Asiong Salonga: Hari ng Tondo, 1950 (Tagalog: King of Tondo) is a 1990 biographical action-drama film that follows the life story of gangster Nicasio 'Asiong' Salonga. Considered as one of the public enemies in the country in the 1940s and 1950s, Salonga led a gang that dominated Tondo. At that time, Tondo was infamously known as Manila's mob district.
Directed by Armando De Guzman Jr., the film is topbilled by George Estregan Jr.. The latter (credited as E.R. Ejercito) also wrote the screenplay, which was based on a story by Amado Pagsanjan. Estregan would play the same role in the 2011 film Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story.
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| Screen Capture: Solar Films / ATB-4 Films / YouTube |
PLOT
In 1950, the Manila district of Tondo already developed a reputation for crime and poverty. Rival gangs were already asserting their authority over their respective turfs throughout the district, which they consider as a kingdom.
One of them was Asiong Salonga. At that time, he is involved in illegal gambling, smuggling and protection rackets. Asiong was acting as a sort of a godfather in the community. His neighbors approach him for material assistance. He also exercises informal judicial power. Residents who are troubled by theft and other petty crimes ask him for a remedy.
The film introduces Asiong playing a card game against Viray. In an ensuing police raid, the occupants of the gambling den scrambled to evade the law enforcers. Asiong suddenly ran into Domeng, his police officer brother. Domeng urged his younger brother to go home because their mother Maria has been worrying. Asiong has been away for several days.
Within his family, Asiong's brushes with the law always lead to conflict. Cardo, their father, harbors disciplinarian ideas that conform to Domeng's. Maria appears to spoil Asiong by tolerating his behavior.
In another encounter, Viray's group held Asiong's. This encounter provided Viray a chance to maul Asiong. Asiong's revenge proved fatal for Viray. His notoriety as a feared gang leader grew. Golem and Pepeng Hapon, the heads of rival gang, took notice of Asiong's ascendance.
Golem challenged Asiong to a gun duel. Asiong mocked Golem by remarking that Golem relies on a gun to muster courage. Golem agreed to Asiong's proposal for them to fight mano-a-mano. Golem lost and offered Asiong a business alliance. Asiong's refusal made Golem resentful. The dispute concerning the areas where they conduct smuggling intensified.
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| George Estregan Jr. as Asiong Salonga Screen Capture: Solar Films / ATB-4 Films / YouTube |
Erning, Tambol, Piring and Ayes Gago are the henchmen of Asiong. Erning appears to be Asiong's closest friend. He received a gun from Asiong as a birthday present. Tambol is Asiong's spotter when the latter conducts shooting practices.
Asiong met and was smitten with Fidela when he and his gang bought bibingka at a stall owned by Luis, her father, and Carmen, her aunt. Learning that Luis had developed an aversion to gang leaders in Tondo, Asiong introduced himself as Pepe Rodriguez.
While on a date, Pepe eventually confessed his real identity to Fidela. The revelation did nothing to change her feelings for him. It was already late at night when Asiong brought Fidela home. Suspecting that something happened between Asiong and Fidela, Luis threatened Asiong with a knife.
Tambol sensed trouble and he addressed Asiong. A shocked Luis realized that the Pepe he knew is the notorious Asiong. Luis asked Asiong if he will marry Fidela.
As he transformed into a family man, Asiong's operations continued to grow. Mellowing a bit, Asiong directed his men to avoid killing people. A portion of the proceeds of these operations went to the poor, so Asiong became Tondo's Robin Hood.
A big robbery conducted by Asiong's gang in Caloocan fueled the ire of Toro, who felt that his turf was breached.
During a visit to a dance hall, Asiong met and wooed the taxi dancer Mely.
Later in the same venue, Banong challenged Asiong to a duel. Humiliated by his loss to Asiong, Banong hurled a grenade at Asiong's gang. Asiong and company survived the attack. Eyes Gago threw a knife that fatally hit Banong's neck.
Mely became Asiong's paramour. She continually tried, but failed, to convince Asiong to turn his back on lawlessness.
Asiong survived an ambush staged by Toro while the former is in a barber shop. The incident killed the barber and Piring. While attempting to avenge Piring's death, Toro escaped. Asiong was caught by the chief of police.
At the city jail, Asiong met Boy Zapata. Boy Zapata was on the process of being transferred to the National Penitentiary. Asiong gained a friend at the city jail.
Meanwhile, Maria died of a heart attack after overhearing a conversation between Domeng and Cardo. Domeng had told his father that Asiong will be transferred to the National Penitentiary.
In a clinic at the National Penitentiary, Boy Zapata tried to kill Asiong. Asiong was saved by the co-prisoner friend he met at the city jail. His friend was killed in the process of shielding Asiong against Boy Zapata's knife attacks.
Tambol and Mely then brought the news to Asiong that Maria had died. While working on a quarry, a distraught Asiong escaped to attend the interment of Maria. Asiong was recaptured at the cemetery.
After some time, Asiong was released from the penitentiary. Fidela and Tambol fetched him. As their car left the area, Mely was looking from afar.
Pepeng Hapon found the news of Asiong's release unpleasant. He vowed to stop Asiong for good.
A confrontation between the real wife and the mistress put Asiong in an awkward situation. Meanwhile, Fidela begrudgingly accepted that there are two women in Asiong's life. Mely eventually left Asiong after realizing Fidela's rightful status as Asiong's wife. For the last time, she convinced Asiong to turn a new leaf.
Erning got involved in a robbery against a Tondo resident. Asiong resolved the issue by compelling Erning to return the pieces of jewelry he stole. Asiong then shot Erning on the leg. Golem came to the rescue by bringing Erning to the hospital. He then asked Erning to repay the favor by killing Asiong.
Asiong went home to inform Domeng and Cardo of his desire to change his life. He also sought their forgiveness, which was granted. However, their relief and happiness were short-lived because Toro staged an ambush that took the life of Cardo.
Asiong was unable to leave a life of crime because he avenged Cardo's death by killing Toro. Pepeng Hapon sought Asiong, but killed Tambol and other members of Asiong's gang instead. This led to a series of murders against his enemies, including Pepeng Hapon. Asiong is again a target of the police.
Domeng resigned from the police force because of its failure to help them when Cardo was killed. He also intended to disinhibit himself from the efforts of the police to get Asiong.
Fidela came to the painful decision of leaving Asiong, albeit for the meantime, because the situation has become unsafe for their two children. Asiong then went to the church and prayed for forgiveness. After meditating on changing his life, Asiong left his gun on the pew. He then put his hat on the head of a child he saw outside the church.
Asiong was alone at a sari-sari store, and having a drink. Golem, accompanied by Erning, arrived and purportedly offered a toast to celebrate Asiong's upcoming birthday.
Erning went at the back of Asiong. Asiong asked Erning about the whereabouts of the gun that he gave to Erning. Asiong said he thought Erning had sold the gun. Erning then said that the gun is still with him because he needs it.
Asiong then asked Erning to get something more to drink. With Golem's gesture, Erning then shot Asiong at the back of head. Feeling remorseful, Erning remembered Asiong's motto, "Mas masarap mamatay sa kamay ng kaaway, kaysa sa kamay ng kaibigan." (It is better do die in the hands of anenemy, than in the hands of a friend.)
Police officers then arrived at the scene and gunned down Asiong's killers.
