Lito Lapid as Leon Guerrero

On the July 23, 2012 episode of the ABS-CBN TV series Lorenzo's Time, the lead character Enzo idolizes the actor Lito Lapid so much he was given a VHS copy of the movie Ang Pagbabalik ni Leon Guerrero for home viewing.

Enzo then attempted to visit his idol at his office in the Senate. (Note: Lito Lapid was re-elected to the Senate of the Philippines in 2010 for another six-year term. Enzo met Jinggoy Estrada instead).

The scene made me smile because I just watched the film a few days before.

Now, who is Leon Guerrero?  The words 'Ang pagbabalik' means 'The return' in English, and this search for knowledge led me to the Video 48 blog.  I found out that the character was the Filipino version of The Lone Ranger, initially appearing in the 1968 movie Leon Guerrero: Laban sa 7 Kilabot.  It starred Jess Lapid, Sr., who incidentally was the uncle of Lito Lapid.

In Ang Pagbabalik ni Leon Guerrero, Lito Lapid plays the dual role of Manuel and Leon.  Manuel is a meek-mannered man who hails from the town of Santa Fe.  The children tease him for his cowardice, while his father always beat him.  Manuel eventually assumed the identity of Leon Guerrero to protect the townspeople from bandits.  Following are some scenes from the Lotus Films production:

Manuel being convinced by an elderly townsman to assume the identity of Leon Guerrero

Shooting while on air

Hawkeye ... Is that you?

Leon Guerrero with whip

Our hero in action

The lyrics to the theme song, which was composed by National Artist Levi Celerio and performed by Fred Panopio, follows:


Leon Guerrero, Leon Guerrero
Kahit na pangalan lamang ng tao
Ngunit sa kasaysayan niya
Ay maraming matututo
At magsisilbing aral sa mundo


Siya'y maamo, dati'y kordero
Ngayon ay naging mabagsik siyang tao
Kung ang mahal niyang bayan
Ang siyang pahihirapan
Siya'y parang isang leon na lalaban

[Whistling interlude]

Kung sino pa ang kanyang pinagkatiwalaan
Ay siya palang lihim niyang kaaway
Ngunit katotohanan
'Pag buhay ang inutang mo ay buhay rin ang siyang kabayaran


Leon Guerrero, Leon Guerrero
Ngayon ay leon ang dating kordero
At kung tungkol sa bayan ang s'yang paglalabanan
Siya'y handang-handa hanggang kamatayan

[Whistling interlude]

Siya'y maamo, dati'y kordero
Ngayon ay naging mabagsik siyang tao
At kung tungkol sa bayan ang s'yang paglalabanan
Siya'y handang-handa hanggang kamatayan


Kung ang mahal niyang bayan
Ang siyang pahihirapan
Siya'y parang isang leon na lalaban

At lalaban ...
At lalaban ...
At lalaban ...
At lalaban

[Fade]


Here is my translation of the lyrics:


Leon Guerrero, Leon Guerrero
Even if only a name
But in his story
There are lots to be learned
To acts as lessons for the world

He used to be meek like a lamb
Now he is a person so fierce
If his dear town
Will be subjected to hardship
He would become a lion that will fight

[Whistling interlude]

It's ironic that the one he trusts
Turns out to be his secret enemy
But the truth is
A debt of life should be paid for with life

Leon Guerrero, Leon Guerrero
He used to be meek like a lamb
And when his town is involved in the fight
He's very much prepared to strike to death

[Whistling interlude]

He used to be meek like a lamb
And when his town is involved in the fight
He's very much prepared to strike to death

If his dear town

Will be subjected to hardship
He would become a lion that will fight

And will fight ...

And will fight ...
And will fight ...
And will fight

[Fade]

Leon Guerrero on horseback

    

Additional note about the movie's year of release:  Some sources indicate 1974, which is unlikely because Lito Lapid's launching movie, The Jess Lapid Story, was not released until 1978. Others say 1979 and 1980.  I have yet to find a definitive source.