LANGIS AT TUBIG (1980)

“Labanan natin siya…pupunta ako sa kanya, makikiusap, kung kailangang lumuhod, gagawin ko…isang linggo sa kanya, isang linggo sa akin…kung ayaw niya, anim na araw sa kanya, isang araw sa akin, kung ayaw pa rin niya lahat na ng araw ay sa kanya na…Bobby you gave me hope, you make me a wife, you showed me love when theres only hatred, ginawa mo ako kung ano ako ngayon, babae, ano pang hihilingin ko?” - Cory

Basic Information: Direction: Danny Zialcita; Adapted screenplay: Baby Nebrida, Danny Zialcita; Original screenplay: Danny Zialcita; Cast: Vilma Santos, Dindo Fernando, Ronaldo Valdez, Amy Austria, George Estregan, Ruben Rustia, Johnny Vicar, Lucita Soriano, Augusto Victa, Vic Diaz, Vic Silayan, Mario Escudero, Suzanne Gonzales, Adul De Leon, Martha Sevilla; Original Music: George Canseco; Cinematography: Felizardo Bailen; Editing: Ike Jarlego Sr.; Theme Song: "Langis At Tubig" sung by Sharon Cuneta; Producer: Ernesto C. Rojas, Sining Silangan Films, Entry to the 1980 Metro Manila Film Festival

Plot Description: Bobby (Dindo Fernando) is a man secretly in love with his neighbour and friend Cory (Vilma Santos) but who is living-in with her partner Charlie (Ronaldo Valdez). However, Cory decides to leave Charlie upon discovering his deepest secret that he is a married man. This gives Bobby the chance to show his true feelings for Cory and marries her even adopting the child Charlie has left in her womb. Bobby lives the life of a perfect husband with Cory and accepts a job assignment in Albay shuttling to and from Manila to support his new family. In the province, he meets Pilar (Amy Austria) a lovely town girl. His friendship with Pilar blossoms and they find themselves falling for each other, with Bobby concealing his real marital status. Soon the two learn that she is pregnant and the family forces them into marriage. Consequently, the women discover that Bobby is living a lie and is married to two women. He is forced to make a crucial decision, which of his marriages must be honour? Or will he faced the prospect of getting charged with bigamy? – Philippine Movies

Film Achievements: FAMAS: Best Actor - Dindo Fernando, Best Actress nomination - Vilma Santos; Gawad Urian Best Actor nomination - Dindo Fernando

Film Reviews: Nang magkaroon ng chance si Bobby (Dindo Fernando) ay sinamantala niya ang sitwasyon ng matagal na niyang nililigawang si Cory (Vilma Santos). Hiniwalayan ng kapitbahay niya ang ka-live in nitong si Charlie (Ronaldo Valdez) dahil sa panloloko nito. Natuklasan ni Cory na may asawa na ito at kinakuwartahan lang pala siya. Buntis si Cory at para maiwasan ang kahihiyan ay pumayag itong pakasal sa manliligaw na si Bobby. Nagpakasal nga ang dalawa at sa kabila ng mga tsismisan ay natutunan rin ni Cory na mahalin si Bobby. Sa kabila ng kanilang matiwasay na pagsasama ay hindi pa rin magkaanak si Cory kay Bobby hanggang sa madestino si Bobby sa Bicol kung saan nabuntis niya si Pilar (Amy Austria). Napilitang pakasalan ni Bobby si Pilar dahil sa pananakot ng pamilya nito. Nang malaman ng masugid na manliligaw ni Pilar (George Estregan) na may asawa na pala ang pinakasalan ng kanyang nililigawan ay sinabi niya agad rito’t lumuwas si Pilar upang alamin kung tutoo nga ang balitang ito. Rito niya nalamang dalawa nga silang pinakasalan ni Bobby at nagsampa ito ng demandang “bigamy.” Nang malaman ni Cory ang nangyari, una’y nasaktan ito ngunit inintindi niya ang asawa at handa itong magparaya para lang hindi ito makulong. Nagkasundo si Cory at Pilar at iuurong na ni Pilar ang demanda ngunit nagdesisyon si Bobby at hinarap ang pagkakasala nito. Sa harap ng husgado ay sinabi niyang siya ay “guilty” at nakulong siya.

Sa direksiyon ni Danny Zialcita, ang Langis At Tubig ay isang pelikulang mabilis at nakakaaliw sa kabila ng pangkaraniwang istorya nito. Tinalakay ng pelikula ang tungkol sa bigami at inilahad ang mensahe na kahit na ano pa ang sitwasyong kinakaharap ng mga tauhan ng pelikula’y hindi maikakaila talaga na may kasalanan ang karakter na ginampanan ni Dindo Fernando. Sa bandang huli’y hayagan sinabi ng husgado na sa mata ng batas walang nangingibawbaw na kahit na sino, ang maysala ay dapat parushan. Isang lagda na ng director Zialcita ang nakakaaliw ng mga diyalogo at ang Langis ay hindi na naiiiba sa mga nagawa na niyang pelikula tulad ng "Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan" at "T-Bird At Ako." Ang huling pelikulang ginawa ni Zialcita ay nuong 1986 pa, sana ay magbalik pelikula na siya. Napakahusay ng cinematography ni Felizardo Bailen at ang mabilis ng editing ni Ike Jarlego Sr. Bagama’t maganda ang themesong na ginawa ni George Canseco ay nakaka-distract naman sa ilang eksena na bigla na lang pumapasok ang kanta ni Sharon na dapat sanay tahimik na lang. Kung ang pag-uusapan naman ay ang pagganap, mahusay si Amy Austria bilang Pilar.

Makikitang pinaghandaan niya ang kanyang pagganap. Muli, binigyan ng magagandang linya si Vilma Santos mula sa umpisa kung saan kinompronta niya ang manloloko niyang ka-live in at sinabing: “namputsa naman nahuli ka na ayaw mo pang aminin” at sa bandang huli nang intindihin niya ang asawa at handing magparaya, sinabi niya “…handa akong magparaya, kung gusto niya isang lingo sa kanya, isang lingo sa akin…” Pero halatang ang pelikulang ito ay pelikula ni Dindo Fernando. Deserving si Dindo sa kanyang pagkapanalo sa Famas bilang pinakamahusay na actor bagamat nang taong ito’y mahusay rin si Christopher Deleon sa Aguila at Taga ng Panahon at Jay Ilagan sa Brutal. Tahimik lang ang pag-arte niya’t makikita ang kanyang intensity sa kanyang eksena kung saan nagtapat na siya sa asawang si Cory tungkol sa kanyang kaso. Mahusay rin siya nang hinarap niya si Pilar at sabihin niyang, “mahal ko kayong dalawa.” Maganda ang location ng pelikula. Makikita ang mga ordinaryong tanawin ng Albay sa Bicol at ang mga ordinaryong manggagawa rito mula sa mga nagtatanim ng palay hanggang sa mga nagtitinda ng mga paninda sa palengke ng bayan. Sa kabila ng ordinaryong istorya ng Langis At Tubig, ang mahusay na direksyon at mahusay na pagkakaganap ng mga artista rito’y nangibabaw ang tunay na karapatan nitong panoorin muli ng mga mahihilig sa pelikulang Pilipino. Sayang nga lang at hindi na gumagawa ng pelikula ang ang gumawa ng obrang ito.

"...During the MMFF when Ate Vi won in Karma. It was a triple tie between Ate Vi, Gina Alajar and Charo Santos. JQ as one of board of jurors defended why Ate Vi should win. On the second deliberation JQ convinced one of the jurors and Ate Vi won by 1 point. JQ lambasted on his TV program the jurors in the MMFF when Ate Vi was not even nominated for her performance in Langis At Tubig. The nominees are Nora Aunor for “Bona” and “Kung Akoy IIwan Mo” and Amy Austria for Brutal. Its good that Amy won. JQ said that Ate Vi is good in langis compared to Nora in “Kung Akoy IIwan.” Obiously that was manipulated by Dean Lukresia Kasilag who was the Board Chairman that time and a certified Noranian. Kawawa talaga si Ate Vi basta involved si Kasilag lagi syang nabibiktima. Remember Rubia Serbios and Atsay. JQ always regarded Ate Vi as the real Queen of Philippine movies and a certified box Office Queen..." - Aries (READ MORE)

IBIGAY MO SA AKIN ANG BUKAS (1987)

Basic Information: Directed: Emmanuel H. Borlaza; Story: Mercy Lejarde; Screenplay: Raquel Villavicencio; Cast: Vilma Santos, Gabby Concepcion, Richard Gomez, Gina Pareño, Liza Lorena, Delia Razon, Orestes Ojeda, Gretchen Barretto, Amy Austria, Al Tantay, Romeo Rivera, Joko Diaz, Alfred Barretto, Julio Diaz; Executive producer: Espiridion Laxa; Original Music: Mon del Rosario; Cinematography: Sergio Lobo; Film Editing: Nonoy Santillan; Production Design: Rei Nicolas

Plot Description: "...The neglected wife of a homosexual finds sexual fulfillment with a former boyfriend and student..." - TFC Now (READ MORE)

Film Achievement: 1988 FAMAS Nomination Best Child Actor – Joko Diaz

Film Reviews: ”…His films lack the arthouse style and social relevance that critics loves most in a Brocka or Bernal films but who cares about the critics when the paying public loves them. And the producers demand his service, from Doc Perez of Sampaguita Pictures, Atty. Esperidion Laxa of Tagalog Ilang Ilang Productions and later on, Vic Del Rosario of Viva Films and Lily Monteverde of Regal Films. Clearly, his films exists with one purpose, to entertain the masses not to depress or remind them with the country’s sad fate of economy or the below poverty line lives of many. The success of the Vilma-Borlaza films gave Vilma Santos versatility and preparation to a more serious acting career. It also narrowed the popularity gap between her and the musical era’s darling of the 70s, Nora Aunor. These are perhaps, the most significant contributions of Emmanuel Borlaza to Vilma’s career. Vilma who was considered only second to Nora couldn’t matched her singing talent and so, Borlaza countered this lack of singing with films that showcased Vilma’s acting versatility…- RV (READ MORE)

"...It seems that Vilma Santos has finally learned her lessons about money matters. The actress is reportedly eyeing a house in Greenmeadows which she plan to buy with her earnings from her latest starrer Ibigay Mo Sa Akin Ang Bukas. "Siguro kung marunong lang kaming mag-ingat ng salapi ng kumare ko (Nora Aunor), pareho na kaming may subdivision sa ngayon," Santos reportedly said. Now, she insists on knowing where every peso goes. Perhaps, Santos has taken her cue from Amalia Fuentes, said to be the richest actress in the business. The actress, however, will keep her house in Magallanes 'for luck'..." - JC Nigado, Manila Standard, Mar 6 1987 (READ MORE)

"...Ang tatay ni KC Concepcion na si Gabby Concepcion ay isa rin sa mga kaibigan ni Vi. Ilan ding pelikula ang ginawa ni Vi at Gabby katulad ng Pahiram Ng Isan Umaga, Sinungaling Mong Puso, Hahamakin Lahat, Ibigay Mo Sa Akin Ang Bukas at Asawa Ko Huwag Mong Agawin. Sa pelikulang Bukas Sisikat Din Ang Araw, kung saan si Gabby ang prodyuser ay naging special guest si Vi na sa totoo lang ay halos kasinlaki ang billing niya (Vi) sa mga major characters nito. Isa sa mga anak ni Gabby, anak niya kay Grace Ibuna ay inaanak ni Vi katuwang sina Lorna Tolentino, Alma Moreno, Snooky Serna at Maricel Soriano. Noong last episode ng Vilma show sa GMA 7 ay isa si Gabby sa mga special guests ni Vi at nag-compose pa ng tula si Gabby para kay Vi. Noon namang nagkaroon ng problema si Gabby dahil sa kontrobersiya sa Manila Film Festival noong 1994 ay isa si Vi sa mga naging sabihan niya ng kanyang mga problema. Si Gabby ay naging best supporting actor ng Star Awards for Movies noong 1992 para sa pelikulang Sinungaling Mong Puso, best actor ng Urian noong 1992 para sa Narito Ang Puso Ko at best supporting actor ng Urian para sa pelikulang Makiusap Ka Sa Diyos noong 1991..." - Alfonso Valencia (READ MORE)

"...At present, Santos is completing Ibigay Mo sa Aking ang Bukas for producer Esperidion Laxa. The movie, slated for opening first week of March, was originally scheduled to be shown this week (simulaneously with Sharon Cuneta's Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Lahat Sa Akin, but Laxa apparently decided otherwise, "Medyo hilaw pa sa promotion," said the actress. In the movie, Santos is once again playing the role she's best known for, that of a liberated woman. "D'yan naman talaga ako nagustuhan ng tao, you know, women who fight for their personal happiness." She is again paired with Gabby Concepcion, who incidentally, is rumored to be her boyfriend. There is definitely nothing between her and Gabby, she clarified. "Ah, si Mayor?" she gleefully replied to the question, "we're just comfortable with each other. Minsan na akong napikon sa tsismis na iyan. We're friends and I hope people would just leave it at that." "Is she really that liberated in real life?" Parrying the question, Santos rationalized, "Well, I deserve to be happy, too!..." - Mario V. Dumaual Manila Standard, Feb 19, 1987 (READ MORE)

SWING IT BABY (1979)

Basic Information: Directed: Al Quinn; Story, screenplay: Oscar Miranda; Cast: Romeo Vasquez, Vilma Santos, Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon, Amy Austria, V.S.T. & Company, Mike Monserrat, Sandy Garcia, Geleen Eugenio, Bing Davao, Walter Navarro, Nena Perez Rubio, Lirio Vital, Coritha, Ritchie D’Horsie, Val Sotto, Ernie Zarate; Executive producer: Emilia Blas; Original Music: Vicor Music Corporation; Cinematography: Joe Batac; Film Editing: Nonoy Santillan; Production Design: Orlando Tolentino; Art Direction: Francisco Faustino; Sound: Luis Reyes, Ramon Reyes; Theme Songs: “I-swing mo ako” performed by Sharon Cuneta; Film Poster: Video48

Plot Description: Love is like dancing. No matter how many times you have been out of tuned, you will always go back to hitting the right one. Learning it may not be easy at first but if you find the right partner for you, then you can sway together… forever. Let’s dance along with Marilen (Vilma Santos) and Ben (Romeo Vasquez) as they discover more about love and friendship. - TV Star Cinema (READ MORE)

Film Achievement: No Available Data

Film Reviews: "Sometime in the mid 70s, matinee idol Romeo Vasquez returned to the movie scene after a long absence, his movie career in limbo after his failed marriage with popular actress Amalia Fuentes. His teamup with Vilma Santos somehow rekindled and revived his career. Their first movie together, Nag-aapoy na Damdamin in 1976 turned out to be a big hit. Despite their age gap, reel and real life sweetheart, Romeo, 34 and Vilma, 23, soon became the hottest love team, doing one hit movies after another..." - Video 48 (READ MORE)

"...Romeo Vasquez is an oddity in Vilma's life. Hindi akalain ng lahat na ang isang notorious playboy and balikbayan actor would capture the heart of the then elusive Ate Vi. Nagkaroon sila ng affair which lasted for more than a year. Kilala si Bobby sa pagiging bohemyo kaya naman walang kakilala si Ate Vi na bumoto sa aktor. Ate Vi was love struck at talagang na head-over heels in love. Nagsimula ang kanilang affair sa set ng kanilang pelikulang "Nag-aapoy na Damdamin". True to this title, nagliyab silang dalawa at tunay ngang nag-apoy ang kanilang damdamin. May plano pa nga sila ni Bobby na magpakasal sa Europe. Talagang Ate Vi was ready to give up her life as an actress and would settle with the actor abroad. And with herb relationship with Bobby, nag-surface ang bagong Vilma Santos. Ate Vi realized that she cann't sacrifice everything for love. Nagising siya sa katotohanan at nagkamali kung kaya nagdesisyon siyang kumalas sa bohemyong aktor..." - Willie Fernandez (READ MORE)

"...But it was with handsome actor Romeo Vasquez that Vilma Santos had her most controversial relationship. Romeo was the former husband of Philippine movie queen Amalia Fuentes. He and Vilma first paired in the movie Nag-aapoy na Damdamin (1976). It was also during this year that they became a couple. They made several movies together, all of which did well at the box-office. Vi and Bobby (Romeo's nickname) became the most-talked about reel and real love team at the time. The relationship was always on the pages of showbiz magazines and tabloid entertainment section pages because of the intrigues and the personalities who got involved with them..." - Rommel R. Llanes (READ MORE)

Related Reading:

• IMDB: Swing It Baby (1979)
• IMDB: Al Quinn
• IMDB: Romeo Vasquez
• IMDB: VST & Company
• Amy Austria From Wikipedia
• VST & Co. From Wikipedia
• Top 10 Leading Men
• VST & Co. Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko “Step No, Step Yes” “Tayo’y Magsayawan”
• The Controversial Love Team of Vilma Santos & Romeo Vasquez (Circa 1976-83)
• CLIPS - Swing It Baby - Vilma Santos, Romeo Vasquez (Video)
• VST & Co. Swing It, Baby DISCO FILIPINO 1978 (Video)

Amy Austria and Vilma Santos

Amy's Jay - "...When Amy addressed some 40 guests at the True Riches Ministry (which meets every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Fusion Cafe, Greenbelt, Makati), she started off with question, "Those who know Jay Ilagan, raise their hands." And then she talked about the man she never stopped loving. When you hear her story, at many points she sounds like people you know who aren't stars. When she talks of how she lovede Jay, she reminds you of a friend who tended to love too much. When she talks of life after Jay (when she yearned for another partner in life), she sounds like single-parent friends of yours who also wnat to settle down. Sometimes she sounds like a typical working mother, struggling hard to make ends meet. At other times, she reminds you of a troubled friend who had wrestled with drugs. All your friends, married or single, at one point in time were Amy Austria. And she talks most candidly about it. Amy captivated the crowd without evem reading a script! She began by talking about her turbulent family, where her parents were "bati-hiwalay, bati-hiwalay" until they separated for good when she was 20. When she was only 14, she became the family breadwinner as an actress. She did "bold scenes," the "wet look," and long kissing scenes, the usual requirements of daring roles. But she was a good actress and by age 17, she had won her first award. The Amy fell in love and lived with Jay for nine years. "Although we weren't married, I did everything for him. I quit show biz and was his barber, masahista, nurse, and doctor. I was handyman, I even did carpentry. But I couldn't save him from death." When Jay died on Feb 4, 1992, Amy wanted to die, too. She would comfort herself by thinking, "Atleast, I loved him completely." But today she advises differently: "Never love nang todo," she says, "It;s like idolatry..." - Mona Gonzalez, Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 18, 2002 (READ MORE)

God's Choice - "...It reached a point where I didn't know what love was anymore. I said to myself who would take me seriously? I didn't believe in marriage because Jay and I lived together for so long and yet we never had marriage plans. I really got her drift because I'm also tired of having a full schedule but an empty life. Amy continued, "Until I met Duke Venture (who is half-Filipino, half-Korean). Before meeting him, though I went through a period of cleansing. I was seeking out the Lord's will in my life so when I realized that ll the promiscuity is not pleasing to Him I had to give up my boyfriend (whom I was with for over a year) even if I really loved him. I was sick of the cycle already. "At first, I felt awkward with Duke. Inglesero kasi. Parang nakakailang kausap. He's really the friend of Lorna and Rudy. We were hanging out as a group till one time Lorna and the rest got busy, so Duke and I were the only ones around during out regular get together." Just like Amy, Duke was already a Born-Again Christian when destiny threw them together. What seemed to be a whirlwind romance is actually a will of God that's never gone with the wind. For quite sometime, Amy tried to avoid falling for Duke but since God already gave all the signs she prayed for, she knew in her heart that Duke is indeed God's choice for her life-time partner...When Duke came to attend Amy's "baptism," I could sense the stabilizing effect he has on her. Bubbling like a child full of excitement. Amy said, "Duke gets a thrill about doing things for me that no guy has done before. Like today, I was surprised he bought me a van. First time a guy gave me a car. It's not the material side I appreciate. It's the sweetness behind it. he loves surprising me!" Gone is the taray or palengkera Amy Austria. The distinctive cat eyes are still there and if Amy were a cat who had nine lives, I know for sure that she would want to spend all of those lifetimes with Duke by her side and God right in the heart of their love..." - Dolly Anne Carvajal (READ MORE)

Impressive Filmographies - "...We have quite a number of gifted veteran actresses, but why is it that our directors invariably opt to work with Amy in their most important projects? Marilou Diaz Abaya in "Bagong Buwan," Maryo delos Reyes in "Magnifico," and Mario O'Harra in "Babae sa Breakwater" are only three of our better directors who dote on Amy, thus enabling her to come up with one of the most impressive filmographies in the business. This is quite an achievement, especially when you factor in teh fact that some industry people think that Amy is past her stellar prime. But, that's neither here nor there. On point of consistent quality and complete believability, Amy can't be beat...Aside from her exceptional talent, a major asset Amy has is her relatively youthful projection. Thus, the versatile actress is able to believably play a wide range of characters age from their late 20s to their 50s, making her a director's dream performer..." - Nestor U. Torre, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Aug 6, 2004 (READ MORE)

Amy Austria-Ventura (b. December 13, 1961 as Esmeralda Dizon Tuazon) is a FAMAS and Gawad Urian Award-winning Filipino film and television actress. Austria has starred in 70 films since 1976 in many of the Philippines' most acclaimed films. Her most memorable role was in 1985 where she starred in the Ishmael Bernal classic melodrama Hinugot sa Langit alongside Maricel Soriano. Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin marked her return in acting via the small screen. - Wikipedia (READ MORE)

Amy Austria and Vilma Santos

Anak (2000) - "...Other important movies of the year 2000:…”Anak” (Star Cinema). The year’s most successful move sometimes leans toward the mawkish, the result perhaps of its director’s protracted work on TV where the success of productions is determined by how well they can populate an episode with bathos and melodrama the better to maintain the ratings and keep the advertisers coming. But in honest look at the domestic wages of migrant labor and the utterly moving performances of Vilma Santos and Baron Geisler, it is a signigicant movie..." - Lito Zulueta, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Jan 01, 2001 (READ MORE)

Ibigay mo sa akin ang bukas (1987) - "...It seems that Vilma Santos has finally learned her lessons about money matters. The actress is reportedly eyeing a house in Greenmeadows which she plan to buy with her earnings from her latest starrer Ibigay Mo Sa Akin Ang Bukas. “Siguro kung marunong lang kaming mag-ingat ng salapi ng kumare ko (Nora Aunor), pareho na kaming may subdivision sa ngayon,” Santos reportedly said. Now, she insists on knowing where every peso goes. Perhaps, Santos has taken her cue from Amalia Fuentes, said to be the richest actress in the business. The actress, however, will keep her house in Magallanes ‘for luck’..." - JC Nigado, Manila Standard, Mar 6 1987 (READ MORE)

Paano ba ang mangarap? (1983) - "...his best movies were domestic dramas that gripped audiences for their complex take on relationships and their tendencies toward tortured, twisted operations. Hallmarks of this genre were “Sinasamba Kita” in 1982 (Vilma Santos cruelly treating her half-sister), “Paano Ba ang Mangarap?” in 1983 (cruel mom-in-law seizing her grandkid from his mom, played by Santos)..." - Lito B. Zulueta (READ MORE)

Langis At Tubig (1980) - "...During the MMFF when Ate Vi won in Karma. It was a triple tie between Ate Vi, Gina Alajar and Charo Santos. JQ as one of board of jurors defended why Ate Vi should win. On the second deliberation JQ convinced one of the jurors and Ate Vi won by 1 point. JQ lambasted on his TV program the jurors in the MMFF when Ate Vi was not even nominated for her performance in Langis At Tubig. The nominees are Nora Aunor for “Bona” and “Kung Akoy IIwan Mo” and Amy Austria for Brutal. Its good that Amy won. JQ said that Ate Vi is good in langis compared to Nora in “Kung Akoy IIwan.” Obiously that was manipulated by Dean Lukresia Kasilag who was the Board Chairman that time and a certified Noranian. Kawawa talaga si Ate Vi basta involved si Kasilag lagi syang nabibiktima. Remember Rubia Serbios and Atsay. JQ always regarded Ate Vi as the real Queen of Philippine movies and a certified box Office Queen..." - V Magazine (READ MORE)

Swing It Baby (1979) - "...Sometime in the mid 70s, matinee idol Romeo Vasquez returned to the movie scene after a long absence, his movie career in limbo after his failed marriage with popular actress Amalia Fuentes. His teamup with Vilma Santos somehow rekindled and revived his career. Their first movie together, Nag-aapoy na Damdamin in 1976 turned out to be a big hit. Despite their age gap, reel and real life sweetheart, Romeo, 34 and Vilma, 23, soon became the hottest love team, doing one hit movies after another..." - Simon Santos (READ MORE)

Related Reading:

• Amy Austria and Vilma Santos
• A New and Different Amy Austria Stars in "Tanikala
• The 1996 MMFF: Amy Austria & Jomair Yllana Top Awardees; "Magic Temple" Best Picture
• Amy Austria explains new screen name
• It was Lorna Tolentino who convinced her to do 'Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin'
• my Austria on Coco Martin, Maja Salvador and Andi Eigenmann
• Amy Austria is back in form
• How Filipino film "Serbis" got to the 61st Cannes Film Festival
• Of motherhood and "Anak"

PAANO BA ANG MANGARAP (1983)

“Dinaya n’yo ako! Saan n’yo dinala ang anak ko?.. Hindi mo alam...Sinungaling!... Kasabwat ka ng ina mo! Alam ko matagal n’yo nang plano ito!... Dinaya n’yo ako! Mga Traydor Kayo! Traydor kayong lahat!... Wala akong pakialam! Ibalik mo sa akin si Jun Jun! Ibalik mo sa akin ang anak ko! Ibalik mo sa akin si Jun Jun! Ibalik mo sa akin…” – Lisa

Basic Information: Direction: Eddie Garcia; Adapted screenplay: Orlando Nadres; Original screenplay: Nerissa Cabral; Cast: Vilma Santos, Christopher Deleon, Amy Austria, Jay Ilagan, Peral Bautista, Armida Siguion Reyna, Vic Silayan; Cinematography: Romy Vitug; Theme Song: "Paano Ba Ang Mangarap?” sung by Basil Valdez; Producer: Vic Del Rosario, Viva Films

Plot Description: Despite their different social backgrounds, Lisa (Vilma Santos) and Benny (Jay Ilagan) have found their match in each other. Unfortunately, Benny dies before they could marry, and Lisa is left with no choice but to seek the help of Benny's parents. But their arrogance is as lofty as their fortune, and to them, Lisa is nothing but an opportunist. Their only concern is their late son's unborn child that Lisa is carrying in her womb. The only person who treats Liza with kindness is Eric (Christopher de Leon), Benny's brother, who has secretly fallen in love with her... – Kabayan

Pregnant Lissa's (Vilma Santos) misery starts when her wealthy boyfriend Benny (Jay Ilagan) dies in a motorcycle accident. Impoverished, Lissa seeks security for her child with Benny's malevolent mother Doña Francia (Armida Siguion-Reyna). Her one request is to stay at their house until she gives birth, then leave the infant to their care. Doña Francia abuses Lissa who works for her like a maid, leading to the death of Lissa's mother. Benny's brother Eric (Christopher De Leon) falls in love with Lissa and marries her to the indignation of Doña Francia who denies Lissa of her son. Lissa marries Eric not for love but to be with her son and eventually gets pregnant but has a miscarriage. Disheartened, Eric turns to her ex-girlfriend Maya (Amy Austria) with whom Eric goes on a world tour. Meanwhile, Doña Francia surreptitiously brings Lissa's son to the U.S. - TFC Now (READ MORE)

Film Achievements: FAMAS: Best Director nomination - Eddie Garcia; FAP Best Cinematography - Romeo Vitug

Film Reviews: Paano Ba Ang Mangarap? rates high for its slickness and production gloss, something that its producers, Viva Films, shouldn’t hope would last them more than two seasons. Eddie Garcia is a good director. He stages his scenes well, with a minimum of fuss and a modicum of winning faith in narrative primacy. Viva’s movies are well-structured, well-paced, and at their best show how the cosmopolitan Filipino behaves under romantic stress. But if you get past that level and dig into substance, you encounter that self-same compost pit wherein all the biodegradable scraps of melodrama you can find southeast of your favorite mother’s kitchen have been thrown. Such is the case, to a most lamentable extreme, with Paano Ba ang Mangarap? It’s well-acted, well-done, tastefully correct in elementary mode. But it is strictly local comics fare, this well-wrought turn of circumstantial twist and escalating conflicts which all spell high drama. Viva makes films that are at best our answer to Hollywoodian slick, the stuff of which The Other Side of Midnight and Imitation of Life are prime generational examples. The Barbra Cartlands and Harold Robbinses turned celluloid; Mills and Boon on the big screen.

Here you have two fine actors, Christopher de Leon and Vilma Santos, waxing once again with their special chemistry. Boyet is so good he can, by merely varying his inflection, go through a simple line like “Tama na..” three times and prove positively sensitive and believable each time. Subtlety of feeling is shared equally well by Vilma Santos. They are both aware of the value of underplaying their emotional scenes, so much so that in any confrontation with other thespians who play their role to the hilt, these two, Boyet and Vilma, come out on top through the simple process of undercutting. Vic Silayan and Perla Bautista are equally good in Paano Ba ang Mangarap?, but it is Moody Diaz who wins us over by applying a different tack in her “mayordoma” role, something that is usually played for laughs and other such effects by less gifted, or less imaginative, performers. Armida Siguion-Reyna is hampered by her termagant mother-in-law role, the catch-all character of cruelty spawned by all the soap opera dramas of Philippine comics and radio serials. And she plays this thoroughly unbelievable character, typecast as she already is, much to the hilt. That fantasy scene where she makes out like a satanic figure, though well-shot by Romy Vitug, is quite embarrassing for a picture like this, except of course we know that it is based on a comics serial where such fictive excesses may appear.

Here is where this otherwise finely-crafted film suffers. Viva knew it had to be faithful to the comics serial, so in effect opted for the surefire commercial draw at the expense of a truly artistic, credible film. I’m not saying that a character like Mrs. Monteverde does not, or cannot, exist. Perhaps one in a million. Filipino mothers can be as overbearing, prejudiced, unfeeling, and downright cruel. But to have a situation where an improbable character like her meets up with other improbable characters like the one Vilma and Christopher play, is stacking up the cards too much on the side of atrocious melodrama. Vilma is the martyr type who would subject herself to indignities just so her coming child can have a name and possibly better upbringing. Boyet is the unloved son who would ditch his sophisticated girlfriend (Amy Austria, who is still uncomfortable in such role, so she doesn’t fare too well here) for this martyr-type who’s been impregnated by his brother. Now, any of these characters may exist, if by a long chance. But to have them all together living under the same roof is stretching the bounds of possibility much too much. Furthermore, it could have been a better ending had the Viva bosses decided to stop at that scene where Vilma finds herself left alone on Christmas in the rich surroundings she has always dreamt of. Now only the household help can give her token solace by way of a collective gift. It is a poignant scene, stylistically done to proper effect with the usual Viva-film theme wafting through in support of silent montage. It could have been a good open ending, with overtones of irony laying themselves squarely on Vilma’s character. But no, of course one can’t disappoint the followers of the original comics serial. So the story goes on through further typical maneuverings until we’re given at least a semblance of a happy ending. A missed chance, I say. Written by Alfred A. Yuson, "A missed chance," Philippines Daily Inquirer, 17 July 1983

A true blooded Vilmanian will not forget the time when a teaser (a very brief movie trailer – around 20 seconds) was shown to the theatres in the summer of 1983. It was Viva films’ “Paano Ba Ang Mangarap?” Another box office hit from Vilma Santos and Christopher DeLeon. The teaser (almost worth the whole movie ticket) was the scene where Lisa, played by Vilma discovered that her son (to Eric’s brother, Jay Ilagan) was gone courtesy of her evil rich mother-in-law (Armida Sigueon Reyna). Here’s the lines and the explosive acting of the Queen. The scene: After running around looking for the baby in all the rooms in second floor of of this huge mansion, Lisa confronted Eric who were stunned to find Lisa’s hysterics.
   Lisa: "Dinaya n’yo ako! Saan n’yo dinala ang anak ko?!"
   Eric: "Hindi ko alam!"
   Lisa: "Hindi mo alam...Sinungaling!"
   Eric: "Lisa, makinig ka muna!"
   Lisa: "Kasabwat ka ng ina mo! Alam ko matagal n’yo nang plano ito!"
   Eric: "Ano bang pinagsasabi mo?"
   Lisa: "Dinaya n’yo ako! Mga Traydor Kayo! Traydor kayong lahat!"
   Eric: "Lisa, huminahon ka baka mapaano ang bata!"
   Lisa: "Wala akong pakialam! Ibalik mo sa akin si Jun Jun! Ibalik mo sa akin ang anak ko! Ibalik mo sa akin si Jun Jun! Ibalik mo sa akin…. AHHHH (mahuhulog sa hagdanan)"
Just this scene alone, Vilma should be rewarded that year’s best actress award! Bravo! – RV

"...The movie showed Garcia's strengths as a director—able to motivate his actors, frame sequences and scenes, and efficiently tell a story.  Those qualities would be very evident in the 1980's when Eddie Garcia directed the biggest blockbusters of Viva Films...But his best movies were domestic dramas that gripped audiences for their complex take on relationships and their tendencies toward tortured, twisted operations. Hallmarks of this genre were "Sinasamba Kita" in 1982 (Vilma Santos cruelly treating her half-sister), "Paano Ba ang Mangarap?" in 1983 (cruel mom-in-law seizing her grandkid from his mom, played by Santos), and "Magdusa Ka" in 1986 (an illegitimate daughter claims her birthright but finds life in her rich dad's mansion a cruel torture).  His last most significant movie as a director was obviously "Abakada Ina" (2001). In telling the story of an illiterate mother struggling for her children's attention against her mother-in-law who's a schoolteacher, Garcia seemed to go back to the standard traits of his best domestic dramas, with their take on the meanness and cruelty that seem to underlie filial relationships..." - Lito B. Zulueta (READ MORE)

"...Despite their different social backgrounds Lisa (Vilma Santos) and Benny (Jay Ilagan) have found their match in each other. Unfortunately Benny dies before they could marry and Liza is left with no choice but to seek the help of Benny's parents. But hteir arrogance is as lofty as their fortune and to them Liza is nothing but an opportunist. Their only concern is their late son's unborn child that Liza is carrying in her womb. The only person who treats Liza with kindness is Eric (Christopher de Leon) Benny's brother who has secretly fallen in love with her..." - Mav Shack (READ MORE)

"Dahil Father’s Day ngayon, nais nating bigyan ng magandang tribute ang nakilala nang ama ng maraming­ artista ng iba’t ibang henerasyon na si Eddie Garcia. Hindi lang mahusay na bida at kontrabida si Eddie kundi mahusay rin siya bilang isang film director. Taong 1961 nang idirek ni Eddie ang kanyang unang pelikula titled “Karugtong Ng Kahapon” kunsaan bida sina Mario Montenegro, Rita Gomez, Ric Rodrigo at Marlene Dauden. Higit na 36 movies pa ang dinirek ni Eddie na iba-iba ang tema...Paano Ba Ang Mangarap? (1983), Tungkol ito kay Lisa (Vilma Santos) na nabuntis ni Benny (Jay llagan) pero noong mamatay ito sa isang aksidente, ang kapatid nitong si Eric (Christopher de Leon) ang nagpakasal kay Lisa para mabigyan ng pangalan ang bata. Ginawa niya ito kahit na may girlfriend siya na si Maya (Amy Austria). Hindi pabor sa simula pa lang ang ina nila Benny at Eric na si Senyora Francia (Armida Siguion-Reyna) at gumawa ito ng paraan para mailayo kay Lisa ang anak nitong si Jun-Jun. Nanalo ito ng limang FAMAS Awards: Best Picture, Best Story, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography at Best Theme Song..." - Ruel Mendoza, Abante, 15 June 2019 (READ MORE)