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Saturday, February 13, 2010

ROSARIO MORENO AND RUDY CONCEPCION IN IN OCTAVIO SILOS' "TUNAY NA INA" (1939)


Pre-war screen legend Rosario Moreno on the cover of Literary Song-Movie magazine dated August 1938 for the movie "Alipin ng Palad" opposite Rudy Concepcion.

Rosario Moreno (1916-45), dubbed as the era's “Queen of Tearjerkers,” started her movie career as an extra in Nepomuceno Productions’ Diwata ng Karagatan in 1936. Showing her dramatic potential, she was immediately launched to stardom in Luha ng Ina opposite Carlos Padilla, a phenomenal success that reset many box-office records that time. More movies followed: Sa Paanan ng Krus (1936), Anak-Dalita (1936), Ang Kambal (1936) and Pusong Dakila (1936).

One of the most memorable segments in her illustrious career was her successful teamup with screen heartthrob Rudy Concepcion in Alipin ng Palad (1938). It was a huge hit and a love team was born. The two appeared in three more movies--- Mapait na Lihim (1938), Tunay na Ina (1939) and Pakiusap (1940). However, their screen tandem abruptly ended with the untimely demise of Rudy Concepcion (due to pectic ulcer) in 1940 when they were working on their fifth movie, Mahal Pa Rin Kita (1940).

Rosario Moreno, on the hand, who was pregnant, died in 1945 (January 9) when a Japanese bomb directly hit their residence in Sampaloc in the Battle of Manila during the waning days of World War II. She was only 29 years old.


"Tunay na Ina" (1939)
Excelsior Films
Release Date 1939
Written and Directed by Octavio Silos
Cast Rosario Moreno, Rudy Concepcion, Tita Duran, Exequiel Segovia, Precioso Palma, Naty Bernardo


Rosario Moreno and Rudy Concepcion


Most of the Tagalog movies made before the war were either lost or destroyed. Only five survived--- 1. Zamboanga (1937); 2. Tunay na Ina (1939); 3. Giliw Ko (1939); 4. Pakiusap (1940); and Ibong Adarna (1941).

Tunay na Ina, directed by Octavio Solis, once known as the "Dean of Tagalog Movie Directors," tells of a mother's search for her lost daughter. Here's a rare clip of that movie---


Courtesy of Excelsior Films

Synopsis: Magdalena (Rosario Moreno) becomes pregnant because she was raped by Antonio (Exequiel Segovia). Before his death, her father (Precioso Palma) gives up the baby for adoption, thinking that no man can ever understand her past. Magdalena is engaged to Roberto (Rudy Concepcion), a decent, well-off young man. Haunted by her conscience, Magdalena writes Roberto a letter, admitting her past. Her aunt, afraid that the wedding may be called off, intercepts the letter and hides it. Assuming that Roberto has accepted her in spite of her past, she marries him.

Magdalena later becomes increasingly aware that Roberto does not know the truth about her. She tries to locate her lost child. Eventually, she sees a child that she thinks is her missing daughter. The child, Tita (Tita Duran), recognizes Aling Andang (Naty Bernardo) as her mother. The story of how Tita came to Andang matches the story of how Magdalena’s baby was given away. Magdalena is now sure that Tita is her child.

Meanwhile, Antonio comes back and blackmails
Magdalena. When Magdalena later refuses to give him more money, Antonio tells Roberto the truth. Roberto throws Magdalena out of the house. She goes to Andang and Tita to spend time with her daughter, not knowing that Junior, her son by Roberto is gravely ill. Junior dies. Magdalena is only redeemed in Roberto’s eyes when the aunt produces Magdalena’s letter. After Andang almost comes to death on Christmas Eve, Magdalena decides to adopt both Tita and Aling Andang into their homes.


10 comments:

dexter said...

Hi Simon! I was surprised to hear the song Buhat from this 1939 movie,i thought it was a Rico J. Puno original from the late 70s? who composed the song? Can you post another story on the death of Rosario Moreno and her leading man? Thanks!

Rodolfo Samonte said...

Simon,
Definitely, way, way before my time. Don't know any of the actors except for a still baby Tita Duran.

Video 48 said...

Dexter,
"Buhat" is an original composition of Mike Velarde (not the El Shaddai leader). For more info about him, here's the link: http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Mike_Velarde_(composer)

TheCoolCanadian said...

Simon:

This clip is very appropriate for Valentine's day. The duet is definitely a turn on. Very handsome pair and the singing is superb.

What I like about movie utilizing musical sequences is its ability to raise the film into a higher art form by combining music or dance. Through music and dance, the characters' inner feelings of happiness and/or pathos are highlighted to give the viewer the maximum vicarious experience while being taken to terra incognita.

This clip, for instance, if it were simply done using dialogues and nothing else, would have been absolutely lame. However, because of the duet, and the sad song of the child, the clip became extremely powerful, and made the movie more memorable and endearing.

A very good example is the sing and dance sequence of Jim Kelly in Singing in the Rain. Without that long, enthralling musical number, we'd probably not even remember the movie anymore.

Definitely, these musical numbers in Tunay na Ina had taken me to another world for at least 8:54 minutes, and what a trip!

It's a good thing I brought my laptop at the Olympics event now happening here, and in some venues where the line up is awfully long, this clip made my day. I think we've got to see more of these old, old, Tagalog films. Please keep them coming. Bravo!

Dennis said...

I clearly remember this movie even if it was made in the late '30's. I saw this on Ch.4 years ago when it was shown during centennial celebration I believed. Tunay Na Ina is very moving and bested all those drama films that came up in the '80's. I shed a tear when the film came to a close.

Anonymous said...

Simon,

Kaano-ano ni Mike Velarde, si Tony Velarde, one-time Asia's best Jazz Drummer?
Tumutugtog dati si Tony sa THE SHADOWS, sa Quezon Blvd, malapit sa Tres Hermanas resto at Pantranco Terminal noon. Yung The Shadows naging GOLDCREST, and then ALEMARS na.

Auggie

Anonymous said...

Thanks for posting Tunay na Ina video clip! the video is priceless.

Do you have the movie,"Kasaysayan ni Rudy Concepcion," portrayed by Pancho Magalona? He was my lola's favorite actor and I got curious about his life story. Can you post some video clips in youtube? Please... Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Where can I buy a video of "Tunay Na Ina"?

Perrycomo said...

Rosario Moreno died in 1945 --- nasabugan po yun bahay nya sa sampaloc ng bomba from the war. that's what i read from her autobio.


HEAR YE - HEAR YE - ANOTHER PRE WAR FILM WAS FOUND --- 1937s BRIDE OF SULU ---

Perrycomo Gonzalez said...

newly restored giant vintage movies can now be seen on youtube TUNAY NA INA 1939 and PAKIUSAP 1940 check them out @ boink345

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