L.S. MARTINEZ' S "NOGNOG"

L.S. Martinez (Leandro San Juan Martinez), a freelance cartoonist, is the creator of many notable characters in the 60s and 70s--- Tsikiting Gubat, Nognog, Atorni Agaton, Atoman, Tik & Tak, Kuwentong Kuneho, Haragan con Maldita, T. V. Lampoon, Doon Po Sa Amin and Mac en Kulit. Nognog, Atorni Agaton and Mac en Kulit were later adapted into film.

Nognog, appeared in the pages of UNITED Komiks in the 70s and was made into the movies in 1980 with boy wonder, Nino Muhlach in the lead role.

UNITED Komiks/ 1970 & 1971

Nognog (1980)- Stars Nino Muhlach, Panchito, Chichay, Dely Atay-Atayan, Cachupoy, Bonnie 'Mong' De Jesus, Manny Luna & Maricris Bermont/ Directed by Nilo Saez

GARY V.'S "FRESS GUSTO" Circa 1978

Fourteen-year old Gary Valenciano doing his first TV commercial, Fress Gusto, a root beer soda. It was aired in 1978. Wonder what happened to the product? You can watch the TV commercial here.

Fress Gusto Product Print Ad

PACQUIAO FEATURED IN THE RING MAGAZINE

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is featured in the latest issue of The Ring magazine. Known as the "bible of boxing," The Ring has him the cover in the July issue and a 7-page article devoted to the prized pound-for-pound fighter.

click images to enlarge

click images to enlarge

1978: THE YEAR OF "VOLTES V"

LET'S VOLT IN !!!

“Can Voltes V defend the earth against the Boazan empire invasion?” says a 1978 newspaper ad announcing the TV debut of the popular Japanese animated cartoon series, “Voltes 5.” It made its first TV appearance and Premiere telecast on May 5, 1978 on Channel 7 and created a major impact among the Filipino televiewers especially the children. Every Friday night at 6 pm, Filipinos were glued to their seats watching each episode and were thrilled when the heroes headed by Steve Armstrong (Kenichi Gou in Japan) started to volt in to become Voltes V. It eventually became a household favorite and soon the talk of the town. It was such a phenomenon then. Just when the people were enjoying and following every episode of the series, came the fatal blow. Then President Ferdinand Marcos issued a directive banning Voltes V citing excessive violence as the main reason. Many believed that the basis behind the cancellation was the story’s content which can be compared to the Marcos regime. It’s a big blow for all the growing kids who followed the show unfailingly. I’m sure most of these kids up to this time, as an adult, hated Marcos for doing it--- a good example of dictatorship.

Voltes V made a great comeback and was re-aired in the 1990s. The Voltes V craze was relived and rekindled. And it’s bigger than ever!!!

This is an original 70s Voltes V die-cast robot toy posted at ebay selling at a staggering php 35,900. It originally sells for php 500 to php 1,000 in 1978, a hefty amount that time. It became a sought-after piece and collector’s item when the Voltes V TV series was re-released in the 90s.

1996: "MICHAEL JACKSON" LIVE IN MANILA

Pirated dvds and cds, such as shown on the right image above, are selling fast since the death of Pop King Michael Jackson.

In 1996, the 37-year old “King of Pop” Michael Jackson made his second Manila appearance with a two-day concert as part of the pop icon’s History World Tour. The concerts were held on December 8 and 10 at Asiaworld City, Aguinaldo Blvd., Paranaque. In between, Jackson visited the pediatric ward of the Paranaque Community Hospital where he kissed and hugged several babies and brought cheers to thousands of fans that packed the grounds of the hospital.

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1976: "JACKSON FIVE" LIVE IN MANILA

Michael Jackson, only 17, first performed in Manila in 1976 together with his brothers, Tito, Jackie, Marlon and Randy (the youngest at 14 who replaced the ailing Germaine). The quintet popularly known as the “Jackson Five,” did a series of concerts--- at the Folk Arts Theater, February 13, 14 and 15 and at the Araneta Coliseum, February 17, 18 and 19, 1976.

Jackson Five Concert posters/ 1976

Daily Express/ February 13, 1976

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Michael Jackson- far right

1986: THE YEAR OF THE 'PENE' MOVIES

Left- Sabik, Kasalanan Ba? (1986)- Stars George Estregan, Daria Ramirez, Tani Cinco, Maureen Mauricio, Gino Antonio and Joy Sumilang/ Directed by Lito De Guzman

Right- Sumagad sa Laman Tumagos sa Buto (1986)- Stars Cristina Crisol, Maureen Mauricio, Jenny Varga and Rowena Ruiz/ with Ramon Zamora, George Estregan, Charlie Davao/ Directed by Henry Rufino

It seems that public unrests, political turmoil and uncertainties may also contributed to the proliferation and sudden influx of sex-oriented films as what we witnessed during the ‘Bomba era’ in the 70s and the ‘Bold era’ in the 80s.

‘Bomba’ movies were in during the time before Martial Law, when student activism and communist insurgency were at its peak. It holds true in the 80s, during the time of the newly installed revolutionary government of President Cory Aquino, when we saw the widespread flooding of bold or even so-called ‘pene’ movies. The bold movies trend was already on the upswing even in 1984 and 85 after the assassination of opposition leader Benigno Aquino. These are some of my personal observations.

In 1986, a total of close to 30 bold movies were produced and shown. Most of these bold movies were showing not only the skins but the actual sex act which they termed as ‘pene’ short for penetration. Producers insisted that it’s an art, but these lame excuses were dumb ridiculous. Those movies were short of being called soft porn and producers were laughing their hearts out going to the banks. These bold stars ruled but their reigns were brief and short. Most of them appeared in a couple of movies only and after that sidelined and vanished--- the victims of sexual exploitation.

Except for Ana Marie Gutierrez, Maria Isabel Lopez, Sarsi Emmanuel, and Jackyn Jose, the new set of bold stars that figured prominently in 1986 were Cristina Crisol, Maureen Mauricio, Joy Sumilang, Jenny Varga, Rowena Ruiz, Barbara Benitez, Didith Romero, Lala Montelibano, Kristal Kristobal, Olivia Ortiz, Lolita Lamar, Scarlet Suarez, Vida Verde, Farrah Floro, Maria Montes, Stella Suarez, Jr., Paola Berenguer, Tanya Gomez, Lola, Lampel Cojuangco…George Estregan, Gino Antonio, Tani Cinco, Lito Gruet, Greggy Liwag, Dick Israel, Mark Joseph, Bobby Benitez…

Read: Jojo DeVera's Sabik-Kasalanan Ba?: The Art of Penekula

Left- Donselya (1986)- Stars Cristina Crisol, Zandro Zamora, Perla Bautista, Val Iglesia/ Introducing Lolita Lamar/ Directed by Arsenio 'Boots' Bautista

Right- Di Maghilom ang Sugat (1986)- Stars Anna Marie Gutierrez, Cristina Crisol, Maureen Mauricio and Gino Antonio/ Directed by W. Pascual

Left- Sensual (1986)- Stars Charito Solis, Chanda Romero, Lito Gruet and Barbra Benitez/ Directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya

Right- Halik sa Pisngi ng Langit (1986)- Stars Ronaldo Valdez, Greggy Liwag, Mark Joseph and Lala Montelibano/ Introducing Didith Romero/ Directed by Efren c. Pinon

Left- Stop: Abortion (1986)- Stars Greggy Liwag, Mishelle Zobel, Didith Romero, Delia Razon, Anthony East and Lampel Cojuangco/ Directed by Leonardo Q. Belen

Right- Alindog (1986)- Stars Greggy Liwag, Avon Cortez, Dick Israel,Ben Morro, Odette Khan, Bobby Benitez and Lampel Cojuangco/ Directed by Kaka

Left- Tukso sa Mundo (1986)- Stars Daniel Fernando, Tani Cinco, Mishelle Zobel, Didith Romero and Maureen Mauricio/ Directed by Eduardo Palmos

Right- Nagaapoy na Gabi (1986)- Stars Maureen Mauricio, Zandro Zamora, Nick Romano, Scarlet Suarez, Eddie del Mar, Jr., Lito Anzures and Kristal Kristobal / Directed by Tito Sanchez

Left- Dingding Lang ang Pagitan (1986)- Stars Maria Isabel Lopez, Orestes Ojeda, Albert Eugenio and Olivia Ortiz/ Directed by Ruben S. Abalos

Right- Nagaapoy na Gabi (1986)- Stars George Estregan, Albert Eugenio, Mark Joseph, Tony Santos, Jr., Joy Sumilang, Scarlet Suarez and Olivia Ortiz/ Directed by Lito de Guzman

Left- Ang Walang Malay (1986)- Stars Vida Verde, George Estregan, Robert Lee, Ada Alberto/ Introducing Farrah Floro/ Directed by Ronnie San Juan

Right- Desperada (1986)- Stars Vida Verde, Greggy Liwag, Elsa Enrile, George Estrgan, Dick Israel, Amanda Amores, Mark Joseph / Directed by Francis Posadas

Left- Unfaithful Wife (1986)- Stars Michael de Mesa, Joel Torre and Anna Marie Gutierrez/ Directed byPeque Gallaga

Right- Takaw Tukso (1986)- Stars Anna Marie Gutierrez, Gino Antonio, Julio Diaz and Jaclyn Jose / Directed by W. Pascual

Left- Private Show (1986)- Stars Jaclyn Jose, Gino Antonio and Leopoldo Salcedo/ Directed by Sixto Kayko (aka- Chito Rono)

Right- Hapdi (1986)- Stars Ernie Garcia, Olivia Ortiz, Gino Antonio, Maureen Mauricio and Maria Montes/ with Raoul Aragonn, Robert Talabis, Nick Lizaso, Robert talby / Directed by Joey del Rosario

Left- Mga Nakaw na Sandali (1986)- Stars Maria Isabel Lopez, Al Tantay, Liz Alindogan, Ronaldo Valdez and Stela Suarez, Jr./ Directed by Nilo Saez

Right- Araaayyyy!!! (1986)- Stars Patrick dela Rosa, Janice Jurado/ Introducing Paola Berenguer / Directed by Cezar Abella

Paraisong Gubat (1986)- Stars Cristina Crisol, Azenith Briones, Josephine Manuel, Lito Gruet and Tanya Gomez/ Directed by Tito Sanchez



Materyales Fuertes (1986)- Stars Myrna Castillo, Mishelle Zobel and Lola/ with George Estregan, Dick Israel, Mark Joseph, Bobby Benitez & Toots Papa/ Directed by Tata Esteban



Kiri (1986)- Stars George Estregan, Patrick dela Rosa, Mark Joseph, Dick Israel and Lampel Cojuangco/ Directed by Francis 'Jun' Posadas

Left- Magkayakap sa Magdamag (1986)- Stars Alona Alegre, Olivia Ortiz and Anna Marie Gutierrez/ with Al Tantay, George Estregan, Orestes Ojeda, Emil Sandoval/ Directed by Nilo Saez

Right- Clarizza (1986)- Stars Luis Gonzales, Liza Lorena, Lito Pimentel and Sarsi Emmanuelle/ with Lucita Soriano, Roxan Recto, Gil GuerreroDirected by CBT & RDG

Huwag Pamarisan: Kulasisi (1986)- Stars Maria Isabel Lopez and Anna Marie Gutierrez/ with Raoul aragonn, Jun Santiago, Tani Cinco, Emil Sandoval/ Directed by Nilo Saez

Left- Silip (1986)- Stars Maria Isabel Lopez and Sarsi Emmanuel/ Directed by Elwood Perez

Right- Kapirasong Dangal (1986)- Stars Maria Isabel Lopez, Raoul Aragonn, Dick Israel, Tani Cinco, Gino Antonio, Emily Loren, Mina Mirasol, Elsa Enrile, Mishelle Zobel and Dante Rivero/ Directed by Nilo Saez

"KING OF POP" MICHAEL JACKSON IS DEAD, 50

“He was perhaps the most exciting performer of his generation, known for his backward-gliding moonwalk, his feverish, crotch-grabbing dance moves and his high-pitched singing, punctuated with squeals and titters.”

Michael Jackson, the “King of Pop” who once moonwalked above the music world, died as he prepared for a comeback bid to vanquish nightmare years of sexual scandal and financial calamity. He was 50. Jackson died Thursday at UCLA Medical Center after being stricken at his rented home in Holmby Hills. Paramedics tried to resuscitate him at his home for nearly three-quarters of an hour, and then rushed him to the hospital, where doctors continued to work on him. “It is believed he suffered cardiac arrest in his home. However, the cause of his death is unknown until results of the autopsy are known, “ his brother Jermaine said. Police said they were investigating, standard procedure in high-profile cases.

Jackson’s death brought a tragic end to a long, bizarre, sometimes farcical decline from his peak in the 1980s, when he was popular music’s all-around performer, a uniter of black and white music who shattered the race barrier on MTV, dominated the charts and dazzled even more on stage. His 1982 album, ‘Thriller’ ---which included the blockbuster hits Beat It, Billie Jean and Thriller--- is the best selling album of all time, with an estimated 50 million copies sold worldwide.

At the time of his death, Jackson was rehearsing hard for what was to be his greatest comeback. He was scheduled for an unprecedented 50 shows at a London arena, with the first set for July 13. (Lynn Elber)

Pop icon Michael Jackson and Superstar Nora Aunor graced the cover of Kislap Magazine in 1976 during MJ's first visit to the Philippines. (Image courtesy of Nora Aunor Yahoo Group)

MGA PELIKULANG AGIMAT NI RAMON REVILLA, SR.

ABS-CBN Network is set to offer another action-adventure series as they tied up with the Revilla family and Imus Productions for remaking the movies of legendary Ramon Revilla Sr. to be entitled “Agimat” (Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla). Four promising actors were given a chance to reprise the well-known characters of Revilla Sr. Gerald Anderson will be portraying Tiagong Akyat in “Hulihin si Tiagong Akyat.” Jake Cuenca, on the other hand, will reprise the character “Elias Paniki.” Coco Martin plays the role of a lizard in “Agimat ni Tonyong Bayawak.” And last but definitely not the least - from the Revilla clan – is Jolo Revilla who will play “Pepeng Agimat.” According to Andeng, daughter of Revilla Sr., the idea of remaking the films of her father was presented to them by the network about two years ago.

The Revilla family and ABS-CBN also agreed that there should be a Revilla to be included in the film to continue the legacy of the renowned clan. “It was part of the agreement that we want a member of the family to portray one of the characters just top preserve the legacy of the senior… Sabi ko siguro ang bida natin si Jolo and ABS-CBN said ‘oo naman’ kasi para hindi mahiwalay from three generations from my dad to kuya Bong and to Jolo,” Andeng explained.

“Agimat” will circle in the story of four men whose lives have been altered by a diwata or fairy as she gives them special powers in the form of an agimat. (Source-SunStar Manila/ June 22, 2009)

Nardong Putik (1972)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Gloria Romero, Alona Alegre, Rosemarie Gil, Robert Jaworski, Michael Murray, Manolo Robles and Max Alvarado/ Directed by Tony Cayado

When Ramon Revilla, Sr., a popular actor of the 50s, made Nardong Putik, his comeback movie in 1972, he scored big in the tills, smashing all existing box-office records that time. It’s a film on a notorious criminal whose amulet or anting-anting or agimat made him invincible and protected him from bullets. His next two movies, Pepeng Agimat and Hulihin si Tiagong Akyat, also did well in the box-office which starred him also with an agimat. Besides being Nardong Putik, Pepeng Agimat and Tiagong Akyat, he was also known as Kumander Agimat, Tonyong Bayawak, Kapitan Inggo, Pepeng Kuryente, Elias Paniki and Joaquin Burdado, all characters wielding agimats with varying and incredible powers.

Pepeng Agimat (1973)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Gloria Romero, Rosemarie Gil, Alona Alegre, Aurora Salve, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, Michael Murray and Robert Jaworski/ with Bella Flores, Rosa Mia, Etang Discher/ Directed by Tony Cayado

Hulihin si... Tiagong Akyat-(1973)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Liza Lorena, Robert Jaworski, Aurora Salve, Van de Leon and Max Alvarado/ with Michael Murray, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, Aurora Ortiz/ Directed by Armando A. Herrera

Left- Kumander Agimat (1975)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Liza Lorena, Johanna Raunio, John Ericson, Vic Silayan, Vic Diaz/ Directed by Cesar 'Chat' Gallardo

Right- Tonyong Bayawak (1980)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Boots Anson-Roa, Julie Ann Fortich, Celia Rodriguez, Rosemarie Gil, Ruby Ana, Andrea Bautista, Princess Bautista/ with Dante Varona, Paquito Diaz, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia and Max Alvarado / Directed by Jose Yandoc

Lumaban Ka, Satanas (1983)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Elizabeth Oropesa, George Estregan, Paquito Diaz, Cecile Castillo and Charlie Davao/ Directed by Efren C. Pinon



Nardong Putik- Version II (1984)- Stars Ramon Revilla,Julie Ann Fortich, Marilou Bendigo, Pia Moran/ with Leopoldo Salcedo, Charlie Davao, George Estrgan, Paquito Diaz, Max Alvarado, Philip Gamboa, Nick Romano, Arnold Mendoza, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, Val Iglesia and Rudy Fernandez (in a Special Role)/ Directed by Jose Yandoc



Kapita Inggo (1984)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Marissa Delgado, Susan Valdes, Marissa Del Mar/with George Estregan, Conrad Poe, Philip gamboa, Paquito Diaz, Max Alvarado, Arnold Mendoza/ Directed by Jose Yandoc

Joaquin Burdado (1988)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Tanya Gomez, Janice Jurado, Deborah Sun, Paquito Diaz, Rocco Montalban, Renato del Prado/ Featuring Elvis Gutierrez/ Directed by Carlos J. Caparas

Left- Pepeng Kuryente (1988)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Bong Revilla, Dante Rivero, Ramon Zamora, Johnny Delgado, Marissa Delgado/ Directed by Jose Yandoc

Right- Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig ni Elias Paniki (1989)- Stars Ramon Revilla, Maria Isabel Lopez, Atong Redillas, Tina Godinez, Brylle Mondejar/ Directed by Carlos J. Caparas

"DARNA" ON PRIMETIME TV Circa 60s

Remember Channel 5's Sinagtala and Bahaghari! I recalled seeing these Darna movies in the 60s in these two popular TV programs. The 1951 original Darna movie starring Rosario del Rosario shown in Sinagtala and Darna at ang Impakta (1963) in Bahaghari, both on primetime TV, ABC Channel 5.

Darna (1951)- Sinagtala/ Channel 5/ 1965; Darna at ang Impakta (1963)- Bahaghari/ Channel 5/ 1966