A Celso Ad Castillo Film: "Comfort Women: A Cry for Justice" (1994)

[NOTE: As a tribute to the late film director Celso Ad Castillo, we will be presenting some newspaper movie advertisements that are part of our collection.]

Comfort Women: A Cry for Justice, a film by Celso Ad Castillo, opened in theaters on March 9, 1994. Having the tagline "One can judge a civilization the way it treats its women," this film could have been Alyssa Films' way of commemorating International Women's Day, which is celebrated every March 8.

This film's cast is led by Sharmaine Arnaiz, with Donna Louise in an introducing role. Other cast members include Joel Torre, Ricardo Cepeda, and Shirley Tesoro. Rosanna Roces was also credited in this film as Ana Maceda.

A Celso Ad Castillo Film: "Kapag Iginuhit ang Hatol ng Puso" (1993)

[NOTE: As a tribute to the late film director Celso Ad Castillo, we will be presenting some newspaper movie advertisements that are part of our collection.]

On February 24, 1993, a drama movie based on an Espesyal Komiks series was shown in theaters. Under the direction of Celso Ad Castillo, Kapag Iginuhit ang Hatol ng Puso features the ensemble cast of Dina Bonnevie, Gary Estrada, Bing Loyzaga, Rustom Padilla, and Monique Wilson. A newspaper advertisement for this Viva Films production follows:

Some Bits of Trivia Concerning Ninoy Aquino

* Benigno "Ninoy" S. Aquino, Jr. would have been eighty years old today, November 27, if he were not assassinated on August 21, 1983. Aquino's assassination is said to be a major factor in the People Power Revolution that ousted President Ferdinand E. Marcos in 1986.

* Ninoy has the same birthday as Bruce Lee, who was born in 1940. They died ten years apart: Lee in 1973, Aquino in 1983.

* In the 1987 elections,  Agapito "Butz" Aquino, Ninoy's brother, successfully ran for senator. His campaign jingle goes like this: "Butz, Butz, Butz ... Butz Aquino! Kapatid ni Ninoy, kapatid ng bawat Pilipino!" ("Brother of Ninoy, brother of every Filipino!)

* In 1997, Senator Raul Roco played the role of Ninoy Aquino in the film Ilaban Mo, Bayan Ko! Gov. Obet Pagdanganan Story. In 2010, Piolo Pascual was cast as Ninoy Aquino in a two-part episode of the drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya.

Ninoy Aquino's Liking for "Sinigang na Bangus"

According to the GMA News TV documentary Sa Hapag ng mga Bayani, a civilian staff at the Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija was cooking sinigang na bangus (milkfish with tamarind-based broth) regularly for Benigno "Ninoy" S. Aquino, Jr. during his incarceration there in the 1970s.

SOURCE: Web site of GMA Network

As we celebrate the eightieth anniversary of Ninoy Aquino's birth, following is the translated recipe for sinigang na bangus as featured in the said documentary:

Ninoy Aquino in the 500-Peso Banknote

Former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" S. Aquino, Jr. would have been 72 years old today. In both the New Design Series and New Generation Banknote Series versions of the 500-peso bill, Ninoy's face is prominently shown.

The obverse side of the New Design/Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Series 500-peso bill has a pensive Ninoy with his fist touching his chin.  It also recalls Aquino's career as a journalist by showing the typewriter on which the initials "B.S.A.J." is embossed. The famous quote, "The Filipino is worth dying for" also appears along with his signature.

Obverse side of the 500-peso bill, New Design / Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Series

Some milestones in Ninoy's career are also highlighted in the reverse side. Aside from being a Manila Times correspondent during the Korean War, he was elected municipal mayor of Concepcion town then governor of Tarlac province. During his tenure as Senator, Aquino was a proponent of the Study Now, Pay Later program for students needing financial assistance. Everyone knows that his assassination was a prime mover of the 1986 People Power Revolution, so a snippet of this event is also shown. .    

Reverse side of the 500-peso bill, New Design / BSP Series

Notes on the New 100-Peso Banknote

In December 2010, the New Generation Banknote Series of the Philippine peso were released. Same with the New Design / Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Series, the 100-peso bill features Manuel A. Roxas, the first president of the independent Third Republic of the Philippines.

The obverse side of the New Design / BSP Series 100-peso bill features the lowering of the American flag and the raising of the Philippine flag. The reverse side depicts the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank) Complex. .

Obverse side of the 100-peso bill, New Design / Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Series

Reverse side of the 100-peso bill, New Design / BSP Series

Celso Ad Castillo, 69

Multi-awarded film director, scriptwriter, and actor Celso Ad Castillo (born Celso Advento Castillo) passed away on November 26, 2012 at the age of 69. His critically-acclaimed works ranged from sex-themed dramas to epic movies.

Castillo directorial career spanned more than four decades, starting with the 1965 spy film Misyong Mapanganib. In the succeeding decade, Castillo directed many films which are deemed his masterpieces such as 1971's Asedillo starring Fernando Poe Jr., 1974's Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa starring Gloria Diaz, and 1977's Burlesk Queen starring Vilma Santos.

At the time of his death, Castillo is scheduled to launch a book, titled Celso Ad. Castillo: An Autobiography and His Craft. According to a report by ABS-CBNNews.com, Castillo was also one of 12 veteran directors chosen by the Film Development Council of the Philippines for the 2013 Sineng Pambansa: Master Directors Film Festival.

Castillo's acting talent was seen both in movies and television such as in the films Ang Alamat ni Julian Makabayan, Pikoy Goes to Malaysia, and Itlog. He was also part of the cast of television series such as Babaeng Hampaslupa and Reputasyon.

SOURCE: ABS-CBN News.com