More of an Actor and Less of a Movie Star - "...As a show business personality, Dindo is definitely more of an actor and less of a movie star. He is not one to show a liking for the glamorous, luxurios things that his career can give him. Instead, he hankers for the knowledge and experience his career could offer him, blessings that would help him in his daily existence. Starting as a bit player in his home studio, Dindo has shown remarkable versability in his acting that even during those early years of his career, it was predicted that he would someday join the ranks of our movie greats. It wasn't surprising therefore, when after a highly challenging role in Pitong Kalbaryo ni Inang, he was given similar kinds of characterizations in films like Mga Anak Sa Pagkakasala, Paalam Sa Kahapon, and Birhen Sa Lupa. And no one could deny that Dindo did justice to these roles and has even shown vast imrovements as more and more picture came his way. In fact, a stage critic who saw his performance in Mga Anak, commented that Dindo's style of acting reminds one of the acting craft in the famed, Elia Kazan school. For it is that when Dindo emotes, it is more with his eyes and facial expressions rather than the usual run-of-the-mill actings of young stars. His acting is simple yet realistic enough to convince the moviegoer that he submerges himself in the charater he portrayed..." - Carmela De Gracia, Screen Stardom, 1968 (READ MORE)
Dindo Fernando born Jose Tacorda Chua Surban on Nov 19, 1940, Dindo Fernando became one of the most popular dramatic actor in the Philippines. He was famous as the father of famous TV soup character, Flor De Luna played by Janice De Belen in the 80s. He started at Sampaguita Pictures opposite Nida Blanca in 60s and later branched out into commercial drama actor in the 70s and 80s. His famous movie with Vilma was Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan and Langis At Tubig. - RV (READ MORE)
Dindo Fernando and Vilma Santos
Dindo Fernando and Vilma Santos did seven films, the first was in 1974 where Vilma played the title role as the hunchback bell ringer and Dino played a minor role as the Celia Rodriguez's boyfriend. After this, things has changed dramatically with Dindo's career, he slowly becoming a dramatic leading man. They team-up in a festival entry in 1980, a love triangle where Dindo have to choose between Amy Austria or Vilma. Dindo won the festival's best actor award. The following year, Dindo and Vilma did another love triangle film, this time, its Vilma who have to choose between Dindo or Eddie Rodriguez. The next year, Dindo and Vilma did two hit films, one opposite Hilda Koronel and the other one opposite Nora Aunor. Dindo played a minor role on the later, as the film was obviously centered to Vilma and Nora's roles. The last two films of Dindo with Vilma was in 1984 and 1985.
Muling Buksan Ang Puso (1985) - "...Jim (Dindo Fernando) is a doctor and Cristy (Vilma Santos) is his nurse. Good looking and successful Jim finds himself an ardent admirer in Cristy. But Cristy is not an ordinary lady – she’s daring and defiant. She’ll do whatever it takes to win him even if he’s very much married. Cristy’s persistence and Jim’s longing for a child leads to an illicit relationship. But too much love suffocates and covetousness can breed hate..." - Mavshack (READ MORE)
Baby Tsina (1984) - "...Noong una kong mabasa ang script, ayoko sanang maniwala na nangyari talaga yun. Masyadong cinematic, eh. Para bang sa pelikula at sa komiks lang nangyayari. Until the day nga that I met the real Baby Tsina. Nang siya na ang makuwento sa akin ng naging buhay niya, lalo na after the crime at sa loob Correctional, saka ko lang nalaman na ang nakalagay sa script ay kulang pa pala. Mas matindi ang istorya niya, pero hindi na maaring isamang lahat sa pelikula. Baka namang masyadong humaba eh. Malakas ang istorya. I think the story alone will sell the movie. Lalo na kung iisiping isa itong celebrated case at nasundan ng mga tao noon sa mga diyaryo. Front page stories pa raw lagi iyang si Baby Tsina noon eh..." - Ariel Francisco (READ MORE)
Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan (1982) - "...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 (READ MORE)
T-Bird at Ako (1982) - "...The direction is tight and masterful. Although one always gets reminded in a Zialcita film of sequences from foreign films, there is a minimum of unmotivated blocking in this film. Each sequence contributes to the whole film (if there is copying, in other words, and I do think there is in this film, the copying is not done simply to be cute or clever, but in accordance with the logical requirements of the plot). The performances, as expected of a Zialcita film, are excellent. Aunor is more effective as the confused lesbian, primarily because Santos is not able to get the rough and ready quality of low-class hospitality girls. Tommy Abuel is terrific in his role as the patient suitor. Fernando is given too little space to develop his character, but what he has, he makes good use of..." - Isagani Cruz (READ MORE)
Hiwalay (1981) - "...Dagdag pa ni Vilma, “Pero isa rin sa pinakapaborito ko is Dindo Fernando. Si Dindo, na yumao noong 1987, ay nakapareha ni Vilma sa mga pelikulang gaya ng Langis at Tubig (1980), Hiwalay (1981), T-Bird At Ako (1982), Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan (1982), Baby Tsina (1984), at Muling Buksan Ang Puso (1985)..." - Rico Jr (READ MORE)
Langis at Tubig (1980) - "...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..." - RV (READ MORE)
Kampanerang Kuba (1974) - "...With limited dialouge, a young Dindo Fernando portrayed Tateng’s lover convincingly. All the other supporting roles including Perla Bautista, Ernie Garcia and others gave a forgettable performances. About the two main lead, Edgar Mortiz and Vilma Santos did what they can to portrayed their roles. Edgar Mortiz seems to be trying very hard to be effective as the priest but acting is clearly not his forte. Would this be different if Jay Ilagan did this role? Vilma Santos succeed more with her solo scenes, talking to the patron saints and the bell tower, eating with her bare hands and trying to beautify her ugly face..." - RV (READ MORE)
