Movies That Mark 30th Year in January 2024

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

Johnny Tiñoso and the Proud Beauty

Mistah: Mga Mandirigma

Tasya Fantasya: Maid in Heaven

Once Upon a Time in Manila

Chinatown 2: The Vigilantes

Hindi Pa Tapos ang Laban

Suwapings

The Elsa Castillo Story: Ang Katotohanan

Details of each mentioned title follow.

Johnny Tiñoso and the Proud Beauty

Original Release Date: January 04, 1994

Production Company: Seiko Films

MAIN CAST

Jestoni Alarcon ... Johnny Tiñoso

Gretchen Barretto ... Belita De Guia / Beauty

Romnick Sarmenta ... Kikong Engkanto

Rey 'PJ' Abellana ... Enriquito

Sharmaine Arnaiz     ... Selina

George Estregan ... Father of Johnny

SELECTED CREW

Direction ... Carlo J. Caparas

Story ...    Nick Joaquin

Screenplay ... Floy Quintos

Cinematography ... Raymond Bajarias

Production Design ... Gabby Francisco

Editing ... Efren Jarlego

Musical Direction ... Rey Magtoto

Executive Producers ... Robbie Tan

Mistah: Mga Mandrigma (Tagalog: Warriors)

Original Release Date: January 04, 1994

Production Company: Viva Films

MAIN CAST

Robin Padilla     ... Mario Cariño

Rustom Padilla ... Lt. Flavier

Roi Vinzon ... Lt. Duterte

Daniel Fernando ... Daniel Aquino

Joko Diaz ... New Recruit

Anna Roces ... Linda

Rommel Padilla ... Remy De Jesus

SELECTED CREW

Direction ... Ricardo 'Bebong' Osorio

Story ...    Mario Cariño

Screenplay ... Humilde 'Meek' Roxas

Cinematography ... Joe Batac and Ricardo Herrera

Production Design ... Judy Lou De Pio

Editing ... Rene Tala

Musical Direction ... Robinhood C. Padilla and Mandy Ferrer

Executive Producers ... Vic Del Rosario Jr.

Tasya Fantasya: Maid in Heaven

Original Release Date: January 11, 1994

Production Company: Golden Lions Films Productions Inc.

MAIN CAST

Kris Aquino ... Tasya / Crisanta

Alvin Patrimonio … Alvin

Paul 'Bong' Alvarez … Bong

Jerry Codiñera ... Jerry

Zandro 'Jun' Limpot … Jun

Barbara Perez … Barbara Alcuaz Vergara

Robert Arevalo … Berto

Dick Israel ... Mayor Miguel Beltran

Mitch Valdez … Head Housekeeper

Almira Muhlach … Almira

Bomber Moran … Bombo

Ramil Rodriguez … Ramil Vergara

Bella Flores … Bella Alcuaz

SELECTED CREW

Direction ... Carlo J. Caparas

Story and Screenplay ... Carlo J. Caparas

Cinematography ... Ernesto Dominguez

Production Design ... Gabby Francisco

Editing ... Abelardo Hulleza

Musical Direction ... Rey Ramos

Executive Producers ... Carlo J. Caparas and Donna Villa Caparas

Once Upon a Time in Manila

Original Release Date: January 11, 1994

Production Company: M-Zet Films, Harvest Films International

MAIN CAST

Vic Sotto ... Jet

Cynthia Luster ... Lt. Cynthia Wang 

Gloria Sevilla ... Amparo Lagman

Larry Silva ... Chairman Shepherd

Val Sotto ... Sgt. Beltran

Ritchie Reyes ... Tom

Yoyong Martirez ... Dong

SELECTED CREW

Direction ... Tony Y. Reyes

Story and Screenplay ... Marvic Sotto and Tony Y. Reyes

Cinematography ... Joe Tutanes

Production Design ... Jojo Magno

Editing ... Eduardo 'Boy' Jarlego

Musical Direction ... Mon Del Rosario

Executive Producer ... Marvic Sotto, Tony Tuviera and Jose Yu

Chinatown 2: The Vigilantes

Original Release Date: January 12, 1994

Production Company: Four N Films

MAIN CAST

Monsour Del Rosario ... Mario Tinagan

Baldo Marro ... Capt. Mike Chan

Dawn Zulueta ... Mylene

Efren Reyes Jr. ... Alex Tang

Toby Alejar ... Rey Lao

Lovely Rivero ... Linda

Atoy Co ... Raymond Kho

Cristina Esquerra ... Malou

Ruel Vernal ... Steve Crane

Howard Zaleta ... Atoy

Zandro Zamora ... Lt. Real

SELECTED CREW

Direction ... Manuel Marcos and Roger Baruelo

Screenplay ... Jerry O. Tirazona

Cinematography ... Pablo Bautista

Production Design ... Benjie De Guzman and Tata Esteban

Editing ... Abelardo Hulleza

Musical Direction ... Mon Del Rosario

Executive Producer ... Manuel Nuqui

Hindi Pa Tapos ang Laban (Tagalog: The Fight Is Not Yet Over)

Original Release Date: January 25, 1994

Production Company: Viva Films

MAIN CAST

Fernando Poe Jr. ... Carding Villamar

Johnny Delgado ... Congressman Doliente

Michelle Aldana ... Clarissa

Paquito Diaz ... Dario

Berting Labra ... Vicente

Ruel Vernal ... Hepe

Eddie Arenas ... Peping Villamar

SELECTED CREW

Direction ... Ronwaldo Reyes

Story ... Pablo S. Gomez

Screenplay ... Manny Buising

Cinematography ... Sergio Lobo and Ver Reyes

Production Design ... Ben Payumo

Editing ... Augusto Salvador and Ben Tala

Musical Direction ... Jaime Fabregas

Executive Producer ... Vic Del Rosario Jr.

Suwapings

Original Release Date: January 26, 1994

Production Company: Safari Films

MAIN CAST

Lou Veloso

Noel Trinidad

Cynthia Patag

Mely Tagasa

Tia Pusit

Vangie Labalan

Johnny Wilson

Philip 'Kuhol' Supnet

SELECTED CREW

Direction, Story and Screenplay ... Manny Reyes

Cinematography ... Herky Del Mundo

Production Design ... Gail Vicente

Editing ... Ferren Salumbides and Elsa Abellana

Musical Direction ... Max Jocson

Executive Producer ... Mother Lydia, Madam Elizabeth, and Sister Selene

The Elsa Castillo Story … Ang Katotohanan (Tagalog: The Truth)

Original Release Date: January 27, 1994

Production Company: OctoArts Films

MAIN CAST

Kris Aquino ...    Elsa Castillo

Eric Quizon ... Fred Castillo

Miguel Rodriguez ... Ted Boorman

Johnny Delgado ... Dario

SELECTED CREW

Direction    ...     Laurice Guillen

Story and Screenplay ... Ricardo Lee

Cinematography ... Eduardo Jacinto

Production Design ... Edgar Martin Littaua

Editing ... Efren Jarlego

Musical Direction ... Nonong Buencamino

Executive Producer ... Orly Ilacad

"Ako'y Tao, May Dugo at Laman!" (I Am Human, with Blood and Flesh!): A Drama Movie from the 1970s

Ako'y Tao, may Dugo at Laman! (Tagalog: I Am Human, with Blood and Flesh!) is a 1970 drama film directed by Armando Garces. Based on a story by Mars Ravelo and a screenplay by Romy Galang, the film was produced by F.G.O. Film Productions. The film chronicles the struggles of women who have been away from their husbands for a long time.

Photo Credit: FGO Film Productions / Philippine Cinema Vault

PLOT

Luisa (Helen Gamboa), Lorna (Rita Gomez), Nati (Leila Morena) and Agueda (Perla Bautista) are married to the sailors Edgar (Ramil Rodriguez), Jesse (Eddie Garcia), Dencio (Leopoldo Salcedo) and Bianong (Carlos Padilla Jr.), respectively. The men have been away from their wives for five years, except for Dencio who has not visited Nati and their children for 20 years.

In the village where the movie is set, it seems like that majority of the married women have sailor husbands. The four women protagonists appear to represent the emotional struggles that have to do with having an absent partner.

Luisa and Lorna are the best of friends, but they have contrasting personalities. Luisa is steadfast in her faithfulness to Edgar, while Lorna persistently longs for male companionship. In an effort to avoid the act of committing infidelity, Lorna keeps on drowning herself in alcohol.

In moments of despondency, Lorna always goes to Luisa's place for solace. Despite her manifestation of emotional strength, Luisa is doggedly troubled by the overbearing mother-in-law Etang (Etang Discher).

Etang keeps on reminding that Luisa's house is the product of Edgar's hard work. She constantly pressures Luisa to stop seeing Lorna, dismissing the latter as a bad influence. Beteng (Eddie Infante), Etang's henpecked husband, has a trusting attitude toward Luisa.

Nati seems to cope with her situation by volunteering for church work. Nati's husband, Dencio, has been absent for a long time that their son Luis (Roldan Aquino) grew up resenting him. 

Luis, her wife Ester and their two children live with Nati. He is friendly with Marciano (Marciano Noble), a neighbor that he considers as a father figure. With Luis' encouragement, Marciano regularly visits Nati's house to help in chores. 

Luis makes efforts such that Nati and Marciano develops romantic feelings towards each other. He frequently invites Marciano to help in household chores. These actions are appreciated by Nati. The resolute Luis even asked Marciano to malinger, so there would be a pretext for Nati to visit him. 

Nati's visit provided an opportunity for her and Marciano to remember their past romance at the Hinulugang Taktak falls in Antipolo. They did not end up in the altar, but they still love one another. Marciano suggested for her and Nati to go away, but Nati honors her marital bond with Dencio.

Agueda (Perla Bautista), a sari-sari store owner, is vocal about her revulsion towards Bianong. She is outspoken about a disturbing wish - for Bianong's ship to get involved in an accident and capsize. 

Berta (Gina Laforteza), a lesbian neighbor, is attracted to Agueda. Mokong (Vic Vargas), the village skirt-chaser, is hitting on the wives of the sailors with varying degrees of success. He tried to rape Agueda, but he failed.  

In the aftermath of the incident, Berta offered herself to Agueda as a protector-friend. Agueda then revealed that Bianong raped her during their honeymoon. Instantly transformed into Agueda's confidant and shoulder to cry on, Berta was invited by Agueda to live in the latter's house. After a certain period, Berta was evicted because she tried forced herself on Agueda.

Mokong's futile attempt to sexually assault Agueda opened a chance to satisfy his libido. As he tried to escape the ire of Agueda's neighbors, Mokong chanced upon Lorna who stands in the doorway to her house.

Mokong and Lorna gazed lustfully at one another, and they went on to spend the night together in her bedroom. The morning after Lorna found out that Mokong wants money for his "service," so she promptly tells him to get out of her house.

A worried Luisa went to Lorna's house and discovered Mokong, who immediately departed the bedroom. Etang and Beteng saw Mokong in the doorway. Intrigued by the uproar, Luisa's parents-in-law made an unwelcome entrance.  

Lorna told Luisa that she intended to write a letter to Jesse, informing her of the infidelity. Etang then barged into Lorna's bedroom and hurled insults at its owner. In retaliation, Lorna revealed a secret previously unknown to Luisa: Etang was already pregnant with Edgar when she married Beteng. Lorna's disclosure silenced Etang. After admitting that he was well aware of this reality, Beteng requested Luisa not to tell Edgar anything about this secret to his parentage.

One day, Luisa and a female companion were waiting for a bus bound to Manila. A car stopped in front of them. It was driven by Mario (Eddie Gutierrez), Luisa's former boyfriend. Mario offered Luisa and her companion a ride.

Luisa and her companion agreed to accompany Mario to a restaurant and have a snack with. Luisa's companion took leave to go to a restroom, so Mario grabbed the chance to admit to Luisa that he still loves her. When her companion returned to their table, Luisa told her that they have to leave. That night, a confused Luisa played Edgar's recording of the poem "How Do I Love Thee."

Mokong continues to loiter in front of Lorna's house, hoping for a repeat of their dalliance. Luisa then requested Mokong not to disturb Lorna anymore. Mokong interpreted the Luisa's entreaty as a display of attraction, so he harassed her.

Mario happened to be driving his nearby, and a fistfight with Mokong ensued. Impressed with the way Mario defended Luisa, Mokong begged for the scuffle to stop. Luisa welcomed Mario to her house, so she can treat the wound on his face. Mario seized the opportunity to ask Luisa for a meeting at nine o'clock the next day. Etang and Beteng arrived as Mario's car departed, allowing Etang to accuse Luisa of infidelity. 

Luisa agreed to meet Mario, but nothing happened between them inside the motel room. As the radio in the room played a recording of "How Do I Love Thee," a feeling of deep guilt hounded Luisa. Mario emphasized that Edgar is a fortunate man because he married a faithful woman. This episode prompted Luisa to seek counsel with the parish priest (Ben Rubio). 

One by one, the sailor husbands returned home. Jerry (Jerry Pons), Dencio's friend, told Nati that Dencio will go home after visiting a sibling in Manila. Meanwhile, Edgar's homecoming moment with Luisa was spoiled by Etang's resentful nagging. Articulating a sense of entitlement, Etang was expecting that Edgar would go to the house she shares with Beteng.

After performing the pagmamano (honoring gesture) to his parents, Edgar told them to leave his house. Referring to the letters sent to him, Edgar had reached the conclusion that his mother constantly harasses Luisa so their marriage breaks apart. A separation means that the money Edgar sends to Luisa would be shifted go to Etang. Edgar also disclosed that he has resigned from the Navy, intending to give all his savings and house to Etang. He and Luisa would then leave the house.

A furious Etang then debased Luisa, claiming that Luisa and Lorna cover up each other's transgressions. The now-defiant Beteng then stood up in defense of Luisa. He made it known that he could not stand Etang anymore. Beteng reconsidered the decision to leave Etang on the condition that she will refrain from bothering Edgar and Luisa.

Mokong is outside Agueda's store, hoping to apologize before leaving for Sangley Point. Resigning that Agueda will not forgive him, Mokong hailed a taxicab. Incidentally, Bianong is the passenger. After a few greetings, Mokong took the taxicab and shouldered Bianong's fare. 

Agueda initially met Bianong with a cold shoulder, but she forgave him after he acknowledged that his stay with the Navy made him realize that he was wrong about treating women. 

As for Dencio, he preferred having a drinking spree with friends over a dinner with family. Nati's efforts to prepare a sumptuous feast went to naught, so Luis went furious. 

The morning after, a confrontation between an intoxicated Dencio and an infuriated Luis led to the heartbreaking confession that Dencio has another family in the U.S. Father and son eventually forgave one another. Dencio entrusted Nati to Marciano.

As Jesse got out of a taxicab, Etang approached him and told him that she has something important to say. The scene cuts to an enraged Jesse who stands in the doorway, angry that another person informed him of Lorna's cheating. Jesse claimed she did not receive the revelatory letter from Lorna. Lorna showed him a proof that she sent the letter via registered mail. 

Although Lorna expressed the preparedness to leave the house, she shifted the blame to Jesse. After leaving the house and boarding a bus, a despondent Jesse ran after the departing vehicle. The bus stopped and Lorna got out of it. Jesse and Lorna hugged and kissed each other, then walked home (leaving the handbag and suitcase on the road).

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Helen Gamboa ... Luisa

Eddie Gutierrez ... Mario

Perla Bautista ... Agueda

Ramil Rodriguez ... Edgar

Eddie Garcia ... Jess

Leila Morena ... Nati

Leopoldo Salcedo ... Dencio

Carlos Padilla Jr. ... Bianong

Vic Vargas ... Mokong

Rita Gomez ... Lorna

Gina Laforteza ... Delta

Eddie Infante ... Beteng

Manolo Noble ... Marciano

Etang Discher ... Etang

Doming Viray ... Domeng

Maya Fuentes ... Ester

Johnny Baylon ... Jun

Jimmy De La Fuente ... Jimmy

Roldan Aquino ... Luis

Ben Rubio ... Priest

Jerry Pons ... Jerry (uncredited)

Matimtiman Cruz ... Maring (uncredited)

Full Movie: Cinema One / YouTube