"...Rubia Servios is Lino Brocka's film, Atsay is Romeo Vitug's. Nora does an excellent acting job; but so does Vilma Santos, and "Rubia" is a much more demanding and difficult role. Edgardo M. Reyes is an established literary figure, but Mario O'Hara is much better screenwriter. Overall, "Atsay" may be much more impressive than "Rubia Servios." In terms of challenging our moral and legal convictions, however, "Rubia Servios" is much more significant..." - Isagani Cruz, TV Times, 1979
Rubia Servios (Director: Lino Brocka; Writers: Mario O'Hara, Aida Sevilla Mendoza (original story); Cast: Vilma Santos, Phillip Salvador and Mat Ranillo III) - "...Sa direksiyon ni Brocka, lumitaw ang galing ni Vilma Santos, at nakontrol ang labis na pagpapagalaw ng kanyang labi. Mahusay din ang eksena ng gahasa. Si Philip Salvador naman ay tulad sa isang masunuring estudyante na sinusunod lahat ang direksiyon ng guro. Kitang-kita mo sa kanyang pagganap ang bawat tagubiling pinaghihirapan niyang masunod: kilos ng mata, buntong-hininga, galaw ng daliri, kislot ng kilay. Limitado ang kanyang kakayahan at makikia ito sa kanyang mukha (na limitado rin). Walang-wala rtio si Mat Ranillo III, na parang pinabayaan para lalong lumitaw ang papel at pag-arte ni Salvador. Samantala, ang kamera ni Conrado Salvador ay hindi gaanong nakalikha ng tension at suspense, bukod sa napakaliwanang ng disenyo ng produksiyon ang pagbabago ng mga tauhan sa loob ng pitong taon batay sa estilo ng damit at buhok..." - Justino M. Dormiendo, Sagisag, February 1979 (READ MORE)
Atsay (Director: Eddie Garcia; Writer: Edgardo Reyes (story); Cast: Nora Aunor, Ronald Corveau and Armida Siguion-Reyna) - - "...Garcia assembled a uniformly first-rate cast from Armida and Angie to the nameless housemaid who befriends Nora. Even Ronald Corveau is less irksome here than in his weekly TV show. Nora Aunor’s performance bears the distinct marks of style and self, welding character and personality. As Nelia, the atsay, she delivers a muted performance that successfully treads the thin, delicate line separating genuine sentiment and mawkishness. Everybody worked hard and it shows. Romeo Vitug’s cinematography gives the film a very big boost and George Canseco’s musical score, for once knows when to shut up. The first time Eddie Garcia handled a film with a serious theme was in “Mga Anak sa Pagkakasala,” an underrated indictment of the injustices illegitimate children go through as society censures them fro the sins of their parents. With “Atsay,” he renews his credentials as one director to reckon with..." - Mario E. Bautista, The Philippines Daily Express, 1978 (READ MORE)
1978 MMFF (Entries: "Ang Huling Lalaki ng Baluarte," Cast: Rey Malonzo, Tina Monasterio, Producer: SQ Film Productions, Director: Artemio Marquez; "Atsay," Cast: Nora Aunor, Ronald Corveau, Armida Siguion Reyna, Producer: Ian Film Productions, Director: Eddie Garcia; "Garrote: Jai Alai King," Cast: Christopher De Leon, Producer: VP Pictures, Director: Manuel 'Fyke' Cinco; "Jack n' Jill of the Third Kind" Cast: Dolphy, Nora Aunor, Producer: RVQ Productions, Director: Frank Gray Jr.; "Katawang Alabok," Cast: Lorna Tolentino, Producer: Agrix Film Productions, Director: Emmanuel H. Borlaza; "Kid Kaliwete," Cast: Bembol Roco, Producer: Associated Entertainment Corp., Director: Manuel Cinco; "Rubia Servios," Cast: Vilma Santos, Mat Ranillo III, Phillip Salavador, Producer: Sampaguita Pictures, Director: Lino Brocka; "Salonga," Cast: Rudy Fernandez, Producer: MBM Productions, Director: Romy Suzara; "The Jess Lapid Story" - Lito Lapid, Beth Bautista, Producer: Mirick Films, Director: Gallardo) - "...is the annual film festival held in Manila. The festival, which runs from the 25th of December to the first week of January, focuses on locally-produced films. The MMFF was established in the year 1975, during which Diligin Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa (Water the Thirsty Earth with Dew) by Augusto Buenaventura won the best film award. During the course of the festival, no foreign movies are shown across the Philippines (except for 3D theaters and IMAX theaters). Moreover, only films approved by the jurors of the MMFF will be shown. One of the festival highlights is the parade of floats during the opening of the festival. The floats, each one representing a movie entry for the festival, parade down Roxas Boulevard, while the stars for films ride on them. On the awards night, the Best Float award is also announced, together with the major acting awards..." - Wikipedia (READ MORE)
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