In September this year, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) has launched the "Sine Sandaan: The Next 100" campaign to support the future of local cinema moving forward.
“September marks the official closing of the 100 years of Philippine cinema. Despite the pandemic, the FDCP wanted to ensure that our efforts will meaningfully honor this once-in-lifetime event through various events, activities, and programs all year round,” FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño said in a speech.
“And as we close Sandaan, we open our 'NEXT 100' by launching several initiatives as we look forward to a better, more sustainable and progressive hundred years.”
Philippine movies have indeed come a long way. This despite the many challenges, and with COVID-19 derailing many plans, projects , and festivals designed to boost our local film industry.
But we're also seeing many firsts because of this pandemic. Many festivals-including the annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF)-are going online in an effort to carry on. That is a milestone in itself if we look at it in a positive light.
And speaking of firsts, and with FDCP's campaign in mind, we gather some of the pioneering events that shaped our film industry.
The Jose Nepomuceno-directed silent movie made its debut on September 25, 1919 at the Empire Theater in Manila. Honorata “Atang” dela Rama and Marcellano Ilagan starred in the movie. A live orchestra provided back-up music to the scenes. The movie was an adaptation of a popular musical at the time top-billed also by dela Rama and Ilagan. Atang will be remembered as “The Queen of Philippine Theater and The First Star of Philippine Cinema”, while Nepomuceno would earn the title as “The Father of Philippine Cinema.” Unfortunately, no copy of the film, not even snippets, exists today.
This Jose Nepomuceno film has the distinction as the first all-talking, completely sound Filipino film. The movie starring Alma Bella and Carlos Padilla debuted on March 9, 1933.
The popular Pinoy mythical creature made her big-screen debut in this 1927 silent film. German-Filipino Mary Walter was tapped by Jose Nepomuceno to play the manananggal role. No copy of the film is available anywhere, making us wonder how Nepomuceno engineered camera tricks and shots to pull off the body-splitting action. Sadly, we'll never find out.
The 1926 film saw the first kissing scene in Philippine cinema. Luis Tuason and Isabel “Dimples” Cooper locked lips in one of the scenes. 'Tatlong Hambog' was directed by Jose Nepomuceno.
Director Lamberto V. Avellana pulled off the feat in 1951 with the movie, 'Prinsipe Amante.' The film starred Rogelio dela Rosa and was noteworthy for helping popularize the adaptation of Filipino comics into movies.
The first Filipino full-length animation film was Gerry Garcia's 'Adarna' released in 1997. The movie was based on the classic Filipino poem-turned-narrative, 'Ibong Adarna.'
Touted as the first Filipino film to have gained international recognition. The film starred Fernando Poe Sr. and Rosa del Rosario and was screened in California and New York in 1937. The film was thought lost until a copy was found several years later in Finland.