PRE-WAR ACTORS
By Tante de Ramos



Even before the outbreak of World War II which ushered in the Japanese Occupation in our country, our thriving film industry was already bristling with popular and already competent and effective lead axtors. According to FAP website trivia writer tante de Ramos, among these actors were:

Tito Arevalo – He appeared in the movie Ang Tiktik with Lirio Lakindanum and Eddie Infante which was produced by Associated Theaters. He starred in a Gerry de Leon-directed musical, Princesa Kumintang, with Mila del Sol and Angel Esmeralda for LVN Pictures, Inc. His is the father of Robert Arevalo who also acts in and directs local films.

Rudy Concepcion – He appeared in Kundiman ng Puso with Lina Flor and Francisco Monroy, directed by Eduardo de Castro for Philippine Films. He was best known for his films with reel loveteam Rosario Moreno, including Alipin na Palad, Tunay na Ina, Mapait na Lihim and Pakiupsap. He died while shooting Mahal Pa Rin Kita, which turned out to be his last successful partnership with Rosario Moreno.

Manuel Conde – A swashbuckling hero, he starred in Prinsipe Paris, Walang Kaparis, Satur and the highly successful Juan Tamad series which he all directed for his own film outfit MC Production Inc. He directed the film Genghis Khan which was invited to the prestigious Venice film festival in the 1950s. He also appeared in Sigfredo and Siete Infantes de Lara. He directed the popular Nestor de Villa-Nida Blanca tandem in Bahala Na and Ibong Adarda and Ema Alegre in Bastat Ikaw for LVN. Pictures, Inc

Mario Cordoba – It was the showbiz name of Jose Padilla Sr, who appeared in Magandang Kamatayan with Rosita Rivera as his leading lady. During his time, he became a governor of Bulacan. Several of his sons also became movie actors, including namesake Jose Padilla Jr,, Carlos Padilla Sr. and Amado Cortez.

Fred Cortez Sr. - He appeared in the first movie version of Ibong Adarna with Mila del Sol, Ester Magalona, Deanna Prieto, Ben Rubio and Vicente Oliver under the direction of Manuel Conde for LVN Pictures, Inc. He became the husband of actressAnita Linda. Their son Fred Cortez, Jr. also became an actor.

Reynaldo Dante – In Langit sa Karimlan, he co-starred with Gerardo de Leon (who will become the country’s premier director and first Nationasl Artist for Films), Virginia Salcedo and Antonio Hernandez. In Kasalanan Kaya, he starred opposite Luningning, Quiel Segoria, Pacita del Rio, Gregorio Ticman , Naty Bernardo and Batotoy. But he was most famous in the title role of Guapo. In Kaban ng Tipan, he starred .with Lucita Goyena, Luningning, Andres Centenera and Amading Montes, directed by Jose Nepomuceno for X-otic Prods.

Manuel Eloriaga – He was appeared opposite the legendary Mary Walter in Nanay Ko, a film that revolves around the cruelty of a step mother and her daughter on the child of once-married man they eventually lived with.

Angel Esmeralda – With his real and reel sweetheart, Corazon Noble, he headlined saeveal films like Kahapon Lamang, Mariposa and Estrellita. This film was produced by Sampaguita Pictures Inc. He also starred in Princesa ng Kumintang with Mila del Sol and Tito Arevalo. His son Jay Ilagan also became a much-awarded movie actor.

Gregorio Fernandez – An actor-turned-director, he first appeared in movies like Desperasyon, Ang Gayuma and Lihim ni Bathala with Mary Walter as his love team. He also made Lilies of Benguet with Naty Fernandez, Carlos Padilla Sr, Nena Linda, and Salud del Valle. He turned his efforts in film directing and made high marks in this field, garndering some best director’s awards locally. His children-- Merle Fernandez and action star Rudy Fernandez, as well as grandson Mark Anthony Fernandez—became successful film performers.

Marcelino Ilagan – He appeared in the first ever Filipino film, the silent movie Dalagang Bukid with sarsuela star Atang de la Rama. This ground-breaking film was directed by Jose Nepomuceno for Malayan Films.

Jose Corazon de Jesus – More popularly known as Huseng Batute of the balagtasan fame, he starred in Oriental Blood with co-star Annie Harris, Atang de la Rama, Purita Cariño and Salvador Zaragoza., under the direction of scriptwriter-director Carlos Vander Tolosa. It was financed by another scriptwriter-director, Carmen Concha.

Gerardo de Leon – So many years before he will be proclaimed the first national Artist for Films, he graced local movies as an actor. He appeared in Langit sa Karimlan with Virginia Salcedo, Antonia Hernandez and Reynaldo Dante, under the direction of Mar Esmeralda for Parlatone Hispano Filipino.

Jesus Llorente – A physical fitness buff and muscleman, he appeared in Anting-Anting then portrayed the role of a local Tarzan with Rosa del Rosario as his leading lady, in a film which was was produced by Philippine Films.

Ador del Mar – He appeared in Pendulum of Fate with Rosalina Leano, Ben de Luna and Helen Favest. The film was produced by Brigida Perez Villanueva for Villanueva Productions.

Francisco Monroy – He was in the cast of Kundiman ng Puso with radio-talent-turned-movie-actress Lina Flor, the mother of Noel Trinidada, and Rudy Concepcion, under the direction of Eduardo de Castro for Filipino Films.

Hector Nieto – He appeared in The Miracles of the Virgin of Antipolo with Nena Warsaw and Naty Fernandez. The film was producedrby Jose Nepomuceno.

Vicente Ocampo – A singer and comedian, he appeared in Ang Landas ng Kayamanan. His co-stars were Atang de la Rama and Enrique Davila.

Carlos Padilla Sr. – He was the brother of Pempe Padilla, the father of international boxing referee Carlos Padilla Jr. and grandfather of Zsa Zsa Padilla. He appeared in Lilies of Benguet with Naty Fernandez, Nena Linda, Gregorio Fernandez, Salud del Valle and Salvador Tinsay. It was produced by Malayan Pictures. In Punyal na Ginto, he starred opposite Alma Bella and Tina del Rosario, in a film produced by Felix Paterno and Francisco Sta. Maria for Jose Nepomuceno Productions. He directed the film Makiling which starred Rogelio de la Rosa, Rosita Rivera, Gregorio Ticman and Armando Cris.

Jose Padilla Jr, - Before Fernando Poe Jr., Jose ‘Pempe’ Padilla Jr. was the action star who was also dewxterous enoughn to headline dramatic tearjerkers. His long list of films included Ave Maria, Azucena, Sa Hirap at Ginhawa, Ginto sa Lusak, Lihim na Kapatid, Gulong ng Palad, Dakilang Hudas and Oras ng Kasal. He starred with real life wife Arsenia Francisco in Sipag at Yaman then with Carmen Rosales in Probinsiyana for Premiere Productions, Inc. In Ilaw ng Langit at Sapagkat Mahal Kita, he starred with Rosita Rivera. He also appeared in Pista sa Nayon with songstress Rebecca Gonzales.

Fernando Poe Sr, - He was the father of the king of Philippine Movies, Fernando Poe Jr. (who was actually Ronald Allan Poe in real life with Andy Poe as the real-life Fernando poe Jr. The senior FPS appeared in Punit na Bandila with Rosita Goyena with whom he won the King and Queen of Philippine Movies award in 1940. Their tandem also headlined films like Dalagang Pilipina and Alaalang Banal, both box office hits of that decade In Giliw Ko, he co-starred with Mila del Sol, Ely Ramos and Fleur de Lis (more populasrly known as Mona Liza). He co-starred with Rosa del Rosario in Zamboanga for Filipine Films. Fernando Poe Jr, later came up with a remake of the film with his wife Susan Roces as the leading lady for FPJ Productions Inc. His other sons included the late Andy Poe, Frederick Poe and their half brother Conrad Poe.

Domingo Prinsipe – He appeared in Hagase Tu Voluntad with Norma del Rosario, Juanita Angeles and Rita Rica under the direction of Agapito Conchu. Another film was Sanga-Sangang Dila with Maria Clara Ruiz. This was directed by Fermi Barva for Philippine Films. In Orasang Ginto, he co-starred with Mila del Sol, Bimbo Danao and Elvira Reyes (who was introduced in this film). He also directed some movies.

Ely Ramos – This debonaire Atenean was described as one of the best dressers of the showbiz world in his time. He appeared in various films, including Madaling Araw, Bituing Mariki, and Isumpa Mo Giliw with Elsa Oria as his loveteam.In Selosa and Palikero, he appeared opposite Carmen Rosales.

Rogelio del la Rosa – He was a Pampango Zarzuela actor who performed with his brother-in-law Diosdado Macapagal (who would become a Philippine president). He was even involved in a silent movie, Ligaw na Bulaklak with Rosa del Rosario as his leading lady under the direction of Jose Nepomuceno. His other films icluded Sawingpalad, Lagot na Kuwintas (with Rosario Moreno), Bituing Marikit (with Elsa Oria), Florante at Laura and Makiling (with Rosita Rivera), Diwata ng Kagubatan (with Adela Flunkers) and Mari Velez (directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa for Parlatone Hispano Filipino). His most popular love team was with Carmen Rosales. Their films included Takipsilim, Tampuhan, Diwa ng Awit, Panambitan, Lambingan, Camella, Ang Tangi kong Pag-ibig and Lydia. He did Sarungbanggi, Backpa, Prinsipe Amante sa Rubitanya, Haring Cobra, Higit sa Lahat and Kampanang Ginto. In Caballero and Maestra, he starred with Rosa del Rosario for his own RDR Productions. He even made Ang Vengador with Sigrid Gurie and Pacita Francisco as his leading ladies directed as by Sidney Salkow which was also the producer of Eagle Lion Films and United Philippine Artists.

Leopoldo Salcedo – The Filipino actor tagged as having the best profile, he appeared in Kalapating Puti, Dalagang Silangan, Huling Habilin (directed by Ramon Estella), Walang Sugat, Ligaw na Bituin, Ilang – Ilang, Bakya Mo Neneng, Biyaya ni Bathala and Neneng Ko with Rosa del Rosario,his perrenial loveteam. In Sakay, he met Perla Maglaya a.k.a. Trinidad Salas who later became his wife. In Kaaway ng Bayan and Hindi Kita Malimot (directed by Eddie Romero), he co-starred with Carmen Rosales. His son Edgar Salcedo also joined showbusiness, as well as his daughter Yvonne Salcedo who became a very good dancer.

Vicente Salumbides – He appeared in The Soul Saver with Rosario Panganiban (who later became a Miss Philippine Free Press and Miss Pangasinan beauty queen). Before the film was finished, Salumbides and his co-star were married. He also became a director and producer of many film projects.

Ernesto Vallejo – He appeared on Bahay Kubo with Rogelio de la Rosa, Mona Lisa and Fely Vallejo. It was directed by Gerardo de Leon for Parlatone Hispano Filipino..

Mari Velez – He appeared in Diwata ng Karagatan with Rogelio de la Rosa and Adela Flunkers . It was directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa for Parlatone Hispano Filipino.