Movies That Mark 30th Year in September 2024

At least eight Filipino movies were released in theaters in September 1994. At present, some of these movies can be viewed on YouTube, while others are occasionally aired on free television.

Resbak: Babalikan Ko Kayo!
Tunay Na Magkaibigan: Walang Iwanan, Peksman
Iukit Mo Sa Bala!
Kalabog en Bosyo
Col. Billy Bibit, RAM
Greggy en Boogie: Sakyan Mo Na Lang, Anna
Lagalag: The Eddie Fernandez Story
Forever

Details of each mentioned title follow.

Resbak: Babalikan Ko Kayo! (Tagalog: Resbak: I Will Get Back At You!)

Original Release Date: September 07, 1994

Production Company: Sunlight Films

MAIN CAST

Ronald Gan    ... Daniel

Tirso Cruz III ... Joseph

Dan Alvaro ... Kevin

Rina Reyes ... Jazz

Ramon Christopher ... Dave

Isabel Granada ... Jenny

Rhey Roldan ... Dennis

Boy Fernandez ... Benjo

Bobby Benitez ... Sammy

SELECTED CREW

Direction     ... Roland S. Ledesma

Story ... Edd'j Contreras

Screenplay ... Eddie Joson

Cinematography ... Rudy Quijano

Production Design ... Mamerto Valerio

Editing ... Ruben Pantua

Musical Direction ... Egay Monsalve

Executive Producer ... Estela O. Ledesma

NOTES:

*** Resbak is a Filipino slang term that means to fight back. It is derived from the phrase 'wrest back.' 

Tunay Na Magkaibigan: Walang Iwanan, Peksman (Tagalog: True Friends, No Leaving Behind)

Original Release Date: September 07, 1994

Production Company: Moviestars Productions, M-Zet Films

MAIN CAST

Phillip Salvador ... Daniel

Vic Sotto ... Estong

Mat Ranillo III ... Mateo

Sarah Jane Abad ... Angela

Larry Silva ... Mando

Ritchie D'Horsie ... Aga

Yoyong Martirez ... Sgt. Jose

Atoy Co ... Sgt. Castillo

Roldan Aquino ... Julio

SELECTED CREW

Direction ... Tony Y. Reyes

Story and Screenplay ... Tony V. Reyes, Humilde 'Meek' Roxas 

Cinematography ... Sergio Lobo

Production Design ... Noel Luna

Editing ... Eduardo 'Boy' Jarlego

Musical Direction ... Homer Flores

Executive Producer ... Marvic Sotto and Victor Villegas

NOTES:

*** Peksman is a Tagalog slang term said to assure someone that you were telling the truth or that you would fulfill a promise. The peks- is derived from the Spanish word pecado (sin) to form the Tagalog phrase kasalanan man.

Iukit Mo sa Bala! (Tagalog: Etch It on Bullet!)

Original Release Date: September 14, 1994

Production Company: Star Cinema, Megavision Films

MAIN CAST 

Ramon 'Bong' Revilla Jr. ... Dr. Roberto 'Bobby' Guerrero

Gabby Concepcion ... Rico Velez

Nanette Medved ... Noemi

Mat Ranillo III ... Vice Mayor Mario Ocampo

Luis Gonzales ... Mayor Roman Guerrero

Marita Zobel ... Norma Guerrero

Lito Legaspi ... Congressman Velez

SELECTED CREW

Direction ... Pepe Marcos

Story and Screenplay ... Jose N. Carreon and Genaro 'Nerdy' Cruz

Cinematography ... Danny Bustos

Production Design ... Arthur Sta. Maria

Editing ... Joe 'Cocker' Salle

Musical Direction ... Mon Del Rosario

Executive Producer ... Lily Y. Monteverde, William Lao and Charo Santos

NOTES:

*** The story is based on Nerdy Cruz's work that is serialized in POGI Komiks, a comic-magazine aimed at a predominantly male audience. Pogi is a Tagalog word that means handsome or good-looking. Interestingly, Bong Revilla is the titular actor in the Alyas Pogi action film series.

Kalabog en Bosyo

Original Release Date: September 14, 1994

Production Company: Viva Films

MAIN CAST: 

Janno Gibbs ... Kalabog

Dennis Padilla ... Bosyo

Charlene Gonzales ... Marlene

Agot Isidro ... TV Reporter

Leo Martinez ... Chief Basilon

Rod Navarro ... Don Valentin / Diego

Raffy Rodriguez ... Amboy

Charina Scott ... Snow White

Richard Bonnin ... Don Valentin's Right Hand

SELECTED CREW

Direction ... Ben Feleo

Story and Screenplay ... Reynaldo Castro, Ben Feleo, Ana Santos and Ma. Renette Torres

Cinematography ... Ernie Dela Paz

Production Design ... Randy Gamier

Editing ... Efren 'Lodging' Jarlego

Musical Direction ... Ricky Del Rosario

Executive Producer ... Vic Del Rosario

NOTES:

*** The story is based on characters created by cartoonist Larry Alcala. In 2018, Alcala was posthumously conferred the National Artist for Visual Arts title and the Grand Collar of the Order of National Artists. 

*** GMA Network co-produced Kalabog en Bosyo, but the company is not credited in the opening and closing credits. The company's logo appeared in the movie's posters in theaters and newspaper ads.

Col. Billy Bibit, RAM

Original Release Date: September 21, 1994

Production Company: Viva Films

MAIN CAST: 

Rommel Padilla ... Col. Billy Bibit

Paquito Diaz ... Hadji Muhran

Daniel Fernando ... Capt. Lapeña

Efren Reyes Jr. ... Abdul Hassim

Jorge Estregan ... Salupdin

Bing Loyzaga     ...     Odette

Robin Padilla ... Col. Gringo Honasan

SELECTED CREW

Direction ... William G. Mayo

Story and Screenplay ... Eddie M. Mayo and Henry Nadong

Cinematography ... Vic Anao

Production Design ... Melchor Defensor

Editing ... Ruben Pantua

Musical Direction ... Jaime Fabregas

Executive Producer ... Vic Del Rosario

NOTES:

*** RAM is the acronym that refers to the Reform the Armed Forces Movement. The movement comprised a group of officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. During the 1980s and 1990s, RAM staged a number of attempts to seize power in the country.

Greggy en Boogie: Sakyan Mo Na Lang, Anna (Tagalog: Greggy and Boogie: Just Ride on It, Anna)

Original Release Date: September 21, 1994

Production Company: Regal Films

MAIN CAST: 

Benjie Paras ... Greggy

Babalu ... Boogie

Sheryl Cruz ... Anna

Nova Villa ... Hilda

Paquito Diaz ... Rigor

Noel Trinidad ... Don Bartolome

Antoinette Taus ... Buchikik

Tom Taus Jr. ... Buchokoy

SELECTED CREW

Direction ... Efren 'Loging' Jarlego

Story and Screenplay ... Jake 'Tambo' Valdez

Cinematography ... Oscar Quirejero

Production Design ... Cesar Jose

Editing ... Edgardo Jarlego

Musical Direction ... Mon Del Rosario

Executive Producer ... Lily Y. Monteverde

NOTES:

*** This movie has elements apparently inspired by Charlie Chaplin's City Lights. Anna (Sheryl Cruz) is a poor flower girl who is hoping for a cure for her blindness. Noel Trinidad (Don Bartolome) is an alcoholic millionaire who is a friend to Greggy and Boogie when drunk but does not recognize them when sober. 

Lagalag: The Eddie Fernandez Story

Original Release Date: September 28, 1994

Production Company: Star Cinema, Megavision Films

MAIN CAST: 

Rudy Fernandez ... Eddie Fernandez

Dawn Zulueta ... Dulce Lukban

Tirso Cruz III ... Roy Panganiban

Jess Lapid Jr. ... Tony Bagyo

Andy Poe ... Ricky

Dick Israel ... Roldan Aquino

Willie Revillame ... Berting Labra

Rosa Rosal ... Mrs. Fernandez

Jean Garcia ... Cindy

Eula Valdez ... Sarah

Chin Chin Gutierrez ... Rosie

Claudine Barretto ... Pops Fernandez

SELECTED CREW

Direction ... Romy Suzara

Story and Screenplay ... Jose N. Carreon and Jojo Lapus

Cinematography ... Pablo 'Ambo' Bautista and Ricardo Remias

Production Design ... Joey Luna

Editing ... Edgardo 'Boy' Vinarao

Musical Direction ... Jaime Fabregas

Executive Producer ... Lily Y. Monteverde, William Lao and Charo Santos-Concio

NOTES:

*** Lagalag is the Tagalog term for wanderer or vagabond. It is also the name of the lead character played by Eddie Fernandez in a number of spy films in the 1960s

Forever

Original Release Date: September 28, 1994

Production Company: Viva Films

MAIN CAST

Aga Muhlach ... Chito

Mikee Cojuangco ... Isabel

Pilar Pilapil ... Purita

Dante Rivero ... Iking

Tonton Gutierrez ... Albert

Tommy Abuel ... Gusting

Bing Loyzaga ... Beth

Marjorie Barretto ... Vivian

Angelu De Leon ... Cindy

Rosemarie Gil ... Mrs. Campos

Johnny Wilson ... Mr. Campos

SELECTED CREW

Direction ... Rowell Joseph Santiago

Story and Screenplay ... Tatus Aldana, Jose Dalisay Jr. and Ricky Lee

Cinematography ... Marissa Floirendo

Production Design ... Tatus Aldana

Editing ... Ike Jarlego Jr.

Musical Direction ... Louie Ocampo

Executive Producer ... Vic Del Rosario Jr.

NOTES:

*** Forever marks the movie debut of Mikee Cojuangco. It showcases her skills as an equestrienne. 

*** GMA Network co-produced Forever, but the company is not credited in the opening and closing credits. The company's logo appeared in the movie's posters in theaters and newspaper ads.

Dolphy and His Children in "Kung Anong Puno, Siyang Bunga"

Kung Anong Puno, Siyang Bunga (Tagalog: What the Tree Is, So Is Its Fruit) is a 1971 Filipino comedy - family drama film directed by Luciano Carlos. 

Produced by Dolphy's RVQ Productions, the film was the company's fourth anniversary presentation. 

It was top-billed by Dolphy, Gloria Romero, Sahlee Quizon, Manuel 'Boy' Quizon, Katy de la Cruz and Panchito.

Photo Credit: RVQ Productions

SYNOPSIS

Rodolfo 'Dolfo' Vera (Dolphy), a composer with a wife and two children, was just released from prison after being granted with a presidential pardon in time for Christmas. 

As he reflects on the events that led to his plight, a series of flashbacks was shown.

About fifteen years ago Dolfo went home and found his wife Rebecca (Gloria Romero) in a seemingly compromising situation with another man.

He accidentally killed the man during the ensuing scuffle, resulting in a prison term.

Harboring the feeling that Rebecca was unfaithful to him, Dolfo resolved never to see Rebecca again.

One day, a new prisoner arrived and turned out to be an accomplice of the man who died in the said scuffle.

This new prisoner disclosed that a setup was hatched to make it appear that Rebecca was committing infidelity.

With this information, Dolfo proved that he had made wrong accusations against Rebecca.

His efforts to apologize to and make amends with his wife proved futile, as the letters he wrote mysteriously failed to get into his wife's hands.

From the prison, Dolfo stayed for a while in the house of his cousin (Balut) and made plans on how to reach his family.

Dolfo found out that Rebecca and their two children lived in the house of his mother-in-law (Katy de la Cruz).

The children, Malou (Sahlee Quizon) and Marlon (Boy Quizon) are now teenagers who grew up without knowing their father. 

Dolfo applied for a job as a family driver. Rebecca saw her and talked about how things have changed.

Malou suddenly appeared and asked her mother who is the man she is talking to. 

Dolfo promptly said that he is the new driver, and Malou said that he is hired.

Malou found a father figure in the Dolfo, and music became their shared interest.

On the other hand, Marlon was antagonistic toward Dolfo.

Growing up without a guidance from a father figure, Marlon gravitated toward vices.

Meanwhile, Rebecca's mom was furious to find out that Dolfo is in her house.

She was also the one who made actions to alienate Dolfo from his children, reaching to the point of setting up a false tomb that bears Dolfo's full name.

She eventually agreed for Dolfo to work as a stay-in family driver on the condition that he will not reveal himself to their children as their father.

Another condition is that Dolfo should allow Rebecca to get married to Ferdinand (Panchito).

Rebecca's mother thinks Ferdinand is the better choice.

A drug deal gone wrong put Marlon in danger, prompting Dolfo to come to the rescue and almost lose his life in the process.

The incident served as the catalyst for Dolfo's reconciliation with Marlon and the rest of the family.

OTHER NOTES:

Zandro Zamora, later known for villainous roles in action movies, was cast as Zandy, Malou's suitor.

Photo Credit: RVQ Productions / Cinema One

*** Like many other movies from RVQ Productions, family members are part of the cast. Sahlee and Boy Quizon are Dolphy's children. The late Georgie Quizon, who played the role of the hippie houseboy, was Dolphy's brother.

*** Panchito's character is Ferdinand, a namesake of the Philippine president at the time of the movie's release.

*** In a scene inside the police station, Dolfo complains that the youth are into shenanigans and watch a lot of bomba movies. During that period, the bomba genre was characterized by gratuitous use of sex scenes.

*** Taglines: "This Is Definitely the Most Bombastic Picture of 1971," "The Family That Hates Each Other Kills Each Other"

*** A musical number featuring Dolfo and Malou was set on a rainy night. It samples 'rain' songs such as "Rain Rain, Go Away," "Singin in the Rain" and "Raindrops Keep Fallin On My Hand."

*** A number of shots were made at the Lamesa Park, a public park with lots of trees. The Tagalog translation of the movie title is 'What the Tree Is, So Is Its Fruit.'

Photo Credit: RVQ Productions / Cinema One

*** Speaking of parks, Dolfo has a musical number that features the song "MacArthur Park."

Video Credit: RVQ Productions / Cinema One

Hilarious Sequence in "I Do? I Die! (D'yos Ko 'Day!)"

A few years ago a sequence from the 1997 Filipino comedy film I Do? I Die! (D'yos Ko 'Day!) went viral on social media and remained popular ever since.

The main characters in this sequence are Bernardo 'Bernie' Mendiola (Edu Manzano), Domeng (Babalu) and Mokong (Redford White).

Bernie is the owner of an antiques shop, and Domeng and Mokong are his employees.

One morning, Bernie fired Domeng and Mokong after catching them sleeping on the job. 

Bernie made the decision without knowing that Domeng and Mokong were tired from the overnight tasks assigned by the shop manager (Joji Isla).

Instead of getting a bonus and a vacation for their sleepless shift, Domeng and Mokong embarked on an amusingly futile quest to find a new job.

After choosing a country club as their initial prospect, they approached the manager (Cesar Mozo) and ask him if there are any job vacancies.

The club manager told them he will refer them to the club's president and then asked them to wait for the meantime.

As they waited at the driving range, Domeng and Mokong saw a golfer who keeps on missing the ball.

They taunted  this golfer; Domeng advised him to use a basketball instead of a golf ball while Mokong said he should just pick the golf ball and throw it away.

Domeng topped the barrage of insults with a remark about a marble.

The club manager then approached the golfer, who turned out to be Bernie.

Photo Credit: ABS-CBN Star Cinema

After getting introduced by the manager as the club president, Bernie laughed mockingly at Domeng and Mokong.

Still optimistic following the missed job opportunity at the club, Domeng and Mokong chanced upon a long line of applicants at a construction site.

They fell in line only to find out that Bernie (again!) is the owner.

As they tried to find another job, Domeng and Mokong saw a few beggars who are asking for alms from motorists. 

Domeng and Mokong had a lightbulb moment and dressed as beggars too.

Domeng reasoned out to Mokong that begging is a highly profitable venture. 

He added that there would be no boss like Bernie, and that there would be no taxes.

They chose a car and tapped on the window.

To their consternation, the car owner turned out to be Bernie who laughed at them ridiculously (again!)

Photo Credit: ABS-CBN Star Cinema

Domeng and Mokong then resolved to seek revenge against Bernie. 

Their attempts to get back at Bernie set a chain of uproarious misadventures toward the end of the movie.

Following is a portion of the movie which includes the sequence.

Video Credit: ABS-CBN Star Cinema

50th Metro Manila Film Festival: Sine Sigla sa Singkwenta

The Metro Manila Film Festival is celebrating its fiftieth edition this year. 

As part of the festivities, the MMFF organizers launched the Sine Sigla sa Singkwenta (Tagalog: Cinema Vigor at Fifty) screenings.

Photo Credit: Official Facebook Page of the Metro Manila Film Festival

The organizers selected 50 movies that had been chosen as official entries in past editions of the annual event. 

Some movies in the selection are critically-acclaimed titles, while others have gained status as classics.

There are also a handful of box-office hits that stayed relevant in Filipino popular culture.

Digital restoration and remastering techniques are also a crucial factor in making Sine Sigla sa Singkwenta happen.

However, there are also glaring omissions that sparked dissatisfaction among cinephiles.

We are speculating that these omissions resulted from the unavailability of original release prints, among other reasons.

The movies are going to be screened in theaters nationwide from September 11 to October 15, 2024.  

The ticket price is 50 pesos, much cheaper than the regular rate of at least 200 pesos.

Following is a list of the fifty movies. The year of release is indicated in the parentheses. 

Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon (1976)

Insiang (1976)

Minsa'y Isang Gamu-Gamo (1976)

Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising (1977)

Mga Bilanggong Birhen (1977)

Atsay (1978)

Ang Panday (1980)

Brutal (1980)

Langis at Tubig (1980)

Karma (1981)

Himala (1982)

Moral (1982)

Bad Bananas sa Puting Tabing (1983)

Karnal (1983)

Shake, Rattle, and Roll 1 (1984)

The Moises Padilla Story (1985)

Captain Barbell (1986)

Agila ng Maynila (1988)

Imortal (1989)

Shake, Rattle, and Roll II (1990)

Darna (1991)

Okay Ka, Fairy Ko! The Movie (1991) 

Kung Mawawala Ka Pa (1993)

May Minamahal (1993)

Magic Temple (1996)

Jose Rizal (1998)

Markova (2000)

Tanging Yaman (2000)

Yamashita: The Tiger's Treasure (2001)

Ang Alamat ng Lawin (2002)

Mano Po (2002)

Crying Ladies (2003) 

Blue Moon (2005)

Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo (2006)

Ang Panday (2009) 

Ang Tanging Ina Mo (2010)

Manila Kingpin: The Untold Story of Asiong Salonga (2011)

One More Try (2012)

Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo (2014)

Feng Shui II (2014)

Walang Forever (2015)

Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2 (2016)

Die Beautiful (2016)

Sunday Beauty Queen (2016)

Ang Larawan (2017)

Gandarrapido: The Revenger Squad (2017)

Rainbow’s Sunset (2018)

Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2019)

Big Night (2021)

Firefly (2023)

"Mga Awiting Batibot": Memorable Songs from an Iconic Album

Mga Awiting Batibot (Tagalog: Songs from Batibot) comprises two cassette tapes is a soundtrack collection that was released in the 1990s.

The remaining two tapes are titled Mga Kuwento ni Kuya Bodjie (Tagalog: Stories of Big Brother Bodjie) and Mga Awitin ni Pong at Kiko (Tagalog: Song of Pong and Kiko)

The soundtrack collection includes songs that were performed in the television educational show Batibot.

Photo Credit: Krazykyle - The Filipino Picker / Facebook

Photo Credit: Krazykyle - The Filipino Picker

The program remains popular mainly among Batang 80s and 90s (Eighties and Nineties Kids), who are now grown-ups.

Probably many of them have told their long-cherished Batibot memories to their own children. 

Many of the puppets and human cast members in Batibot performed the musical numbers in the said album.

The puppet characters are Pong Pagong (Pong the Turtle), Kiko Matsing (Kiko the Monkey), Irma Daldal, Ningning and Gingging.

The human cast members are Kuya Bodjie, Ate Sienna, Kuya Mario, and of course the Batibot Kids

The following is a track listing of Mga Awiting Batibot:

1.    Kung Gusto Mong Sumaya (Tagalog: If You Want to Be Happy)

Performed by:    Ate Sienna and the Batibot Kids

2.    Abakada sa Awit at Senyas (Tagalog: Alphabet in Song and Gestures)

Performed by:    Ate Sienna, Pong Pagong and the Batibot Kids

3.    Umihip Tulad Ng Hangin (Tagalog: Blow Like the Wind)

Performed by:    Ate Sienna and the Batibot Kids

4.    Bangkang Papel (Tagalog: Paper Boat)

Performed by:    The Batibot Kids

5.    Batibot Theme

Performed by:    The Batibot Kids

6.    Kaarawan (Tagalog: Birthday)

Performed by:    The Batibot Kids

7.    Magbigayan (Tagalog: Give-and-Take)

Performed by:    The Batibot Kids

8.    Paggising Sa Umaga (Tagalog: Upon Waking Up in the Morning)

Performed by:    The Batibot Kids

 

9.    Si Puti (Tagalog: White [the White Cow])

Performed by:    The Batibot Kids

 

10.    Batibot Closing Theme

Instrumental

11. Batibot Theme

Instrumental

12.    GulayYayYayYay (Tagalog: Vegetables Yay Yay Yay)

Performed by:    Irma Daldal, Ningning, and Gingging

13.    IsdaDaDa (Tagalog: Fish Da Da)

Performed by:    Irma Daldal, Ningning, and Gingging

14.    Binti Ko (Tagalog: My Leg)

Performed by:    Kuya Bodjie

 

15.    Mamang Kartero (Tagalog: Mister Mailman)

Performed by:    Kuya Bodjie

16.    Maligo Tayo (Tagalog: Let's Take a Bath)

Performed by:    Kuya Bodjie and the Batibot Kids

 

17.    Tweet Tweet

Performed by:    Kuya Mario and Gingging

 

18.    Tugmaan (Tagalog: Rhyming)

Performed by:    Kuya Mario and Pong Pagong

 

19.    Pagmamano (Tagalog: Kissing the Hands [of Elders])

Performed by:    Kuya Mario and the Batibot Kids

 

20.    Magandang Araw (Tagalog: Good Day)

Performed by:    Pong Pagong, Kiko Matsing, Ate Sienna, Kuya Bodjie and Kuya Mario

21.    Tayo'y Kumandirit (Tagalog: Let's Hop)

Performed by:    Pong Pagong Batibot Kids

22.    Ehersisyong Sabay-Sabay (Tagalog: Exercising Simultaneously)

Performed by:    Kuya Bodjie, Batibot Kids

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

From left to right: Kuya Mario, Ate Sienna, Kiko Matsing, Pong Pagong, and Kuya Bodjie
(Photo Credit: Wazzup Pilipinas)

Pong Pagong and Kiko Matsing are Muppet-style characters apparently inspired by "The Monkey and the Turtle", a Filipino fable which was annotated to English by Jose Rizal in 1889.

Ningning and Gingging in the 2010s Batibot
(Photo Credit: Batibot TV / YouTube)
 

According to a 2012 article in the Philippine Star, Ningning and Gingging are sisters based from Ernie and Bert of Sesame Street.

Irma Daldal is a loquacious actress and TV field reporter.

Although Ate Sienna (Sienna Olaso) and Kuya Mario (Junix Inocian) are still remembered by audiences, the iconic status of Kuya Bodjie (Luisito Pascua) was established by his storytelling segment in almost every episode.

As you read this post, you might still hear in your mind Kuya Bodjie's signature voice.

This unique voice brings to the stories to life, so the lesson gets ingrained in the listener's mind in a vivifying manner.

Kuya Bodjie in 2018
(Photo Credit: Cebu Daily News)

Produced by the Philippine Children's Television Foundation, Batibot was broadcast by several networks from 1985 to 2003.

After a seven-year hiatus, Batibot was briefly revived from 2010 to 2013.

Enteng in the Movies Since the 1980s

The fifth tropical cyclone to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this year is called Enteng.

As of now, the weather disturbance is gaining strength. 

The strong winds and heavy rainfall Enteng brings is a reminder that multitudes of Filipinos are named Enteng.

It also happened that Enteng is a popular diminutive of the male given name Vicente.

Enteng is also the name of a handful of eponymous characters in Filipino movies, the most famous of which are topbilled by Vic Sotto as Enteng Kabisote.

Movies in the Enteng Kabisote series were perennially selected as entries in the Metro Manila Film Festival during the 2000s and 2010s.

The following list covers other movies with lead characters named Enteng.

 

Photo Credit: Video 48

Released on April 18, 1980, Enteng-Anting (Tagalog: Enteng-Amulet) features Nino Muhlach in the title role. Muhlach is the Child Wonder of Philippine Movies at that time.

The movie is a production of the family-owned D'Wonder Films. It is based on a series in the Movie Special Komiks.

 

 

Photo Credit: Video 48

Enteng the Dragon appears to be a parody of Bruce Lee's Enter the Dragon.

It was released on July 14, 1988, or eleven days shy of the sixtieth birthday of lead star Dolphy.

This offering by RVQ Productions was also shown in theaters during the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese calendar.

 

 

Starring Eddie Garcia, Enteng Manok: Tari ng Quiapo is a dramatization of the life of Vicente Sangel.

Sangel was a cock-fight aficionado known for defending the downtrodden against wicked entities in Quiapo, a district of the city of Manila.

The movie was released by Magdalena Films on September 30, 1993.

(ADDITIONAL NOTE: Tari is the Tagalog cockfighting term for a bladed spur that is attached to a rooster's leg.)

 

 

Enteng and the Shaolin Kid is a 1995 martial arts starring Vic Sotto and Jacky Shik.

Released on December 7 of that year, the venture was co-produced by Moviearts Inc. and Vic Sotto's own M-Zet Films.

 

 

Photo Credit: Video 48

A year later, Vic Sotto partnered with fellow comedian Janno Gibbs to star with him in Enteng en Mokong: Kaming mga Mababaw ang Kaligayahan (Tagalog: Enteng and Mokong: We Who Have Shallow Happiness).

Released on December 10, 1997, the movie was Regal Entertainment's pre-Christmas (and pre-Metro Manila Film Festival) offering that year.

 

 

Photo Credit: Video 48

Enteng Kabisote: Okay Ka, Fairy Ko ... The Legend is the movie that jumpstarted the successful streak of Vic Sotto's Enteng Kabisote movies in the MMFF in the 2000s and 2010s.

For a brief background, Vicente 'Enteng' Kabisote is the name of Vic Sotto's character in the fantasy comedy TV sitcom Okay Ka, Fairy Ko. 

The sitcom inspired entries in the 1991 and 1992 editions of the MMFF.

Overall, Enteng Kabisote: Okay Ka, Fairy Ko ... The Legend is third movie installment based on the fantasy comedy TV sitcom Okay Ka, Fairy Ko.

This 2004 MMFF entry grossed 101.6 million in the box office.

 

Photo Credit: Video 48

 Enteng Kabisote 2: Okay Ka, Fairy Ko ... The Legend Continues grossed 108.37 million pesos in the 2005 Metro Manila Film Festival.

 

 

Photo Credit: Video 48

Enteng Kabisote 3: Okay Ka, Fairy Ko ... The Legend Goes On and On and On grossed 128 million pesos in the 2006 Metro Manila Film Festival.

This fantasy comedy movie even won the Best Picture award, its sole accolade in the festival.   

  

 

Photo Credit: Video 48

Enteng Kabisote 4: Okay Ka, Fairy Ko ... The Beginning of the Legend grossed 108.37 million pesos in the 2007 Metro Manila Film Festival.

Characters such as Jose Rizal, Karimarimar and Arianey No Money had special participatory roles in this fourth installment of the original Enteng Kabisote films.

 

Photo Credit: Video 48

From 2008 to 2009, Vic Sotto took a break from the MMFF. He came back in the 2010 MMFF with an action comedy and fantasy crossover titled Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote (Tagalog: Amulet and Enteng Kabisote).

Also starring Ramon 'Bong' Revilla Jr., Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote marks the actor-politician's movie comeback since his 2010 re-election as senator.

 

 

Photo Credit: Video 48

For the 2011 MMFF, Vic Sotto's Enteng Kabisote was paired with Ai-Ai delas Alas' Ina Montecillo of the Ang Tanging Ina film series to come up with Enteng ng Ina Mo (Tagalog: Enteng of Your Mother).

Aside from earning almost 238 million pesos in its MMFF run, Enteng ng Ina Mo won Second Best Picture and a few other awards.

 

Photo Credit: IMDb

 Si Agimat, si Enteng Kabisote at si Ako (Tagalog: Amulet, Enteng Kabisote, and Me) is one of the eight official entries for the 2012 MMFF. Judy Ann Santos joins the lead cast as Ako, a fairy disguised as an environmental activist.

According to Revilla, Si Agimat, si Enteng Kabisote at si Ako is the first movie to have a shoot at the "Kapurpurawan" (white) rock formations in Burgos, Ilocos Norte.

Photo Credit: OctoArts Films / M-Zet Films / APT Entertainment

Although submitted for consideration for the 2016 MMFF, Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers was not included as an official entry. This superhero fantasy and comedy film was released instead theaters on November 30 of that year, apparently to capitalize on the holiday break (Bonifacio Day).

More entries will be added to this list as more information gets uncovered.