FERNANDO POE, JR., CHARO SANTOS, MARIO MONTENEGRO, ZANDRO ZAMORA AND EDDIE GARCIA IN "BATAS SA AKING KAMAY" (1987)

It’s a good cops versus the bad cops in this 1987 action thriller, “Batas sa aking Kamay,” starring Fernando Poe, Jr. as Police Maj. Dario Santiago, a honest and dedicated police officer.

A notorious group within the police force, connected to a gruesome activity, hiring prisoner for a fee, freed him to do assassination hits and after the job, put him back to the prison again. One of the victims was Dario's father (played by Mario Montenegro), also a policeman, who just retired from the service was killed by unknown assailant.  Dario started looking into the case and a rough sketch showed that the gunman was a prison detainee. Dario, being in the police force had no jurisdiction investigating his father’s death, drew the ire of his superior, Major Rigor (Eddie Garcia).

Later, Dario was assigned to track down hijacking incidents where some crooked cops were involved.  This angered Rigor again as he felt that he was being bypassed and blamed Dario for publicity/attention grabbing. Soon, Dario and members of his family were targets for assassination.  A bomb exploded in a restaurant killed his mother and critically wounded his wife.

Series of events were exposed and Rigor later on, turned out to be the mastermind with some corrupt cops working for him.  

"Batas sa Aking Kamay" (1987)

Bonanza Films, Inc.

Release Date June 4, 1987

Film Editor Augusto Salvador

Cinematography Ver Reyes

Music Ernani Cuenco

Direction Mike Relon Makiling

Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Charo Santos, Mario Montenegro, Zandro Zamora and Eddie Garcia/ Also Starring Anita Linda, Glaiza Herradura, Jimmy Fabregas, Ruel Vernal, Bert Olivar, Vic Varrion

(l-r) Eddie Garcia, Fernando Poe, Jr, and Zandro Zamora

Fernando Poe, Jr points a gun at Rene Hawkins, as Bert Olivar looks on, in a tense scene from Bonanza Films' "Batas sa Aking Kamay" (1987)

FERNANDO POE, JR., RIO LOCSIN, VIVIAN FOZ, LORRAINE SHUCK, PAQUITO DIAZ AND MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ IN "KAPAG LUMABAN ANG API" (1987)

"Kapag Lumaban ang Api" (1987)

Lea Productions

Release Date January 22, 1987

Screenplay Fred Navarro E Emil Ma. Cruz, Jr.

Cinematography Ver Reyes

Music Ernani Cuenco

Direction Ronwaldo Reyes

Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Rio Locsin, Vivian Foz, Lorraine Shuck, Paquito Diaz and Miguel Rodriguez/ Also Starring Philip Gamboa, Ernie Zarate, Bert Olivar, Vic Varrion, Augusto Victa, Tony Carreon, Larry Silva, Rene Hawkins, Nonoy de Guzman and Dencio Padilla/ Featuring Christopher Paloma

The movie was released in Original VCD

FERNANDO POE, JR., MARICEL SORIANO, WITH SHERYL CRUZ, MANILYN REYNES, KRISTINA PANER, CHUCKIE DREYFUS, CHRISTOPHER PALOMA, MEL MARTINEZ IN "BATANG QUIAPO" (1986)

"Batang Quiapo" (1986)

Regal Films

Release Date October 16, 1986

Story Pablo S. Gomez

Screenplay Jose N. Carreon

Cinematography Ver Reyes

Editor Augusto Salvador

Production Designer Jerry Sineneng

Music Jaime Fabregas

Line Producer Charo Santos-Concio

Associate Producer Malou N. Santos

Executive Producer Lily Monteverde

Direction Pablo Santiago

Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Maricel Soriano/ Also Starring Sheryl Cruz, Manilyn Reynes, Kristina Paner, Chuckie Dreyfus, Christopher Paloma, Mel Martinez/ Co-starring Paquito Diaz, Rez Cortez, Jose Romulo, Karim Kiram, Augusto Victa, Bella Flores, Bayani Casimiro and Anita Linda

Original theatrical poster of FPJ's "Batang Quiapo" (1986)

(Private Collection)

VHS Cover

 

FPJ and Maricel Soriano in "Batang Quiapo" 

(Image from "Baul ni Juan"/ Courtesy of James dela Rosa/Pelikula atbp)

FERNANDO POE, JR., EDDIE GARCIA, VIVIAN FOZ, PAQUITO DIAZ, VIC DIAZ, ROMY DIAZ, RUEL VERNAL IN "MAGNUM MUSLIM .357" (1986)

"Magnum Muslim .357" 1986)

EDL Productions

Release Date July 31, 1986

Story Alex M. Sunga

Screenplay Fred Navarro

Cinematography Ver Reyes

Music Ernani Cuenco

Direction Ronwaldo Reyes

Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Eddie Garcia, Vivian Foz, Paquito Diaz, Vic Diaz, Romy Diaz, Ruel Vernal, Renato del Prado, Eddie Arenas, Luis Castro, Jaime Fabregas/ Featuring Christopher Paloma, Michael Roberts/ Guest Star- Max Alvarado

FERNANDO POE, JR., RAMON REVILLA, SR./ WITH ANITA LINDA, LIZA LORENA, PAQUITO DIAZ, MAX ALVARADO, BERTING LABRA, RUEL VERNAL, LITO ANZURES IN "IYO ANG TONDO, KANYA ANG CAVITE" (1986)

"Iyo ang Tondo, Kanya ang Cavite" (1986)

BSH Films

Release Date January 30, 1986

Story and Screenplay Agustin B. dela Cruz

Cinematography Ver Reyes

Musical Director George Canseco

Produced by Benedicto S. Hernandez

Direction Pablo Santiago

Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Ramon Revilla, Sr./ Also Starring Anita Linda, Liza Lorena, Paquito Diaz, Max Alvarado, Berting Labra, Ruel Vernal, Lito Anzures, Dodie Ramirez, Victor Bravo, Willie Chavez, Christopher Paloma, Lito Garcia, King Gutierrez, Rossana Jover, Michelle Cancio, Bolong Ner/ Introducing Susan Katigbak

Fernando Poe, Jr.(r) and  Ramon Revilla Sr, (l) and in a heated confrontation in this scene from BSH Film's "Iyo and Tondo, Kanya ang Cavite" (1986)

The two protagonists settle the score, in this exciting scene from the movie, "Iyo ang Tondo, Kanya ang Cavite" (1986)

Released in Original VHS- Cover/ Front

VHS- Back

FERNANDO POE, JR., ARMIDA SIGUION- REYNA, MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ, ELSA AGANA, PAQUITO DIAZ, EDDIE ARENAS, GEORGE ESTREGAN IN "PARTIDA" (1985)

"Partida" (1985)

Cine Suerte, Inc.

Release Date November 21, 1985

Story and Screenplay Benjamin G.Yalung (M-7) and Tony Calvento

Director of Photography Sergio Lobo, Ver Reyes

Film Editor Augusto Salvador

Musical Director Jun Latonio

Supervising Producer Rene G. Yalung (M-4)

Produced by Horacio G. Yalung (M-2) and Romano G. Yal;ung (M-3)

Direction Ben G. Yalung (M-7)

Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Armida Siguion-Reyna, Miguel Rodriguez, Elsa Agana, Paquito Diaz, Eddie Arenas, George Estregan, Greggy Liwag, Bomber Moran, Bing Davao, Romy Diaz, Alex Leviste, Alan Bautista, Marilyn Bautista/ Introducing Shalimar Alcantara (Miss Young Philippines 1983), Candy Crisostomo/ Featuring King '

Abdul' Gutierrez, Amay Bisaya, Philip Honrado

FERNANDO POE, JR., MARIANNE DELA RIVA, PAQUITO DIAZ, BERT OLIVAR, LITO ANZURES, ROMY DIAZ, VIC DIAZ, MAX ALVARADO IN "ISA ISA LANG" (1985)

 

"Isa Isa Lang" (1985)

Cine Suerte, Inc.

Release Date July 18, 1985

Story BenjaminYalung

Screenplay Fred Navarro

Director of Photography Ver Reyes

Film Editor Augusto Salvador

Musical Director Ernani Cuenco

Supervising Producer Rene Yalung (M-4)

Produced by Horacio Yalung (M-2), Roman Yalung (M-3)

Executive Producer Ben Yalung (M-7)

Direction Pablo Santiago

Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Marianne dela Riva, Paquito Diaz, Bert Olivar, Lito Anzures, Romy Diaz, Mario Escudero, Max Alvarado, Vic Diaz, Ruel Vernal, Jaime Fabregas, Amay Bisaya

Beta Cover

FERNANDO POE, JR., EDDIE GARCIA, GEORGE ESTREGAN, RAOUL ARAGONN, RODOLFO 'BOY' GARCIA, DICK ISRAEL, ERNIE ZARATE AND LANI MERCADO IN "DAANG HARI" (1984)

"Daang Hari" (1984)

Lea Productions

Release Date August 16, 1984

Story Carlo J. Caparas

Screenplay Jose Carreon

Direction Nilo Saez

Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Eddie Garcia, George Estregan, Raoul Aragonn, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, Dick Israel, Ernie Zarate and Lani Mercado/ Introducing Elsa Agana/ Guests- Anita Linda, Eddie del Mar

The movie war released in Original VCD

FERNANDO POE, JR., MARIANNE DELA RIVA, LITO ANZURES, BENTOT, JR., WITH EDDIE INFANTE, MARIO ESCUDERO, AND MAX ALVARADO IN "ANG PANDAY IV (IKA-APAT NA AKLAT)" (1984)

"Ang Panday IV (Ika-Apat na Aklat)" (1984)

FPJ Productions

A Metro Manila Film Festival Entry

Release Date December 25, 1984

Based on the character created by Carlo J. Caparas

Screenplay Fred Navarro

Cinematography Ver Reyes, Oscar Querejero

Film Editor Augusto Salvador

Music Ernani Cuenco

Direction Ronwaldo Reyes

Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Marianne dela Riva, Lito Anzures, Bentot, Jr./ Also starring Eddie Infante, Mario Escudero, Robert Rivera, Monette de Guzman, Ruben Ramos, Aida Pedido and Max Alvarado/ Special Participation of Rowell Santiago/ Featuring Christopher Paloma, Imelda Caparas

Lobby card

Original theatrical poster of "Ang Panday IV (Ika-Apat na Aklat)" (1984)

(Private Collection)

FERNANDO POE, JR., CONEY REYES, RUEL VERNAL, FRED MONTILLA, LITO ANZURES, REZ CORTEZ AND JOHNNY DELGADO IN "ANG PADRINO" (1984)

"Ang Padrino" (1984)

FPJ Productions

Release Date December 6, 1984

Screenplay Eddie Romero, Fred Navarro

Music Ernani Cuenco

Direction Ronwaldo Reyes

Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Coney Reyes, Ruel Vernal, Fred Montilla, Lito Anzures, Rez Cortez, Zandro Zamora, Michael Murray, Ricky Davao, Amay Bisaya and Johnny Delgado/ Introducing Gigi dela Riva

Trivia--- Did you know that veteran and respected radio broadcaster and TV personality, Rey Langit, did an important role in the 1984 FPJ starrer, Ang Padrino ? He played the role of a notorious hired assassin aimed in liquidating FPJ. Here was his vivid account on the said role which he recounted and published at Tempo, in his column Sky Talk dated February 4, 2004.

In the 70s, I had my first acting stint as a film villain with no less than the King of Philippine cinema, Fernando Poe, Jr. In "Ang Padrino," I portrayed the character of the hired assassin who plots the slaying of the lead character, played by FPJ.

Since at that time, I was already contented with my career as a broadcaster and never pictured myself as an actor in the big screen. I turned down the role the first time it was offered to me. But when FPJ told me that my character would surpass all other famous character actors and succeed in murdering the lead character. I was surprised. I thought that this kind of offer does not come everyday and towards the end of the meeting, I agreed to do the role.

While filming, I came across the real FPJ. He calls his close friends, Erap, a nickname adopted by his long time ally Joseph Estrada. More than a movie star adored and respected by his fans and colleagues, he is considered as a real-life action hero for all the people he had helped.

The highlight of the movie is the confrontation scene between FPJ and his assassin, the character that I played. When I came face-to face with him, I could not believe that I was about to have a big confrontation scene with the King of Philippine movies in a full length film. I panicked and stuttered as I delivered my line. Because of this, the filming of the scene was extended, but to save face, I strove to complete my line perfectly on the third take. When he was about to say his rebuttal line, he suddenly burst into laughter. FPJ could not stop laughing that he had to call for a break.

Everyone on the set was clueless, so I asked him why he laughed after I completed my line and he answered: "Erap, kasi para akong nakikinig ng radio sa bahay namin."