PROMO GIRL (1978)

Basic Information: Direction: Joey Gosiengfiao; Writing credit: Wilfrido Nolledo; Cast: Vilma Santos, Ricky Belmonte, Roel Vergel de Dios, Bembol Roco, Eddie Gutierrez; Release Date:8 September 1978 (Philippines); Production Company: Melros Productions - IMDB (READ MORE)

Plot Description: No Available Data

Film Achievement: Joey Gosiengfiao's films with Vilma Santos: Hatinggabi Na Vilma 1972; Takbo, Vilma, Dali 1972; Lipad, Darna, Lipad 1973; Promo Girl 1978 - RV (READ MORE)

Film Review: "...Joey Gosiengfiao's films are anything but righteous, much less respectable. That was their glory and greatness, and the reason he could never win an award--Christ, I think, with his abhorrence of respectability, would like the man's style. Take, for example, the scene between Eddie Gutierrez and Ricky Belmonte in Bomba Star (roughly translated, Porn Star, 1980). Belmonte and Gutierrez are working out in a gym; Gutierrez starts casting looks at Belmonte; Belmonte coyly returns his looks. The two start teasing each other, tickling each other, suddenly find themselves on the floor wrestling with each other...enter Gutierrez's lover, played by Marissa Delgado--she doesn't do anything, just strikes a glamour pose, a sardonic expression on her face and the world's longest cigarette holder between her fingers. I wish I could explain why the moment is so irreducibly funny, but I can't; if I could, I suspect it wouldn't be funny at all..." - Noel Vera (READ MORE)

Related Reading: Vilma Santos’ Top 10 Film Directors (part one)

Joey Gosiengfiao's Trilogy

"When I was small, we stayed on teh second floor of a moviehouse in Cagayan where my uncle owns a chain of moviehouses. During mealtime, I would eat at the balcony section so I could watch a movie at the same time. Noon, ang pelikula ay parang isang visionary world, parang it's so far away and so high up there. I was fascinated no end by how a movie was made. I told myself, someday I too will make a movie."

There are three important periods in Joey Gonsiengfiao's life as a director: his UE period when he shuttled between classroom and stage, trying to finish AB while presenting one big play on campus every semester; his Tower Periiod when he socialized in the show-biz circles and made abortive movie debut; and his Sine Pilipino Period when he learned from his past mistakes, helped form a trend-setting box-office movie director.

UE Period - One remembers Joey as that diminutive, chinky-eyed fellow who would come panting to the Literary Criticism class at UE where he was a dropout and over-stayed for 10 years (1959-1969). Together with a big guy named Elwood Perez (now also a movie director), Joey would dominate the class discussions. The two were campus celebrities of sorts; Elwood wrote movie reviews for his column in Dawn, the college paper, while Joey directed stage plays (Becket, The Lark, My Fair Lady, Gigi, and The Glass Menagerie, which starred his signature actor Nestor Torre). Joey was forever rehearsing and his classes were such a hassle that he would drop all of his subjects every semester. He was a scholar.

"The nearest visionary world to movies for me was the stage," Joey says. "As a kid, I wanted to act in plays. Kapag hindi ako kasali sa bilada, aba, kinakausap ko ang titser." At UE, Joey attended workshops and seminars and studied under Rolando Tinio, his mentor. Foundationd Day celebrations were never complete without a Joey Gosiengfiao play. What he learned on campus came in handy when he was assigned by Cecile Guidote to the Balentataw drama series on the defunct Channel 5, the TV arm of PETA.

Tower Period - His Tower Period began in 1970 when he bumped into PR Man Douglas Quijano of Tower Productions. It was Joey's introduction to the glamour-and-glitter whirl - "it was my "socializing" days," Joey put it more aptly. "I had fun with my new-found friend movie scribes." One morning, Joey woke up to realize that his contemporaries had all made their maiden movie ventures: Lino Brocka was being lauded for his Wanted: Perfect Mother, Ishmael Bernal for his critically and commercially successful Pagdating sa Dulo. Even his UE buddy Elwood managed to wrap up his own, Blue Boy, a dud. Joey approached Douglas and wailed, "Ay naku, Douglas, mamamatay na ako pag wala akong pelikula. Maloloko na ako. Mayroon an silang lahat, ako na alng ang wala." Two weeks later, Temyong Marquez, Big Boss of Tower, surprised Joey with an assignment - "Nora Aunor pa mandin," Joey recalls, "at pagka-ganda-ganda ng pamagat, Beautiful Love. It was my first film and I was excited. I wrote the script at nagulat pa ako dahil approved kaagad ni Director Marquez before he even read the script."

The film didn't come out beautifully. After shooting some scenes in Manila, the Tower entourage went for location filming in Iriga, Camarines Sur, hometown of Nora. The movie was barely one-third through when Nora Aunor dropped the bomb that nearly shattered Tower to pieces: "Tumakas ang Nora, hindi natuloy ang pelikula." That was the time when Tower and Sampaguita were having a tug-of-war over La Aunor. The abortive screen debut didn't bruise Joey's ego a bit. His wits recovered, Joey tackled his next assignment: Funny Girl, starring international teenage hearthrob Sajid Khan and local glamour girl Tina Revilla. It was a financial flop. To nurse his disappointment, Joey sought solace in directing TV shows. "Those two films were a bakya compromise," Joey says. "I have learned my lesson, that is never to compromise. Everybody was telling me noon, "Hoy, Joey, kailangan gumawa ka ng...hindi naman mediocre movie...but something with mass appeal. Kailangan kumita ang pelikula mo kung hindi wala ka nang pelikulang susunod." Kaya nagisip-isip ako, sabi ko, why not? One movie critic called Funny Girl the total concept of a bakya production, which it was. Bakya nga, pero hindi rin naman nag-click. So I resolved to do what I believe will make good at the box-office."

Sine Pilipino Period - Joey re-emerged in the movie scene in 1972, bristling with fresh ideas. This time he made a big gamble by helping his brother Victor and some friends put up Sine Pilipino, the company that would revolutionize trends in local movie-making. SP specializes in campy, stylish movies with imperative, three-word titles: Takbo, Vilma, Dali; Hatinggabi na, Vilma; Zoom, Zoom Superman!l; Si Popeye Atbp.; and Sunugin Ang Samar. Except for the last mentioned which was an action saga, the four SP flicks were spoofs characterized by madness. They revived the all-star casting system, lumping together in one movie several big stars. The flicks made money. Joey Gosiengfiao had his "sweet revenge." "It was not wasy for us in the beginning," Joey relates. "Just before the showing of our first film, Takbo, Vilma Dali!, Martial Law was declared. There were no newspapers then so we had to post bills all over the city, hanggang Pasay nagdidikit kami nina Douglas. We also distributed hand bills. Sa awa ng Diyos, kumita ang pelikula." Of the films he has done, Joey considers Sunugin Ang Samar as the most difficult, not only because of its scope but also because action is not his forte. It took him three months to make the movie because the script (by Wilfrido Nolledo) called for different settings and they had to move from one place to another. Joey didn't exactly follow Nolledo's script but he saw to it that "the spirit was retained." Of late, Joey has organized his own company called Juan de la Cruz Productions together with Elwood and Douglas. Their inital production, Asawa Mo, Asawa KO, was a moneymaker. SP specializes in home-movie types while JC makes more of the woman's movie, "that's because we are not good for action pictures." Joey is now connected with SP only as a director.  "My main purpose as a director is to entertain the public," say Joey. "It's very rare that I put in any social message. JC movie deal with the individual rather than the social, more on the problems of the individual which may not be very relevant to society."

As a producer, Joey knows the high cost of production so he tries to economize on negative by practising what he calls the "pre-editing method." He makes sure that every shot is good, that no footage is wasted. Luckily for Joey, he never has any encounter with obdurate stars; all those he has worked with are easy to handle and cooperative. His favourite actress is, obviously, Celia Rodriguez whom he has directed twice before and who is cast in her secon-starring role in La Paloma, JC's latest offering (also scripted by Nolledo). La Paloma is a bold experimental film for two reasong: (1) it's done in black and white (which is a big risk in these time of color films), and (2), it boasts no box-office stars. "Celia is nice and difficult to work with," says Joey, "nice because we communicate and difficult because, like all good natural actresses, she has her insecurities and tantrums which result in misbehavior and antipathy. Pero hindi naman siya antipatika, ha. Madalas kaming magsigawan sa set; sometimes, gusto niya mauna siyang mag-shooting pero hindi naman puede dahil kailangan mayroon mauuna. Ayan, we would shout at each other na, "Please naman Celia," I would scream, "don't give me any more problems, marami na nga akong problema, mabuti kung ikaw lang ang mayroon." Pero after a while, kiss and make up na kami..." Joey Gosiengfiao has a last found true happiness. Expressweek, December 12 1974

About Direct Joey - "...Joey Gosiengfiao's films are anything but righteous, much less respectable. That was their glory and greatness, and the reason he could never win an award--Christ, I think, with his abhorrence of respectability, would like the man's style. Take, for example, the scene between Eddie Gutierrez and Ricky Belmonte in Bomba Star (roughly translated, Porn Star, 1980): Belmonte has just been jilted by Alma Moreno (incredibly young and beautiful here), and Gutierrez is consoling him; at a certain point, Guiterrez's embraces become more than just consoling, becomes in fact incriminating. Enter Gutierrez's lover, played by Marissa Delgado--she doesn't do anything, just strikes a glamour pose, a sardonic expression on her face and the world's longest cigarette holder between her fingers. I wish I could explain why the moment is so irreducibly funny, but I can't; if I could, I suspect it wouldn't be funny at all. Gosiengfiao wasn't just campy; his love scenes can be offhandedly sensual in startling ways. I remember gasping in shock in Nights of Serafina (1996 -- his last feature film) when, in a showcase of passion Mike Magat shoves Georgia Ortega's face into a tray full of food, Ortega moaning in pleasurable response. It was a disgusting, demeaning, swinish display--and powerfully erotic (it was also a brilliant parody of James Cagney's grapefruit scene in The Public Enemy)..." (READ MORE)

RELATED READING:

• IMDB: Joey Gosiengfiao
• IMDB: Promo girl (1978)
• IMDB: Lipad, Darna, lipad! (1973)
• IMDB: Takbo, Vilma, Dali! (1972)
• IMDB: Mano po III: My love (2004) as publicist
• IMDB: Hatinggabi Na, Vilma (1972)
• IMDB: Nag-iisang bituin (1994) as supervising producer
• Direk Joey Gosiengfiao has been laid to rest
• Joey Gonsiengfiao: The Master of Pinoy Camp
• Joey Gosiengfiao obituaries

Huwag Hamakin: Hostess (1978)

Basic Info: Direction: Joey Gosiengfiao ; Story, Screenplay: Toto Belano, Tito Sanchez; Cast: Nora Aunor, Alma Moreno, Orestes Ojeda, Bella Flores, Vilma Santos; Original Music: Demet Velasquez; Cinematography: Rey de Leon; Film Editing: Segundo Ramos; Release Date: August 25 1978; Production Co: JPM Productions

Plot Description: This is a film directed by Joey Gosiengfiao and features Nora Aunor and Alma Moreno with Orestes Ojeda and Vilma Santos in a controversial guest appearance.

Film Achievement: No Available Data

Film Review: "...Mas dramatiko ring isinakonkreto ito ng mahusay na pagganap ni Nora Aunor bilang katulong na namasukan bilang hostess upang matustusan ang pag-aaral ng lalaking iniibig, pinapanood natin siya habang dumaraan sa proseso ng lumbay, pagkabigo at pagtanggap. Matingkad ang kanyang pagkakaganap dahil hinahatak niya tayong damhin ang kanyang mga dilemma habang nakikibaka siyang matanggap ang pagtataksil ng kasintahan. Katangi-tangi rin ang pagganap ni Alma Moreno at totoong nabawasan ang kanyang hysterical gestures sa pelikulang ito ngunit wala rin naman siyang ipinakitang bagong kakayahan para pangatawanan ang papel ng isang babaeng pilit ibinabangon ang sarili upang di-tuluyang masadlak sa kinagisnang uri ng pamumuhay..." - Jojo De Vera (READ MORE)

"...Si Orestes ay isa sa mga seksing aktor noong kalagitnaan ng dekada 70s kung saan ang dekadang ito ang pinakatugatog ng kanyang katanyagan. Kinahumalinag siya sa pelikula niyang Ang Boyfriend kong Baduy noong 1976 kung saan ipinareha sa kaniya ang limang naggagandahan babae na sina Amalia Fuentes, Barbara Perez, Celia Rodriguez at iba pa. Sa pelikulang Huwag Hamakin: Hostess dalawa sa mga sikat na artista ang itinambal sa kanya na sina Nora Aunor at Alma Moreno na gumanap bilang mga hostess sa kanyang buhay..." - Wikipilipinas (READ MORE)

"...Ate Vi made around 198 films from 1963 to 2002. This includes cameo appearances in Dugo at Pagibig sa Kapirasong Lupa, Mga Mata ni Angelita, Huwag Hamakin Hostess (with Nora Aunor and Alma Moreno with Vilma getting Orestes Ojeda in the end), Candy, No Other Love, Charot, Rizal Alih, Engkanto, and ‘Bukas Sisikat Din Ang Araw’, a Gabby-Snooky starrer, produced by friend Gabby Concepcion..." - The 28th (READ MORE)

"...Do you always succeed in packaging a movie? "Often, yes, But, alas, I have failures too." For instance? "Well, some reasons for failure are due to wrong chemistry of the cast, to the vehicle (story) and/or unsuitability of both elements. Let's take the movie, Huwag Hamakin: Hostess, which with solid actresses, a move that proved to be contrary to the image of La Aunor. It would have been all right, if Alma Moreno, Nora's co-star, was paired with another bold actress. But that, we learned only later and too late! I was aware of Guy's image. But I wasn't aware that her image wouldn't go well with the combination. Not even the controversy of including Vilma Santos in the cast helped. It only antagonized both camps of Nora-Vilma fans..." - Manny B. Fernandez, Expressweek, March 1, 1979 (READ MORE)

"...In the 15 movies he had appeared in since 1972, Orestes feels that he has not done roles that would demand from him the maturity of outlook as an actor..."I like to be known as an actor and not just a bold star. But cinema is a tremendous image-making machine. I realize that I cannot totally turn my back on my bold image," Orestes lamented...he is back again in his bold role in "Huwag Hamakin: Hostess." But Orestes is happy about this role. He is paired with Nora Aunor and Alma Moreno. The picture is a tragic-comedy. "I play a bastard-gigolo who lives off two women portrayed by Nora and Vilma. The role offers me romantic and comedy situations. It also calls for some understanding of a misdirected and amoral character and I certainly find it a challenge," stresses Orestes when we talked in a downtown hotel which was the setting of one of his love trysts with co-star Alma. " I am centainly very lucky to have Joey Gosiengfial as a director. He has guided me in my interpretation of my roles. And of course, it's a rare opportunity to be pitted against two real actresses like Nora and Alma and a veteran performer like Bella Flores (who plays Orestes' sugar mommy in the flick)", he adds...Observers in the local movie world believe that Orestes can be a good actor. The guy has looks and intelligence..." - Beth U. Castillo, Expressweek Magazine, 29 June 1978 (READ MORE)

TAKBO VILMA DALI (1972)

Basic Information: Direction, screenplay: Joey Gosiengfiao; Cast: Vilma Santos, Rita Gomez, Paquito Diaz, Max Alvarado, Romeo Rivera, Ernie Garcia; Executive producer: Douglas Quijano

Plot Description: No Available Data

Film Achievement: Films with Vilma Santos: Hatinggabi Na Vilma 1972; Takbo, Vilma, Dali 1972; Lipad, Darna, Lipad 1973; Promo Girl 1978 - RV (READ MORE)

Film Reviews: A very effective suspense-thriller. There are images here that haunt you even long after the screening – like the sight of the old Mother Superior (Mary Walter) being tortured and pushed around before she is finally killed. - Butch Francisco

"...Joey Gosiengfiao's films are anything but righteous, much less respectable. That was their glory and greatness, and the reason he could never win an award--Christ, I think, with his abhorrence of respectability, would like the man's style. Take, for example, the scene between Eddie Gutierrez and Ricky Belmonte in Bomba Star (roughly translated, Porn Star, 1980). Belmonte and Gutierrez are working out in a gym; Gutierrez starts casting looks at Belmonte; Belmonte coyly returns his looks. The two start teasing each other, tickling each other, suddenly find themselves on the floor wrestling with each other...enter Gutierrez's lover, played by Marissa Delgado--she doesn't do anything, just strikes a glamour pose, a sardonic expression on her face and the world's longest cigarette holder between her fingers. I wish I could explain why the moment is so irreducibly funny, but I can't; if I could, I suspect it wouldn't be funny at all..." - Noel Vera (READ MORE)

"...Talagang poor second lang noon si Vilma kay Nora Aunor, subali’t nang gawin niya ang trilogy film ng Sine Pilipino na Lipad Darna Lipad ay talagang lumipad ng husto ang kanyang box office appeal. Sinundan pa ito ng mga pelikulang Takbo Vilma Dali at Hatinggabi Na Vilma. Anupa’t itinambal din si Vilma sa mga matured leading man na katulad nina Eddie Rodriguez sa mga pelikulang Nakakahiya, Hindi Nakakahiya Part 2 kung saan nagkamit siya ng Best Actress Award sa 1st Bacolod City Film Festival at Simula Ng Walang Katapusan, Dante Rivero sa Susan Kelly Edad 20, Chiquito sa Teribol Dobol, Dolphy sa Buhay Artista Ngayon, Joseph Estrada sa King Khayan & I, Fernando Poe Jr. sa Batya’t Palu Palo at Bato Sa Buhangin, Jun Aristorenas sa Mapagbigay Ang Mister Ko, Dindo Fernando sa Langis at Tubig at Muling Buksan Ang Puso at Romeo Vasquez sa Nag-aapoy Na Damdamin, Dalawang Pugad Isang Ibon, Pulot Gata Pwede Kaya at Pag-ibig Ko Sa ‘Yo Lang Ibibigay..." - Alfonso Valencia (READ MORE)

Katulad ng "Lipad Darna Lipad" - "...Noon namang kainitan ng Vilma-Nora rivalry...Marso 23, 1973, ay ipinalabas ang higanteng trilogy movie ng Sine Pilipino na "Lipad, Darna, Lipad." Ang pelikulang ito na tinatampukan din nina Angelito bilang si Ding, Gloria Romero bilang Babaing Impakta, Liza Lorena bilang Babaing Lawin at Celia Rodriguez bilang Valentina, ang Babaing Ahas ang sumira ng takilya nang mga panahong yun kaya't nabigyan din siya dito na Box Office Queen title. Hindi lang sa takilya ito tumiba ng husto dahil nang ipalabas ito sa telebisyon makaraan lamang ang ilang buwan ay naging numero uno din ito sa telebisyon lalo na sa mga bata. Di nga ba't tinalo nito ang pelikula ni FPJ na may pamagat na "Esteban" na kasabay nitong ipinalabas? At makaraan naman ang isang linggo, nang ipalabas naman ang pelikula nina Joseph Estrada at Nora Aunor na may pamagat na "Erap Is My Guy" ay tinalong muli ng "Lipad Darna Lipad" ang nasabing pelikula nina Erap at Guy. Tumagal din sa mga sinehan ito ng mahigit na isang buwan. Talagang naaliw ang mga manonood lalo na noong lumilipad si Darna sa himpapawid habang ang background music ay Up Up and Away. Ang "Lipad, Darna, Lipad" ay idinerek nina Emmanuel Borlaza, Elwood Perez at Joey Gosiengfiao. Ang dalawang pelikulang produced pa din ng Sine Pilipino at sabi nga ni Rita Gomez, ito ang iyong huling sigaw..."Takbo, Vilma, Dali" ay ipinalabas noong Septyembre 29, 1972 at ang kahindik-hindik na pagtutuos ni Vi at Barbara Perez sa "Hatinggabi na, Vilma" ay ipinalabas noong Nobyembre 8, 1972 ay halos ganun din ang dinanas sa takilya katulad ng "Lipad Darna Lipad"..." - Alfonso Valencia (READ MORE)

"...The following year, Santos made fourteen films, mostly forgettable musicals. It was also a year where her benefactor started to positioned her as more of a film actress than a singing film star. The results was successful experiments that showcased her comedic ability (Ang Kundoktora), screaming action stunts (Takbo Vilma Dali) and dramatic capability (Dama De Noche). Her followers was delighted when she earned her first acting recognition the next year receiving the FAMAS best actress via Dama De Noche. Most of her films in 1972 were directed by Emmanuel Borlaza however, she was able to do one film with Ishmael Bernal, “Inspiration” with the late Jay Ilagan, one of her regular film partner. According to Bernal, the film wasn’t as successful as what he expected, as the film flopped. Aside from Inspiration, Bernal did two other films, El Vibora (starring Vic Vargas and Boots Anson Roa) and Till Death Do Us Part (starring the young Hilda Koronel and Victor Laurel)..." - RV (READ MORE)

"...For the last seven years the name Joey Gosiengfiao has streaked like a dazzling comet across the movie firmament after Bomba Star, Babae!, Piknik and Takbo Vilma Dali! became blockbusters one after the other. Significantly, not all the four Gosiengfiao flicks were sexplosives, a category which today, seems to be the main requisite for box office acceptance. Takbo Vilma Dali! was s suspense thriller that easily catered to all ages and to the average Filipino family..." - Manny B. Fernandez, Expressweek, March 1, 1979 (READ MORE)

Related Reading:

• IMDB: Takbo, Vilma, Dali
• Ernie Garcia: Living beyond the daring im
• Joey Gosiengfiao: The Master of Pinoy Camp
• Ernie Garcia: The Bold King of Philippine Cinema
• Other leading men (Circa 1969-1974) Part One
• Top 100 Vilma Santos Films (part four)

HATINGGABI NA VILMA (1972)

Basic Information: Directed, screenplay: Joey Gosiengfiao; Cast: Vilma Santos, Barbara Perez, Romeo Rivera, Ruel Vernal, Dick Israel, Zeneda Amador, Ernie Garcia, Cloyd Robinson, Subas Herrero, Angie Ferro, Lito Trinidad

Plot Description: No Available Data

Film Achievement: Films with Vilma Santos: Hatinggabi Na Vilma 1972; Takbo, Vilma, Dali 1972; Lipad, Darna, Lipad 1973; Promo Girl 1978 - RV (READ MORE)

Film Reviews: "...Joey Gosiengfiao's films are anything but righteous, much less respectable. That was their glory and greatness, and the reason he could never win an award--Christ, I think, with his abhorrence of respectability, would like the man's style. Take, for example, the scene between Eddie Gutierrez and Ricky Belmonte in Bomba Star (roughly translated, Porn Star, 1980). Belmonte and Gutierrez are working out in a gym; Gutierrez starts casting looks at Belmonte; Belmonte coyly returns his looks. The two start teasing each other, tickling each other, suddenly find themselves on the floor wrestling with each other...enter Gutierrez's lover, played by Marissa Delgado--she doesn't do anything, just strikes a glamour pose, a sardonic expression on her face and the world's longest cigarette holder between her fingers. I wish I could explain why the moment is so irreducibly funny, but I can't; if I could, I suspect it wouldn't be funny at all..." - Noel Vera (READ MORE)

"...Talagang poor second lang noon si Vilma kay Nora Aunor, subali’t nang gawin niya ang trilogy film ng Sine Pilipino na Lipad Darna Lipad ay talagang lumipad ng husto ang kanyang box office appeal. Sinundan pa ito ng mga pelikulang Takbo Vilma Dali at Hatinggabi Na Vilma. Anupa’t itinambal din si Vilma sa mga matured leading man na katulad nina Eddie Rodriguez sa mga pelikulang Nakakahiya, Hindi Nakakahiya Part 2 kung saan nagkamit siya ng Best Actress Award sa 1st Bacolod City Film Festival at Simula Ng Walang Katapusan, Dante Rivero sa Susan Kelly Edad 20, Chiquito sa Teribol Dobol, Dolphy sa Buhay Artista Ngayon, Joseph Estrada sa King Khayan & I, Fernando Poe Jr. sa Batya’t Palu Palo at Bato Sa Buhangin, Jun Aristorenas sa Mapagbigay Ang Mister Ko, Dindo Fernando sa Langis at Tubig at Muling Buksan Ang Puso at Romeo Vasquez sa Nag-aapoy Na Damdamin, Dalawang Pugad Isang Ibon, Pulot Gata Pwede Kaya at Pag-ibig Ko Sa ‘Yo Lang Ibibigay..." - Alfonso Valencia (READ MORE)

Katulad ng "Lipad Darna Lipad" - "...Noon namang kainitan ng Vilma-Nora rivalry...Marso 23, 1973, ay ipinalabas ang higanteng trilogy movie ng Sine Pilipino na "Lipad, Darna, Lipad." Ang pelikulang ito na tinatampukan din nina Angelito bilang si Ding, Gloria Romero bilang Babaing Impakta, Liza Lorena bilang Babaing Lawin at Celia Rodriguez bilang Valentina, ang Babaing Ahas ang sumira ng takilya nang mga panahong yun kaya't nabigyan din siya dito na Box Office Queen title. Hindi lang sa takilya ito tumiba ng husto dahil nang ipalabas ito sa telebisyon makaraan lamang ang ilang buwan ay naging numero uno din ito sa telebisyon lalo na sa mga bata. Di nga ba't tinalo nito ang pelikula ni FPJ na may pamagat na "Esteban" na kasabay nitong ipinalabas? At makaraan naman ang isang linggo, nang ipalabas naman ang pelikula nina Joseph Estrada at Nora Aunor na may pamagat na "Erap Is My Guy" ay tinalong muli ng "Lipad Darna Lipad" ang nasabing pelikula nina Erap at Guy. Tumagal din sa mga sinehan ito ng mahigit na isang buwan. Talagang naaliw ang mga manonood lalo na noong lumilipad si Darna sa himpapawid habang ang background music ay Up Up and Away. Ang "Lipad, Darna, Lipad" ay idinerek nina Emmanuel Borlaza, Elwood Perez at Joey Gosiengfiao. Ang dalawang pelikulang produced pa din ng Sine Pilipino at sabi nga ni Rita Gomez, ito ang iyong huling sigaw..."Takbo, Vilma, Dali" ay ipinalabas noong Septyembre 29, 1972 at ang kahindik-hindik na pagtutuos ni Vi at Barbara Perez sa "Hatinggabi na, Vilma" ay ipinalabas noong Nobyembre 8, 1972 ay halos ganun din ang dinanas sa takilya katulad ng "Lipad Darna Lipad"..." - Alfonso Valencia (READ MORE)

"...The following year, Santos made fourteen films, mostly forgettable musicals. It was also a year where her benefactor started to positioned her as more of a film actress than a singing film star. The results was successful experiments that showcased her comedic ability (Ang Kundoktora), screaming action stunts (Takbo Vilma Dali) and dramatic capability (Dama De Noche). Her followers was delighted when she earned her first acting recognition the next year receiving the FAMAS best actress via Dama De Noche. Most of her films in 1972 were directed by Emmanuel Borlaza however, she was able to do one film with Ishmael Bernal, “Inspiration” with the late Jay Ilagan, one of her regular film partner. According to Bernal, the film wasn’t as successful as what he expected, as the film flopped. Aside from Inspiration, Bernal did two other films, El Vibora (starring Vic Vargas and Boots Anson Roa) and Till Death Do Us Part (starring the young Hilda Koronel and Victor Laurel)..." - RV (READ MORE)

LIPAD DARNA LIPAD (1973)

“Ding, ang bato dali!” - Narda

Basic Information: Direction: Emmanuel H. Borlaza, Joey Gosiengfiao, Elwood Perez; Adapted screenplay: Mars Ravelo; Original screenplay: Mars Ravelo; Cast: Vilma Santos, Gloria Romero, Celia Rodriguez, Liza Lorena, Eddie Garcia, Marissa Delgado, Ernie Garcia, Dick Israel, Ruel Vernal, Angie Ferro, Angelito, Nanette Lizares, Rod Dasco, Cloyd Robinson, Mary Walter, Adul de Leon, Bobby Roldan, Edgar Oira, Karlo Vero, Francisco Cruz, Chanda Romero, Gilda Gomez, Ellen Esguerra, Oskar Peralta, Urduja, Louie Acosta; Original Music: Jonas Sebastian, Demetrio Velasquez; Cinematography: Rodolfo Diño; Make-up: Ernie Carvajal; Special Effects: Tommy Marcelino; Producer: Victor Gosiengfiao

Plot Description: After a long period of absence, Vilma Santos resurrected Filipino version of Wonder Woman, Darna, in a fantastic trilogy. Despite the lack of height familiar with previous Darnas, Vilma Santos’ bubbly youthful portrayal as Darna and the alter ego character Narda radiated the screen against Philippine cinema’s senior screen queens, Gloria Romero as the “Babaing Impakta (Vampire Woman),” Celia Rodriguez as “Babaing Ahas (Snake Woman),” and Liza Lorena as “Babaing Lawin (Hawk Woman).” The film was release on March 23, 1973 to a massive crowd in Metro Manila. Tagalog Ilang Ilang Production who produced the film reportedly distributed Darna dolls and Coca-cola drinks to the moviegoers. The film was a trilogy that focuses on the fights scenes between the Darna and her nemesis with great effect and with the help of Darna’s equally perky young brother, Ding portrayed by child star, Angelito. The special effect that’s way ahead of its time in were in full bloom in this film and the make-up goriness particularly Gloria Romero’s was a proof that Filipinos are creative and talented way ahead of Hollywood or even Bollywood.

Film Achievements: Top Record-Breaking Box-office Film of 1973; The first of four Darna films starring Vilma Santos

Film Reviews: In the Silver Age era of Darna, the movie "Lipad, Darna, Lipad!" ("Fly, Darna, Fly!" 1973), played by the lovely Vilma Santos, made a new version of the story. In this time, Narda was a teenager in her late teens. She discovered the magic stone after the event of a falling star landed near her home one night. She discovered that the magic pebble gave her superpowers that made her Darna. She and her brother were the only ones who knew the secret and their grandmother was not aware of it in this version. Narda herself becomes Darna and were not two different characters. She was also not from Planet Marte but was just a champion warrior of the forces of light. Every time Darna turns back to her mortal self, the magic stone reappears in her mouth and she takes it out and hides it until she needs it again. Every time the need arises, she has to swallow the pebble again and say Darna to transform. Source: Silver Age Darna , Supersexyheroines

In 1951, 2 Darna movies were made starring Rosa Del Rosario, followed by another two starring Liza Moreno in the early 60's, one by Eva Montes and one by Gina Pareno in 1969. But it was not until 1973's "Lipad, Darna, Lipad" starring Vilma Santos when "Darna mania" would be rekindled and made this version the highest grossing Darna movie of them all. A feat that has not been equalled to this day. In these 1970s films, Darna's origin was slightly tweaked with a new twist yet remained faithful to Mars Ravelo's vision. No longer a little girl, Narda was now in her late teens. Also, she herself becomes Darna, unlike the original where she just "channels" her. Only Ding knows her secret in this version unlike the original where both Ding and their Grandmother knew the secret. Also, the stone comes out of Narda's mouth every time she changes back from being Darna; she has to swallow it every time she wants to transform (This became standard for following versions). Darna is not specified as coming from Marte, just as a "warrior of Light". This version of Darna became most people's idea of the character for about 3 decades. A famous catch phrase by Narda popularized by the movies and NOT the comics version is "Ding, Ang Bato !" ("Ding, the Stone!) Source: Nostalgia Manila

LIPAD, DARNA, LIPAD (1973) The quintessential action-fantasy Pinoy flick that appeals to all ages, from generation to generation. This movie is a major milestone for Vilma because it proved that she could really carry a solo movie and bring in the dough (up to now of course!). Vilma's Darna franchise is the most memorable and successful of all Pinoy fantasy-action genres. Imitated but never equalled, Vilma's Darna lives on. Unforgettable. Memorable. It grows on you. No Pinoy kid ever grows up without being a part of the Darna magic. The enormous success of Lipad, Darna, and Lipad led to three more Darna movies with Vilma Santos. As a result, the star for all seasons became the star for all Darnas—Santos played her four times, more than any other actress in the super heroine’s history. Lipad, Darna, Lipad! were thus divided into three separate segments, directed by three different directors. In Darna’s case, the three directors were Maning Borlaza, Joey Goesiengfao, and Elwood Perez—three names that promised an adventure that could do Andy Warhol proud.

First episode: "Ang Impakta" (Vampire Woman) - Starring Gloria Romero as Miss Luna, Narda's school teacher who has a dark secret. She is actually a flying blood sucking creature at night. In this thrilling episode she knows the secret identity of Narda. The most memorable part was when Ms. Luna asked Narda to help her with some paper works. Little that she know, while she was busy checking the papers Ms. Luna excused herself, she then went to the next room and transformed into a scary vampire. Ding found out that Ms. Luna is the vampire and Narda forgot to bring the magical stone , he rushed to her sister who then was being strugled by the monster. As soon as he got there, he threw the stone to her much terrified sister and she immediately changed to Darna. Followed was the famous aerial fight scene. Nanette Medved and Bing Loyzaga tried to copy the infamous fight scene in 1990 Viva films Darna. Episode one was directed by Maning Borlaza.

Second episode: "Valentina" (Snake Woman) - Vilma also had to battle with Celia Rodriguez, who played a campy Valentina, a supermodel by day and a snake priestess by night. One scene has the actress naked in bed being caressed by a dozen snakes. Indeed, with the likes of Gosiengfao, Perez, and Borlaza at the helm, Darna is sure to get stuck in grotesque situations reminiscent of the Rocky Horror Movie. Their take on Darna is sometimes too risqué and violent for little children; but as a camp fest, the movie works. In this episode Valentina, tried to steal Narda's magical stone. Also, there was a scene where Valentina dressed up as Darna. I love the exciting part where Darna and Valentina battled on top of a high rise building. Darna, was almost a no match to her mortal enemy. Dangerously armed with lazer beams coming out from Valentina's eyes, Darna was helpless and knocked down several times. Until, she stumbled upon into a piece of broken mirror and used it as a shield againts Valentina's deadly lazer beams. Darna quickly made her looked in the mirror. Her lazer beams bounced back and she turned into a stone. From the roof, Valentina fell hard on the ground and broked into shattered pieces. Anjanette Abayarri and Cherrie Gil almost did the same scene in " Darna, Ang Pagbabalik ! " Second Episode was directed by Elwood Perez. Vilma Santos with co stars Ernie Garcia and Celia Rodriguez as Dr. Valentina Vrandakapoor, Phd in reptilian zoology from the University of new Delhi. Not to be overlooked is Darna's arch-rival Valentina. Celia Rodriguez breathed new life to the term antagonist with her classy portrayal of the serpent-haired villainess. Rodriguez set a new standard by which evil women are to be judged.

Third episode: "Babaing Lawin" (Hawk Woman) - Starring Liza Lorena as Babaing Lawin. I barely remember this one, there was this scene where Narda and Ding got caught and almost drowned in a quick sand. In Hawk Woman's cave there's this stream, that can make her wings disappear by walking across to it. There was also this character named Agila, a bird man played by Rod Dasco, he's like the Hawk Woman's mate. There was some fight scenes in the cave between Hawk Woman and and Darna. At the end of the story Darna and Hawk Woman, mend their ways. Source: Mars Ravelo Darna

"Due to the Internet, one day soon I'm sure information on all of the cinematic obscurities of the world will be available to us, but at the moment it's still wonderful to uncover a country's hidden pop culture hitherto unnoticed by the rest of the planet. Take Video48, a mind-shattering trip into the uncharted realms of Filipino cinema, featuring a menagerie of stills, posters and articles from films I never even dared to dream existed! I stumbled across home-grown super-heroes such as Mars Revelo's Darna a few years back, and Eric Cueto's fansite provided a wealth of information on her cinematic adventures, (whilst also revealing tantalising glimpses of her on-screen contemporaries), but I certainly hadn't realised the extent to which comic book characters pervaded the Philippine big-screen. Chances are the country was second only to Turkey when it came to cinematic Super-heroes - Darna herself has starred in 14 films and two TV series, which certainly puts Wonder Woman to shame...Sadly most of these fantasy films are unlikely to have survived - the condition of the Vilma Santos' early Darna movies is supposedly so wretched that a DVD release has been permanently canned, and ancient VHS copies of Darna & the Giants and Darna & the Planet Women are jealously guarded by the few collectors who salvaged them from rental shops. Just as in Turkey, these films were probably considered to be as disposable as the comic books on which they were based - but I for one would go ga-ga for a double bill of this years The Dark Knight with 1973's Fight Batman Fight (fair enough, my brain might melt out of my ears afterwards, but what a way to go..." - Poptique (READ MORE)

"...This four-time FAMAS-winning actress is best remembered for her role as the slithering Dr. Valentina Vrandakapoor in the 1973 film Lipad, Darna, Lipad. In the iconic movie, she donned the reptile headdress for the Medusa-inspired character and gave Darna (Vilma Santos) hell. Although she's been appearing in less villainous roles, Celia Rodriguez is still active in both movie and television these days. She played a supporting character in Darna's latest TV incarnation, with Marian Rivera as the superheroine..." - Spot.ph (READ MORE)

"...And so, yielding to the theory that "misery loves company," the two failures teamed up. They picked up from where they had left off. Backed up by some enterprising businessmen who firmly believed the duo would make good next time (they were joined by Joey's brother, Victor, and movie scribe Douglas Quijano and others), they formed Sine Pilipino and turned out the three-episode "Lipad, Darna, Lipad." Joey and Elwood directed two of the episodes. In an interview, the two directors intimated that, depending on public reaction, it could have been their last stint in the movies. Miracles of miracles, Lipad, Darna,,,broke existing box office records at that time! But alas, despite the movie success, Sine Pilipino closed shop due to "mismanagement." Undaunted, Elwood and Joey formed another company, this time the Juan de la Cruz Productions. Just the same, the budding outfit folded up because it had a rough time with the Board of Censors. By then, the drive against bomba movies and smut publications were massive and sustained, and the guidelines were different to those of today..." - Manny B. Fernandez, Expressweek, July 12, 1979 (READ MORE)

Darna is Not a 'Rip-off" of Wonder Woman - "...Because of the character's immense popularity, several other studios would license the character and produce more Darna movies throughout the next several decades. After Rosa Del Rosario, Vilma Santos (who first played Darna in 1973's "Lipad, Darna, Lipad") would be the most well known and the most in demand to play the character. She starred in a total of 4 Darna movies. Her 4th and final one being in 1980. For years after that, no more Darna movies were produced..." - Raffy Arcega, Comic Book Movie (READ MORE)

Gina Pareño - "...Mara­ming naging Darna sa kani-kanilang panahon pero ang unang inabot naming lumabas na Darna ay si Gina Pareño. Aba, kung nakita ninyo si Gina noong panahong iyon, ang ganda talaga niya at hanep ang katawan. ’Tapos ang maraming Darna movies na napanood namin, ang star ay si Vilma Santos, na nagsimula sa Lipad, Darna, Lipad. Iniba ang title dahil ang sinundang pelikula na Takbo, Vilma, Dali ay naging isang napakalaking hit din noong panahong iyon. Aba, isipin ninyo, noong panahong iyon ay nakakagawa ng isang pelikulang black and white sa halagang P120,000 lamang. Eh kinse pesos lang ang sine noon. Ang Darna ni Vilma kumita ng tatlung daang libong piso sa Metro Manila pa lamang at kakaunti pa ang sinehan noon ha. At kung titingnan naman ninyo si Vilma nung nag-uumpisa — maganda, sexy, at maputi. Kung negra ka, ano ang hitsura mo kung magsusuot ka ng costume ni Darna? Baka mapagkamalan ka pang lumilipad na tuko? Pagkatapos ni Vilma, marami ring naging ibang Darna, pero honestly ni hindi na namin napanood ang mga pelikula. Hindi dahil nagsawa kami sa Darna movies ha. In fact, hanggang ngayon mahilig pa rin kami sa super heroes. Nanonood nga kami ng anime eh. Pero hindi namin nagustuhan ang iba..." - Ed de Leon, Pang-Masa, 08 Oct 2013 (READ MORE)

Valentina - "...Iba talaga si Direk Maryo J. dahil he brings out the best in his actors,” says Katrina, whose daughter Katrence turned one year old last Wednesday. “Dito sa ‘Magkano Ba ang Pag-ibig’, tatlo kaming aktres na nag-Valentina ang nagkasama-sama. Una si Tita Celia Rodriguez na nag-Valentina kay Gov. Vilma Santos sa ‘Lipad Darna Lipad’ in 1973. Then si Alessandra de Rossi na nag-Valentina on TV to Angel Locsin’s Darna noong 2005, at ako na nag-Valentina kay Marian Rivera sa 2009 version ng ‘Darna..." - Mario Bautista, Journal, 23 September 2013 (READ MORE)

Intergalactic Warrior - "...There were comic-inspired franchises that never travelled beyond their own borders, such as the Darna series from the Philippines in the 1970s - she was an intergalactic warrior disguised as an earthling - and which helped actress Vilma Santos turn the fame she achieved into a political career that still sees her serving as governor of Batangas province..." - Matt Scott, South China Morning Post, 20 April, 2014 (READ MORE)