Basic Information: Direction: Ding M. de Jesus; Story: Louise de Mesa; Cast: Lolita Rodriguez, Eddie Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden/ Also Starring Renato Robles, Patricia Mijares, Ric Bustamante, Marifi and Vilma Santos; Screenplay: Jose F. Sibal; Music: Tony Maiquez; Production Company: Virgo Film Productions; Release Date November 7, 1968 at Center Theatre
Plot Description: One of several Love triangle films of Lolita-Eddie-Marlene. Vilma played the daugther.
Film Achievement: No Available Data
Film Reviews: "...Ipinanganak nga marahil si Ma. Rosa Vilma Tuazon Santos sa show business dahil sa pagitan ng taping ng “Larawan..” ay nagkasunod-sunod na ang kanyang mga pelikula...“De Colores” ng Arco-Iris (Marso 30 – April 10, 1968)...hanggang “Young Love” ng VP Enero 1 – 21, 1970) ng lumikha ng rekord sa takilya....Makalipas ang mga tatlong buwan, nakatanggap ng maikling sulat si Mama Santos muka lay G. Agra. Naghahanap ang Sampaguita Picutures ng batang babae na gaganap ng mahalagang papel sa “Anak, Ang Iyong Ina!” at isinali ng amain ang pangalan ni Vi. Hindi puwedeng lumiban si Papa Santos sa pinpasukang government office, at ayaw naman nilang mapahiya ang kamag-anak, kaya napilitan si Mama Santos na humingi ng day=off sa opisina (Aguinaldo’s). Pagdating sa studio, wala si G. Agra at nasa location shooting, ngunit totoong naroroon ang pangalan ni Vi, kaya’t pinapasok sila sa tanggapan. Napadaan sa harapan ni Mama Santos si Bella Flores na dala ang script ng “Trudis Liit.” Nagulumihanan si Mama Santos. Binasa niyang muli ang liham ni G. Agra. Mali yata ang napuntahan nila! Akma niyang tatawagin si Vi na noon ay nkikipaglaro sa iba pang mga bata upang yayain na itong umuwi, nang pumasok sina Mommy Vera, Dr. at Mrs. Perez, at Eddie Garcia. At doon nagsimula ang movie career ni Vi na magpahanggang ngayon ay batbat pa rin ng iba’t ibang panunuri, opinyon at konklusiyon..." - Ched P. Gonzales (READ MORE)
"...In 1963, two great Sampaguita talents, Lolita Rodriguez and Marlene Dauden and drama king Eddie Rodriguez starred in Sapagka’t Kami’y Tao Lamang, the movie that turned out to be a sensational and phenomenal hit. The movie garnered the year’s top FAMAS awards--- Best Actor for Eddie Rodriguez; Best Supporting Actress for Marlene Dauden; Best Director for Armando De Guzman. It started the series of the so-called love triangle movies featuring the three dramatic icons in Philippine movies. Ms. Dauden was memorable in such dramas as Anino ni Bathala (1958) and Kamandag (1959). In both films, Marlene won the FAMAS best supporting actress trophies. She was also awarded the FAMAS Best Actress awards twice: Sa Bawa’t Pintig ng Puso (1964) and Kapag Puso’y Sinugatan (1967)..." - Simon Santos (READ MORE)
Luis Enriquez aka Eddie Rodriguez first directed a young Vilma Santos in 1968 Kasalanan Kaya, another love triangle genre starring the dramatic trio of Marlene Dauden, Eddie Rodriguez and Lolita Rodriguez. Vilma received an early acting recognitions from this film by receiving a FAMAS Nomination for Best Supporting Actress. When Enriquez directed Vilma again, it was a calculated risk that allowed a still young Vilma into a bikini-clad lead role opposite his director himself, Eddie Rodriguez. The film, Nakakahiya, a may-december affair between an older man and a young woman was an entry to 1975 Bacolod City Film Festival. Aside from making the the film a smash hit, Vilma received the festival’s Best Actress. Enriquez will direct Vilma in five more films, the last one was ExWife in 1981 where surprisingly Luis used in film credits his screen name, Eddie Rodriguez. Theri total number of colloborations were seven (Ex-Wife 1981, Halik sa Kamay Halik sa Paa 1979, Hindi Nakakahiya 1976, Ikaw Lamang 1971, Kasalanan Kaya? 1968, Nakakahiya? 1975, Simula ng Walang Katapusan). - RV (READ MORE)
Basic Information: Direction: Eddie Rodriguez; Story: Liza Moreno; Screenplay: Louise de Mesa; Cast: Marlene Dauden, Nello Nayo, Renato Robles, Eddie Rodriguez, Lolita Rodriguez, Vilma Santos; Original Music: Tony Maiquez; Cinematography: Ricardo Remias; Film poster: Video48
Plot Description: One of several Love triangle films of Lolita-Eddie-Marlene. Vilma played the daugther.
Film Achievement: Entry to the 1968 3rd Manila Film Festival; FAMAS: Best Story – Liza Moreno, Best Photography – Ricardo Remias, Best Musical Score – Tony Maiquez, Best Picture Nomination, Best Actor Nomination – Eddie Rodriguez, Best Actress Nomination – Lolita Rodriguez, Best Supporting Actress Nomination – Vilma Santos, Best Director Nomination – Eddie Rodriguez; Manila Film Festival: Grand Rajah Soliman Best Picture Award - Virgo Productions, Best Actor - Eddie Rodriguez, Best Actress - Lolita Rodriguez, Best Director - Luis Enriquez, Best Child Actor - Roderick Paulate, Best Story - Louise de Mesa, Best Music - Tony Maiquez; Best Soung - Flaviano Villareal, Best Picture in Drama; San Beda Film Awards - Best Supporting Actress - Vilma Santos; 1968 3rd Manila Film Festival: Best Picture in Drama; Best Actor - Eddie Rodriguez; Best Actress - Lolita Rodriguez; Best Director - Luis Enriquez (Eddie Rodriguez); Best Child Actor - Roderick Paulate; Best Story - Louise de Mesa; Best Music - Tony Maiquez; Best Sound - Flaviano Villareal; 1968 Manila Film Festival – Best Child Performer Nomination – Vilma Santos
One of film projects Rodriguez and Santos collaborated. (Ex-Wife 1981 (director), Halik sa Kamay Halik sa Paa 1979, Hindi Nakakahiya 1976 (director), Ikaw Lamang 1971, Kasalanan Kaya? 1968, Nakakahiya? 1975 (director), Simula ng Walang Katapusan (director) 1978) - RV (READ MORE)
Film Reviews: "...Virgo Productions' Kasalanan Kaya...? won 8 of 20 awards, Eddie Rodriguez (Best Actor); Lolita Rodriguez (Best Actress); Luis Enriquez (Best Director); Roderick Paulate (Best Child Actor); Louise de Mesa (Best Story); Tony Maiquez (Best Music); Flaviano Villareal (Best Sound) and Best Picture in Drama..." - VIdeo48 (READ MORE)
Luis Enriquez aka Eddie Rodriguez first directed a young Vilma Santos in 1968 Kasalanan Kaya, another love triangle genre starring the dramatic trio of Marlene Dauden, Eddie Rodriguez and Lolita Rodriguez. Vilma received an early acting recognitions from this film by receiving a FAMAS Nomination for Best Supporting Actress. When Enriquez directed Vilma again, it was a calculated risk that allowed a still young Vilma into a bikini-clad lead role opposite his director himself, Eddie Rodriguez. The film, Nakakahiya, a may-december affair between an older man and a young woman was an entry to 1975 Bacolod City Film Festival. Aside from making the the film a smash hit, Vilma received the festival’s Best Actress. Enriquez will direct Vilma in five more films, the last one was ExWife in 1981 where surprisingly Luis used in film credits his screen name, Eddie Rodriguez. - RV (READ MORE)
"...Ipinanganak nga marahil si Ma. Rosa Vilma Tuazon Santos sa show business dahil sa pagitan ng taping ng “Larawan..” ay nagkasunod-sunod na ang kanyang mga pelikula...“Kasalanan Kaya” ng Virgo Films (Hunyo 16 – 28, 1968)...hanggang “Young Love” ng VP Enero 1 – 21, 1970) ng lumikha ng rekord sa takilya..." - Ched P. Gonzales (READ MORE)
"...This started the showbiz career of Ate Vi. Her most unforgettable film as a child actress is the Hollywood movie, "The Longest Hundred Miles," where she co-starred with international film stars Ricardo Montalban, Katharine Ross and Doug McClure. From 1963 to 1969, she did 27 movies as a child actress. At 14, she got her first FAMAS nomination as a supporting actress in "Kasalanan Kaya?" where she played the daughter of Lolita and Eddie Rodriguez..." - Mario Bautista (READ MORE)
"...Kung sa pagpupunyagi kong marating ang rurok ng tagumpay at makalimot sa mga mahal sa buhay, kasalanan kaya?...Kung ang aking pagmamahal at mga pagpapakasakit ang maging katumbas ay ang pagwawalang bahala at kapabayaan ng aking asawa at siya'y iniwan ko, kasalanan kaya?...Kung sa pakikiramay ko sa dalamhati ng iba at sa aking puso'y kusang kumatok ang tawag ng pag-ibig, kasalanan kaya?..." Ang award winning na pelikula ng Virgo Films na inilahok sa 3rd Manila Film Festival na Kasalanan Kaya? (released: June 16, 1968) ay pinangunahan nina Vi, Eddie Rodriguez, Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden, Roderick Paulate, Renato Robles at Nello Nayo na idinerek ni Luis Enriquez. Si Louise de Mesa ang gumawa ng kasaysayan samantalang si Tommy C. David ang gumawa ng iskrip. Ang pelikulang ito ay nagkamit ng walong parangal mula sa Manila Film Festival: best drama picture, best actor (Eddie Rodriguez), best actress (Lolita Rodriguez, best director (Luis Enriquez), best child actor (Roderick Paulate), best story (Louise de Mesa), best music (Tony Maiquez) at best sound (Flaviano Villareal). Si Vi naman ang best supporting actress ng San Beda College. Si Louise de Mesa ay nanalo ng FAMAS best story..." - Alfonso Valencia (READ MORE)
judges’ favorite - "...Your promo for “Lolo” was mainly on Facebook. You also have lots of old photos as a child star on your Facebook page. Friends requested that I post more old photos. There’s one of me with Vi (Vilma Santos). That was the first time I beat her as Best Child Performer (for “Kasalanan Kaya?” in the 1968 Manila Film Festival). Vi played my sister in that movie. Whenever Vi and I talk about that, we get a good laugh. I make it a private joke when we fight “Basta, I beat you when I was 6 and you were almost 15!” She’d claim I was the judges’ favorite. I’d counter, “I did a death scene at age 6!” Yes, how did you do that? I had Lolita Rodriguez, who played my mom, as my teacher. Of course, as a child, I had no concept of death. She pressed her hand to my chest and asked, “How do you feel?” I said I couldn’t breathe. She told me to deliver my lines as if I was gasping for air. That movie also starred Eddie Rodriguez and Marlene Dauden. I had the best mentors..." - Bayani San Diego Jr., Philippine Daily Inquirer, 27 July 2010 (READ MORE)
"...According to Celso de Guzman Caparas, Funfare’s “other beauty expert cum showbiz chronicler,” Eddie then directed two love-triangle movies, Kasalanan Kaya? and Ikaw!, using his real name, Luis Enriquez, which both gave him a Best Director trophy at the now-defunct Manila Film Festival (forerunner of the Metro Manila Film Festival). His wife-actress Liza Moreno (a.k.a. Louise de Mesa, also deceased) wrote the stories of Kapag Puso’y Sinugatan and Kasalanan Kaya?, winners of Best Story in both MFF and the FAMAS. The couple’s film outfit, Virgo Productions, produced four of the movies: Kapag Puso’y Sinugatan, Sino Ang May Karapatan? and Kasalanan Kaya? and Ikaw! Here’s the triumvirate’s hit starrers with interesting information and their vintage ads, prepared by Celso:...Kay Tagal ng Umaga, shown on Aug. 23, 1965. It was a DZRH radio serial sponsored by Darigold. Then child actress Vilma Santos co-starred in this movie, her first among the four films she appeared with the troika...Kasalanan Kaya?, shown on June 16, 1968. An official entry to the 3rd Manila Film Festival, it won eight awards: Best Dramatic Picture, Best Actor (Eddie Rodriguez), Best Actress (Lolita Rodriguez), Best Director (Luis Enriquez), Best Child Actor (Roderick Paulate), Best Story (Louise de Mesa), Best Music (Tony Maiquez) and Best Sound (Flaviano Villareal). It also won three FAMAS awards out of eight nominations: Best Cinematography (black and white, Ricardo Remias), Best Story (Louise de Mesa) and Best Musical Score (Tony Maiquez). Other nominations: Best Picture, Best Director (Luis Enriquez), Best Actor (Eddie Rodriguez), Best Actress (Lolita Rodriguez) and Best Supporting Actress (Vilma Santos). Vilma won Best Supporting Actress at the San Beda College Awards..." - Ricky Lo, The Philippine Star, Feb 06 2013 (READ MORE)
Basic Information: Direction Lauro Pacheco; Cast: Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden and Eddie Rodriguez/ Also Starring Sammy Barretto, Carina Mujer, Mary Walter, Dely Villanueva, Jose villafranca and Lito garcia/ Featuring Ben Perez, Aruray and Vilma Santos; Screenplay Jose F. Sibal; Music Levi Celerio; Larry Santiago Productions; Release Date January 9, 1966 at Center Theatre; Film poster: Video48
Plot Description: No Available Data
Film Achievement: No Available Data
Film Reviews: "...Ipinanganak nga marahil si Ma. Rosa Vilma Tuazon Santos sa show business dahil sa pagitan ng taping ng “Larawan..” ay nagkasunod-sunod na ang kanyang mga pelikula...“Ito Ang Dahilan” ng LSP (Agosto 1 – 8, 1966)...hanggang “Young Love” ng VP Enero 1 – 21, 1970) ng lumikha ng rekord sa takilya....Makalipas ang mga tatlong buwan, nakatanggap ng maikling sulat si Mama Santos muka lay G. Agra. Naghahanap ang Sampaguita Picutures ng batang babae na gaganap ng mahalagang papel sa “Anak, Ang Iyong Ina!” at isinali ng amain ang pangalan ni Vi. Hindi puwedeng lumiban si Papa Santos sa pinpasukang government office, at ayaw naman nilang mapahiya ang kamag-anak, kaya napilitan si Mama Santos na humingi ng day=off sa opisina (Aguinaldo’s). Pagdating sa studio, wala si G. Agra at nasa location shooting, ngunit totoong naroroon ang pangalan ni Vi, kaya’t pinapasok sila sa tanggapan. Napadaan sa harapan ni Mama Santos si Bella Flores na dala ang script ng “Trudis Liit.” Nagulumihanan si Mama Santos. Binasa niyang muli ang liham ni G. Agra. Mali yata ang napuntahan nila! Akma niyang tatawagin si Vi na noon ay nkikipaglaro sa iba pang mga bata upang yayain na itong umuwi, nang pumasok sina Mommy Vera, Dr. at Mrs. Perez, at Eddie Garcia. At doon nagsimula ang movie career ni Vi na magpahanggang ngayon ay batbat pa rin ng iba’t ibang panunuri, opinyon at konklusiyon..." - Ched P. Gonzales (READ MORE)
"...In 1963, two great Sampaguita talents, Lolita Rodriguez and Marlene Dauden and drama king Eddie Rodriguez starred in Sapagka’t Kami’y Tao Lamang, the movie that turned out to be a sensational and phenomenal hit. The movie garnered the year’s top FAMAS awards--- Best Actor for Eddie Rodriguez; Best Supporting Actress for Marlene Dauden; Best Director for Armando De Guzman. It started the series of the so-called love triangle movies featuring the three dramatic icons in Philippine movies. Ms. Dauden was memorable in such dramas as Anino ni Bathala (1958) and Kamandag (1959). In both films, Marlene won the FAMAS best supporting actress trophies. She was also awarded the FAMAS Best Actress awards twice: Sa Bawa’t Pintig ng Puso (1964) and Kapag Puso’y Sinugatan (1967)..." - Simon Santos (READ MORE)
Basic Information: Directed: Lauro Pacheco; Story: Aning Bagabaldo; Screenplay: Jose Flores Sibal; Cast: Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden, Eddie Rodriguez, Vilma Valera, Vilma Santos; Original Music: Tony Maiquez; Executive producer: Larry Santiago; Film poster: Video48
Plot Description: No Available Data
Film Achievement: Film adaptation of Aning Bagabaldo’s radio drama broadcasted on DZRH; 1964 FAMAS: Best Actress – Marlene Dauden; Best Musical Score – Restie Umali; Best Picture Nomination
Film Reviews: "...Ipinanganak nga marahil si Ma. Rosa Vilma Tuazon Santos sa show business dahil sa pagitan ng taping ng “Larawan..” ay nagkasunod-sunod na ang kanyang mga pelikula...“Sa Bawa’t Pintig Ng Puso” ng LSP (Nobyemre 16 – 25, 1964)...ng lumikha ng rekord sa takilya...Makalipas ang mga tatlong buwan, nakatanggap ng maikling sulat si Mama Santos muka lay G. Agra. Naghahanap ang Sampaguita Picutures ng batang babae na gaganap ng mahalagang papel sa “Anak, Ang Iyong Ina!” at isinali ng amain ang pangalan ni Vi. Hindi puwedeng lumiban si Papa Santos sa pinpasukang government office, at ayaw naman nilang mapahiya ang kamag-anak, kaya napilitan si Mama Santos na humingi ng day=off sa opisina (Aguinaldo’s). Pagdating sa studio, wala si G. Agra at nasa location shooting, ngunit totoong naroroon ang pangalan ni Vi, kaya’t pinapasok sila sa tanggapan. Napadaan sa harapan ni Mama Santos si Bella Flores na dala ang script ng “Trudis Liit.” Nagulumihanan si Mama Santos. Binasa niyang muli ang liham ni G. Agra. Mali yata ang napuntahan nila! Akma niyang tatawagin si Vi na noon ay nkikipaglaro sa iba pang mga bata upang yayain na itong umuwi, nang pumasok sina Mommy Vera, Dr. at Mrs. Perez, at Eddie Garcia. At doon nagsimula ang movie career ni Vi na magpahanggang ngayon ay batbat pa rin ng iba’t ibang panunuri, opinyon at konklusiyon..." - Ched P. Gonzales (READ MORE)
"...In 1963, two great Sampaguita talents, Lolita Rodriguez and Marlene Dauden and drama king Eddie Rodriguez starred in Sapagka’t Kami’y Tao Lamang, the movie that turned out to be a sensational and phenomenal hit. The movie garnered the year’s top FAMAS awards--- Best Actor for Eddie Rodriguez; Best Supporting Actress for Marlene Dauden; Best Director for Armando De Guzman. It started the series of the so-called love triangle movies featuring the three dramatic icons in Philippine movies. Ms. Dauden was memorable in such dramas as Anino ni Bathala (1958) and Kamandag (1959). In both films, Marlene won the FAMAS best supporting actress trophies. She was also awarded the FAMAS Best Actress awards twice: Sa Bawa’t Pintig ng Puso (1964) and Kapag Puso’y Sinugatan (1967)..." - Simon Santos (READ MORE)
"...According to Celso de Guzman Caparas, Funfare’s “other beauty expert cum showbiz chronicler,” Eddie then directed two love-triangle movies, Kasalanan Kaya? and Ikaw!, using his real name, Luis Enriquez, which both gave him a Best Director trophy at the now-defunct Manila Film Festival (forerunner of the Metro Manila Film Festival). His wife-actress Liza Moreno (a.k.a. Louise de Mesa, also deceased) wrote the stories of Kapag Puso’y Sinugatan and Kasalanan Kaya?, winners of Best Story in both MFF and the FAMAS. The couple’s film outfit, Virgo Productions, produced four of the movies: Kapag Puso’y Sinugatan, Sino Ang May Karapatan? and Kasalanan Kaya? and Ikaw! Here’s the triumvirate’s hit starrers with interesting information and their vintage ads, prepared by Celso:...Kay Tagal ng Umaga, shown on Aug. 23, 1965. It was a DZRH radio serial sponsored by Darigold. Then child actress Vilma Santos co-starred in this movie, her first among the four films she appeared with the troika...Kasalanan Kaya?, shown on June 16, 1968. An official entry to the 3rd Manila Film Festival, it won eight awards: Best Dramatic Picture, Best Actor (Eddie Rodriguez), Best Actress (Lolita Rodriguez), Best Director (Luis Enriquez), Best Child Actor (Roderick Paulate), Best Story (Louise de Mesa), Best Music (Tony Maiquez) and Best Sound (Flaviano Villareal). It also won three FAMAS awards out of eight nominations: Best Cinematography (black and white, Ricardo Remias), Best Story (Louise de Mesa) and Best Musical Score (Tony Maiquez). Other nominations: Best Picture, Best Director (Luis Enriquez), Best Actor (Eddie Rodriguez), Best Actress (Lolita Rodriguez) and Best Supporting Actress (Vilma Santos). Vilma won Best Supporting Actress at the San Beda College Awards..." - Ricky Lo, The Philippine Star, Feb 06 2013 (READ MORE)
Basic Information: Directed: Jose De Villa; Story: Mars Ravelo; Screenplay: Chito B. Tapawan; Cast: Vilma Santos, Connie Angeles, Lolita Rodriguez, Luis Gonzales, Bella Flores, Charlie Davao, Rodolfo ‘Boy’ Garcia, Ely Roque, Matimtiman Cruz, Ray Marcos, Ven Medina, Venchito Galvez; Original Music: Pastor de Jesus; Executive producer: Dr. Jose Vera Perez
Plot Description: Ang Trudis Liit ay isang pelikulang Drama kung saan inaapi ang kaawa-awang si Trudis (Vilma Santos) ng kanyang madrasta (Bella Flores). Ito ay ipinalabas noong Pebrero 21, taong 1963. Wikipedia
Film Achievement: 1963 FAMAS Best Child Actress – Vilma Santos; 2010 – Trudis has been recently remade into a televison series and also into film in 1990s
Film Reviews: “This is, of course, Vilma’s first film and it has all the elements of a melodrama – the good guys and one extremely bad woman (Bella Flores). This early, you can already tell that Vilma was to the acting profession born. (She won FAMAS Best Child Actress for this film). She doesn’t allow herself to be eclipsed by her veteran co-stars: Luis Gonzales and the Lolita Rodriguez. But with due respect to Vilma, even if she is the one who plays the title role here and is undeniably good in this Sampaguita Pictures box-office hit, the one who leaves a really lasting impression in the minds of most viewers is the character played by Connie Angeles – Oreng. After all, wasn’t it this girl who gets chewed up by a German Shepherd in the film?” Written by Butch Francisco, Newsflash.org, Feb 2004
"Nakihalo lang ako doon sa mga nag-a-audition sa Trudis Liit [1963]," pagbabalik-tanaw ng aktres kung paano siya napasok sa showbiz at naging bida nga kaagad sa nabanggit niyang proyektong iyon. Hindi ako dapat talaga doon [sa audition na iyon]. Nakipila lang ako. Pagpila ko, tinatawag ako ng mommy ko na, 'Hindi ka diyan! Sabi ko, 'Andito na, e!' Makulit na ako no'ng time na 'yon! So, anyway, tinawag ako ni Doc Perez [of Sampaguita Pictures] at that time. Pinaarte ako. Nag-adlib-adlib pa ako. Nakuha naman ako. So, when I started, dalawa kaagad ang pelikula ko—Trudis Liit at Anak, Ang Iyong Ina [1963]. Ang naaalala ko lang tungkol sa maaga kong pagpasok sa pag-aartista, parang laro lang sa akin iyon. Parang naglalaro lang ako noon kaya hindi trabaho sa akin iyon, e. So, very-very memorable sa akin iyon. At saka no'ng Trudis Liit, every lunch, lagi akong may apple. Lagi akong may chicken. Every lunch talaga 'yon. Parang... Siguro bata, so ibibigay nila 'yong gano'ng ano sa 'yo. Parang may prize ka, gano'n. So, memorable sa akin iyon." - Vilma Santos (READ MORE)
"...Contravida Queen Bella Flores was featured in "Showbiz Central’s" Most Influential segment as she plays a big part in GMA Films’ new movie with Rhian Ramos and Aljur Abrenica, "My Kontrabida Girl." It’s also a tribute to Bella as she’s celebrating her 60th anniversary in showbiz. The screen name Bella Flores was given to her by the late Sampaguita Pictures’ boss Dr. Jose Perez. "I was so glad when I was told it means beautiful flowers," she said. Her real name is Remedios Dancel and she was born on Feb. 27, 1936, which means she turned 76 yesterday, Monday (Feb 27/2012). She was only 15 when she did her first villain role maltreating child star Tessie Agana in the blockbuster "Roberta." She recounted that Vilma Santos auditioned with her for her first movie, "Trudis Liit," in 1963. "Natakot siya at tumakbo dahil nakita niyang pinahirapan ko ‘yung ibang batang nag-audition," she said. "Ngayon, governor na siya. Sina Roderick Paulate at Gina Alajar, sa’kin din nagsimula as child stars sa ‘Kaibigan Kong Sto. Nino’..." - Mario BautistaREAD MORE
"Siyam na taong gulang si Vilma Santos nang gawin niya ang kauna-unahang pelikula niya ang “Trudis Liit” ng VP Pictures na itinanghal noong Pebrero 21 – Marso 2, 1963. Naging abala siya pagkatapos sa linguhang taping ng TV series na “Larawan ng Pag-ibig” sa ABS (ang dating KBS sa Roxas Blvd. Noon) kung saan nakasama niya sina Zeny Zabala at Willie Sotelo. Noon pa man, kapuna-puna na madaling kumuha ng direksiyon si Vi, bukod pa sa mabilis itong magmemoya ng linya. Lubha rin siyang maingat sa kanyang pangkalahatang kaanyuhan bago humarap sa kamera. Kapag ang eksena ay sa loob ng tahanan, medyo guguluhin niya ang buhok, titiyakin na may kalumaan ang suot na simpleng damit, pati na ang tsinelas. Kapag sa labas naman ang eksena, pipili siya ng angkop na kasuotan, na para sa kanya ay komportable at simple. Dito sila madalas nagkakaiba ng panlasa ng kanyang ina. Pati na sa ayos ng buhok. Ang kay Vi, ang pananatili pa rin ng dating gawi. Ang sa kanyang mama, artista at kinakailangan nga naman ng kauting pagbabago sa panlabas na kaanyuan. Siyempre, ang kadalasang resulta, ang Mama niya ang nasusunod. After all, mother knows best, hindi ba? Bagay na hanggang nagdalaga si Vi ay muli at muli niyang napatunayan. Anyway, noon pa man, natural lang na mamalas kay Mama Santos ang understandeble pride sa anak, lalo pa’t madalas sabihin nina Zeny at Willie, “Artista talaga! Madali niyang masakyan ang prepesyong ito!” na matinding intriga at kontrobersiya..." - Ched P. Gonzales, Vilma Santos: Noon At Ngayon, Modern Romances True Confessions Magazine, December 15, 1980 (READ MORE)
"...The late starbuilder, Dr. Jose Perez, saw Vilma when she was 9 yrs old and realized early on her potential as an actress when she auditioned and eventually won the title role in Mars Ravelo’s “Trudis Liit” (1963) produced by Vera Perez Pictures where Vilma won her first acting award as Best Child Actress from the FAMAS..." - Paolo Salas, Celebrity Chronicle, Nov 2006 (READ MORE)
"...Vilma was talking about Trudis Liit, the ’60s Sampaguita tearjerker in which she played the title role, with Luis playing her father, now US-based Lolita Rodriguez her mother and Bella Flores as the kontrabida. Luis, whose real surname is Mercado, died of complications of pneumonia at 11:30 Thursday night, March 15, at the Makati Medical Center where he was confined for the last time (he had been in and out of the hospital). As in the case of movie greats, Luis’ age is confidential and maybe not even his wife Vina Concepcion, who belongs to the clan that owns Concepcion Industries, and their three children can be forced to reveal it. After Trudis Liit, Vilma would star with Luis years later when she was already a teenager, in Iginuhit ng Tadhana and in Pinagbuklod ng Langit, produced by Sampaguita Pictures, believed to have helped Ferdinand Marcos win when he ran for President and then for reelection. In both movies, Luis plays Marcos, with Gloria Romero as First Lady Imelda Marcos and Vilma as Imee Marcos (now Ilocos Norte Governor). In the second, Gina Alajar plays as Irene Marcos (Mrs. Greggy Araneta), Now-Sen. Bongbong Marcos plays himself in the first movie (it was Jonjie Aranda, ex-husband of Sen. Loren Legarda, who plays Bongbong in the second). “I shot Palimos ng Pagibig (a Viva drama, with Edu Manzano and Dina Bonnevie) at Luis’ house,” added Vilma. “I remember him as sobrang kalog, palabiro. Ang tawag namin kay Tito Luis palengke kasi nga Mercado ang real surname niya. I was nine years old then and he always reminded me to just enjoy everything. We were always shooting dramatic scenes at parati akong iyak nang iyak, but after every take, tawa na kami nang tawa because Tito Luis would start cracking jokes..." - RicoJr (READ MORE)
"...Bella Flores (born Remedios Dancel) began terrorizing lead actors and actresses since she was cast as the evil stepmother in the 1951 film Roberta. Since then, she has been cast in over a hundred films, making life miserable for the likes of little Vilma Santos in the 1964 film Trudis Liit and young Gina Alajar in the 1970 film Robina...Her screen name might mean "beautiful flowers," but she has piercing eyes (always with tons of black eyeliner) and a husky voice that easily send shivers down one's spine. She seems to excel in terrorizing kids in movies..." - Spot.ph (READ MORE)
Oreng, Trudis' sister "...I was five when I did ‘Eskuwelahang Munti,’” Connie begins. “Maybe, my mother harbored a secret ambition to become an actress that’s why she took me there. Sintunado ako pero wala namang pinipili doon. As long as you can face the camera, and tumula ka d’yan, kumanta ka…Its products were Edgar Mortiz, Ike Lozada and Perla Adea. ‘Pag bata kasi, patatawarin ka kahit sintunado. May ribbon ako na malalaki, bungi pa ako noon. “In Trudis, we were 800 plus during the audition. Tita Lolit (Lolita Rodriguez) and Tita Bella (Flores) talked to my mother. Siguro, natutuwa sa akin. They told her na kukurutin daw ako para umiyak pero kailangan daw sabihin ko ang lines ko. So, nakuha ako, kasi the other children forgot to say the dialogue when they started crying. “I played Oreng, yung sister ni Trudis na kinagat ng aso. But I never became a dramatic actress, because I didn’t know how to cry. In one scene, inaagaw na yung baboy namin do’n, ipagbibili na ni Bella. When Ate Vi (Vilma Santos) cried, iyak na din ako pero boses lang. Wala talagang luha. Kakausapin na naman nila nanay ko. Kunwari papauwiin na ako. ‘Pag umiyak na ako, they would start shooting. After our scenes, Tito Luis (Gonzalez) and Tita Lolit would buy us Max chicken kasi pinahirapan nila kaming umiyak..." - Gypsy Baldovino (READ MORE)
"...a star, er, actress was born. Impressive start, easily cries on cue, rewarded by the FAMAS for best child actress. She had a movie with Gloria Romero and Rita Gomez in Anak, Ang Iyong Ina..." - anonymous (READ MORE)
Sampaguita vs LVN - "...During the 1950s and the early 1960s Sampaguita and LVN were acknowledged leaders of the industry. Dr. Jose Perez, Sampaguita general manager, went on to discover an array of luminaries including Gloria Romero (who won the FAMAS best actress award in "Dalagang Ilocana"), Rita Gomez, Greg Martin, Susan Roces, Amalia Fuentes, Romeo Vasquez, Barbara Perez, Tony Marzan, and Eddie Garcia who has won more acting trophies than any other Filipino thespian in the history of Philippine movies. It was also Doc Perez who gave both Vilma Santos and Rod Navarro their first movie breaks. Vilma was the child star of "Trudis Liit" while Rod appeared as an extra in a now forgotten Sampaguita movie. Meanwhile, LVN too was turning out blockbusters during the 1950s. Among its many stars were Pugo and Tugo (Doctor X, Pulo ng Engkanto, Dalawang Prinsepeng Kambal), Armando Goyena (father of Maritess and Tina Revilla), Celia Flor, Teody Belarmino, Tony Santos, Lilia Dizon, Tessie Quintana, Mario Montenegro, Jaime de la Rosa, Delia Razon, Rosa Rosal, Nestor de Villa and the uninhibited Nida Blanca. LVN produced such unforgettable musical comedies as Batanguena, Waray-Waray, and Saydwok Bendor (all starring Nida Blanca); such fantasy films as Tungkod ni Moses (where Director Richard Abelardo divided the Red Sea) and Rodrigo de Villa; and such dramatic tearjerker as In Despair (Mila del Sol and Jaime de la Rosa), Pag-asa (Armando Goyena and Priscilla Cellona), Yolanda (Celia Flor and Teody Belarmino), and Aklat ng Buhay (Rosa Rosal and Oscar Keesee)..." - Joe Quirino, Times Journal, August 19, 1977 (READ MORE)
