”…As far as he can recall, his first gay outing was in the critically acclaimed High School Circa '65. “Doon naman, I was nominated for Best Supporting Actor considering na 15 or 16 pa lang ako noon. I was the comic relief of the movie.” Bibeth Orteza, who played a teacher in High School Circa ’65, created a gay character for him in the sitcom “Tepok Bunot.” “Nag-hit ‘yon,” says Roderick. Then a producer gave him the lead role in Charot, a movie inspired by Dustin Hoffman’s gender-bending performance in Tootsie. Before Roderick knew it, other offers to do gay roles started coming his way, with one of them from a very persuasive line producer-actress. “After Charot, ayoko munang tanggapin ang mga gay-gay roles,” he says. “But it was Charo Santos who convinced me to do a gay movie where I would be paired with Maricel (Soriano).” The project was Regal Films’ Inday, Inday sa Balitaw which ended up being a huge success. “The rest is history!” Roderick exclaims. “Yun na! Sunud-sunud na sa box-office…” (READ MORE)
Maryo J. delos Reyes was born on October 12, 1952 in Sta. Cruz, Manila, Philippines. He finished his primary education at Malate Catholic School and when he reached high school, he decided to give priesthood a chance and graduated at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary. His dream of being a director never left him so he enrolled at the Institute of Mass Communications of the University of the Philippines where he graduated with honors. While in school, he became active with PETA, the country’s premiere theater group in the seventies. He started handling acting workshops and a scriptwriter for the film Disco Fever. He then became the creative head of Agrix Films where he directed High School Circa ’65, his first directorial venture in 1979. He received nominations for his work on this film. Since then, he has directed 56 feature films, several television programs and specials, commercials and stage plays. - Tiburon Film Festival (READ MORE)
FAIR USE NOTICE (NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE): This site contains copyrighted materials the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to preserve the film legacies of actress, Vilma Santos, and to make her career information available to future generations. We believe this is NOT an infringement of any such copyrighted materials as in accordance to the the fair dealing clauses of both the Canadian and U.S. Copyright legislation, both of which allows users to engage in certain activities relating to research, private study, criticism, review, or news reporting. We are making an exerted effort to mention the source of the material, along with the name of the author, performer, maker, or broadcaster for the dealing to be fair, again in accordance with the allowable clauses. - Wikipedia (READ MORE)
204 films, 70 directors, 5 decades, Vilma Santos, one of the original Philippine movie queens, rose up to become the versatile actress that has been given the fitting title of “Star for All Seasons” because of her capacity to adapt to the changing mores and values of the Filipino woman, giving a face to their plight and struggles, albeit in success both critically and box-office wise in some of Philippine cinema’s classics such as Trudis Liit (1963), Lipad, Darna, Lipad (1973), Burlesk Queen (1977), Relasyon (1982), Sister Stella L. (1984), Alyas Baby Tsina (1984), Pahiram ng Isang Umaga (1989), Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story (1993), Anak (2000) and Dekada ’70 (2002). This are top ten directors who contributed to her success. - RV (READ MORE)
In 1987, Maryo De Los Reyes directed Vilma Santos that critics considered one of the most shocking film that year, "Tagos Ng Dugo." The film was hailed as feminist as seldom a Filipino woman was seen on screen as a murderous serial killer. It earned Vilma Santos her fourth FAMAS Best Actress. Ironically, the conservative Catholic church's award giving body, Catholic Mass Media Awards, agreed with the FAMAS. They gave Vi their Best Actress award while the critics' group, Gawad Urian refused to hand-out their yearly award citing there were no deserving films that year. Reyes last directed Vilma in another memorable off-beat role, the 1992 drama, "Sinungaling Mong Puso." - RV (READ MORE)
Tagos ng Dugo (1987) - "...A breakthrough for Philippine psychological movies? Probably. Let me explore a few other angles on this seeming cross between Francois Truffaut’s The Bride Wore Black and Luis Buñuel’s Belle du Jour — I don’t know if screenwriter Jake Tordesillas or De los Reyes himself should be congratulated for the cohesion of multi-resultants in this work. Part of this multi-readings would be the movie as a feminist take on womankind’s monthly pains as a form of excuse for female monthly insanities, insanities our machos regard as regular terrorism on the whole of mankind (men or society as a whole). It is with that reading that the ending apologies, by Vilma Santos in the lead role, might be understood as a plea for understanding of how all of woman’s monthly Eve-behavior should not be seen as a Biblical sin but as an equal (to, say, men’s beastly) naturalness. . . . Another feminist reading, more radical perhaps, would treat the film as a view of how Philippine society (the men in it, primarily) approaches provincial innocence, educational weakness, and “females’ weaker sanity” as stimuli for abuse... There is, however, the possibly more general reading of the film as an apologia for insanity qua itself, how it should be treated as a disease instead of as a monster to be eliminated...." - Vicente-Ignacio S. de Veyra (READ MORE)
Sinungaling Mong Puso (1992) - "...Magaling sina Aga Muhlach at Vilma Santos bilang nagtatagong magkasintahan. Lutang na lutang ang pag-arte ng dalawa at nakakatuwa sila sa kanilang mga eksena na nagtatagpo ng palihim tulad ng mag-kita sila sa department store. Dumating si Vilma at hinahanap niya si Aga, hindi nya makita ito hanggang sa mamataan niya ang binata na nakaupo sa may display area. Kinindatan ni Jason si Clara at napatawa na lang ang babae. Mararamdaman mo ang excitement ng mga pagkikitang ito. Nang mahuli ni Ana ang asawa at mag-iskandalo ito, nang umalis na ang asawa at balikan ni Jason si Clara sa loob ng apartment, makikita sa mukha ni Vilma ang pagtatapos ng kanilang affair. Ang sabi niya: “ Hinintay lang kita, gusto kong maghiwalay tayo ng maayos…” Bukod sa maraming eksena na lutang na lutang ang pag-arte ni Vilma marahil ang pinaka-memorable ay ang eksena kung saan binaril ni Vilma si Gabby at sabihin niya ang line na: “mamatay kang kasama ng mga baboy mo…” ito ang pagpapatunay na talagang napakahusay niyang artista." - RV (READ MORE)
Maryo J. de los Reyes is a film and television director from the Philippines. He began his career in the 1970s. - Wikipedia (READ MORE)
"haaaaahhhh…haaaaaahhhh....di ko sinasadya!...di ko sinasadya!" - Pina
Basic Information: Direction: Maryo J. De los Reyes; Adapted screenplay: Jake Tordesillas; Original screenplay: Via Hoffman; Cast: Vilma Santos, Michael De Mesa, Miguel Rodriguez, Francis Arnaiz, Richard Gomez, Mark Joseph, Lito Pimentel, Joey Hipolito, Joey Marquez, Tony Santos Sr., Caridad Sanchez, Lucita Soriano, Dante Castro, Bing Davao, Alicia Alonzo, Mia Gutierrez, Anna Feliciano, Strawberry, Ross Rival, Janet Beltran, Kristel Romero, Rene Hinojales, Ruben Balan, Rey Doria, Perry Fajardo, Emma Mendoza, Emil De Guzman, Archie Adamos, Vic Belaro, Rene Balan, Nemie Gutierrez, Joe Lapid, Rabes Marquez, Pong Mercado, Arbie Antonio, Alex Toledo, Gil Zaldaga, Remy Reyes, Nina Lorenzo, Alfred Barreto, Rey Ferrer, Manny Torres, Monette Arroyo, Chinggay Feliciano, Lea Locsin, Maloy Marquez, Linda Lanuza, Cheche Morales, Sally Blanco, Gloria Mercado, Nancy Romero, Arthur Cassanova, Nonoy Gaites, Deo Macalma, Alex Baluyut, Johnny Francisco, Enrico Villa, Helen Pondevida, Aida Carmona, Eileen Tinio, Madeleine Nicolas, Raquel Villavicencio; Original Music: Jaime Fabregas; Cinematography: Ely Cruz; Editing: Jess Navarro; Production Design: Cesar Hernando, Lea Locsin; Sound: Joe Climaco, Jun Martinez; Producer: Via Hoffman
Plot Description: A young Pina was traumatized when her family was murdered while she had her first menstruation. She grown up into a serial killer transforming herself to different personalities as she seduced one man at a time grossly killing them while in the act of sexual pleasure. Eventually Pina was caught by the authorities. Considered by some critics as a feminist movie, Tagos ng Dugo has the feeling of claustrophobic but stylized European slasher movie that showcased the wide acting range of Philippines’ cinematic diva, Vilma Santos. The film lacks the usual long dialogue of her previous films but in this film, she was given a chance to show her body movements and “eye” acting that climaxed with tour de force ending, a mad lion being caught by armed hunters.
Film Achievements:FAMAS: Best Actress - Vilma Santos; CMMA Best Actress - Vilma Santos; FAP: Best Musical Score - Jaime Fabregas, Best Actress nomination - Vilma Santos
Film Reviews: "...In Filipino movies, drama is synonymous with exaggeration. In many films, scenes of cruelty, violence and torrid sex are depicted with little restraint so that they border on distasteful. In Tagos ng Dugo (1987), a young girl is raped after her parents are mudered. While she's being abused, blood from her murdered mother's body drips through the ceiling and falls on her forehead. In Kapag Napagod and Puso (1988), a harassed movie director (Christopher de Leon) takes out his frustration on his young wife (Snooky Serna) by smashing her face, pounding her head on the wall and punching her pregnant body black and blue. Once it was sufficient to depict adult activities by implication. To speak of sex on screen, it was enough to show a couple closing a door as they entered a room. A passionate embrace or a kiss is always followed by a quick fade to black. But nowadays, with sexual liberation and the heightened sense of realism demanded by viewers, Filipino movies have become more graphic in their treatment of sexual matters. There is now a greater curiousity for the phenomenon of the woman's body. It is a must to depict menstruation (Tagos ng Dugo), labor pains (Kapag Napagod ang Puso) and a miscarriage (Burlesque Queen, 1977) by showing blood stains on the garment near the area of the vagina and blood trickling down a woman's leg. The first signs of pregnancy are always dramtized by showing a woman throwing up in asink (Pasan Ko ang Daigdig, 1987). Abortion scenes have a very clinical look: a woman must be shown lying down with her legs in stirrups as a doctor or quack performs the bloody operation. Since abortion is illegal in the Philippines, it is common to depict abortion scenes ending in tragedy. In Celso Ad. Castillo's Nympha (1971), a woman is left to die naked, wallowing in her own blood on the floor after doctors fail to stop her bleeding following an abortion. Childbirth scenes are just as graphic. In Nunal sa Tubig (1977), a baby's head is shown emerging from a vagina..." - Emmanuel Anastacio Reyes, Notes on Philippine Cinema (Collected Writings on Cinema)..." - Emmanuel Anastacio Reyes, Notes on Philippine Cinema Collected Writings on Cinema (READ MORE)
"...I had actually intended to evaluate the industry’s artistic accomplishments from January to June this year, but the consideration of causes simply overwhelmed the original subject. Anyway, in providing a listing of the more acceptable items, it would serve our purposes well to keep in mind that these titles were originally greeted with expressions of disappointment and frustration, with only passing acknowledgement of their respective merits – to which I now most carefully give mention...Tagos ng Dugo (Maryo J. de los Reyes, dir.): kinkiness rounded out with psychological backgrounding and propelled forward with a sense of conviction and sympathy for the plight of the subject..." - Joel David, National Midweek, 26 August 26, 1987 (READ MORE)
"...And what do we make out of Maryo de los Reyes' Tagos ng Dugo, with its grossly improbable tale of multiple schizophrenia and made all the worse by the director's penchant for pseudo-character changes? Personally, i would rate Vilma Santos here as having been last year's most colorul character instead of a consumate performer...." - Justino Dormiendo, Manila Standard, Feb 23, 1988 (READ MORE)
"...She has lost some pounds (due to the gruelling shooting of her recent film, Tagos ng Dugo, but she is still the same radiant beauty...Santos is likewise bugged by the observation (presumably by some Nora Aunor supporters) that her performance in Tagos ng Dugo, wherein she portrayed a psychopath, was "Norang-Nora." She could not divine how the comment was made in the first place. Was it becauise, in the film, she was handled by Maryo de los Reyes who is known to be a close friend and one of the favorite directors of Nora Aunor? Or, was it because her role in Tagos called for a lot of the so called Nora-style acting -expressive eye movements, prolonged byt quiet crying binges? Is she, in the eyes of some Aunor loyalist, as good as actress now as their idol? "Wala akong ginagaya," defended the actress. "That was Pina, the role, I was acting out. I did not think of Guy or anybody else when I was doing the film. "But you know, that (comment) is good," she said as an after thought. "Kinukumpara pa rin kami hanggang ngayon. That means kami pa rin - the rivalry is still strong." On the other hand, one is hard put to imagine Aunor attempting Santos' "patented" acting style (the ease and confidence in delivering kilometric line, among others). If and when she does in any of her future films, I told the actress, we would also say "Vilmang-Vilma" siya! She burst out laughing..." - Mario V. DumaualManila Standard, Feb 19, 1987 (READ MORE)
First of all, serial murder is almost alien to Philippine crime journalism, a fact that’s due certainly to our police force’s lack of records on such cases. Now, this police record gap may of course in turn reflect a lack of local police coordination towards (or, worse, capability for) determining crime patterns as possibly serial. Unless those determinations have to do with the usual cop-out that goes like this: “it’s another NPA hit” blah blah blah, or “its another murder similar to the one that happened last week, and this is reflective of pornograhy’s...”. My above statements are meant to illustrate a national wont to demean our own police organization’s capability (or, worse, intelligence) that may neither be fair nor productive, but it would be a habit that certainly is not undeserved given the record -- official and memorial -- of the police prioritizing its own people’s interests and “rackets”. Given this background, therefore, Tagos ng Dugo can be said to be a demonstration of serial crimes’ possible placement in local shores, and that would certainly be a valid view. Except, of course, that in effect Tagos is also -- and probably should be read primarily as -- a demonstration of possiblities other than the merely forensic. I say “should be”, since the police is portrayed fairly in the film, albeit not exactly generously. So what could be all the fuss about Tagos’ value? “Production values” is the often-heard reason, needing elucidation. A breakthrough for Philippine psychological movies? Probably.
Let me explore a few other angles on this seeming cross between Francois Truffaut’s “The Bride Wore Black” and Luis Benuel’s “Belle Du Joir” -- I don’t know if screenwriter Jake Tordesillas or Delos Reyes himself should be congratulated for the cohesion of multi-resultants in this work. Part of this multi-readings would be the movie as a feminist take on womankind’s monthly pains as a form of excuse for female monthly insanities, insanities our macho’s regard as regular terrorism on the whole of mankind (men or society as a whole). It is with that reading that the ending apologies, by Vilma Santos in the lead role, might be understood as a plea for understanding of how all of woman’s monthly Eve-behavior should not be seen as a Biblical sin but as an equal (to, say, man’s beastly) naturalness... Another feminist reading, more radical perhaps, would treat the film as a view of how Philippine society (the men in it, primarily) approaches provincial innocence, educational weakness, and “female’s weaker sanity” as stimuli for abuse... There is, however, the possibly more general reading of the film as an apologia for insanity qua itself, how it should be treated as a disease instead of as a monster to be eliminated... And finally, there’s the possiblity that the film is actually a depiction of how crazy the world outside the insane mind really is, albeit this view would probably be the least successful direction for the film... As a bonus, maybe we can also bring the movie to more latent, more philosophical territory, say, how it depicts the sanity of innocence. But, given the validity and possible weight of all those approaches, what finally makes this movie a jewel in Philippine cinema history is how it brings forth -- every time you watch it -- its case achievements in directorial and film editing dramaturgy ( including the recurring stage-like choreography, Hitchcockish camera positionings, and acting pacing within). For the serious student of third world filmmaking, here is a requisite Philippine movie from where to cull precious fragments. In these fragments, he/she is sure to find sparkles that are in themselves gems. Source: E Nadurata's Vilma Santos’ web-site
Bihirang talakayin sa pelikulang Pilipino ang mga problemang sikolohikal. Matapang itong sinuong noong 1987 nina Direktor Maryo J. de los Reyes at ng manunulat na si Jake Tordesillas sa Tagos ng Dugo (V.H. Films). Itinatampok si Vilma Santos bilang Pina isang babaeng may madilim na nakaraan. Nang magkaroon ng buwanang bisita si Pina sa unang pagkakataon pinaliguan ito ng kanyang ina (Alicia Alonzo) taliwas sa pamahiin nating mga Pilipino na bawal maligo ang isang babae kung ito ay may regla. Dahilan ito upang magkaroon siya ng dismenorrhea. Bahagi ng kanyang nakaraan ang malagim na pagpatay sa kanyang pamilya ng kapatid (Archie Adamos) ng kalaguyo ng kanyang ama (Ross Rival). Nagdalaga si Pina sa loob ng mental hospital at nang nasa tamang edad na ito at sapat na pag-iisip, nakitira na ito sa kanyang tiyahin (Caridad Sanchez) at ang asawa nitong hepe ng pulis (Tony Santos, Sr.). May mga eksenang halaw sa banyagang pelikula. Ang eksenang nakabihis tsina si Pina nang nakipagtagpo siya sa isang telephone lineman (Joey Marquez) ay galing sa karakter na China Blue ni Kathleen Turner sa Crimes Of Passion ni Direktor Ken Russell. Maraming bahagi ng kuwento ang kuha sa nobelang The Seven Deadly Sins, ngunit kung iisipin, ano'ng pelikula nga ba hindi kumuha ng inspirayson sa mga obrang gawa ng ibang kinikilalang direktor?
Nagtatrabaho si Pina sa isang karinderya sa tapat ng presinto at dito niya unang nakita si Andy (Francis Arnaiz) isang pulis na kasama sa trabaho ng kanyang tiyuhin. Dito unang nabuo ang natatagong obsesyon ni Pina kay Andy. Sa pagtakbo ng istorya maraming naka-enkuwentrong iba't-ibang lalaki si Pina. Sa tuwing dumarating ang kanyang buwanang bisita ay tumatakas siya sa bahay at nagpupunta sa isang lumang mansyong malapit sa kanyang tinitirhan. Nag-aayos, nagbibihis, sumasama sa unang lalaking nakapansin sa kanya at habang nakikipagtalik, bumabalik ang mga alaala ng karahasang naranasan sa kamay ng mapang-aping mga lalaking nagsamantala sa kanya at ito at kanyang pinapatay. Sa anggulong ito halos umikot ang kabuuan ng pelikula. Masasabing naging matapang ang mga bumuo ng pelikulang Tagos Ng Dugo dahil sa tahasan nitong tinalakay ang sekswalidad ng mga pangunahing tauhan. Mapapansing pinagtuunan ng pansin ang kabuuan ng karakter ni Pina na buong husay ginampanan ni Vilma Santos. Ang aktres ay halos nasa lahat ng eksena sa pelikula. Maituturing na "hysterical" ang uri ng pag-arte ni Vilma ngunit sa pelikulang ito ay malaki ang naitulong nito upang maipahatid niya ang sapat na emosyon sa epektibong paraan. Malaki ang naitulong ni Direktor Maryo J. de los Reyes sa pagsasalarawan ng kuwento ni Pina. Nailahad niya ng maayos ang mga problemang sikolohikal hindi lamang ni Pina kundi ng buong lipunan. Makikitang binigyang diin ang posibleng solusyon sa mga suliraning ipinamalas sa pelikula. Maaring may ilang pagkukulang ang pelikula sa naging takbo ng istorya ngunit naisalba ito ng mahusay na pagdidirehe ni de los Reyes. Sa anggulong ito naging malaking bahagi sa tagumpay ng Tagos Ng Dugo ang direktor dahil sa tuwiran niyang naipahayag ang patotoo sa mga isyung tinalakay sa buong pelikula. Dito rin natamo ni Vilma ang kanyang ikaapat na FAMAS Best Actress Award bago siya tuluyang naluklok sa Hall Of Fame nang sumunod na taon. - Jojo De Vera, “Hindi Mapigil Ang Tagos Ng Dugo,” Sari-Saring Sinengpinoy Blogspot
The story revolves around Pina, a woman haunted by her past traumatic experiences. She always feels afraid at the sight of blood. Whenever she is physically or emotionally injured, she experiences the so-called "post-traumatic syndrome," which persuades her to kill every man who has hurt her. She disguises herself as a prostitute with different personalities, and becomes a mysterious murderer. The Review - The future National Artist for Film and recent U.P. Gawad Plaridel and Gawad Suri awardee Vilma Santos has done a gamut of roles. She is the only Filipina actress on record who has the most impressive resume of great performances (and is credible in any role, including Darna, the Pinoy female version of Superman), and has amassed 50 plus acting trophies. The Variety magazine and the world film community has dubbed her the Filipino Cinematic Diva and the Meryl Streep of the Philippines. If her luck continues, she may end up in Guinness’ Almanac as an actor with the most number of acting awards. One of my favorite Vilma characters is that of Pina, a serial killer, in Tagos ng Dugo. Directed by Mario J. Delos Reyes, it won four best actress awards for Vilma: her second CMMA, fourth FAMAS, and two from magazine polls. When it comes to edgy, neurotic, complex roles, leave it to Versatile Vilma, the Meryl Streep-like cerebral and intuitive actress who was born to play them. Vilma’s foray into the "luka-luka" genre began in Dama De Noche where she plays twin sisters, one of which is, you bet, neurotic. Bernal’s classic Ikaw Ay Akin is best remembered for the manic-depressive, chain-smoking, Valium-popping, liberated, free-spirit Sandra (Vilma). Says critic Mario Bautista in his review: As the uptight Sandra, Vilma Santos has the script’s choicest, wittiest lines. She makes the most of them and gives a fairly accurate portrait of an emotionally insecure young woman. She likewise handles her final breakdown exceedingly well. There is a common thread in classic films like Broken Marriage, Relasyon, Tagos ng Dugo, Bata, Bata, Dolzura Cortez and Hahamakin Lahat. Outstandingfilms, thanks to Vilma’s perfect portrayal of women on the verge of a nervous breakdown. It is no wonder that the late National Artist Lino Brocka quoted: "Vilma can do any role now. She registers like water, she has overtaken Nora Aunor." The U.P. MassCom jurors concurred with Brocka and gave Vilma that seal of approval by giving her the National Artist award precursor, the prestigious U.P. Gawad Plaridel for excellence in film acting. And oh yes, let us not forget the Gawad Suri Award. In layman’s terms, she is the best in the business, period!
Back to Tagos ng Dugo. At best, it is Vilma’s most emotionally and physically, albeit, draining role. Maryo J. made Vilma succeed to say more with less as we will find out. In the opening scene, Pina’s medical history is revealed: schizophrenia, painful menstruation, manic-depressive. Then we see the pubescent Pina screaming and writhing in pain on her first menstruation, calls out to her mother: "Inay!" The luminous Alicia Alonzo plays her mother and tells her “dalaga ka na!” Menarche and puberty did not sit well with Pina. While menstruating, she discovers of her father’s affair with a circus girl who her father accidentally kills in the "knife roulette" show, as the victim’s blood spills on her face. The girl’s family gets even, kills her whole family one night, while she gets raped. Tagos ng Dugo. Here’s the message: hell hath no fury than a woman violated while having painful menstruation. She has bridges to burn and many losses in her life. She has become a lost and tormented soul. A victim. A monster is born. Oscar best actress Charleze Theron may have taken an inspiration from Vilma’s Pina. Flash forward: Orphan and just released from a mental institution, the grownup Pina is seen staying with her aunt Caridad Sanchez and her husband, a police officer, Tony Santos, Sr. This is where Pina’s "calvary" as victim (again) begins. So many men, so many abusers, or so we thought. Enter Michael De Mesa, Santos, Sr.’s nephew who has lust at first sight on Pina. "Malagu, ’ne?" (She’s beautiful), De Mesa gushes on the coy and evasive Pina. In Kapampangan, Tony tells De Mesa that she was just released from the mental hospital. Michael attempts to enter Pina’s room one night but is unsuccessful.
Next to Dekada ’70 perhaps, this is one movie where Vilma succeeded in quiet scenes, by just using her eyes. Whether she writhes quietly in pain during her period or is scared of the inevitable such as Michael’s evil intent, this is the vintage Vilma now. Less is more. The triumph of restraint and hard work. Versatile, Inc. She meets the nice and good-looking cop (Francis Arnaiz) in the police station where she works as a sloppy, unfocused canteen helper who gets easily rattled by men around her, earning the ire of her boss Lucita Soriano. "Ano ba Pina, ang tanga-tanga mo. Ang dami mo nang nabasag na baso, hah?" Arnaiz is different: caring, sensitive, a gentleman. She is Pina’s crush and hero. She steals her crush’s photo ID and in her secret hideaway, kisses the photo, followed by a nervous, hysterical laugher, reminiscent of her confrontation scene with Gloria Romero in Kapag Langit ang Humatol? Enter a notorious rapist who is now in jail who held Vilma by the neck and mashes her breasts. Vilma becomes hysterical and cries unconsolably even after Arnaiz and the cops come to her rescue. This scene is again Vintage Vilma. When the rapist is released from prison, he chooses Vilma as his first victim and in the rape attempt, Arnaiz shoots him dead. Again, blood droops on Pina’s face. Tagos ng Dugo. Next thing we know, De Mesa almost succeeds in raping her but falls off the window when Vilma fights back. She uses Michael’s knife to scare him off. Now wiser, stronger, sophisticated and smarter, Pina finds solace and a sanctuary in an abandoned house across from where she lives. She learns how to apply mascara and wig. A serial killer is born. This is where she plans her revenge. So many men, so little time. It’s payback time. In the wise use of flashbacks, we learn that Pina is violated again and again by the very people who should be helping her cope with her unstable mental status, one of which is the evil warden Lito Pimentel. She falls in love with her therapist who politely turns her down. It is a series of painful abuse and rejection for the sad, sad life of Pina.
We also learn that she has a brother/sailor who sends her monthly stipend which she never benefits from and in his last visit, Pina begs him to stay with him. In multiple flashbacks, we see a helpless victim, Pina crying out for love and acceptance. Nobody seems to listen. A dysfunctional family. Abused physically and emotionally. Neglected. Rejected. Unwanted. Tormented. Untreated chemical imbalance. A perfect scenario for the birth of a schizophrenic, manic-depressive serial killer. Disguised as a prostitute, she kills her tormentors one by one with a knife she steals from De Mesa, with the exception of a druggie, the excellent Richard Gomez in cameo role. Here is a performance that is Vilma Santos’ gift to the world, right there in the dark theatre and on the silver screen. Are killers made or born? Is society or family to blame for sociopaths? Are menarche and the drive to kill symbiotic? In a touching scene where she literally shreds Arnaiz’s stolen photo with her teeth (Arnaiz reconciles with and will marry her fiancée) out of jealousy, and rejection, Pina plans to make it out with Arnaiz in a hotel where the cops hang out to have a good time and where Arnaiz will screw a prosti as the boys’ "gift" to him. Vilma is that prosti. When Aranaiz discovers it is the demented Pina, he takes pity on her and prepares to put on his clothes. What, rejected again? Pina pleads Arnaiz to love her, hug her, kiss her. She will take no for an answer. Like a raving lunatic, she strikes Arnaiz with the knife. Meanwhile, little did Pina know that Caridad and Santos, Jr. discovers her dark secret and desperately calls the boys to watch out for Pina, the deranged murderer who might be stalking on Arnaiz. Sanches and Santos, Jr. either fumbles with the phone number or gets a busy signal. Wala pa kasing cell phone noon, eh! Next thing we know, the cops run to save Arnaiz from Pina. The hunter is now the hunted. What they discover in the room is a wounded but still alive Arnaiz who cries: "Huwag!" as his colleagues aim their guns at the crazed woman with thick mascara and wig.
In a memorable and touching scene, the camera pans on a screaming, out of control, bloodied, lost her sanity Pina, angry one moment, repentant ("di ko sinasadya!") the next, and then mumbles incoherently. Prison bars are etched across her whole body, and the movie ends. Pina is Vilma and Vilma is Pina. This is their story. This is their movie. This is acting at its best. Thank God, Mayor Vilma Santos has come to the rescue of the Pina’s in this world. Unlike the super heroine and fictitious Darna who kicks butt as she battles with the forces of darkness and defend the people, here is Vilma, the philanthropist and the Mother Theresa of her generation, in the flesh, reaching out to the poorest of the poor of her Lipa constituents. Through her loving heart and helping hands, she has actually helped thousands of society’s outcasts, the poor and the needy. This is the Vilma Santos today: successful, revered, in demand, a winner in all fronts. A National Treasure! Who would have thought that the second fiddle to another actress will become the greatest film practitioner of all time and a capable Mayor? A great actress and an excellent Mayor. Nobody does it better. - Mar Garces, “Tagos Ng Dugo: The original Naglalayag Revisited,” V Magazine 2006
First of all, serial murder is almost alien to Philippine crime journalism, a fact that's due certainly to our police force's lack of records on such cases. Now, this police-records gap may of course in turn reflect a lack of local police coordination towards (or, worse, capability for) determining crime patterns as possibly serial. Unless those determinations have to do with the usual cop-out that goes like this: "it's another NPA hit" blah blah blah, or "it's another murder similar to the one that happened last week, and this is reflective of pornography's . . .". My above statements are meant to illustrate a national wont to demean our own police organization's capability (or, worse, intelligence) that may neither be fair nor productive, but it would be a habit that certainly is not undeserved given the record -- official and memorial -- of the police's prioritizing its own people's interests and "rackets." Given this background, therefore, Tagos Ng Dugo can be said to be a demonstration of serial crimes' possible placement in local shores, and that would certainly be a valid view. Except, of course, that in effect Tagos is also -- and probably should be read primarily as -- a demonstration of possibilities other than the merely forensic. I say "should be," since the police is portrayed fairly in the film, albeit not exactly generously. So what could be all the fuss about Tagos' value? "Production values" is the often-heard reason, needing elucidation. A breakthrough for Philippine psychological movies? Probably. Let me explore a few other angles on this seeming cross between Francois Truffaut's The Bride Wore Black and Luis Buñuel's Belle du Jour -- I don't know if screenwriter Jake Tordesillas or De los Reyes himself should be congratulated for the cohesion of multi-resultants in this work. Part of this multi-readings would be the movie as a feminist take on womankind's monthly pains as a form of excuse for female monthly insanities, insanities our machos regard as regular terrorism on the whole of mankind (men or society as a whole).
It is with that reading that the ending apologies, by Vilma Santos in the lead role, might be understood as a plea for understanding of how all of woman's monthly Eve-behavior should not be seen as a Biblical sin but as an equal (to, say, men's beastly) naturalness. . . . Another feminist reading, more radical perhaps, would treat the film as a view of how Philippine society (the men in it, primarily) approaches provincial innocence, educational weakness, and "females' weaker sanity" as stimuli for abuse. . . . There is, however, the possibly more general reading of the film as an apologia for insanity qua itself, how it should be treated as a disease instead of as a monster to be eliminated. . . . And finally, there's the possibility that the film is actually a depiction of how crazy the world outside the insane mind really is, albeit this view would probably be the least successful direction for the film. . . . As a bonus, maybe we can also bring the movie to more latent, more philosophical territory, say, how it depicts the sanity of innocence. But, given the validity and possible weight of all those approaches, what finally makes this movie a jewel in Philippine cinema history is how it brings forth -- every time you watch it -- its case achievements in directorial and film editing dramaturgy (including the recurring stage-like choreography, Hitchcockish camera positionings, and acting pacing within). For the serious student of third-world filmmaking, here is a requisite Philippine movie from where to cull precious fragments. In these fragments, he/she is sure to find sparkles that are in themselves gems. - Vicente-Ignacio S. de Veyra III, “Tagos Ng Dugo (1987): Maryo J. de los Reyes' Jewel,” Geocities, July 2002 - April 2004
"...At first, policemen manning the station likened Pina's arrival in their canteen as a breath of fresh air in the dirty world they work in. Although she is not entirely all right up there she is pretty and quiet. An industrious helper she only absents herself once a month because of extreme dysmennorhea. Then men started getting killed within the vicinity of the police station. A vacationing overseas worker a prisoner on bail a handsome playboy a drug crazed youth... Is it only a coincidence that the murders seem to happen exactly on the days Pina is experiencing her very painful monthly period?..." - Mav Shack (READ MORE)
Introductions: 197 films, 70 directors, 5 decades, Vilma Santos, one of the original Philippine movie queens, rose up to become the versatile actress that has been given the fitting title of “Star for All Seasons” because of her capacity to adapt to the changing mores and values of the Filipino woman, giving a face to their plight and struggles, albeit in success both critically and box-office wise in some of Philippine cinema’s classics such as Trudis Liit (1963), Lipad, Darna, Lipad (1973), Burlesk Queen (1977), Relasyon (1982), Sister Stella L. (1984), Alyas Baby Tsina (1984), Pahiram ng Isang Umaga (1989), Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story (1993), Anak (2000) and Dekada ’70 (2002). This are top ten directors who contributed to her success.
Special Mention: First, here are the directors who made a considerable impact but not lucky enough to be included in our list:
10. (tie) Pablo Santiago was the father of actors Randy, Rowell and Raymart. He was known for his big-budgeted action movies, many of them starring Fernando Poe Jr. He made his directorial debut at 19 with Larry Santiago Productions’ Lo Waist Gang, which catapulted Poe to stardom. For nearly fifty years, Santiago made award-winning films such as Batingaw, Nueva Vizcaya, Perlas ng Silangan, Ibong Adarna and Digmaan ng mga Angkan, a 1974 Metro Manila Film Festival blockbuster starring Ronnie Poe and Joseph Estrada. His last movie starred FPJ opposite Anjanette Abayari in Ang Syota Kong Balikbayan, in 1996. He died in 1998 at the age of 67 from lingering kidney ailment (Sol Jose Vanzi).
Highlights: Santiago first directed Vilma Santos in a Joseph Estrada movie, Batang Iwahig in 1966. Eight years afterward, He will direct Vilma again, this time as the leading lady of the Joseph Estrada’s rival, the late Fernando Poe Jr in light comedy and a smash hit, Batya’t Palo-palo. He will direct three more projects with Vilma, the follow up of the FPJ-Vilma teams in 1976′s Bato Sa Buhangin, the forgetable, Big Ike’s Happening in 1976 and the action film Vilma Vente Nueve in 1975 starring Vilma and action star, Jun Aristorenas.
Total Number of Films in our list of VSR’s Top 50 films: 2 #37 Bato sa Buhangin 1976, #40 Batya’t Palu-Palo 1974
Total Number of Films: 5 Batang Iwahig 1966, Bato sa Buhangin 1976, Batya’t Palu-Palo 1974, Big Ike’s Happening 1976, Vilma Viente Nueve 1975
10. (tie) Maryo J. De los Reyes is a film and television director from the Philippines. He began his career in the 1970s (Wikipedia). Reyes’ most significant works are the critically acclaimed Magnifico (2004), Tagos Ng Dugo (1987) and the commercial hits, Bagets (1983), Annie Batungbakal (1979).
Highlights: In 1987, Maryo De Los Reyes directed Vilma Santos that critics considered one of the most shocking film that year, "Tagos Ng Dugo." The film was hailed as feminist as seldom a Filipino woman was seen on screen as a murderous serial killer. It earned Vilma Santos her fourth FAMAS Best Actress. Ironically, the conservative Catholic church's award giving body, Catholic Mass Media Awards, agreed with the FAMAS. They gave Vi their Best Actress award while the critics' group, Gawad Urian refused to hand-out their yearly award citing there were no deserving films that year. Reyes last directed Vilma in another memorable off-beat role, the 1992 drama, "Sinungaling Mong Puso."
Total Number of Films and Films in our list of VSR’s Top 50 films: 2 #13 Tagos ng Dugo 1987, #28 Sinungaling Mong Puso 1992
“hayup! Hayup!...Baboy! Mamatay kang kasama ng mga baboy mo!” - Clara
“Nababaliw ka na noh?…puro kabaliwan yang nasa isip mo…hindi Jason, meron iba tayong dapat nating sundin…meron iba! Gamitin natin ang sinasabi ng isip natin, ang ipinararamdam ng kaluluwa natin, yun! Dahil madalas yun ang nagsasabi ng tama, yun ang nagsasabi ng nararapat nating gawin hindi ang puso…hindi ang puso Jason, hindi ang sinungaling mong puso…huwag kang padadala, ililgaw ka niyan…ililigaw ka dahil marunong manglinlang ang puso dahil alam ko ang tama huwag kang magpapadala…huwag kang magpapadala, hindi mababago ang katotohanang mali ang ginagawa natin, mali…” - Clara
Basic Information: Direction: Maryo J. De Los Reyes; Adapted screenplay: Jose Javier D. Reyes, Jake Tordesillas; Original screenplay: Jose Javier D. Reyes, Jake Tordesillas; Cast: Vilma Santos, Gabby Concepcion, Alice Dixon, Aga Muhlach, Aiko Melendez, Ricardo Cepeda, Dennis Baltazar, Charlie Davao, Philip Gamboa, Melinda Mendez, Mila Ocampo, Luz Valdez, Orestes Ojeda, Michelle Bautista, Lora Luna, Aris Bautista, Daniel Roa, Dax Rivera, Allan Laceda, Aida Carmona, Estrella Antonio, Alex Toledo, Nonoy Gates, Tato Malay, Lemuel Sales, Francis Ignacio, Chynthia Carriedo, Marvin Bellosillo, Veronica Medel, Jeff Long; Original Music: Lutgardo Labad; Cinematography: Charlie Peralta, Jun Pereira, Caloy Jacinto; Editing: George Jarlego; Production Design: Ronaldo “DO” Cadapan; Sound: Joe Climaco, Rodel Capule; Theme Song: "Sinungaling Mong Puso" sung by Basil Valdez, composed by Willy Cruz; Producer: Lily Monteverde
Plot Description: An endearing romantic drama that tells of a very curious affair between an older woman (Vilma Santos) and a young unhappily married boy (Aga Muhlach). In between them are Vilma’s husband, Gabby Concepcion and Aiko Melendez as Aga’s wife. All told, the movie proves once again that love does not only happen in the most unexpected times and places. It also makes people do the strangest things. – Regal Films DVD description
Film Achievements: FAMAS: Best Actor - Aga Muhlach, Best Supporting Actor - Gabby Concepcion; Gawad Urian: Best Actress nomination - Vilma Santos, Best Director - Maryo J. De los Reyes, Best Supporting Actor - Gabby Concepcion
Film Reviews: Nagsimula ang movie with Clara (Vilma) had a visitor in a jail, ito ay ang ex-wife ng asawa niya. Kasabay nito’y nag-flashback na ang pelikula. Bakit nakulong si Clara? Unang nagkakilala sa isang disco sina Jason at Clara. Inalok ng batang-batang si Jason si Clara ng sayaw ngunit inignore lang nito ang istudyante. Makikita agad na parehong hindi masaya sa buhay may asawa si Clara (Vilma Santos) at Jason (Aga Muhlach). Si Clara ay asawa ng isang malupit at babaerong negosyate, si Roman (Gaby Concepcion). Samantalay si Jason naman ay laging nina-nag ng kasing edad niyang asawa na si Aiko Melendez at pati ang kani-kanilang mga magulang ay nadadaway at madalas na nase-sermunan si Jason dahil rito. Kasabay na pinakita ang problema sa pagaasawa’y ipinakita rin ang mga taong nasasangkot sa pag-iibigan ni Clara at Jason. Ang asawa ni Clara na si Roman ay ubod ng lupit, minsan ay may nahuli ang mga tauhan nito na nagnanakaw sa kanilang bahay ay binaril nito ang magnanakaw. Bukod sa kalupitan ay marami ring naanakan siya at ang laging solusyon nito ay perahan ang mga babae para manahimik ang mga ito.
Nang bumalik sa Pilipinas ang kanyang ex wife na si Leda (Alice Dixon), muling gustong makipagrelasyon ito. Dahil sa mga pambabae ni Roman ay gusto rin sanang makaganti ito sa asawa at maraming mga lalaki na gustong makipagrelasyon sa kanya ngunit napipigilan pa rin nito ang sarili ngunit nang makilala niya minsan ang batang-batang si Jason (Aga) ay hindi na nito napigilan ang sarili. Muling pinagtagpo si Clara at Jason nang masiraan itong una sa kalye at nagkataon na naruon si Jason at tinulungan siya na humantong sa isang dinner date. Nagkaroon sila ng relasyon at nagkikita sa isang apartment na pagaari ng kaibigan ni Clara. Sa kabila ng agwat ng kanilang edad at estado’y natutong mahalin ng dalawa ang kanilang isa’t isa hanggang sa matuklasan ng asawa ni Jason ang relasyon at mag-iskandalo pa ito sa harap ng mga tao’t sa apartment na tagpuan ng dalawa. Bukod sa iskandalo ay nagsumbong pa ito sa asawa ni Clara. Ang naging resulta ng pagsusumbong na ito’y ang pagkakabugbog ni Jason sa malupit na kamay ni Roman. Sinadista nito ang kaawa-awang si Jason. Nang malaman ni Clara ay hindi niya napigilan ang nangyari sa katipan at nang mapuntahan niya’y natuklasan niya ang sinapit ni Jason. Binaril niya ang asawa at pinatay. Dito siya nakulong.
Maayos na nailahad ni Maryo Delosreyes ang istorya nang pag-iibigan ni Clara at Jason. Ito marahil ang dahilan kung bakit tinangihan ni Vilma ang pelikulang Naglalayag na halos kapareho ng istorya, ang pag-ibigan ng isang batang lalaki sa nakakatandang babae. Merong mga eksena rito na hindi kapanipaniwala katulad ng bakit nabuhay pa si Aga Muhlach sa bandang huli dahil nakakapagtaka na sa kabila na sobrang torture na natanggap niya mula sa sadistang si Roman ay nabuhay pa ito. Hindi rin na-isplika ng pelikula kung bakit gustong balikan ni Roman ang ex-wife niyang si Leda (Alice Dixon). Mahusay ang cast ng pelikula, magagalit ka talaga sa kalupitan ni Gabby Concepcion at makikita mo rin na believable siya bilang isang babaerong negosyante. Bilang ex-wife ni Roman, parang tuod si Alice Dixon wala siyang kabuhay buhay na magdeliver ng mga lines. Samantala, litaw na litaw naman ang role ni Aiko Melendez bilang Ana, ang asawa ni Jason. Halos lahat ng eksena niya ay mahusay niyang nagampanan maliban sa bandang huli yung reconciliation scene niya kay Vilma kung saan hindi bagay ang lines niya ba…”pareho natin siyang minahal… blah blah blah…”
Magaling sina Aga Muhlach at Vilma Santos bilang nagtatagong magkasintahan. Lutang na lutang ang pag-arte ng dalawa at nakakatuwa sila sa kanilang mga eksena na nagtatagpo ng palihim tulad ng mag-kita sila sa department store. Dumating si Vilma at hinahanap niya si Aga, hindi nya makita ito hanggang sa mamataan niya ang binata na nakaupo sa may display area. Kinindatan ni Jason si Clara at napatawa na lang ang babae. Mararamdaman mo ang excitement ng mga pagkikitang ito. Nang mahuli ni Ana ang asawa at mag-iskandalo ito, nang umalis na ang asawa at balikan ni Jason si Clara sa loob ng apartment, makikita sa mukha ni Vilma ang pagtatapos ng kanilang affair. Ang sabi niya: “ Hinintay lang kita, guston kong maghiwalay tayo ng maayos…” Bukod sa maraming eksena na lutang na lutang ang pag-arte ni Vilma marahil ang pinaka-memorable ay ang eksena kung saan binaril ni Vilma si Gabby at sabihin niya ang line na: “mamatay kang kasama ng mga baboy mo…” ito ang pagpapatunay na talagang napakahusay niyang artista. - RV
"Scale of 1 to 10, I give it a 9.9!" - Oskee Salazar, Manila Standard, Aug 27 1992 (READ MORE)
"It is well acted, with special mention going to Vilma Santos, Aga Muhlach, and Gabby Concepcion." - Ricky Calderon, Manila Standard, Aug 27 1992 (READ MORE)
"I realized I have lesser problem in life." - Alfie Lorenzo, Manila Standard, Aug 27 1992 (READ MORE)
"Best actress talaga si Vilma. Aga Muhlach is the best actor of his generation." - Mario Dumawal, Manila Standard, Aug 27 1992 (READ MORE)
"Acting superb. Plot realistic. It can happen to the best of families. Aga's talent comes to the fore -- award-winning. I like all his scenes...Pacing last. I'd like to see it again." - Nena Villanueva, Manila Standard, Aug 27 1992 (READ MORE)
"...The stellar achievement in politics, motion picture and television industries of Star for All Seasons and acknowledged Longest-Reigning Box-Office Queen Vilma Santos has necessitated the creation of yet another FAMAS special award: the Exemplary Achievement Award, an award given only to previous Lifetime Achievement Award recipients who have shown continued blossoming and achievement in the movie industry, as well as in other fields. The actress, who is also the incumbent governor of Batangas province, was not able to make it to the Gabi ng Parangal due to short notice, but she was able to send a video message acknowledging her award. It can be remembered that the FAMAS created a special award for Vilma Santos' portrayal in Sinungaling Mong Puso in 1992. By technicality as a Hall of Famer, she cannot receive a regular FAMAS Award, so she was awarded an accolade higher than the Hall of Fame: the Circle of Excellence. This year, that instance is again repeated, a testament to the Star for All Seasons' durability and penchant for excellence and achievement. Santos is also the recipient of yet another special award this awards season, the Ulirang Artista (Lifetime Achievement Award) of the Star Awards for Movies..." - Nicolo Magundayao, The Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (READ MORE)
"The film scene is not unlike the current weather - drab, gloomy, mostly uneventful. But the cinematic sky finally clears up and giving us reason to be hopeful once again. We are talking here of a pretty well-made Pinoy movie that comes like a benediction from above especially at a time when every producer in town has plunged deeper into the abyss of profitability. And what irony it is - the movie has come straight out of Mother Lily's dump-site where every piece of film product is beyond recylability. The film is called Sinungaling Mong Puso which, discard its abominable title, is a darling attempt on the part of its makers to raise the genre of marital melodrama into a decent and mature form of filmmaking. The film concerns a May-December affair between Vilma Santos and Aga Muhlach with one major hitch. They both happen to be married - she to Gabby Concepcion and he to Aiko Melendez - and the problems arising from such relationship are apparent from the start. They are quite unhappy in their status, have problems relating to their partners, and now want a way out from the heckling, bullying and, especially in Santos' case, insulting that characterize their married lives.
Santos' problem is clearly more complicated than Muhlach's. She is married to a man who's been married before (to Alice Dixon, from whom he is separated on legal grounds that are not made clear) and who literally abuses her in bed. Worse, he thinks it's perfectly normal for a man to engage in extra-marital affairs. Muhlach's wife is a nagger and whom he was forced to marry at a young age after he impregnated her. Their affair is nothing extraordinary - they meet by accident, she phones him, they began to date and finally go to bed. What makes the story extraordinary is the reactions of their respective spouses to their problem. Melendez becomes hysterical and Concepcion is naturally violent. He orders his bodyguards to beat up Muhlach and leaves him badly battered. Santos comes to the scene and shoots her husband dead, right in the company of the swine that he raises and she calls him whenever he forces her to make love. At the end, she is sent to jail where a tearful reunion between the lovers takes place, with another plea for absolution from their past sins. What makes the film in a way absorbing is the firm, secure hand of its director, Maryo delos Reyes.
He has a nice way of working with the camera (three cinematographers are credited) and even more effective way of working with his actors. Though he occassionally lapses into using visibly commercial devices (such as the effects of slow-mo, freeze frame, and fragmentation shots), he manages on the most part to motivate his actors into giving their best. Ms. Santos is at her usual inspired level (But hasn't she done this part in countless other movies?) though I often got distracted with her outfits, make-up and their age difference (Muhlach is 21 but we never find out Santos' age, presumably 15 years older). Muhlach is a revelation, a natural in his acting even he indulges in pure histrionics. Concepcion has improved considerably and is now at home playing parts like this. Melendez is likewise adequate but a bigger surprise is Dixon's portrayal of a career woman torn between her friendship and love. She has finally blossomed in time even if I do not completely trust the voice on the soundtrack (must be the dubber's). The script is by two people - Jake Tordesillas and Jose Javier Reyes - and it is best with problems, structually mostly. The film is told as a flashback but the device is used only at the opening and closing of the film while Santos is in jail visited by Dixon. But the narrative is not told from her point of view nor anybody else's. This is, however, a monor quibble compared to the merit of the film, not the least of which is its uncompromising view of the problems confronting married people, and the anachronistic standards that Philippine society uses in judging those who violate the sanctity of marriage..." - Justino Dormiendo, Manila Standard, Sep 6, 1992 (READ MORE)
"...Even now, the Sirkian influence could still be seen in many Tagalog movies. The framing makes sense, it adds drama, makes the scene visually beautiful. But, I only wish that the younger filmmakers eradicate the lugubriousness of Sirk’s orchestration of melodrama to solicit emotional response from the audience. But, sad to say, the Philippine movie industry seemed to have got stuck and has been suffering from a fixation known as the “heavy drama obsession." ”Sinungaling Mong Puso" is just one example of Sirk's influence. But what made this film even more horrific is that all the actors in this film, except Vilma Santos, were a hopeless case of "acting running amuck". It was definitely patterned from Douglas Sirk’s smash hit films that many starred Rock Hudson: Magnificent Obsession (1954); All That Heaven Allows (1955); There's Always Tomorrow (1956); Written on the Wind (1956); A Time to Love and A Time to Die (1958); Imitation of Life (1959); to name a few..." - Jose Mari Lee, Pinoy Comics TV Movies (READ MORE)
"...Dahil sa tagumpay sa box-office ng pelikulang “Just A Stranger” nina Anne Curtis at Marco Gumabao, muling nauuso ang mga May-December affair film. Sa Urban Dictionary, ang meaning ng “May-December affair” is a relationship between two people where one partner is in the “winter” of their life (old) and the other partner in the relationship is in the “spring” of their life (young). May/December relationships can either be superficial or serious – so the term doesn’t itself say anything about the status of the relationship...Kung tutuusin ay noon pa uso ang May-December affair films at ang iba rito ay naging award-winning pa…Heto nga ang mga pelikulang nagpakilala sa landian, lambingan, harutan ng mga babae/lalaki na may edad sa mga mas batang-batang nilalang...Sinungaling Mong Puso (1992) - Kuwento ito ni Clara (Vilma Santos) na hindi na masaya sa pagsasama nila ng malupit at babaero niyang mister na si Roman (Gabby Concepcion). Nagkataon na nakilala niya ang young father na si Jason (Aga Muhlach) na hindi rin masaya sa nagging wife niyang si Anna (Aiko Melendez). Nabuo ang isang sikretong relasyon na nauwi sa isang madugong trahedya. Mula sa direksyon ni Maryo J. Delos Reyes, nanalo rito si Aga bilang FAMAS Best Actor..." - Anonymous, Abante, 07 Sep 2019
