Sampaguita Pictures

Sampaguita Pictures was a Philippine film production company. It was named for the Philippine National Flower, Sampaguita. The company has been long-defunct since the 1980s with Mike de Leon's classic "Batch '81" being the last film released. The company has been absorbed by Unitel Pictures and is where Sampaguita's film library currently resides. Though no longer functioning, the company's compund still remains in Quezon City.

History

Sampaguita Pictures was established in the last quarter of 1937. Its first feature length film was "Bituing Marikit", starring Elsa Oria & Rogelio dela Rosa. The film was a box-office hit. The company has continued to make films in the action, musical, horror and suspense genres.

Before the Second World War began, and the Japanese occupied Manila, several Sampaguita films enjoyed box office success in the region. Some of them employed the famous tandem of Carmen Rosales and Rogelio dela Rosa, like "Panambitan", "Pagsuyo", "Jazmin" and many more. But the first film made at the Sampaguita studio by Carmen and Rogelio was "Takipsilim".

After the war ended, Sampaguita made several war picturees in 1946, including "Guerilyera", with Carmen and newcomer Celso Baltazar, "Maynila", the comeback picture of Corazon Noble and featuring a little girl Tita Duran, and "Isumpa mo Giliw", with husband and wife team Angel Esmeralda and Corazon Noble.

After several war pictures musicals became popular, and the studio created a new star team with real husband and wife Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran. They made several hits including "Bulaklak na Walang Pangalan", "Huwag Ka ng Magtampo", "Sa Isang Sulyap mo Tita", and "Sa Isang Halik mo Pancho".

In 1950 the studios were hit by fire and hundreds of film prints were destroyed. But in 1951 they top-billed the unknown little girl, the daughter of Linda Estrella, in her first lead role in "Roberta", with another child actor Boy Alano and the movie was one of the biggest hits of the year.

In the early fifties several actors appeared in the studio's productions, including Alicia Vergel and her husband Cesar Ramirez in "Ukkala", "Diwani", the Philippine Folk Hero Bernardo Carpio, "MN" and many more.

It was 1952 when the half-Filipino half-American Gloria Miller Romero made her first full length movie as the partner of Cesar Ramirez in an action costume picture "Palasig".

Another famous husband and wife team were Rita Gomez and Ric Rodrigo. They were popular together in their movie "Diyosa".

The infamous tandem of husband and wife duo Lolita Rodriguez and Eddie Arenas also made some dramas together, like "Kundiman ng Puso", "Busabos", "Cicatriz" and "Mapait na Lihim". The two later divorced. Arenas is still active in Philippine cinema while Rodriguez moved to the United States.

Another husband and wife tandem in the 1950s were Amalia Fuentes and Romeo Vasquez. Fuentes made her last appearance for Sampaguita in 1964, before leaving for another studio.

Though not as well remembered, many supporting actors and actresses, such as Imelda Concepcion, also worked within the Sampaguita system.

Susan Roces took her first lead role as a lady boxer in "Sabungera" opposite Luis Gonzales but the movie was not a box office hit. Fuentes and Roces are famous for their rivalry when they made the movie "Cover Girls" in the 1960s.

By that time, a new manager, Dr. Jose R. Perez, took over the reins of Sampaguita.

In 1960, Sampaguita made a movie entitled "Pitong Pagsisi" supported by 20 Sampaguita Stars, including the return of Paraluman who reigned in the Studio in the late 40s.

In 1971, the studio was merged with that of Vera-Perez Productions to form Sampaguita-Vera Perez pictures, but despite its fling with musicals later, especially with the Nora Aunor-Tirso Cruz III tandem culminating in the 1971 movie "Guy and Pip", the studio closed a decade later after its last fling of success "Batch 81."

Filmography

1930's

*1937 - Bituing Marikit aka Beautiful Star
*1938 - Alipin ng Palad aka Slave of Fate
*1938 - Dahong Lagas aka Fallen Leaves
*1938 - Himagsikan ng Puso aka Rebellion of the Heart
*1938 - Inang Mahal aka Beloved Mother
*1938 - Madaling Araw aka Dawn
*1938 - Mapait na Lihim aka Dark Secret
*1938 - Paru-parong Bukid aka Meadow Butterfly
*1938 - Tigre (Ang Taong Halimaw) aka Tiger (The Monster)
*1938 - Walang Pangalan aka Nameless
*1939 - Ang Magsasampaguita aka Sampaguita Vendor
*1939 - Gabay ng Magulang aka Parental Guidance
*1939 - Lagot na Kuwintas aka Broken Necklace
*1939 - Pasang Krus aka Burden Cross
*1939 - Siya'y Aking Anak aka He is my Child
*1939 - Takipsilim aka Twilight

1940's

*1940 - Estrellita aka Little Star
*1940 - Gunita aka Memory
*1940 - Jazmin
*1940 - Lambingan aka Expression of one's love
*1940 - Magbalik ka Hirang aka Come Back Darling
*1940 - Nang Mahawi ang Ulap aka When the Clouds Rolled By
*1940 - Senorita
*1941 - Balatkayo Disguise
*1941 - Mariposa Butterfly
*1941 - Pagsuyo aka Courting
*1941 - Palikero aka Playboy
*1941 - Panambitan aka Serenade
*1941 - Panibugho aka Jealousy
*1941 - Sa Iyong Kandungan aka In your Lap
*1941 - Tampuhan Lovers' Spat
*1941 - Tarhata aka Queen of the Sea
*1942 - Landas na Ginto aka Path of Gold
*1946 - Guerilyera aka Lady War Fighter
*1946 - Maynila aka Manila
*1946 - So Long America Hanggang sa Muli, Amerika
*1946 - Ulilang Watawat aka The Solitary Flag
*1947 - Maria Kapra
*1948 - Bulaklak na Walang Pangalan aka A Nameless Flower
*1948 - Kaputol ng Isang Awit aka A Broken Song
*1948 - Tatlong Puso aka Three Hearts
*1949 - Ang Kampeon aka The Champion
*1949 - Apoy sa Langit aka Heaven's Fire
*1949 - Damit Pangkasal aka Wedding Gown
*1949 - Pinaghating P100 aka Torn 100 Pesos

1950s

*1950 - Campo O'Donnell aka Camp O'Donnell
*1950 - Huling Patak ng Dugo aka The Last Drop of Blood
*1950 - Huwag ka ng Magtampo aka Don't be Mad
*1950 - Kay Ganda mo Neneng aka You're so beautiful, Neneng
*1950 - Kilabot sa Makiling aka Terror of Makiling
*1950 - Kulog sa Tag-araw aka Thunder in Summer
*1950 - 13 Hakbang aka 13 Steps
*1950 - Mga Baguio Cadets aka The Baguio Cadets
*1951 - Ang Prinsesa at ang Pulubi aka The Princess and the Pauper
*1951 - Anghel ng Pag-ibig aka Angel of Love
*1951 - Batas ng Daigdig aka [] The Law of the World
*1951 - Kasaysayan ni Dr. Ramon Selga aka The Story of Dr. Ramon Selga
*1951 - Kasintahan sa Pangarap aka Dream Sweetheart
*1951 - Roberta
*1951 - Tres Muskiteros aka The Three Muskiteers
*1952 - Barbaro aka The Barbarian
*1952 - Buhay Pilipino aka Filipino Life
*1952 - Kasaysayan ni Rudy aka The Story of Rudy
*1952 - Kerubin aka Cherubim
*1952 - Lihim ng Kumpisalan The Confessional's Secret
*1952 - Madam X
*1952 - Mayamang Balo aka Rich Widow
*1952 - Rebecca
*1952 - Siklab sa Batangas aka War in Batangas
*1952 - Ulila ng Bataan aka The Orphan of Bataan
*1953 - Anak ng Espada aka The Child of the Sword
*1953 - Ang Ating Pag-ibig aka Our Love
*1953 - 4 na Taga aka Four Hacks of the Machete
*1953 - Cofradia
*1953 - Diwani
*1953 - El Indio aka The Indian
*1953 - Gorio at Tekla aka Gorio & Tekla
*1953 - Maldita The Bitch
*1953 - May Umaga Pang Darating aka Tomorrow Will Come
*1953 - Mister Kasinthanan aka Mr Lover
*1953 - Munting Koronel aka Little Colonel
*1953 - Recuerdo Souvenir
*1953 - Reyna Bandida aka The Bandit Queen
*1953 - Sa Isang Sulyap mo Tita aka Just a stare from you, Tita
*1953 - Tulisang Pugot aka Headless Outlaw
*1953 - Vod-a-Vil
*1954 - Anak sa Panalangin aka Child of Prayer
*1954 - Ang Biyenang Hindi Tumatawa aka The Unsmiling Mother-in-law
*1954 - Bondying
*1954 - Dalagang Ilocana aka Lady Ilocana
*1954 - Dumagit
*1954 - Kurdapya
*1954 - Luha ng Birhen aka A Virgin's Tear
*1954 - M N
*1954 - Maalaala Mo Kaya aka Remember When?
*1954 - Matandang Dalaga aka The Old Maid
*1954 - Menor Edad aka Underage
*1954 - Milyonarya at Hampaslupa aka The Millionaire and the Mendicant
*1954 - Musikong Bumbong aka Bamboo Music
*1954 - Nagkita si Kerubin at si Tulisang Pugot Kerubin Meets Capt. Headless
*1954 - Pilya Bubbly Girl
*1954 - Sa Isang Halik mo Pancho aka Just a kiss From You, Pancho
*1954 - Sabungera aka The Cock-Fight Lady
*1954 - Tres Muskiteras aka The 3 Lady Muskiteers
*1954 - Tres Ojos aka 3 Eyed
*1954 - Ukkala
*1955 - Ang Tangi kong Pag-ibig aka My Only Love
*1955 - Artista aka Actor
*1955 - Balisong aka Butterfly Knife
*1955 - Bim Bam Bum
*1955 - Bulaklak sa Parang aka Flower in the Meadow
*1955 - Despatsadora aka The Sales Girl
*1955 - Hindi Basta-Basta aka VIP
*1955 - Iyung-Iyo aka Truly Yours
*1955 - Kontrabida The Villain
*1955 - Kuripot Stingy
*1955 - Lola Sinderella aka Grandma Cinderella
*1955 - Lupang Kayumanggi aka The Brown Soil
*1955 - Mariposa Butterfly
*1955 - R.O.T.C.
*1955 - Sa Dulo ng Landas aka The End of the Road
*1955 - Tatay na si Bondying aka Bondying is now a Father
*1955 - Uhaw na Pag-ibig aka Thirsty Love
*1955 - Waldas Big Spender
*1956 - Chavacano
*1956 - Gilda
*1956 - Inang Mahal aka Beloved Mother
*1956 - Kanto Girl Street-wise Girl
*1956 - Katawang Lupa aka A Flesh of Dust
*1956 - Kontra-Partido The Other Party
*1956 - Kulang sa 7 Lacking 7
*1956 - Movie Fan
*1956 - Prince Charming
*1956 - Rodora
*1956 - Senorita
*1956 - Senyorita de Campanilla aka The Special Daughter
*1956 - Society Girl
*1956 - Teresa
*1957 - Ate Barbara Sister Barbara
*1957 - Batang Bangkusay The Child of Bangkusay
*1957 - Busabos The Rif-raf
*1957 - Colegiala aka College Girl
*1957 - Diyosa aka Goddess
*1957 - Eternally Magpakailan man
*1957 - Gabi at Araw aka Night and Day
*1957 - Hahabul-Habol The Following Admirer
*1957 - Hongkong Holiday
*1957 - Mga Ligaw na Bulaklak Wild Flowers
*1957 - Prinsesang Gusgusin aka The Pauper Princess
*1957 - Sino ang Maysala aka Who is Guilty?
*1957 - Sonata aka Tugtugin
*1957 - Taga sa Bato aka A Hack in the Stone
*1957 - Veronica
*1958 - Anino ni Bathala aka God's Shadow
*1958 - Baby Bubot
*1958 - Beloved Ang Minamahal
*1958 - Bobby
*1958 - Kundiman ng Puso aka Sad Song of the Heart
*1958 - Madaling Araw aka Dawn
*1958 - Mga Reyna ng Vicks aka The Queen of Vicks
*1958 - Selosang-Selosa aka A Very Jealous Woman
*1958 - Silveria
*1958 - Talipandas Untrustworthy
*1958 - Tatang Edyer Childish Old Man
*1958 - Tatlong Ilaw sa Dambana aka 3 Candles on the Altar
*1958 - Ulilang Anghel aka An Orphaned Angel
*1958 - Handsome
*1959 - Baby Face
*1959 - Tatak Branded
*1959 - Pitong Pagsisisi Seven Regrets
*1959 - Batas ng Alipin A Slave's Law

1960s

*1960 - Amy, Susie & Tessie
*1960 - {(Kahapon Lamang)} Just Like Yesterday
*1960 - {(Kuwintas Ng Alaala)} A Necklace of Memories
*1960 - {(Laura)}
*1960 - ({Tatlong Magdalena)} Three Magdalene
*1960 - ({Limang Misteryo Ng Krus)} The Five Mysteries of the Cross
*1961 - {(Batas Ng Lipunan)} The Law of Society
*1962 - {(June Bride)}
*1968 - Quinto De Alas The 5th Ace

1980s

*1980 - Goriong Butete Gorio, the Blowfish
*1982 - Batch '81 (co-production with LVN Pictures)