c.1987 – Eagle Of The Jungle(Sunny Films International)
[Release date unknown, but possibly made around the same time as Dante Varona’s Raging Anger (1987) for Sunny Films; released on Spanish VHS as “El Aguila De La Jungla”]
Director/Story/Screenplay Henry S. Cruz Executive Producer Sunny S. Lim Cinematography Ike Orense Music Rey Valera Editor Nap Montebon Assistant Director Eddie Mac Associate Director Den Montero Sound Effects Rodel Capule Sound Engineer Willie Islao Stillman Billy Ruelo Setting Rudy Morado Makeup Artist Liwayway Zuniga Production Manager Caesar G. Alindogan Assistant Production Manager Ruben Alamanza Field Cashier Nancy C. Alindogan Special Effects Eric Torrente Fight Instructor Eric Robles Wardrobe Ponsing Escobar Schedule Master Jing Delgado Catering Boy Alindogan Catering Inc Utility Boys Hernie de Castro, Inggo Eberica Optical Titles Boy Quilatan Office Manager Baby G. Alindogan Sales Manager Rosendo Mapa Production Secretary Tess Milad Revisor Dennis Estrella Shipper Ariel Estrella
Cast Dante Varona, Jim Dixson, Bruce Thomas, Joe Fischer, Peter Kolloch, Kenneth Bruce, Albert Bronsky, Rob Denny, Frank Campbell, Tony Cooper, Stefan Thoma, Lola Rodriguez, Ernie David, Usman Hassim, Alex Donna, Ben Morro, Eric Robles, Tom Alindogan, Den Montero, Buddy Salvador, Junior Angeles, Alex Nunez, Jing Delgado, Eto Cruz, Thunder Stuntmen, Blue Dragon Stuntmen, Tanay Movie Stuntmen
1987 – The Raging Anger (Sunny Films International)
[Philippines release date unknown]
Director Dante Varona Writers Fred Navarro, Lito Mena Producers Naty Almanza, Sunny Lim Cinematography Bobby Ongieo Editor Ludy de Jesus Special Effects Gorgonio Ible Production Designer Bert Gayanan
Cast Dante Varona, Rex Lapid, Robert Talabis, Tanya Faye, Danny Rojo, Anthony Faustzmann, Philipp Mann, Ernie Forte, Manny Dora, Misty Vargas, Ernie David
1981 - Commander Lawin(Bathala Productions, distributed by Sunny Films/Davian International Ltd)
[Philippines release date unknown, original title "Renato Solidum…Kumander Lawin"; also released in the Netherlands as "American Commando" ]
Director Eddie Nicart Story/Screenplay Bonnie Paredes Executive Producer Naty A. Almanza Production Manager Baby Alvarez Director of Photography Bhal Dauz Editor Nap Montebon Assistant Director Mando Pangilinan
Cast Dante Varona, Bonafe Estrella, Danny Rojo, Rommel Valdez, Robert Miller, Usman Hassim, Maritess Castillo, Rene Romero, Bobby Oreo, Mando Pangilinan, Dardo Lungsod, Joe “Kaka” Balagtas, Rene Salvador, Bert Cayanan, Rico Mercado, Tom Alindogan, Mike Kirkwood, John Nigger, Digos Anderson, Manny Doria, Ryan Singson
1980 - Raiders Of The Paradise (Agrix Productions)
[Philippines release date 28th March 1980, original title "Palawan"; export version retitled "Raiders Of The Paradise" and released internationally by Sunny Films/Davian International]
Director/Story Romy Suzara Screenplay Avelino Zapanta Producer Francisco C. Salinas Executive Producer Sofronio M. Blando Cinematography Ernesto de la Paz Music Ernani Cuenco Editor Ike Jarlego Jr Assistant Director Joel B. Apuyan Production Manager Manny Esguerra In Charge Of Production Ed Santillan ? Manager Rolando A. Vergel de Dios Second Unit Cameraman Pablo Bautista Publicity/Public Relations Bibsy M. Carballo In Charge of Publicity Manny Fernandez, Glenda N. Garcia Sound Effects Supervision Tony Gosalvez Sound Effects Editor Greg Torres Dialogue Director Juan Antonio Routine Instructor Baldo Marro Production Co-ordinator Flor Valmonte Field Cashiers Manny Bacani, Osbourn Borgona Art Director Cornelio Ramirez Field Soundman Godofredo de Leon Assistant Cameraman Nilo Calpe Sound Supervision Rolly Ruta Sound Engineers Vic Macamay, Armando Reyes Special Effects Rolly Sto. Domingo Sound Effects Supervision Antonio Gozalvez Dubbing Supervisor Arman Reyes Assistant Editors George Jarlego, Ning de Leon, Danny Jarlego, Ren de Leon Post Production Supervisors Joel Apuvan, Jose Aguilar Jr, Greg Carandang Assistant In Charge Of Production Nelson Bartolome JE Personnel Pepito Mirador, Alfredo Sabile, Fortunato Reyes, Mike Vega, Eddie Pajarillo, Ben Zacarias, Prisiano Olaez, Enrique Sabile, Ernesto Escofield Stills Rolly Manuba Talent Co-ordinator Peping Dominguez Make-Up Artists Andrea Manahan, Ziony Manahan Propsman Mario Tulod Setmen Ernesto Ramirez, Alfredo Sanchez Utilities Rolando Reyes, Jess Santiago, Rommel Amaranto, Ven Dacanay Caterer Tessie del Mundo
Cast Vic Vargas, Eddie Garcia, Josephine Estrada, Roel Vergel de Dios, Raul Aragon, Julie Ann Fortich, Connie Angeles, Renato Robles, Dick Israel, Franco Rivero, Mitos del Mundo, Margie Braza, Francis Montilla, Dennis Roldan, Chito Ponce Enrile (Hercules Perlas), Jose Romulo, Arturo Moran, Baldo Marro, Juan Rodrigo, Eric Sandoval, S.M. Blando (Commodore Celso Romano), Rosemarie de Vera, Jasmin Sales, Anna Marie Buhain, Agnes Bello, Maritess Feliciano, Lilian Liang, Virginia Montes, Bella Flores, Lucita Soriano, Nenita Jana, Charmie Benavidez, Boy Alano, Jess Ramos, Pons de Guzman, Luis Benedicto, Alex Donna, Cesar Esguerra, Joey Padilla, Arthur Cervantes, Vic Santos, Tony Concepcion, Rolly Montes, Efren Lapid, Boy Ybanez, Bobby Oreo, Efren Baron, Kent Gonzales, Avelino Reyes, Dimple Ortega, Daylin Rica, Betchie Pasgui, Marivic Buenafe, Josie Pumar, Frocy Burns, Norma Magrusao, Ricky Davao, Jun Vital, Andres Primero, Eutemio Sio, SOS Daredevils
Very OBSCURE Phillipine action-sleaze flick, with rich young girls held captive by terrorists for ransom on an isolated island. Lots of machine-gun fights, stabbings, beatings, rapes, catfights, etc. Stars Eddie Garcia as one of the girl's fathers who tries to rescue them. Fun stuff!
Director “Wilfredo”/Willy Milan Story/Screenplay Pete Pascua Producer Sunny Lim Executive Producer Naty A. Almanza Music Robert Andres Cinematography Jani Sioson Music Robert Andres Production Designer Danny Javier [listed as “Daniel Martin” on the VHS cover] Production Manager Tony Viray Editor Stephen Soul Routine Instructors Ver Quirante, Mardy Fuentes Special Effects Gorgonro Tible Schedule Master Jojo de Leon Production Assistant Allan Almanza Makeup Artist Liway Zuniga Setmen Arsanio Salvo, Omeng Olgasan Stills Rudy Ramos Assistant Editors Boy Manang, Robert Andres Props Man Boy Donato, Edmond Guiwan Shooting Unit 2 Bukand Liwalway Production Executive Baby Alordogan Production Secretary Rosendo Drapo Credits Leay Ocampo Supervisor Dennis Estrella Catering Supervisor Remedros Alavae Drivers June Ocampo, Lito de Vera, Leopoldo Manaul Utility Boyet Zamora
Cast Dante Varona, Eddie Garcia, Ronnie Ricketts, Philip Gamboa, Aurora Sevilla, Kristel Romero, John Regala, Fred Gamboa [listed as “Fred Moro” on the Dutch VHS cover], Tom Oliva, Lucita Sorano, Dexter Doria, Manny Doria, Eric Robles, Edgar Duval, Rico Tarman, Lt San Juan, Dave Moreno, Princess Punzalan [listed on the VHS cover as “Princes Pascua”]
Fred Adelman’s review from the Critcon Online website:
Here's a strange one: A Filipino morality tale about Muslim vs. Christian beliefs disguised as a war actioner. A group of Muslim rebels, led by the hot-headed Kiram Sali, attack Christian Philippine Army outposts every chance they get, which angers not only Army General Alfredo Basco (Eddie Garcia; THE WOMAN HUNT - 1972), but also Kiram's peace-loving teacher brother, Omar (Dante Varona), who doesn't believe killing is the answer, even if he doesn't agree with the Christian way of life. The Manila Tribune sends earnest, but wet behind the ears, female reported Mitch Vasquez (Aurora Sevilla) to the troubled region to get the real story and she ends up witnessing more than her young Christian mind can handle. General Basco sends his best man, Captain Reyes, to talk to Omar about amnesty for his brother and the rebels, but when Omar talks to Kiram about the offer, he turns it down. General Basco then personally goes to Omar's village to try and talk some sense into him and Kiram, but it turns out to be a deadly trap orchestrated by the village's evil mayor, who wants the Muslims and Christians to continue fighting for his own personal monetary gain. General Basco is slain and, of course, Kiram and the rebels are blamed, which leads to an all-out holy war between the Muslims and the Christians, resulting in the deaths of many innocent women and children. Omar gives up his peaceful ways when the Army kills Kiram and some of his own schoolchildren. Omar becomes the leader of the rebel forces and unites all the different rebel clans into one fighting force. The first thing Omar does is kill the mayor for his treachery (and we find out that Omar is actually the bastard son of General Basco!) and then he leads his fighting force on attacks against the Army. General Basco's real son, Raoul, becomes a Muslim-hating killing machine who leads his Army unit on many Muslim village raids (even members of his own unit believe Raoul is taking things too far, letting his hatred blind his humanity). The two half-brothers will eventually have to face each other in final combat. Who will be the winner? Are there any true winners when it comes to senseless war?
Those expecting a typical balls-out Filipino war actioner are going to be severely disappointed, because KRIS COMMANDO, directed by Wifredo "Willie" Milan (W - 1983; CLASH OF THE WARLORDS - 1985) and written by Pete Pascua, is more interested in theological warfare than battlefield warfare. Sure, there are plenty of gunfights and bloody deaths (including small children being murdered), but the viewer is also bombarded with plenty of Muslim and Christian ideology, some of it pretty heavy-handed, especially Mitch's plea to her soon-to-be Muslim-hating Mother-In-Law (General Basco's wife) on why she wishes Muslims and Christians can put their differences aside and live in a violence-free Philippines. Not all the symbolism is bad, though. There's an excellent sequence where General Basco is being killed in the enemy trap, intercut with scenes of Mitch, Raoul and the rest of the Basco clan celebrating Mom's birthday in Manila. The Muslim village that General Basco dies in is populated by sick and hungry women and children, while a healthy Momma Basco and her clan feast on cake. It's a potent sequences marked with excellent editing that magnifies the differences in the two religions, but doesn't play favorites, as both sides suffer equally. Most of the bloody war action is saved for the final third of the film, where Omar goes into Rambo mode (shirtless, but with a bandana tied around his upper arm rather than his forehead) and Raoul flips out and starts killing Muslims indiscriminately. There are plenty of bloody bullet squibs and even a decapitation, but how action films view this film depends on their tolerance level for religion in the storyline. It tries to play fair with both sides, but Muslims have the slight edge here, thanks to Christian Raoul wigging-out in the finale. I guess this film also makes a good parable about War in Iraq and the difference that religion plays there, but that's purely a coincidence. Or is it? Also starring Ronnie Ricketts, Kristel Romero, John Regala, Philip Gamboa, Tom Olivia, Lucita Sorano, Fred Gamboa, Dexter Doria, Eric Robles and Princess Punzalan. Never legitimately available on U.S. home video, the print I viewed was sourced from a Dutch-subtitled VHS tape on the Miami Home Entertainment label.
1987 - Get Victor Corpus: The Rebel Soldier Philippines (Sunny Films/Davian International Ltd/Vanguard Films)
[original Tagalog title “Victor Corpuz”]
Writer Jose F. Lacaba Producer Charo Santos-Concio Executive Producer Simon C. Ongpin Editor Augusto Salvador Fight Instructor Baldo Marro
Cast Rudy Fernandez (Victor Corpuz), Jay Ilagan, Sandy Andolong, Dang Cecilio, Rowell Santiago, Ricky Davao, George Estregan, Berting Labra, Raoul Aragonn, Johnny Vibar, Charlie Davao, Fred Montilla, Dedes Whitaker, Ernie Zarate
Email from screenwriter Jose “Pete” Lacaba 09/01/09:
I dealt only with Vanguard Films, a now-defunct company, then headed by Simon Ongpin, with whom I have lost touch. The two other companies you mentioned may have been distribution companies.
The film OPERATION: GET VICTOR CORPUS, THE REBEL SOLDIER is based on the real-life story of Lt. Victor N. Corpus, a graduate of, and subsequently instructor at, the Philippine Military Academy (PMA, the Philippine equivalent of West Point) who in 1970 defected to the New People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines. When he defected, he led a group of NPA guerrillas in raiding the PMA armory and bringing out high-powered firearms that considerably boosted the guerrilla group's armed strength.
Six years later, he was reported to have been captured by government troops, and he was believed to have spent the next 10 years as a prisoner in a military camp. It was only after I had completed the second draft of my script, and after he read it, that he publicly admitted he had surrendered to the Marcos martial-law regime. In fact, it was in a letter to me that he made this public admission, and I had my five minutes of front-page fame when his "Dear Pete" letter came out in the media, leaked out, I suspect, by Vic Corpus himself. The letter is reprinted in the prologue of Vic's self-published book SILENT WAR (1989).
After that "Dear Pete" letter, in which he explained the reasons for his surrender, Vic was reinstated in the armed forces. He was a brigadier general when he retired.
Rudy Fernandez won a FAMAS (Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences, the Philippine Oscars) award as best actor for playing Victor Corpus. I don't recall if a video of the film was ever commercially released, but I have a bootleg VHS copy that Rudy Fernandez himself gave me years ago, made (if I remember correctly) from a U-matic copy that Rudy had. I meant to ask Rudy if he could have a DVD copy burned for me, but he died last year before I could mention it to him.
c.1987 – Eagle Of The Jungle (Sunny Films International)
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