Video 48

THE FIFTIES # 205: TESSIE QUINTANA, TEODY BELARMINO, WITH GIL DE LEON, EUSEBIO GOMEZ, NELA ALVAREZ, OSCAR OBLIGACION, MINING ALVAREZ IN RICHARD ABELARDO'S KRUS NA BAKAL" (1954)/ UPDATED

2026-09-08T22:49:16.760+08:00

"Krus na Bakal" (1954)
LVN Pictures
Release Date May 20-29, 1954/ Dalisay
Story E. Vianzon Ranola
Music F.Buencamino, Jr.
Direction Richard Abelardo
Cast Tessie Quintana, Teody Belarmino, Gil de Leon, Eusebio Gomez, Nela ALvarez, Oscar Obligacion, Miniong Alvarez

Synopsis: Dr. Mascardo discovers a potion which would change his appearance to that of a young man who soon becomes known in the town as Antenor. No one shares the Doctor's secret, although his pretty daughter, Gloria (Tessie Quintana), is troubled by her father's strange behavior when he is out of his Laboratory where he spends most of the time.

When Nestor (Teody Belarmino) pays a visit to Gloria and is met by Dr. Mascardo, the doctor gets furious, tries to hurt the young man who has to retaliate in self-defense. Nestor’s parents, Tasio and Anday, explain that the doctor’s hatred for Nestor" is due to Anday’s refusal to marry him when both were young. Anday fears for her son, but Tasio assures them that nothing would happen.

Another encounter takes place between Nestor and the doctor when the latter surprises the young lover in a tryst, and Nestor gets wounded. Tasio goes to the doctor’s house for retaliation, but is met on the way by Antenor who picks up a quarrel with Tasio and is wounded. Antenor gets hold of Igme’s bolo, and slays Tasio. The clues point out to Dr. Mascardo as having something to do with the crime, but in the absence of proofs, the authorities can not touch him.

Meanwhile, Antenor has disappeared. Dr. Mascardo becomes nice to the young lover, after the incident, and renews his previous courtship with the now widowed Anday. But there is something in the ways of the doctor which makes her feel strongly he is the murderer of her late husband, and as he is about to approach her, she shrieks for help, and in comes Igme, the househelp, who grabs the doctor by the ar,s, tearing away his shirt sleeves. The doctor becomes frantic as the scar in his arm is exposed--- in the very place where Antenor got wounded by Tasio. Dr. Mascardo rushes home where he attempts to kill Nestor who is warned on time by the shouts of Gloria. Nestor gives chase, ut as he enters the laboratory, acids are spilled around, and a table is set aflame, burning the clothes of the doctor who jumps through the window unto his death.

(Source: Literary Song-Movie Magazine)

THE FIFTIES # 204: LEILA MORENA, BEN PEREZ, ELEANOR MEDINA, RAMON D' SALVA, WITH CAVITENO ILANO, LEONORA RUIZ, ROMY BRION, NELLO NAYO, METRING DAVID, FERNANADO SANTIAGO IN "GOLDIGER" (1954)/ UPDATED

2026-09-08T22:38:11.173+08:00

"Goldiger" (1954)
Deegar Cinema, Inc.
Release Date May 16-22, 1954/ Center
Story Dominador Ad Castillo
Direction Rolando Del Mar
Cast Leila Morena, Ben Perez, Eleanor Medina, Ramon D' Salva, Caniteno Ilano, Leonora Ruiz, Romy Brion, Nello Nayo, Metring David, Fernando Santiago/ Introducing Bella Palma

Synopsis: Clarita (Leila Morena) is the only daughter of a rig driver, but she has great plans in life. So when her father dies, leaving her a nag and a rig, she is forced by circumstances to drive the rig for a living. She is thus engaged when the rig collides with a car owned by Mr. Gonzales (Nello Nayo), owner of a gasoline station. To make up with such a pretty and spirited young woman, he employs her in the station.

Akong, a Chinese store owner, also entertains some affection for the girl, as well as Don Felix Sandoval, rich widower who tips her lavishly when she services his car. But although she is hell bent on getting a wealthy husband, she ignores them off temporarily, for, if possible she also wants her future husband to be not necessarily a retired, overused businessman.

Then she meets Jose Planchador (Ben Perez), who owns and manages a one-man operated laundry shop. Jose also has great ambitions in life. He wants to marry a rich woman. And to facilitate the hunt, he borrows the expensive clothes of Don Anselmo Laperal (Ramon D’ Salva), a rich man who is courting her sister, to impress all and sundry of his apparent affluence. And Clarita is impressed.

Same goes for Jose who believes he has found a gold mine in Clarita, not knowing she is digging for gold herself, with him as the mine. But things can’t go on like this forever, with the neighbors bound to talk as they usually do, and both prospectors carefully checking up on their claims. Clarita gets a tip, but she does not mind because she is really in love this time.

She makes a date and catches up with Jose’s bluff, embarrassing him no end, but both are happy to find in each other not only a gold mine but a mine of love instead. (Source: Literary Song-Movie Magazine)

THE FIFTIES # 203: ANITA LINDA, REYNALDO DANTE, WITH LOPITO, CAROL VARGA, RAMON D' SALVA, VICENTE LIWANAG IN PABLO S. GOMEZ/CARLOS GONDA'S "GUWAPO" (1954)/ KOMIKS SERIAL AND MOVIE ADAPTATION/ UPDATED

2026-09-08T12:34:49.875+08:00

"Guwapo" (1954)
Premiere Productions/ Manuel Vistan
Release Date May 10- 19, 1954/ Dalisay
Story Carlos Gonda (Pablo S. Gomez)
Direction Teodorico C. Santos

Cast Anita Linda, Reynaldo Dante, Lopito, Carol Varga, Ramon D' Salva, Vicente Liwanag, Nello Nayo, Angelina Razon

Espesyal Komiks/ 1953
Nobela ni Carlos Gonda (or Pablo S. Gomez)
Guhit ni Federico Javinal

Komiks materials- Courtesy of Steve Santos/ Unang Labas

THE FIFTIES # 202: FRED MONTILLA, ANITA LINDA, WITH ROSA AGUIRRE, MIGUEL ANZURES, CAVITENO ILANO, BELEN VELASCO IN "PLAYBOY" (1954)/ UPDATED

2026-09-08T12:23:06.976+08:00

"Playboy" (1954)

Deegar Cinema, Inc.

Release Date May 9-15, 1954/ Center

Story and Direction Artemio Marquez

Cast Fred Montilla, Anita Linda, Rosa Aguirre, Miguel Anzures, Caviteno Ilano, Belen Velasco

THETHE FIFTIES # 201: LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, LEILA MORENA, PARALUMAN, PATRICIA MIJARES, WITH JOSE VILLAFRANCA, CAVITENO ILANO IN "PUSONG GINTO" (1954)/ UPDATED

2026-09-08T10:51:11.707+08:00

"Pusong Ginto" (1954)

Deegar Cinema, Inc.

Release Date May 1-8, 1954/ Center

Direction Rolando del Mar

Cast Leopoldo Salcedo, Leila Morena, Paraluman, Patricia Mijares, Jose Villafranca, Caviteno Ilano

THE FIFTIES # 200: PANCHO MAGALONA, LINDA ESTRELLA, RITA GOMEZ, WITH ROSA MIA, REBECCA DEL RIO, TONY CAYADO, EDDIE GARCIA, IMELDA CONCEPCION IN"MILYONARIA AT HAMPAS-LUPA" (1954)/ UPDATED

2026-09-08T10:42:20.602+08:00

"Milyonaria at Hampas-lupa" (1954)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date April 30- May 9, 1954/ Dalisay

Direction Nardo Vercudia

Cast Pancho Magalona, Linda Estrella, Rita Gomez, Rosa Mia, Rebecca del Rio, Tony Cayado, Eddie Garcia, Imelda Concepcion

THE FIFTIES # 199: CARMEN ROSALES, JOSE PADILLA, JR., RAMON REVILLA AND MYRNA DELGADO, WITH ARURAY, PRECY ORTEGA, CONRADO CONDE, ETANG DISCHER, HORACIO MORELOS IN "MATANDANG DALAGA" (1954) / UPDATED

2026-09-07T09:48:48.142+08:00

"Matandang Dalaga" (1954)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date April 21- 30, 1954/ Center

Story Ben Gallardo

Music Nestor Robles

Direction by Olive La Torre

Cast Carmen Rosales, Jose Padilla, Jr., Ramon Revilla, Myrna Delgado, Aruray, Precy Ortega, Conrado Conde, Etang Discher, Horacio Morelos, Pablo Raymundo/ Guests Rosa Mia, Tony Cayado

THE FIFTIES # 198: JAIME DE LA ROSA, DELIA RAZON, WITH MILAGROS NAVAL, JOSE DE CORDOVA, EUSEBIO GOMEZ, FRANK GORDON, CORA MADRID IN "VIRTUOSO" (1954)/ UPDATED

2026-09-07T09:08:37.480+08:00

LVN Pictures released "Virtuoso" in 1954 at a time when "The Glenn Miller Story" starring James Stewart was making a killing at the tills. I would say a great marketing strategy on the part of the producer capitalizing on the latter's popularity, what more with two great stars, Jaime de la Rosa and Delia Razon in the lead roles.

"Virtuoso" (1954)
LVN Pictures
Release Date April 17-29, 1954/ Dalisay
Story Artemio Marquez
Music F. Buencamino Jr.
Direction Fred Daluz
Cast Jaime de la Rosa, Delia Razon, Milagros Naval, Joseph de Cordova, Eusebio Gomez, Frank Gordon, Cora Madrid, Priscilla Ramirez, Baby Zenaida, Hector Reyes

"The Glenn Miller Story" (1954)
Universal International
Stars James Stewart and June Allyson

"The Glenn Miller Story" (1954) Stars James Stewart and June Allyson

THE FIFTIES # 197: JOSE PADILLA, JR., EDNA LUNA, WITH ROSITA NOBLE, LOPITO, AMADO CORTEZ, LETICIA OJERA, CAROL VARGA, LETICIA OJERA, NELLO NAYO, PAQUITO SALCEDO, FELISA ABAD, LITO ANZURES IN "SA KABILA NG BUHAY" (1954)/ UPDATED

2026-09-06T09:12:17.515+08:00

"Sa Kabila ng Bukas" (1954)

Premiere Productions

Release Date March 31- April 12, 1954/ Dalisay

Direction Consuelo P. Osorio

Cast Jose Padilla, Jr., Edna Luna, Rosita Noble, Lopito, Amado Cortez, Leticia Ojera, Carol Varga, Bebong Osorio, Nello Nayo, Paquito Salcedo, Felisa Abad, Lito Anzures, Jose Lapid, Tony Palomer, Tony Osorio, Zeny Zabala, Candido Manahan

THE FIFTIES # 196: ANGEL ESMERALDA, ESTER MONTESA, TITO AREVALO, TERESA LUSTRE, REBECCA SALES, LUDY CARMONA IN "ANG MANYIKA NG STA. MONICA" (1954)/ UPDATED

2026-09-05T19:40:31.215+08:00

"Ang Manyika ng Stya. Monica" (1954)

Palanca Bros. Productions

Release Date March 23- April 1' 1954/ Center

Direction Maggie Geronimo

Cast Angel Esmeralda, Ester Montesa. Tito Arevalo, Teresa Lustre, Rebecca Sales, Ludy Carmona

THE FIFTIES # 195: GLORIA ROMERO, RIC RODRIGO, WITH REBECCA DEL RIO, JOSE DE VILLA, HORACIO MORELOS, JUSTINA DAVID, CONCHITA CARREON, TONY CAYADO, PEPITO VERA PEREZ AND INTRODUCING LOLITA RODRIGUEZ, ROBERTO GONZALES IN "PILYA" (1954)/ UPDATED

2026-09-05T19:07:06.598+08:00

"Pilya" (1954)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date March 21- 30, 1954

Serialized in Liwayway Magazine

Story Susana C. de Guzman

Music Pastor de Jesus

Direction Tony Cayado

Cast Gloria Romero, Ric Rodrigo, Lolita Rodriguez, Roberto Gonzales, Rebecca del Rio, Jose de Villa, Horacio Morelos, Justina David, Conchita Carreon, Tony Cayado and Pepito Vera Perez

THE FIFTIES # 194: LEOPOLDO SALCEDO, ARESENIA FRANCISCO, QUIEL SEGOVIA, WITH ROSA AGUIRRE, ROLANDO LIWANAG, ROMY BRION IN "PAROLE (PANGSAMANTALANG PAGLAYA)" (1954)/ UPDATED

2026-09-05T14:47:13.206+08:00

"Parole (Pangsamantalang Paglaya)"

LGS Productions

Release Date March 13- 22, 1954/ Center

Direction LG Salcedo

Cast Leopoldo Salcedo, Arsenia Francisco, Quiel Segovia, Rosa Aguirre, Rolando Liwanag, Romy Brion, Leopoldo Salcedo, Jr., Gelacio Salas, Rodolfo Segovia? Introducing Nely Jaldon, Resti Salas

THE FIFTIES # 193: ARMANDO GOYENA, NIDA BLANCA, WITH FLORENTINO BALLECER, PATRING CARVAJAL, MARING PARALEJAS, TONY DANTES, EMMA ALEGRE IN "DALAGINDING" (1954)/ UPDATED

2026-09-04T14:28:02.273+08:00

Hiligaynon Magazine/ March 10, 1954

"Dalaginding" (1954)
LVN Pictures
Release Date March 11- 20, 1954/ Dalisay
Story Artemio Marquez
Music QuinVelasco
Direction Manuel SIlos
Cast Armando Goyena, Nida Blanca, Florentino Ballecer, Patring Carvajal, Maring Paralejas, Tony Dantes, Emma Alegre

THE FIFTIES # 192: EDDIE DL MAR, ROSITA NOBLE, TUGAK AND PUGAK, WITH PEDRO FAUSTINO, ELY NAKPIL, MARTIN MARFIL, PAMBOY, BINO GARCIA IN "IS MY GUY" (1954)/ UPDATED

2026-09-03T12:20:18.135+08:00

"Is My Guy" (1954)

All Stars Productions

Release Date March 3- 12, 1954/ Center

Story Bert Tablan

Direction Ben Calasanz

Cast Eddie del Mar, Rosita Noble, Tugak and Pugak, Pedro Faustino, Ely Nakpil, Martin Marfil, Pamboy, Bino Garcia, Smile Bengco, Blackie Francisco, R. santos, Fernando Mendoza, G. Cruz, Ding Manalang, P. Guevarra/ Introducing Virgilio Garcia

THE FIFTIES # 191: ROGELIO DE LA ROSA, DELIA RAZON, ROSA ROSAL, WITH JOSE DE CORDOVA, CHITO NAVARRO, OSCAR OBLIGACION, CHEDENG BERMYDEZ IN "DAKILANG PAGPAPAKASAKIT" (1954)/ UPDATED

2026-09-03T12:05:56.768+08:00

"Dakilang Pagpapakasakit" (1954)
LVN Pictures
Release Date March 1- 10, 1954/ Dalisay
Story Lourdes Carillo
Music S.S. Suarez
Direction Rino Bermudez
Cast Rogelio de la Rosa, Delia Razon, Rosa Rosal, Jose de Cordova, Chito Navarro, Oscar Obligacion, Chedeng Bermudez, G. Buencamino, Cynthia Gomez

Synopsis: In order to satisfy the needs of her growing child, Laura (Delia Razon), widowed by the war, accepts the dubious attentions of Adolfo (Jose de Cordova), a mysterious character who stays away from home most of the time on alleged business trips, and who makes Laura’s life a continuous torture.

After a lingering illness which she keeps to herself, she dies on the grave of her late husband, Renato, leaving her child in the care of Aling Enyang, a kindly woman. Feeling a presentiment that all is not well with her twin sister, Laura, Lydia (Delia Razon in a dual role) goes to Palawan, finds her dead, takes the child to Manila and posing as the legitimate widow of the dead officer, presents herself to Roberto (Rogelio dela Rosa), the brother of Renato who falls in love with his niece and grows interested day by day with Lydia.

Sofia (Rosa Rosal) who for sometime has been trying to catch Roberto’s interest in vain, dissent the competition of the supposed widow, and finds a valuable ally in the person of Adolfo who comes to Manila and demands Lydia to return to him, thinking her to be Laura.

After a series of difficult situations, the real facts of the case are brought out into the open by the sudden appearance of Aling Enyang, and Roberto is happy to have Lydia for his wife, after his doubts have been cleared out. (Source: Literary Song-Movie Magazine/ 1954)

THE FIFTIES # 190: EFREN REYES, LEILA MORENO, FERNANDO ROYO, JUAN MONTEIRO, WITH GLORIA SEVILLA, LAURO DELGADO, BEBONG OSORIO, NELLO NAYO, JOSE ROMULO, VICENTE LIWANAG, LITO ANZURES IN F.V. COCHING'S "SALABUSAB" (1954)/KOMIKS SERIAL AND MOVIE ADAPTATION/ UPDATED

2026-09-02T09:42:38.530+08:00

Premiere Productions' "Salubusab" won two Famas major awards, Best Picture and Best Director for Cesar 'Chat' Gallardo ----

"Salabusab" (1954)

Premiere Productions

Release Date February 19-28, 1954/ Dalisay
Story Francisco V. Coching
Serialized in Liwayway Magazine

Music Ariston Avelino

Direction Cesar Gallardo

Cast Efren Reyes, Leila Morena, Juan Monteiro, Fernando Royo, Gloria Sevilla, Lauro Delgado, Bebong Osorio, Nello nayo, Jose Romulo, Vicente Liwanag, Lito Anzures, Ric Bustamante, Bruno Punzalan

"Salabusab"

Katha't Guhit ni Francisco V. Coching

Inilathala sa Liwayway Magasin/ 1953

---to read, click images to enlarge---

THE FIFTIES # 189: FRED MONTILLA, NENA CARDENAS, WITH IKE JARLEGO, JR., MERCEDITA SEVILLA IN EDDIE ROMERO'S "TAKAS!" (1954)/ UPDATED

2026-09-02T09:21:58.230+08:00

"Takas!" (1954)
Deegar Cinema Inc.
Release Date February 13- 20, 1954/ Center
Direction Eddie Romero
Cast Fred Montilla, Nena Cardenas, Ike Jarlego, Jr., Mercedita Sevilla

Synopsis: The unit headed by Pepe Celi (Fred Montilla), in possession of two steel trunks of gold bullions, is wiped out by a Japanese patrol, and Celis himself, badly wounded, is left for dead.

Liberation time finds Pepe facing a court martial for betraying his unit to the enemy and is condemned to imprisonment by the false accusation of a scheming co-officer, Marasigan.

As a prison trustee assigned to the hospital, Celis meets a Japanese patient who reveals to him that his son caught in the raid with him, did not die but left in the care of nuns in a convent in S. Demetrio. Celis could identify the child by a locket around his neck, containing a map where the bullions are hidden.Breaking jail, Celis is beset by the agents of the law, headed by Lladoc and Marasigan‘s henchmen who are afraid to be exposed. In his attempt to reach S. Demetrio, Celis is wounded in some encounters and is treated by a nurse (Nena Cardenas) who falls in love with him. At S. Demetrio, the nuns reveal that his son died, and they turn over to him the locket containing the map.

Meanwhile, in his search for clues leading to the whereabouts of the escaped Celis, Lladoc stumbles into other clues revealing how Celis was double-crossed by Marasigan. By playing Marasigan against his henchman, Caro, the latter begins to fear for his safety and squeals on Marasigan, clearing out Celis.
Lladoc then trails Marasigan, but the latter has already cornered Celis who has been forced to reveal where the treasure is hidden, by holding as hostage Celis’ boy companion (Ike Jarlego, Jr.). Lladoc, together with the nurse who is also in search of her fugitive lover, arrives on the spot where the treasure is hidden to find Pepe and Marasigan engaged in a mortal combat with Marasigan having the upper hand. Marasigan is shot, his henchmen captured.

Celis is cleared and happily reunited with the nurse, and the young boy who has been his faithful aide and companion during his many trials. (Source: Literary Song-Movie Magazine/ 1954)

THE FIFTIES # 188: CESAR RAMIREZ, MYRNA DELGADO, NORMA VALES, RIC RODRIGO, WITH ARURAY, BAYANI CASIMIRO, PRECY ORTEGA IN "TRES MUSKITERAS" (1954)/ UPDATED

2026-09-01T11:19:23.889+08:00

"Tres Muskiteras" (1954)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date February 9- 18, 1954

Direction Nardo Vercudia

Cast Cesar Ramirez, Myrna Delgado, Norma Vales, Ric Rodrigo, Aruray, Bayani Casimiro, Precy Ortega

THE FIFTIES # 187: PANCHO MAGALONA, GLORIA ROMERO, WITH BOY ALANO, ROSA MIA, REBECCA DEL RIO, ETANG DISCHER, HORACIO MORALES IN "MUSIKONG BUMBONG" (1954)/ UPDATED

2026-09-01T11:07:07.321+08:00

"Musikong Mumbong" (1954)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date February 3-12, 1954/ Center

Serialized in Bulaklak and Alimyon Magazines

Story Dr. Fausto J. Galauran

Music Juan Silos, Jr.

Direction Octavio Silos

Cast Pancho Magalona, Gloria Romero, Boy Alano, Rosa Mia, Rebecca del Rio, Etang Discher, Horacio Morelos

THE FIFTIES # 186: LILIA DIZON, ARMANDO GOYENA, WITH MILAGROS NAVAL, CECILIA LOPEZ, EUSEBIO GOMEZ, JOSE CRIS SOTO, FLORENTINO BALLECER, VICTOR BLANCO, PACITA CORRALES, BELEN VELASCO IN "TUCYDIDES" (1954)/ UPDATED

2026-08-31T11:26:56.722+08:00

"Tucydides" (1954)

LVN Pictures

Release Date January 30- February 8, 1954/ Dalisay

Story Dominador Ad Castillo

Music Juan Silos, Jr.

Direction Artemio Marquez

Cast Lilia Dizon, Armando Goyena, Milagros Naval, Cecilia Lopez, Eusebio Gomez, Jose Cris Soto, Florentino Ballecer, Victor Blanco, Pacita Corrales, Belen Velasco

Armando Goyena and Lilia Dizon in LVN Pictures' "Tucydides" (1954)

THE FIFTIES # 185: JAIME DE LA ROSA, TESSIE QUINTANA AND PRISCILLA CELLONA, WITH CARMENCITA PALMA, OSCAR OBLIGACION, CHITO NAVARRO, MIGUEL LOPEZ, ROGER NITE, NORA DY IN "DALAWANG PANATA" (1954)/ UPDATED

2026-08-31T11:06:55.899+08:00

"Dalawang Panata" (1954)

LVN Pictures

Release Date January 20-29, 1954/ Dalisay

Story A.C. Bagabaldo

Music S.S. Suarez

Direction Billy Icasiano

Cast Jaime dela Rosa, Tessie Quintana, Priscilla Cellona, Carmencita Palma, Oscar Obligacion, Chito Navarro, Miguel Lopez, Roger Nite, Zenny Garcia, Nora Dy, Baby Zenny

THE FIFTIES # 184: OSCAR MORENO, PARALUMAN, WITH ELVIRA REYES, SONIA REYES, RESTIE SANDEL, BASILIO DE LUIS, NILDA BALMORI, LINDA MARTINEZ IN "SARAWAK" (1954)/ UPDATED

2026-08-31T10:54:49.031+08:00

"Sarawak" (1954)

Palanca Bros. Productions

Release Date January 8-13, 1954/ Times

Story Potenciano A. Palanca & Jesus Esguerra

Direction Tor Villano

Cast Oscar Moreno, Paraluman, Elvira Reyes, Sonia Reyes, Restie Sandel, Basilio de Luis, Nilda Balmori, Linda Martinez

THE FIFTIES # 179: NIDA BLANCA, NESTOR DE VILLA, WITH TONY SANTOS, GIL DE ELON, JOHNNY REYES, ARTURO MORAN, CARMENCITA ABAD, CASMOT, VIC SILAYAN, PRSCILLA RAMIREZ IN L.V. AVELLANA'S "HIYASMIN" (1953)/ UPDATED

2026-08-30T12:42:26.330+08:00

"Hiyasmin" (1953)

LVN Pictures

Release Date December 31, 1953- January 9, 1954

Story Gemiliano Pineda

Music F. Buencamino, Jr.

Direction Lamberto V. Avellana

Cast Nida Blanca, Nestor de Villa, Tony Santos, Gil de Leon, Johnny Reyes, Arturo Moran, Carmencita Abad, Casmot, Vic Silayan, Priscilla Ramirez

Photo, courtesy of LVN Pictures

THE FIFTIES # 167: ARMI KUUSELA AND VIRGILIO HILARIO, WITH OSCAR KEESEE, RAMON OLMOS, BENJAMIN LAGMAY IN "NOW AND FOREVER" (1953)/ UPDATED

2026-08-30T11:55:11.913+08:00

Real life couple, Armi Kuusela (the first Miss Universe, 1952) and Virgilio Hilario starred in "Now and Forever", the true-to-life story of their romance. It opened December 30, 1953, almost 60 years ago.

"Now and Forever" (1953)

(The True-to Life Story of the Kuusela-Hilario Romance)

Deegar Cinema, Inc.

Release Date December 30, 1953- January 4, 1954/ Center

Music Miguel Velarde, Jr.

Direction Rolando del Mar

Cast Armi Kuusela, Virgilio Hilario, Oscar Keese, Ramon Olmos, Benjamin Lagmay/ Introducing Ricky Blake, Caviteno Ilano/ Guest Paraluman, Belle Gonzales, Manolo Valdez

Movie ad- From the collection of Celso Caparas

In 1952, Miss Finland Armi Kuusela was crowned Miss Universe, the first Miss Universe pageant held June 28, 1952 at Long Beach, USA.

In 1953, some nine months after she won the Miss Universe title, Armi was invited by the Philippine International Fair Committee to crown that year’s Miss Philippines…in the course of her stay, she met Virgilio Hilario, a Filipino businessman, through a blind date in Baguio…the two were eventually married in Tokyo that year… luckily, Armi was allowed to keep her title.

More on this, click here

Photos- from various sites

THE FIFTIES # 171: TITA DURAN, PANCHO MAGALONA, KATY DE LA CRUZ, WITH ROSA MIA, DOLPHY, REBECCA DEL RIO, PEDRO FAUSTINO, JOSE DE VILLA, BERT OLIVAR IN "VOD-A-VIL" (1953)/ UPDATED

2026-08-29T11:19:48.108+08:00

"Vod-a-Vil" (1953)

Sampaguita Pictures

Release Date December 21-30, 1953/ Dalisay

Music Tirso Cruz and hid Manila Hotel Orchestra

Direction Olive La Torre

Cast Tita Duran, Pancho Magalona, Katy de la Cruz, Rosa Mia, Dolphy, Rebecca del Rio, Pedro Faustino, Jose de Villa, Bert Olivar, Priscilla Concepcion, Horacio Morelos, Armando Villamor, Pablo Raymundo, and Bayani (Guest Star)