Appeared as an Extra - "...In his research, Celso discovered that before Korea, the then teenager Nida appeared as an extra in three movies: Manuel Conde’s Siete Infantes de Lara (shown on April 17, 1950), Sampaguita Pictures’ Umaga na Giliw (shown on June 18, 1950) and Balintawak Pictures’ Kundiman ng Luha (shown on July 13, 1950). Nida was screen-tested on Oct. 6, 1950 by LVN Pictures where she reigned as queen for more than a decade, doing mostly comedies opposite the late Nestor de Villa and later, when she turned freelancer, branching out to dramas which won for her more acting awards (one of the most unforgettable being Lino Brocka’s Miguelito in which Nida played the estranged mother of a baby-faced Aga Muhlach)..." - Ricardo F. Lo (READ MORE)
Goddess of the Moon - "...Akong pinakamagulo sa mga extra. During shooting breaks, ginagaya ko 'yung mga dialogue na hindi makuha ng ibang artista. In a week's time, Dona Sisang saw me in a still picture as one of Mila's friends. I was holding a birthday cake and she asked daw Mr. Generoso kung sino 'tong babaing ito. Pinatawag ako agad sa bahay niya. My mother and I went. Nagpagawa na pala ng kontrata. I'd get P500 for my first two pictures at pataas gradually in two years. Siyempre, pirma kami agad ng nanay ko. Aba, e noon lang ako kikita nang ganoon kalaking halaga, e. Dona Sisang said she would change my name to something easier to remember, tipong Mila del Sol. The next day, I was walking at the studio when Mr. Generoso called me, Nida na raw ang pangalan ko. "Yung "Blanca" came a day later, Masyado raw kasi akong mapuiti kaya Blanca. I was introduced as the goddess of the moon in "Venus" which starred Lilia Dizon..." - Mario Bautista, Philippines Daily Express December 29 1978 (READ MORE)
Dramatic Role - "...Pero may isang regret si Nida sa loob ng tatlumpu't isang taon niyang pamamalagi sa daigdig ng pelikula. "Frustration ko talaga na na-typecast ako strictly sa musical comedies," pagkukuwento nya sa amin sa presscon ng Always in My Heart, ang pinakabago niyang pelikula opposite Dolphy, "Kasi, nang mapareha na 'ko kay Nestor, puro ganon na lang ang ginawa namin. Later, I talked to some komiks novelists at kinumbinsi ko silang magsulat ng mga nobelang drama para sa akin. Mga tatlong nobela 'yon like Malvarosa, ang hitsura ng bida doon sa komiks, talagang ginawa nilang kamukha ko. Pero the role went to Charito Solis. Talagang I also wanted to be recognized as a good dramatic actress. After all, my role in Korea, where I won the first Famas bes supporting actress award in 1952, was dramatic naman. "Kaya lang, si Donya Sisang would always tell me," at sa kanayng pagkukuwento ay nagboses matanda pa siya na ginagaya ng namayapang LVN matriarch, "Sa musical ka na lang. Ibigay na natin kina Charito Solis at Rosa Rosal 'yang drama-drama. Kaya nga 'yang mga Malvarosa at Krisalit at Badjao na 'yan, sa kanila napunta. I had a good role in Sa Atin Ang Daigdig na damatic din naman pero maikli lang 'yon at marami kami sa pelikula. But mind you, hindi pa rin ako nawawalan ng pag-asa. Malay mo, baka in the future, magkarron pa rin ako ng meaty role na pangaward...Gloria (Romero) came from a rival studio but I never really considered her as a competitor. You know naman how the press played up these things, na kami ay box office opponents. Pero ba't naman ako patatangay sa publicity. Kaibigan ko si Gloria and we even made a movie together noon sa sarili kong production, ang Huwag Ka Nang Magtampo, with Nestor and Luis Gonzales. Upt to now, she is still a frend. And she is one actress I really admire..." - Mario Bautisa, Movie Flash 1983 (READ MORE)
Dorothy Acueza Jones, (January 6, 1936 – November 7, 2001) popularly known by her stage name Nida Blanca, was a Filipina actress. She starred in over 163 movies and 14 television shows and received over 16 awards for movies and six awards for television during her 50-year film career. She was named one of 15 Best Actress of all Time by YES magazine. She was stabbed to death in a parking lot in San Juan City on November 7, 2001. - Wikipedia (READ MORE)
Nida Blanca and Vilma Santos
Nida Blanca and Vilma Santos' first film was in 1969, a Dolphy-Nida starrer, Vi played a minor role. The next film was an all-star-cast film featuring several big stars of major film studios. The last film they did was a mother-daughter film, directed by the underrated director, Elwood Perez. Although they only did three films, the two has some similarities in terms of their show biz career. One was they're both became a grand slam awardee, Vi in 1982 and Nida in 1986. Also, they're both good in dancing and became a popular TV stars with Vilma in her musical variety show, Vilma! and Nida with her comedy sitcom, John en Marsha. On 1998 they shared the best actress award from Star Awards for Movies.
Ibulong mo sa Diyos (1988) - "...Vilma hit the jackpot. After 11 nominations with four wins, her twelfth nomniation produced her an unexpected win. It elevated her to the hall of fame status. All artist who wins five automatically put them to the hall of fame list. It is a big honour but prohibit any one on the list to compete in the future for the same category. Regal films’ Ibulong Mo Sa Diyos, directed by Elwood Perez was a surprised winner. Not only it earned Vilma her fifth award as best actress, it also gave the late Miguel Rodriguez a best supporting actor award and the best director for Perez. Technical awards were also given to Ricardo Jacinto, cinematography, Rey Maliuanag, production design, Gary Valenciano, theme song, and George Jarlego, editing. The late Nida Blanca was also nominated for best supporting actress..." - RV (READ MORE)
Happy Days Are Here Again (1974) - "...In 1974, the Big 3 studios of the 50s, LVN Pictures, Sampaguita Pictures and Premiere Productions reproduced a full-length movie showcasing a compilation of the musical comedies produced by the three studios. It was a painstaking job for the researchers since most of the best musicals produced by the three studios were either lost or destroyed. At the start of the project, director Lamberto V. Avellana was supposed to direct the film but eventually replaced by Ciro Santiago after so many changes in the project including the script. He ended up as consultant of the movie. The film was Happy Days Are Here Again, with brief narrations by movie stars like Gloria Romero, Nida Blanca, Susan Roces, Leopoldo Salcedo, Jaime de la Rosa, Eddie Gutierrez, Tirso Cruz III, Pugo, German Moreno and Ike Lozada..." - Pelikula Atbp (READ MORE)
Pag-ibig Masdan Ang Ginawa Mo (1969) - "...Nakagawa din si Vi ng pelikula na si Luciano B. Carlos ang direktor at ito ay sa mga pelikulang Pag-ibig Masdan Ang Ginawa Mo (1969), Teribol Dobol (1975) at Let's Do The Salsa (1976)..." - Alfonso Valencia (READ MORE)
Related Reading:
- Kay Torres: Fight for justice goes on for Nida Blanca
- Video 48 Nida Blanca
- Ai Ai's acting a tribute to Nida Blanca, Rosa Mia, other motherly screen icons
- Happy memories of Nida Blanca
- Scenes from a life of good acting
- An out of this world interview with Ms Nida Blanca
- Case Unclosed: The Nida Blanca Murder (Video)
