the market that red bananas actually exist. 

I used to think the red banana was just a fictional fruit from the imagination of Joey De Leon (actor and co-writer) and Tony Y. Reyes (director and co-writer).

Starzan poster

Photo Credit: Regal Films

Going back to the real-life red banana, I immediately bought two pieces at 12 pesos each. The taste was unusual — almost with a hint of strawberry. Maybe it was just my imagination, since I already associate the color red with strawberries. The vendor said it is seldom availale in the market, so the next time I see it, I will buy again.

As the taste of the red banana lingered in my tongue, I was pushed to think about the connection between bananas and Pinoy movies. 

In Efren 'Loging' Jarlego's Og Must Be Crazy (Dolphy as Og), the setting was also the jungle. 

Og Must Be Crazy poster 

Photo Credit: RVQ Productions / Video 48

There is a tribal wedding scene at the start, and bananas were used as the sacramental food -- akin to the Christian host. Og officiated the wedding, feeding banana pieces to the groom Et (played by Babalu) and his bride.

Interesting trivia: ZsaZsa Padilla was the leading lady in both Starzan and Og Must Be Crazy. In both films, Panchito played her character's father. Just to be clear, ZsaZsa Padilla was not the bride who ate the banana in Og Must Be Crazy.

Let's now discuss Apoy sa Dibdib ng Samar (Tagalog: Fire in the Bosom of Samar) Bananas were used in a different guise as a plot device in this film by Jose 'Kaka' Balagtas. Who could forget the iconic line delivered by Mark Lapid as the policeman Daniel Giron: 

"Oo, inaamin ko, saging lang kami. Pero maghanap ka ng puno sa buong Pilipinas, saging lang ang may puso!" 

("Yes, I admit, we are just bananas. But search all the trees in the Philippines, only bananas have hearts!")

Apoy sa Dibdib ng Samar DVD cover

Photo Credit: North East Films / Regal Entertainment

The jungle became the battleground against illegal logging, with a policeman from the city returning to his province to defend the environment.

Looking closely, there is a pattern: Starzan and Og moved from jungle to city, then back to the jungle. Daniel Giron, on the other hand, went from city back to the jungle. 

Through the comedy and action-drama genres, bananas are depicted as symbols of extraordinary strength, made-up ethnic ritual, and eco-activist heart.

If you are curious, you can find these movies on YouTube. As for me, I’ll stop overthinking for now and just eat the remaining red banana.

Comments on "Si Ayala at si Zobel" and "Ang Pinakamahabang Baba sa Balat ng Lupa"

Si Ayala at si Zobel (Tagalog: Ayala and Zobel) and Ang Pinakamahabang Baba sa Balat ng Lupa (Tagalog: The Longest Chin in the Face of Earth) are two comedy films from the 1990s that are part of our guilty pleasure list.

We would like to share some thoughts on these movies, both of which have been viewed for the nth time.

***

Photo Credit: OctoArts Films

Si Ayala at si Zobel is a 1994 movie that employs humor to shed light on the most Filipinos' aspirations to become wealthy.

The protagonists are implicitly named after the Zobel de Ayala family, one of the richest in the country.

Ironically, Ayala (Anjo Yllana) and Zobel (Ogie Alcasid) portray janitors -- members of the working class.

One day, they got a windfall. From there, hilarious situations arise.

More than thirty years later, the same economic woes beleaguer Filipino society. The working-class dream of getting a huge amount of wealth strikes a chord in this movie.

Si Ayala at si Zobel is escapist entertainment that digs into the working-class dream of getting rich. It is not the type that will earn the approval of critics, but will be enjoyable to the masses.

These views come with a caveat: some of the humor might be considered politically incorrect, given today's sensibilities.

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Photo Credit: Good Harvest Productions / IMDb

The late Filipino comedian Pablo Martin Sarmiento, better known as Babalu, had a screen name that refers to his long, sharp chin (baba is the Tagalog term for chin).

Released in 1997, Ang Pinakamahabang Baba sa Balat ng Lupa is the first one of movies starring Babalu having a title that explicitly mentions the anatomical feature for which he became famous.

The title is translated to English as The Longest Chin in the Face of Earth.

Babalu plays a supporting role to the lead comedian(s) or is cast in equal billing with other comedians in the majority of the entries in his filmography. (For example, Si Ayala at si Zobel)

For a welcome change, Ang Pinakamahabang Baba sa Balat ng Lupa is one of the few movies in which Babalu is the lead comedian. It is a quintessential movie STARRING Babalu.

Released a year before Babalu's passing in 1998, the movie Ang Pinakamahabang Baba sa Balat ng Lupa is definitely one of the movies that will define his place in the history of Filipino comedy movies.