Sa Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan?, Minsan pang pinatunayan ni Danny Zialcita ang kanyang pambihirang abilidad sa pagbibigay ng bagong treatment sa lumang tema ng pag-ibig, na kadalasa'y umiikot sa pormula ng trianggulo. (Hindi nga ba't maging sa kanyang mga naunang obra tulad ng Hindi sa Iyo Ang Mundo, Baby Porcuna at Ikaw at ang Gabi, ay naitatak ni Zialcita ang kanyang makabagong sensibilidad sa pagtalakay sa mga kuwento ng pag-ibig?) Mula sa istorya ni Tom Adrales (na nagsilbing katulong ni Zialcita sa iskrip at sa direksiyon), ang Gaano Kadalas ay tungkol sa magkaibigang Lily (Vilma Santos) at Elsa (Hilda Koronel), na bagama't kapwa nakaririwasa sa buhay ay magkaiba naman ng suwerte. Matapos magpatingin si Hilda sa doktor, nalaman niyang wala na siyang pag-asang magkaanak pa. Si Vilma nama'y may kaisa-isang anak nga sa pagkadalaga pero wala naman itong ama at mas grabe pa, may taning na ang buhay ng bata (may congenital heart desease ito). Minsan, nagkahingahan ng problema ang magkaibigan, at sa kanilang pag-uusapa, inalok ni Hilda si Vilma na gawing ama ng kanyang anak ang asawa nitong si Louie (Dindo Fernando). Bagama't ipinalabas niyang mahal din niya ang bata at gusto niya itong mapaligaya kahit pansamantala lang, ang kanyang tunay na pakay ay mapaglapit ang kaibigan at ang asawa nang sa gayo'y magakaroon siya ng maaampong anak mula sa relasyon ng dalawang taong kapwa niya mahal.
Nagtagumpay ang tatlo sa kanilang pagpapanggap, at gay ng inaasahan, nagka-ibigan nga ang dalawa. Pagkatapos mamatay ang anak, nagbuntis si Vilma. Dahil delikadong manganak siyang muli (diumano'y may sakit siya sa puso), nagtangkang ipalaglag ni Vilma ang nasa kanyang sinapupunan. Napigilan siya ng kaibigang si Chanda Romero at ni Dindo mismo. Perso sa wakas, nang siyang magsilang, nawalan si Elsa ng asawa, kaibigan at anak. Mahusay ang pagkakadevelop sa kuwento ng Gaano Kadalas at epektibo ang direksiyon ni Zialcita. Nagawa nitong masangkot ang manonood sa problema ng mga tauhan. Absorbing ang naging tunggalian ng mga puso't damdamin. Naipakitang may sapat na motibasyon ang kanyang mga tauhan para pumasok sa ganoong arrangement. Gayunman, may ilang katanungang hindi nasagot sa pelikula. Una, paano nakakasiguro si Hilda na ipagkakaloob sa kanya ni Vilma ang anak nito kay Louie sakali ma't hindi namatay ang bata? Ikalawa, bakit masyadong naging hayagan ang relasyon nina Vilma't Dindo lalo pa kung isasaalang-alang ang kanilang tayo sa sosyedad? Ikatlo, kung totoong mapera si Vilma, bakit nahirapan siyang kumontak ng abortionist at dahil nga dito'y isinugal pa ang buhay? Kung tutuusin, lalo pang naging prominente ang mga kakulangang ito dahil lubusang nag-rely ang pelikula sa samu't saring medical convolutions ng plot: kesyo may anak nga si Vilma pero blue baby naman at kesyo hindi rin siya puwedeng manganak ulit dahil sa sakit niya sa puso (at ang mga ito ay nakapagtatakang hindi pa nalalaman ni Dindo).
Ang madalas magpaangat sa pelikula ay ang acting cast. Dahil mas malaman ang kanyang papel at tila naperfect na ni Vilma Santos and agony ng other woman mas nangibabaw ang kanyang performance kay Hilda Koronel. Kahit na mas marami ang nagsasabing si Hilda ang mas angat dito. Pasulpot-sulpot ang papel ni Hilda at may kahinaan ang motibasyon (isipin mong siya pa ang nagtulak sa sariling asawa sa ibang babae!). Medyo nakaka-distract ang kanilang mga kasuotan (mga gawa ni Christian Espiritu), gaya rin ng ayos ng mga bahay at kasangkapang tila nakikipagkumpetensiya sa tauhan. Epektibo rin ang pagganap ni Dindo Fernando bilang Louie na nakati ang puso para sa dalawang babae. Magagaling din ang supporting cast, lalo na si Suzzanne Gonzales, ang yayang sosyal at ang batang si Alvin Joseph Enriquez. Kahit maikli ang kanilang papel, mahusay rin ang rehistro nina Tommy Abuel, ang doktor na nanliligaw kay Vilma, at si Chanda Romero, bilang matalik na kabibigan ni Vilma. - Justino Dormiendo, Manunuri Ng Pelikulang Pilipino, Jingle Extra Hot Magazine 1982, reposted by Pelikula Atbp (READ MORE)
Danny's Film Style - "...Sabi ni Danny, marami siyang naririnig na takot ang mga artista sa kanya dahil sa kakaiba raw niyang working habits. "Iba akong magpatakbo ng set. For those stars I haven't handled yet, working with me will be like breaking old habits. It doesn't necessarily mean na ours is the better habit. Iba lang." Karaniwan, maraming hindi nakagamay sa style ni Danny na walang script. Kay Danny, the script should be just a guide for the sequence ng scenes. Sasabihin lang ni Danny ang situwasyon sa artista, bahala na ang artista sa interpretation at sa dialogue "I allow them to contribute to the interpretation of the story base on their everyday experience. Paglabas natural ang arte nila. Mahirap kung sunod lang nang sunod sa sinasabi ng isang papel," paliwanag ni Danny. "Ang importante lang," dagdag ni Danny, "ay alam ng direktor kung saan pupunta ang istorya." Isa pang style ni Danny na hindi nakukuha ng maraming artista ay ang mabilis na pacing ng kanyang mga pelikula. "Pag sa akin, no long pauses in between dialogue. Brief and concise ang takbo ng ma linya." Naniniwala si Danny na ang editing ang isa sa mga dahilan ng ikinagaganda ng kanyang mga pelikula. "I'm more of an editor than a director; more of a scriptwriter than a director," sabi niya. Ang editing ay isang aspeto ng paggawa ng pelikula na talagang pinagaralan ni Danny. Ipinagmamalaki ni Danny na hindi siya aksayado sa film. "I already edit my film while still on the shooting. Nandoon ang concentration ko as director. I hardly expose film." As a director, naniniwala si Danny na dapat, may malaki siyang papel sa pagpili ng final title ng pelikula. Binibigyan din niya ng importansiya ang music sa pelikual. "I love music, I give room for it in my films..." - Vivienne Rafael, Movie Flash Magazine, December 23, 1982 (READ MORE)
Man starts and God finishes - "...Perhaps, it was because we were his most recent contact from media if one could call five years recent. At that time, he agreed to an interview, asked that we see him at his home and spoke of a project for Gabby Concepcion, which we filed for The Philippine Star. At that time, we wrote: “Gabby’s father Rolly was on the phone talking with Danny and he hands us the phone. Apparently, Rolly has a story for Gabby he wants Danny to direct. Zialcita’s mind was not only as sharp as it was in the past; his excitement at reappearing once again on the scene was infectious. He told us of how God had been guiding his every move in the past. Man starts and God finishes, he stated. He felt this during the peak of his career when he was churning out movie after movie… Nine hits in a row? That couldn’t have been possible without Divine intervention,” he interjects. Upon his death Sunday, we were told his body was cremated and no wake was scheduled. It seemed to us that Danny had directed his final movie. And we remember “Man starts and God finishes..." - Bibsy M. Carballo, The Philippine Star, March 15, 2013 (READ MORE)
Beautiful Women and Cool Wife - "...Zialcita is a son of a banker whose wife took care of the kids and the home. If he had a knack for narrative, it must have come from his paternal grandmother who wrote short stories for Liwayway Magazine. Danny studied at the Ateneo de Manila up to high school before he was sent by his dad to the Sophia University in Japan to take up business management—and to cut the budding romance between his son and the actress Charito Solis. While he was indeed enrolled in a business course in the beginning, he was soon moonlighting in the film editing classes, and ended up just focusing on the latter. He wasn’t able to finish his studies and at 19, got married to Leonor Vergara, a favorite leading lady and then girlfriend of Fernando Poe Jr. Despite Danny’s reputation for being a playboy, the two have been married for 47 years now, and have three grown children. “Ask the girls,” says Mark Gil, with a knowing laugh when I ask him to comment on the director’s ladies’ man image. And Zialcita always had the most beautiful women on the set: Lyka Ugarte, Dang Cecilio, Pinky de Leon, Rio Locsin, Hilda Koronel, and Gloria, of course. “My favorite is still upstairs,” he tells me when asked who among the actresses was his favorite. “I believe in duty, responsibility and continuity…I have a way of hiding what is important.” And then he adds, “Mapagbigay ako.” “He loved women,” says Gloria. “He is very cariñoso, very touchy, laging nakasampay sa’yo. Even with the men.” But Danny never made a move on her. “How can he? We were always shooting in his house; his wife was upstairs.” The Zialcita movie atmosphere, they say, is always relaxed. Mostly because he is the producer of most of his films he can take his time, and he was usually shooting at home, in the old Zialcita mansion on Lee Street in Mandaluyong. “Basta may painting at may salamin, it was shot in Danny’s house,” Mark Gil says. “Kaya ‘yung mga walls namin puro butas,” says daughter Beth. He would just change the paintings and the look of the house for every film. They would also shoot in the house across owned by a relative. “Even while he was doing his bomba movies, he would do it here,” adds Beth. “I would come home from school and see people in the house na walang damit.” While he did collect many paintings, ivories and sculptures not only for his films but also as a personal hobby, Danny also collected still photographs of scantily clad women whose blown-up incarnations Beth would see posted in his private den. His wife Leonor, says Beth, never seemed to mind. “She is a very cool wife..." - Jerome Gomez for Metro Him, ABS-CBN News, 03/12/2013 (READ MORE)
Danny's Vi and Guy - "...Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos told the Inquirer: “I learned a lot from him. He popularized crispy, witty dialogue that sounded very natural. He was intelligent and clannish. He liked working with the same set of actors. I felt privileged to be among his regulars.” Santos starred in Zialcita’s biggest 1980s hits: “Langis at Tubig,” “Karma,” “Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan” and “T-Bird at Ako.” The last one also top-billed Nora Aunor. Told about the news, Aunor said that, apart from “T-Bird at Ako,” she guested in a Zialcita movie that launched singer Kuh Ledesma in 1982, “Tinimbang ang Langit.” “We also have an unfinished movie ‘Sa Dulo ng Panahon’ (produced by Regal Films in 1988),” said Aunor. “Mahusay siyang direktor. Mabilis mag-isip at magaganda ang mga dialogue namin lagi. He was a great director, quick-witted. He always gave us beautiful lines to deliver..." - Bayani San Diego Jr., Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 14, 2013 (READ MORE)
Dear Sharon - "...None at all. My first single, Tawag ng Pagibig (by Rey Valera), didnít click. It was my second, Mr. Deejay (also by Valera), released six months later, which did. When I was 14, I rode on the float of the movie Langis at Tubig during the parade at the Cebu Film Festival. I sang the theme song of that movie (directed by Danny Zialcita). Ate Vi (Vilma Santos), one of the stars, was pregnant with Lucky so I kind of pinchhit for her. Direk Danny was very impressed by the public reaction. After the parade, he talked to my Mom about the movie Dear Heart. Hindi daw niya itutuloy if he couldnít get me to star in it...Direk Danny wanted my character in the movie to be close to my real self para daw hindi ako mahirapan. So in the movie, I had bodyguards and my father was strict and crazy over me; I even had a yaya who called me Miss Universe. Very real life, di ba? I had crushes and puppy loves even before I met Gabby. Before I joined showbiz, ang crush ko noon ay si Dondon Nakar. But before Dondon, there was Bruce Lee, and now Jet Li. I did have a crush on Albert (Martinez) but not on Gabby. I thought Gabby was mayabang; so among the Regal Babies, mas gusto ko sina Alfie Anido at Jimi Melendez (both dead). In fact, when they asked me who I wanted as my leading man in Dear Heart, I said, "Anybody but Gabby Concepcion.í I found out na mabait naman pala siya when we started shooting..." - Ricky Lo, The Philippine Star, August 11, 2002 (READ MORE)
Comatose - "...Atenean, Danny Zialcita, passed away Monday, March 11 after more than a year of being comatose. He was 73. Director, producer and writer, Zialcita was legendary. He was revered for his glossy movies that often showed middle-class characters delivering witty quips and kilometric dialogues that he often wrote and re-wrote on the set itself. “Lady Killer” was made in 1965 and he went on to make 52 movies, most of which he himself wrote. Among his most famous are “Bakit Manipis ang Ulap,” “Nang Masugatan ang Gabi (1984), “Nagalit ang Buwan sa Haba ng Gabi” (1983), “Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan?” (1982), “Langis at Tubig” “Hindi sa Iyo ang Mundo, Baby Porcuna,” “Ikaw at ang Gabi” (1979). He was credited for plucking the teen recording artist Sharon Cuneta and making her into a star via the teen romance “Dear Heart” (1981), which paired her with Gabby Concepcion. Zialcita and Cuneta would later reunite in 1983 for “To Love Again.” He was also the director of “T-Bird at Ako,” which has the two most awarded Filipina actresses Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos. He was married to former actress of Premiere Productions Leonor Vergara with whom he had a daughter..." - Malaya, March 17 2013 (READ MORE)
Danny Zialcita and Vilma Santos
Langis at Tubig (1980) - Zialcita's first collaboration with Vi. She played the other wife of Dindo Fernando who was had a shotgun wedding to a provincial naivette, played by Amy Austria who he impregnated.
Karma (1981) - After the hit, Langis at Tubig, zialcita did Karma with Vi. The film was one of the top grosser in the December festival. It also earned Vi another best actress. Manny A. Valera, writer for Jingle Extra Hot Magazine wrote in December 28, 1981, Vi was so proud of this Zialcita's directed film she explained: “…Masaya ako ngayon. Sa darating na Filmfest kasi, maganda ang panlaban kong pelikula. Kung nagustuhan ng mga manonood ang Langit at Tubig last year, mas magugustuhan nila ang Karma. Hindi kiyeme-kiyeme ang sinasabi ko. Nakita ko na kasi ang mga rushes, “I consider Danny as one of the best among our movie directors. Pulido siyang magtrabaho. Pari iyong mga bold scenes namin, talagang artistically done. All praises ako sa kanya. Nakasama ko na rin siya before and because of that, may inter-action kaming dalawa. Vibes na vibes kami. Sure ako, hindi ako mapapahiya sa filmfest entry ko. “Karma will be my Christmas gift to all my fans who, until now, have not stopped loving me. Ang pagtingin ko sa kanila ay extra special kaya naman, extra-special ang regalo ko…”
T-Bird at Ako (1982) - Aside from several guest appearances in all star cast films like Dugo at Pag-ibig sa Kapirason Lupa, Happy Days Are Here Again and other forgetable films, this is the fourth films that Vi and Guy did together. Zialcita masterfully directed the two and despite the unequal weight in terms of roles, Vi gamely faced Nora in several memorable confrontation scenes that include witty/crisp dialouges, slapping and a kissing scene (well, almost lips to lips, a kiss in a cheek). Art immitating life? We all know that Guy had a rumour gay wedding in the U.S. that she herself briefly discussed in an article years back. And she also candidly admitted several times, she's also a Vilmanian. Zialcita was way ahead of his time, creating one of few Filipino films about a career minded and succesful lawyer who happens to be a lesbian. Seldom we see such characters in Filipino local films and he has done this several times in films like Mahinhin vs Mahinhn. Despite the dissappointing ending where lesbian Nora agreed to be with her patient suitor, played by Tommy Abuel, instead of Vi, the film has answeared what both Vi and Guy's fans has been expecting since Bernal's Ikaw Ay Akin, the typical battle confrontations. It may come probably too late as the film was not as successfull commercially.
Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan? (1982) - Zialcita and Vi's last film together. Hilda was originally cast in Langis at Tubig in 1980 but he took out Hilda and cast Amy Austria instead. He then make-up for this decision by giving Hilda one of the lead in this drama that reminds local film buff of the Lolita-Eddie-Marlene troika in 60s. In an interview by Jerome Gomez, for Metro in 2008, "...From 1979 to 1986, Zialcita was on a roll, doing one film after another, pulling off nine hits in a row beginning with Gaano Kadalas in 1981 up to his sex comedies that include May Lamok Sa Loob ng Kulambo. He could demand anything from a producer and his wish would be granted. When Viva Films asked him to do Gaano Kadalas, he told Vic and Mina del Rosario that he will only do it if they get George Canseco to write the theme song (most of his popular films had songs by Canseco), and that Hilda Koronel would be one of the leads. Viva granted him both, even if it had to pay more for Hilda than for Vilma. “May utang ako kay Hilda eh, I took her out of Langis at Tubig..." Gaano Kadalas broke box office records set by another Vilma starrer, Sinasamba Kita released few months eartlier, it grossed 7.3 Million in its few days run in Metro Manila in 1982, equivalent to 17.4 millions to today's money.
Danny Zialcita (November 24, 1939 - March 10, 2013) is a fun-loving gifted and colorful filmmaker who left his mark as one of the best in the stimulating era of the ’60s and ’70s. Then without any warning he left the industry. Stories of drug addiction, withdrawal from the world, and worse, loss of sanity dogged his absence until even his colleagues lost touch with him and didn’t know what to believe. Zialcita is a master of improvisation on the set, he also had the knack for casting the right actors, choosing the right material, and pleasing his producers. One of his favorite actors was Dindo Fernando whom he termed “the complete actor” and cast him in such movies as Langis at Tubig, Karma, Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan, Mahinhin at Mahinhin, its sequel Malakas, si Maganda at si Mahinhin and Ikaw at ang Gabi which gave Dindo his first Urian Best Actor trophy. Other favorites were Vilma Santos cast in Karma, T-Bird at Ako, Langis at Tubig; Pinky de Leon; Laurice Guillen; Ronaldo Valdes; and Beth Bautista who won Best Actress award in Hindi sa Iyo ang Mundo Baby Porcuna. - Bibsy M. Carballo (READ MORE)
“If he goes, you go, if he dies…dalawa na kayong nawala sa buhay ko." - Lily
"You're supposed to be the father of the sick boy, not the willing husband of the boy's mother! That was the arrangement Louie!" - Elsa
Basic Information: Direction: Danny Zialcita; Adapted Screenplay: Danny Zialcita, Tom Adrales; Original screenplay: Tom Adrales; Cast: Vilma Santos, Hilda Koronel, Dindo Fernando, Chanda Romero, Tommy Abuel, Mark Joseph Enriquez, Suzanne Gonsales; Original Music: George Canseco; Cinematography: Sergio Lobo; Editing: Ike Jarlego Jr.; Sound: Vic Macamay; Theme Song: "Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan" sung by Pilita Corales, Basil Valdez; Producer: Vic del Rosario Jr.; Released date: 25 November 1982
Plot Description: They are two women in love with one man. One is the wife, the other is the mistress. And between them, the man whose love and time they share. But even the most discreet of affairs can be laid open, and the most submissive of wives can lose her patience. Vilma Santos, Hilda Koronel and Dindo Fernando lend their thespic talents to this moving tale of love, betrayal and retribution.. – IMDB
Film Achievements: FAMAS: Best Editing - Ike Jarlego, Jr., Best Musical Score - George Canseco, Best Screenplay - Tom Adrales and Danny Zialcita, Best Story - Tom Adrales, Best Sound - Vic Macamay, Best Theme Song - George Canceso, Best Sound - Vic Macamay,Best Actor nomination - Dindo Fernando, Best Child Actor nomination - Mark Joseph Enriquez, Best Director nomination - Danny Zialcita, Best Picture - Viva Films, Best Supporting Actor nomination - Tommy Abuel
"Gaano kadalas ang Minsan" Grossed 7.3 Million in its few days run in Metro Manila in 1982 outgrossing "Sinasamba Kita" for Philippine movies' all-time box office tally. With inflation and currency rate in consideration that will be around 95 million. But that?s not the only exciting thing about these film. It was the only film that Vilma Santos and Hilda Koronel did while atleast when Hilda was still at her peak. Ofcourse, Ate Vi?s career remained as hot as ever while Koronel now accepts supporting roles. It was obvious that year that Hilda was also more glamourous than Vilma but looking at the two right now, Vilma maintained that slim, youthful look while Hilda struggled and visibly gained so much weight she can be mistaken as Ate Vi's aunt or mother! After Gaano Kadalas, Hilda did a few more leading roles under Viva Films even co-starred with Nora Aunor but didn?t get the same results as Gaano. But like what William Leary says, ?mahirap matalbugan si Vilma, Vilma is Vilma in any season and whatever movie!" - RV (READ MORE)
Film Reviews: Sa “Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan?,” minsan pang pinatunayan ni Danny Zialcita ang kanyang pambihirang abilidad sa pagbibigay ng bagong treatment sa lumang tema ng pag-ibig, na kadalasa’y umiikot sa pormula ng triangulo. (Hindi nga ba’t maging sa kanyang mga naunang obra, tulad ng “Hindi sa Iyo ang Mundo, Baby Porcuna” at “Ikaw at ang Gabi”, ay naitatak ni Zialcita ang kanyang makabagong sensibilidad sa pagtalakay sa mga kuwento ng pag-ibig? Mula sa istorya ni Tom Adrales (nagsilbing katulong ni Zialcita sa iskrip at sa direksyon), ang “Gaano kadalas” ay tungkol sa magkaibigang Lily (Vilma Santos) at Elsa (Hilda Koronel), na bagama’t kapwa nakaririwasa sa buhay ay magkaiba naman ang swerte. Matapos magpatingin si Hida sa doktor, nalaman niyang wala na siyang pag-asang magka-anak pa.
Si Vilma nama’y may kaisa-isang anak nga sa pagkadalaga pero wala naman itong ama at, mas grabe pa, may taning na ang buhay ng bata (may congenital heart disease ito). Minsan, nagkahingahan ng problema ang magkaibigan, at sa kanilang pag-uusap, inalok ni Hilda si Vilma na gawing ama ng kanyang anak ang asawa nitong si Louie (Dindo Fernando). Bagamat ipinalabas niyang mahal din niya ang bata at gusto niya itong mapaligaya kahit pansamantala lang, ang kanyang tunay na pakay ay mapaglapit ang kaibigan at ang asawa nang sa gayo’y magkaroon siya ng maaampong anak na mula sa relasyon ng dalawang taong kapwa niya mahal. Nagtagumpay ang tatlo sa kanilang pagpapanggap, at gaya ng inaasahan, nagkaibigan nga ang dalawa. Pagkatapos mamatay ang anak, nagbuntis si Vilma. Dahil delikadong manganak siyang muli (diumano’y may sakit siya sa puso), nagtangkang ipalaglag ni Vilma ang nasa kanyang sinapupunan. Napigilan siya ng kaibigang si Chanda Romero at ni Dindo mismo. Pero, sa wakas, nang siya’y magsilang, nawalan si Elsa ng asawa, kaibigan at anak.
Mahusay ang pagkakdevelop sa kuwento ng “Gaano kadalas” at epektibo ang direksyon ni Zialcita. Nagawa nitong masangkot ang manonood sa problema ng mga tauhan. Absorbing ang naging tunggalian ng mga puso’t damdamin. Naipakitang may sapat na motibasyon ang kanyang mga tauhan para pumasok sa ganoong arrangement. Gayunpaman, may ilang katanungang hindi nasagot sa pelikula. Una, paano nakasisiguro si Hilda na ipagkakaloob sa kanya ni Vilma ang anak nito kay Louie sakali ma’t hindi namatay ang bata? Ikalawa, bakit masyadong naging hayagan ang relasyon nina Vilma’t Dindo lalo pa kung isasaalang-alang ang kanilang tayo sa sosyedad? At ikatlo, kung totoong mapera si Vilma, bakit nahirapan siyang kumontak ng abortionist at dahil nga dito’y isinugal pa ang buhay? Kung tutuusin, lalo pang naging prominente ang mga kakulangang ito dahil lubusang nagrely ang pelikula sa samut-saring medical convolutions ng plot: kesyo hindi pwede manganak si Hilda, kesyo may anak nga si Vilma pero blue baby naman at kesyo hindi rin siya pwedeng manganak ulit dahil sa sakit niya sa puso (at ang mga ito ay nakapagtatakang hindi pa nalalaman ni Dindo). Ang madalas magpaangat sa pelikula ay ang acting ng cast. Dahil mas malaman ang kanyang papel at tila na perfect na ni Vilma Santos ang agony ng other woman, mas nangingibabaw ang kanyang performance kay Hilda Koronel. Kahit na mas marami ang nagsasabing si Hilda ang angat dito. Pasulpot-sulpot ang papel ni Hilda at may kahinaan ang motibasyon (isipin mong siya pa ang nagtulak sa sariling asawa sa ibang babae!). Medyo nakaka-distract ang kanilang mga kasuotan (mga gawa ni Christian Espiritu), gaya rin ng ayos ng mga bahay at kasangkapang tila nakikipagkumpetensiya sa tauhan. Epektibo rin ang pagganap ni Dindo Fernando bilang Louie na nahati ang puso para sa dalawang babae. Magaling din ang supporting cast, lalo na si Suzanne Gonzales, ang yayang sosyal, at ang batang si Alvin Joseph Enriquez. Kahit maikli ang kanilang papel, mahusay rin ang rehistro nina Tommy Abuel, ang doktor na nanliligaw kay Vilma, at si Chanda Romero, bilang matalik na kaibigan ni Vilma. - Justino Dormiendo, "Bagong Porma Lumang Pelikula," Posted from E Nadurata’s Vilma Santos web-site
Ang pelikulang umiikot sa tatsulok ng pag-ibig ay isa na sa perennial favourites ng masang Pilipino. Maging ang kapanuhunan pa nina Rogelio dela Rosa at Carmen Rosales ay palasak na ito sa mga pelikulang tulad ng “Maalaala Mo Kaya”, “Tangi Kong Pag-ibig” at “Lydia”. Ang kadalasang katriangulo nila noon ay si Patria Plata o kaya’y si Paraluman. Nag boom ang love triangle movies noong 60’s matapos nag hit sa takilya at manalo ng katakut-takot na Famas awards ang “Sapagkat Kami’y Tao Lamang” na siyang naglunsad kina Eddie Rodriguez, Lolita Rodriguez at Marlene Dauden sa di-mabilang na mga pelikulang pawang ganito ang tema. Halimbawa’y ang “Kasalanan Kaya”, “Babae, Ikaw ang Dahilan” at “Ikaw.” Ngayo’y muli na namang na-resurrect ang triangulo ng pag-ibig sa “Gaano Kadals ang Minsan?” sa katauhan nina Vilma Santos, Hilda Koronel at Dindo Fernando. At sa tingin namin, sa mga nag-portray na ng ganitong klase ng roles lately, sila na ang pinakamalapit sa orihinal at tipong talagang magmamana ng trono nina Lolita, Marlene at Eddie.
Ang istorya nga ng “Gaano kadalas” ay halos hawig din sa isang lumang pelikula nina Lolita, ang “Kapag Puso’y Sinugatan” na pinamahalaan ni Fely Crisostomo at nagwagi ng Famas best picture, best director at best actress awards (for Marlene) noong 1967. Mayroon din ditong batang may congenital heart defect na nasa sentro ng istorya. Hindi na rin bago sa direktor ng “Gaano Kadalas” na si Danny Zialcita ang love triangle. Ganito rin ang tema ng kanyang “Langis at Tubig” na nagpanalo kay Dindo ng dalawang best actor awards noong 1980. Pero dito sa “Gaano Kadalas” ay lalong tumingkad ang mahusay niyang pagha-handle, hindi lamang ng paksa kundi maging sa kanyang mga artista. Magkaibigang matalik sina Lily (Vilma) at Elsa (Hilda). Nalaman ni Elsa na may sakit sa puso ang anak sa pagkakasala ni Lily at may taning na ang buhay nito. Gustong makita ng bata ang kanyang di-nagisnang ama at upang matupad ang huling hiling na ito ay ipinahiram ni Elsa ang asawa niyang si Louie (Dindo) kay Lily. Siyempre pa, ayaw ni Lily noong una pero alang-alang sa anak ay pumayag na rin siya (Noong una’y inakala naming magiging napaka weak ng bahaging ito ng istorya).
Sino ba naman ang babaing buong pusong magpapahiram ng kanyang asawa sa ibang babae kahit na sabihin pa ngang best friend niya ito? Pero nalagyan nina Danny Zialcita at co-scriptwiter na si Tom Adrales ng justification ang pasiya ni Elsa. Talagang gusto niyang ibuyo si Louie kay Lily dahil natuklasan niyang siya’y baog at gusto niyang magka-anak ang kanyang asawa sa kanyang kaibigan. Without this ulterior motive on Lily’s part, magiging hindi kapani- paniwala ang buong pelikula. Tulad ng inaasahan ni Elsa, nagkaunawaan sina Louie at Lily habang nagsasama sa iisang bubong ang dalawa. Maganda ang pagkaka -develop ng pagkakalapit ng kanilang mga damdamin. Credible ang pagkakaroon nila ng affair dahil, to begin with, mukhang cold na asawa itong si Elsa (natitiis niyang magkalayo sila ni Louie nang matagal na panahon) at ito namang Lily ay may ekspiryensiya nang nabuntis ng lalaki kahit hindi sila kasal. Nang mamatay ang bata, nagbalik si Louie kay Elsa pero naging masalimuot ang lahat dahil nagdadalangtao na si Lily. Naging malungkot ang wakas para sa bawat tauhan, lalo na kay Elsa na siyang may pakana ng mga pangyayari. Sa tingin nga nami’y parang napakalupit ng ending para sa kanya.
Mahuhusay ang tatlong main stars. may kanya-kanya silang best scenes. Sina Dindo at Vilma sa unang komprontasyon nila matapos magbuntis ang huli nang mukhang hindi excited si Dindo sa pagdadalangtao nito. Si Hilda ay sa panunumbat niya kay Dindo matapos magbalik ito sa kanila, doon sa eksenang sinasabi niyang “That was the arrangement, Louie”. Pero sa lahat ng mga artista ay si Chanda Romero ang nagustuhan namin sa lahat. Kahit maikli’t halos supporting lamang ang role nito bilang kasosyo at confidante ni Vilma ay talagang markadongmarkado ang kanyang pagkakaganap. Napakaepektibo niyang magdeliver ng mga linya, lalo ng mga babala niya kay Vilma na tulad ng: “Huwag mo ng ituloy. Baka masaktan ka sa bandang huli. Babae ka, lalaki si Louie, siguradong gulo ‘yan.” Parang siya ang nag foreshadow sa mga sumunod na pangyayari sa buhay ni Lily. Nang magbuntis ito, siya rin ang nagbigay ng payo: “Pumatol ka rin. Pwede bang ikaw lang magdusa e kasama siya sa sarap?” Kaya’t siya ang nagsabi kay Louie na gustong magpa-abort ni Lily. Ang iba pang-guest supporting players ay magagaling din: si Ronaldo Valdez ay kwelang kwela sa dinner scene nilang apat nina Chanda, Vilma at Dindo; si Tommy Abuel ay napakagaling bilang doktor na may asawang nanliligaw kay Vilma; at si Gloria Romero bilang ina ni Hilda.
Ang credit na ito sa pagkuha ng mga mahuhusay at kilalang artista kahit na halos guest role lang ang lalabasan ay dapat na mapunta sa direktor na si Danny Zialcita, na hindi nagtitipid sa pagkuha ng kung sinu-sinong ekstra na siyang kadalasang nangyayari sa ibang pelikulang lokal. The lions’ share of credit should really go to Zialcita dahil nagawa niyang bigyan ng bagong bihis ang isang behikulong gamit na gamit na. As usual, naroon ang mga pakwelang dialogue na tatak niya. Halimbawa’y nang makita ni Hilda na nanonood si Vilma sa pagpapaalam niya kay Dindo: “Don’t look, Louie, but I think your wife is watching.” O nang sabihin ni Vilma kay Dindo: “Kung nagkataong ibang asawa mo, I’ll gladly be your willing mistress.” maganda rin ang sets, mga bahay at restaurant na ginamit sa pelikula. Mabilis ang pacing at mahusay ang editing, may eksenang out-of-focus si Felizardo Bailen pero as a whole ay mahusay ang trabaho niya. Nakatulong nang malaki sa ikagaganda ng pelikula ang madamdaming musical score at theme song na ginawa ni George Canseco. Sa lahat ng ginawang pelikula ng Viva Films, dito kami talaga nagenjoy. Ngayong nasa Viva na rin si Zialcita, dapat sigurong magpakitang gilas naman si Eddie Garcia na siyang dating solong direktor ng Viva. - Mario Bautista, "Tatsulok na Pag-ibig," Posted at Eric Nadurata’s Vilma Santos web-site
"...From 1979 to 1986, Zialcita was on a roll, doing one film after another, pulling off nine hits in a row beginning with Gaano Kadalas in 1981 up to his sex comedies that include May Lamok Sa Loob ng Kulambo. He could demand anything from a producer and his wish would be granted. When Viva Films asked him to do Gaano Kadalas, he told Vic and Mina del Rosario that he will only do it if they get George Canseco to write the theme song (most of his popular films had songs by Canseco), and that Hilda Koronel would be one of the leads. Viva granted him both—even if it had to pay more for Hilda than for Vilma. “May utang ako kay Hilda eh, I took her out of Langis at Tubig..." - Jerome Gomez (READ MORE)
Ang madalas magpaangat sa pelikula ay ang acting cast. Dahil mas malaman ang kanyang papel at tila naperfect na ni Vilma Santos and agony ng other woman mas nangibabaw ang kanyang performance kay Hilda Koronel. Kahit na mas marami ang nagsasabing si Hilda ang mas angat dito. Pasulpot-sulpot ang papel ni Hilda at may kahinaan ang motibasyon (isipin mong siya pa ang nagtulak sa sariling asawa sa ibang babae!). Medyo nakaka-distract ang kanilang mga kasuotan (mga gawa ni Christian Espiritu), gaya rin ng ayos ng mga bahay at kasangkapang tila nakikipagkumpetensiya sa tauhan. Epektibo rin ang pagganap ni Dindo Fernando bilang Louie na nakati ang puso para sa dalawang babae. Magagaling din ang supporting cast, lalo na si Suzzanne Gonzales, ang yayang sosyal at ang batang si Alvin Joseph Enriquez. Kahit maikli ang kanilang papel, mahusay rin ang rehistro nina Tommy Abuel, ang doktor na nanliligaw kay Vilma, at si Chanda Romero, bilang matalik na kabibigan ni Vilma. - Justino Dormiendo, Manunuri Ng Pelikulang Pilipino, Jingle Extra Hot Magazine 1982, reposted by Pelikula Atbp (READ MORE)