Basic Information: Direction: Raul T. Silos; Story: Bert R. Mendoza; Cast: Dennis Garcia, Connie Angeles, Greg Lozano, Ella del Rosario, Jess Garcia, Edward Campos; Special appearances: FPJ, Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada, Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Boots Anson-Roa; Original Music: Hotdog; Cinematography: Fortunato Bernardo; Release Date: 30 May 1975 (Philippines); Production Co: Crown Seven Film Productions
Plot Description: No Available Data
Film Achievement: No Available Data
Film Review: "...Formed by brothers Dennis and Rene Garcia in 1974, Hotdog crashed the music and concert circuit at a time when fans’ musical taste and preference were heavily influenced by imported acts playing trite disco and funk tunes, as Pinoy groups — though highly-talented were relegated to doing covers and cheap imitations of foreign hits to remain relevant. Hotdog became an instant sensation when it launched its distinctive sound that came to be known as Manila Sound, an original Pilipino music distinguished for exuberant songs that featured catchy, captivating lyrics in Tagalog and Taglish that directly appealed to the ordinary Filipino listeners’ everyday moods and sentiments. Through Manila Sound, Hotdog succeeded in revolutionizing the formal and stilted music scene that led to the establishment of a new and lasting identity for mainstream Filipino music and blazed the trail for OPM to take root and flourish from the late ‘80s onward. Its rise to musical stardom has been phenomenal. Its songs, all written by Dennis and Rene Garcia — became smash hits, topping the local charts from the mid-’70s to the mid-’80s and remaining at the forefront of the most recognized and acclaimed tunes in popular Filipino music. Hotdog has released more than three dozen hit singles that eventually attained gold and platinum status. One of its big hits, Bongga Ka, Day (1974), reaped greater success when it spawned a motion picture of the same title featuring the band, together with a stellar cast composed of Fernando Poe Jr., Joseph Estrada, Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos and Boots Anson-Roa in cameo roles. Another hit that was turned into a successful movie starring Nora Aunor was Annie Batungbakal, which was about the story of a disco-loving saleslady. Another popular song, Manila, a tribute to the capital city, has become an anthem of millions of Filipinos working overseas who continue to long for their native land..." - Peter Osias, The Philippine Star Nov 21 2011 (READ MORE)
"...Last Thursday, we joined 70s fans at “Hotdog: The Reunion” at PICC tent which suffered from the awful sound system where half of what Rene Garcia was saying couldn’t be understood. Most of the group was new, although Maso Diez was there, but the crowd expected Ella del Rosario to sing her big hit “O Lumapit Ka” even if a new girl did quite well. Top favorites at the show were still “Manila,” plus “Bongga ka Day” and “Annie Batungbakal,” which movies of the same title had been produced by Guy’s NV Productions, directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes, starring Guy and favorite leading man of the season Lloyd Samartino (now in TV5’s “PS I Love you ” teleserye). Even earlier, in 1974, the first Hotdog album “Unang Kagat” resulted in a movie with the band in 1975 with cameos of FPJ, Erap, Guy, Ate Vi, and Boots Anson Roa. The 4th reunion concert showed the band headed by the unassuming genius of Dennis Garcia as still the leader of the Manila Sound genre that fused Tagalog with Taglish. In the show they paid tribute to contemporaries VST & Company, Boyfriends, and Hagibis. The disco group VST with Vic Sotto, Val Sotto, Joey de Leon, Homer Flores, and Spanky Rigor had made famous the songs “Awitin Mo isasayaw Ko” and “Disco Fever” while the audience rose to their feet when Hotdog interpreted VST’s “Rock Baby Rock.” The Boyfriends’ pop and disco hit “Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal” covered by both Lea Salonga and Dingdong Avanzado in their albums was Hotdog’s next tribute. Then, of course, came the Hagibis with their campy imitations of the Village People in “Katawan,” which to this day is a favorite in dance parties..." - Bibsy Carballo, Journal, Dec 04 2011 (READ MORE)