FPJ: September 2007

Sunday, September 30, 2007

ABS-CBN acquires right to 'Da King's' movie library

Broadcasting network ABS-CBN acquired the exclusive rights to the whole movie library of the king of Philippine movies, the late Fernando Poe Jr., ABS-CBN News reported Friday.

This, after Poe’s widow, actress Susan Roces signed an agreement with ABS-CBN for the exclusive rights to her husband’s movies. Roces entrusted the library to the network because of its worldwide reach.

Leng Raymundo, head of ABS-CBN’s Acquisition, said the movie library contained all of FPJ’s starring roles, and movies he produced and directed.
She said that this is considered as the biggest and most important movie library in the history of Philippine Cinema.

Also present during the contract signing were ABS-CBN Chairman Eugenio Lopez III, Cory Vidanes, Senior Vice President of TVP Production, and Poe’s daughter Grace Poe-Llamanzares.
FPJ’s famous movies such as “Panday”, “Roman Rapido”, “Kahit Konting Pagtingin”, “Batang Quiapo” and “Dito sa Pitong Gatang” are also in the library.

Starting October 20, Poe’s fans will be treated to his movies, including blockbuster films titled “Muslim Magnum 357”, “Umpisahan Mo Tatapusin Ko”, “Durugin si Totoy Bato”, and “Asedillo at Mga Alabok sa Lupa” to be shown at ABS-CBN’s Cinema FPJ: Da King.
Reports said the movie library also has the never been aired music video of FPJ before he passed away.

This will be shown to the public in a TV special this December to coincide with Poe’s third death anniversary.

The music video has special scenes that were personally chosen by FPJ from his movies.
Aside from the movies, ABS-CBN also got the rights to show 12 films done by Roces like the “Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara”.

With a report from Mario Dumaual

FPJ: HIS EARLY MOVIE CAREER/ HIGHLIGHTS

On and off camera, Fernando Poe, Jr. is known simply as Da King, a title he rightfully deserves. As an icon and living legend in movie industry, he ruled the local movie scene for five decades until his untimely death last December 14, 2004. He was later proclaimed National Artist for Film. As a tribute to my idol, I want to share in this blog some of his selected movie ads (from his first film in "Anak ni Palaris" in 1955 to "Batang Maynila" in 1962) which I compiled thru the years. Enjoy them!

Anak ni Palaris (1955) - His First Movie

He started acting in 1955 when he was only 15 years old. When director Mario Barri thought of doing a sequel to ‘Palaris,’ a movie produced and starred by Fernando Poe, he got the son for the title role, "Anak ni Palaris," and opted for the monicker Fernando Poe, Jr. as the new actor’s screen name.The movie, with Rosita Noble as Poe’s leading lady, was released in January 1955.

Lo' Waist Gang (1956) - Poe's First Taste of Fame and Stardom

Reached fame and stardom via Larry Santiago Productions of "Lo' Waist Gang," released in July 1956. The movie was such a big hit that it started a fashion fad: low waist pants.

Kamay ni Cain (1957) - His First Nominated Film for Best Supporting Actor.

He played villain to lead actor, Zaldy Zshornack. His first with Director Gerardo (Gerry) de Leon.

In 1958, he starred in two unforgetable action films, " Pepeng Kaliwete" and " Laban sa Lahat," which started his colorful acting career as an action star.
Tough Guy (1959) - His Biggest Break

Markado (1960) -Established him as the country's Top Action and Box-office star.

It was in the movie, "Markado," produced by a new outfit, Hollywood- Far East Productions, released in 1960, that marked and established him as a major action star, where he demanded a huge talent fee for his services. He quoted his talent fee at P8,000, a very huge sum that time.

In the early 60’s, "Apollo Robles" and "Ako Ang Katarungan" (considered two of his best films) were released, both directed by the great Gerry De Leon.

Established FPJ Productions in 1962 with its initial offering, "Batang Maynila."

FPJ- SUSAN ROCES SCREEN TANDEM (1965- 1987)

Probably the most successful tandem of husband and wife in Philippine movie history, Fernando Poe, Jr. and Susan Roces starred in at least 17 full-length films, all certified box-office hits.

1. Daigdig Ko’y Ikaw (1965)
2. Pilipinas Kong Mahal (1965)
3. Zamboanga (1966)
4. Langit at Lupa (1967)
5. Mapagkailan Man (1968)
6. Sorrento (1968)
7. Tanging Ikaw (1968)
8.To Susan With Love (1968)
9. Perlas Ng Silangan (1969)
10. Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin (1969)
11. Divina Gracia (1970)
12. Salaginto’t Salagubang (1972)
13. Karnabal (1973)
14. Mahal, Saan Ka Nanggaling Kagabi (1979)
15. Mahal, Ginagabi ka Na Naman (1979)
16. Manedyer... Si Kumander (1982)
17. No Retreat… No Surrender… Si Kumander (1987)

Lists of Movies

Ang Daigdig Ko'y Ikaw (1965)

Ang Pilipinas Kong Mahal (1965)

Zamboanga (1966)

Langit at Lupa (1967)

Mapagkailan Man (1968)

Sorrento (1968)

Tanging Ikaw (1968)

To Susan With Love (1968)

Perlas Ng Silangan (1969)

Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin (1969)

Divina Gracia (1970)

Salaginto’t Salagubang (1972)

Karnabal (1973)

These last four films are their most loved films showing the couple's adventures and misadventures as husband and wife.

Mahal, Saan Ka Nanggaling Kagabi (1979)

Mahal, Ginagabi ka Na Naman (1979)

Manedyer... Si Kumander (1982)

No Retreat… No Surrender… Si Kumander (1987)

Saturday, September 29, 2007

FPJ as ANG PANDAY

Ang Panday (The Blacksmith) is a series of fantasy films based on the fictional comics character of the same title created by Carlo J. Caparas and illustrated by Steve Gan in Pilipino Komiks. It was adapted to the big screen by Fernando Poe, Jr. and has played the character of Flavio, the hero and protagonist, at least four times. The Panday movie series were shown in the 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1984 Metro Manila film Festivals and each time adjudged the top grossers of the festival.

"When a meteor fell from the sky one night, Flavio (FPJ) forged the metal from the meteor into a dagger, the balaraw. When he raises the dagger to the sky, it magically grows into a sword. He uses this magical sword to fight the evil Lizardo (Max Alvarado) and other supernatural beings. Eventually, Lizardo and his minions are destroyed."

The Caparas novel as serialized in Pilipino Komiks in 1979