The Hong Kong Connection

 

The HONG KONG CONNECTION!

An exhaustive list of Chinese films and filmmakers in the Philippines, and Filipino filmmakers and films in Hong Kong (under construction, and will be for a while! Films market with an * are already in digital form in the Bamboo Gods Collection)

1950 - Sunset Over Corregidor (Filipino film dubbed into Cantonese and released in Hong Kong) 

1951 - Filipino films dubbed into Cantonese and released in Hong Kong: Zamboanga (1937)*, 10th Battalion Sa 38th Parallel, Korea (1951) 

1952? - Darna At Ang Babaeng Lawin/“Darna And The Hawk Woman” (Filipino film dubbed into Cantonese and released in Hong Kong)

1954 - Filipino films dubbed into Cantonese and released in Hong Kong: Darna (1951)*, Ang Sawa Sa Lumang Simboryo/“Python At The Old Dome" (1952), Dyesebel (1954)*

*1955 - Sanda Wong (Hong Kong/Filipino co-production filmed in Hong Kong; released in Hong Kong in 1956),

1955 - Filipino films dubbed into Cantonese and released in Hong Kong: Korea (1952), Carlos Trece (1953), Kapitan Berong (1953)

1956 - Filipino films dubbed into Cantonese and released in Hong Kong: Exzur (English title "Man From Outer Space", 1952), Agilang Itim (1953), Dumagit (1954), Lupang Kayumanggi (1955), Ang Ibong Adarna (1955), Dakilang Hudas (1955), Anak Dalita/“Child Of Sorrow” (1956)*, Kahiriang Bato (1956)

1956 - The Treasure Of Gen. Yamashita (Hong Kong/Filipino co-production filmed in the Philippines; released in Hong Kong as "Treasure Of Yamashita")

*1957 – Hongkong Holiday (Filipino/Hong Kong co-production filmed in Hong Kong)

*1957 - Genghis Khan (1950 Filipino film dubbed into Cantonese and released in Hong Kong)

1958 – Lutong Makaw (a co-production between the Philippines' Larry Santiago Productions and Asia Film Co, filmed in Hong Kong)

1958 – Pagoda (A Filipino-Hong Kong co-production between the Philippines' Sampaguita Pictures and Hong Kong's Golden City Film Co/Shun Yee Film Co and filmed in Tagalog, Mandarin and Cantonese; also known variously in Hong Kong as “Golden City Pagoda”, "Snake Girl", "The Serpent Girl's Worldly Fancies", “Shenu Sifan”, “Fanjian Hao” and “The Great Secular World”)

1958 - Ramir (1958 Filipino film dubbed into Cantonese and released in Hong Kong, English title “Hercules And His Kingdom”)

1958 – Obra Maestra (Five segments filmed in five Asian countries, including the Gerry de Leon-directed story in Hong Kong; produced by Cirio H. Santaigo)

*1959 – The Scavengers (A US/Filipino co-production filmed in Hong Kong and Manila, directed by Eddie Romero) 

1959 - Black Gold (Shaw Brothers production filmed in Malaya and directed by Rolf Bayer)

*1960 - Kambal Sa Sinukuan (Filipino film dubbed into Cantonese and released in Hong Kong)

1960 – Hongkong Honeymoon (partly filmed in Hong Kong by director Ramon A. Estella) 

1960 - Counterthrust! (TV series co-produced and partly directed by Eddie Romero - shot all over Asia including Hong Kong)

1965 - Mga Batang Turista (Sampaguita teen musical filmed in Hong Kong)

1965 - Hong Kong Manila Singapore (Shaw Brothers) 

1965 - Hongkong 999 (Eddie Fernandez spy action filmed in Hong Kong)

1965 - Assignment: Hongkong (Charlie Davao spy action filmed in Hong Kong)

1966 – 7 Gabi Sa Hongkong/“7 Nights In Hong Kong” (filmed in Hong Kong)

1966 - Tatlong Mabilis Sa Hong Kong (Bentot spy spoof filmed in Hong Kong)

1966 - The Golden Buddha (filmed in Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand)

Late 60s - Hong Kong action films imported by Bobby A. Suarez and Conrado "Boy" Puzon, and screened without subtitles in Binondo's Chinatown area 

1967 - Honey, Honeymoon (Amalia Fuentes and Romeo Vasquez’s actual wedding filmed in Hong Kong)

1969 - Badlis Sa Kinabuhi/“The Line Of Life” (Visayan film dubbed into English and released in Hong Kong as “Destiny”)

1970 - Target Hongkong (final in the Mike Narra spy series, partly filmed in Hong Kong)

*1970 - Ride The Tiger (US production filmed in Manila, Zamboanga, Hong Kong and Bangkok)

*1972 - The Evil Within (Filipino production partly financed by 20th Century Fox and filmed in 1970 in India, Japan, Hong Kong and the Philippines)

1972 – Just Married, Do Not Disturb (Sampaguita teen musical partly filmed in Hong Kong)

1972-1974 - Bobby A. Suarez sold several Hong Kong and Taiwanese kung fu films globally via his Intercontinental Films - King Boxer (1972), Kung Fu – The Punch Of Death/The Prodigal Boxer/The Punch Of Death (1972), That Man From Singapore (1973), and Fists Of Vengeance (1974)

1972 - Hong Kong kung fu films make a serious impact at local cinemas, starting in May with Bobby A. Suarez's The King Boxer starring Meng Fei. Local distributors include Kinavesa Films (Kim Y. Lim), Regal Films (Lily Y. Monteverde), Asia Films (Tommy Pascual), Jowell Films, Mirick. Most of these companies move into producing their own kung fu films as local or Hong Kong co-productions.

1972 - in February, Filipino-born producer Jimmy L. Pascual establishes Empire Cinema Center and later Emperor Film International in Hong Kong, and sells many of his kung fu films globally - Bloody Fists (1972)*, Tough Guy (1972), 

*1973 – Bamboo Gods And Iron Men (US/Filipino co-production partially shot in Hong Kong)

1973 - Fly Me (US/Philippines co-production filmed in the Philippines, plus extra location scenes in Hong Kong)

*1973 - Blood Hero/The Bloody Hero (Meng Fei; Hong Kong co-production)

1973 - Trovador Ramos, billed as "the only fighter to defeat Bruce Lee", stars in a series of Hong Kong productions: A Tooth For A Tooth, Opium Trail, Gambling For Head

*1974 - The Black Dragon (Bobby A. Suarez production filmed in Hong Kong)

*1974 - The Black Dragon (Hong Kong co-production with Joseph Estrada's JE Productions)  

*1974 - Cosa Nostra Asia 

*1974 - Bamboo Gods And Iron Men (US/Filipino co-production; some exteriors filmed in Hong Kong)

*1974 - Devil Woman (Jimmy L. Pascual)

*1974 - Dragons Never Die (Jimmy L. Pascual)

*1974 - T.N.T. Jackson (partly shot in Hong Kong)

*1974 - Kill...R.P. Nine-O (Filipino production partly filmed in Hong Kong)

*1975 - Beba The Mermaid  

*1974 - Evidence (Hong Kong action filmed in the Philippines)

*1974 - Wild Whirlwind (Meng Fei, Vilma Santos)

*1974 - Master Samurai (Bobby A. Suarez production for Intercontinental Films, filmed entirely in the Philippines)

*1975 - They Call Him Chop Suey (Bobby A. Suarez production for Intercontinental Films, filmed entirely in the Philippines)

*1975 - Tiger Force/Kill The Tiger (Hong Kong co-production with Kinavesa)

*1975 - Bruka Queen Of Evil (Jimmy L. Pascual)

*1975 - The Kill (Rolf Bayer-directed action thriller filmed in Hong Kong and Macau)

*1975 - The Golden Triangle

*1975 - The Fighting Dragon/Challenge The Dragon/Challenge Me Dragon (Yusuka Kurata)

1975 - The Witch 

*1976 - The Fantastic Sword (co-production between Hong Kong, South Korea, and Kim Y. Lim's Kinavesa) 

*1976 - Tiger Man

*1977 - The Dragon, The Lizard. The Boxer (Ramon Zamora)

*1977 - Magic Curse (Hong Kong/South Korean co-production)

*1977 - Return Of Bruce (Bruce Le)

*1977 - They Call Her Cleopatra Wong (produced and directed by Bobby A. Suarez, and filmed in Singapore, Hong Kong and the Philippines) 

*1977 - The Golden Chaku/Bruce And The Golden Chaku (Rey Malonzo, Ramon Zamora)

*1979 - Bruce The Super Hero (Hong Kong production fronted by Dick Randall)

*1980 - Bruce And The Bronze Shaolinmen (Bruce Le)

1980 - Treasure Of Bruce Lee/King Boxer Part II (TO BE CONFIRMED)

1980 - The Mortal Storm (TO BE CONFIRMED)

*1981 - Ordinance 17 (Hong Kong production partly filmed in the Philippines) 

*1981 - The Story Of Woo Viet/God Of Killers 

1982 - Concord Of Bruce (reuses Return Of Bruce footage)

*1982 - Marianna 

*1982 - Trap/Cop Killer

*1984 - Teppanyaki

*1986 - Fatal Command (Filmark cut-and-paste) 

*1986 - Fire Operation (Filmark cut-and-paste) 

*1986???? - Hitman The Cobra (IFD cut and paste of Kumander Sumulong: 1940-1970 [1986])

*1986???? - The Ninja Squad (IFD cut and paste of Hatulan Si…Totoy Angustia [1986?])

*1986???? - Ninja Ultimate Challenge (IFD cut and paste of Twin Fists For The Blackmasters [1980?]) 

*1986???? - Ninja, Warriors From Beyond (IFD cut and paste of Maestro Bandido [1980?])  

*1986 - Silver Dragon Ninja (IFD cut and paste uses HK film Trap (1982), shot in the Philippines) 

*1987???? - Platoon The Warriors (IFD cut and paste of Diegong Bayong [1980?])  

*1987 - Eastern Condors (Sammo Hung)

*1987 - Curse/Cannibal Curse (Hong Kong production filmed in the Philippines, starring Maria Isabel Lopez)

*1987 - Born To Gamble (Hong Kong production filmed in the Philippines, starring Maria Isabel Lopez)

*1988??? - Champion Fighter/The Fighter The Winner (IFD cute-and-paste using parts of Grease Gun Brothers, 1988)  

*1988???? - Top Mission (IFD cut and paste of  Diablo Force [1980?])  

*1988 - American Force 2: The Untouchable Glory, American Force 3: High Sky Mission and American Force 4: Soldier Exterminators (all three IFD releases used Filipino footage)

*1989 - War City 3: The Extreme Project/Deadly Brothers (1989?), War City 4: Kingdom Of Power/Bulldog (1989?), War City 5: Law Of Honor/Maynila 1970: Panganib, Araw At Gabi (1989?)  

1989-1995 - Davian International films its own fully-fledged productions in the Philippines 

*1990 - Days Of Being Wild (Wong Kar-Wai)

*1990 - Fatal Vacation

1990 - Island On Fire (partly filmed in the Philippines)

*1991 - Armour Of God II: Operation Condor (Jackie Chan sequel partly shot in the Philippines) 

*1991 - Lethal Panther/Deadly China Dolls (Godfrey Ho, Philip Ko)

*1992 - Fatal Chase (Phillip Ko, Yukari Oshima/Cynthia Luster) Released in a Tagalog version called Kakambal Ko Sa Tapang (1993), also featuring footage later edited into Guardian Angel (1996).

*1992 - Kickboxer Robocop/Rings Untouchable (IFD cute-and-paste using parts of Puga [1980])

*1992 - Hard To Kill (Phillip Ko, Yukari Oshima/Cynthia Luster)

*1993 - Lethal Panther 2/Magkasangga Sa Batas (Phillip Ko, Yukari Oshima/Cynthia Luster)

*1993 - Ultracop 2000/Magkasangga 2000  (Phillip Ko, Yukari Oshima/Cynthia Luster)

*1994 - Deadly Target/Fatal Target/Walang Kasukat Sa Tapang (Phillip Ko, Yukari Oshima/Cynthia Luster)

*1994 - Asian Cop: High Voltage/High Voltage

*1994 - The Deadly Island

*1995 - The Adventurers (Ringo Lam)

*1995 - Power Connection/Tapang Sa Tapang (Phillip Ko, Yukari Oshima/Cynthia Luster)

*1995 - Angel On Fire/Matira Ang Matibay (Cynthia Khan)

*1995 - Spitfire (Albert Pyun; filmed in Hong Kong and the Philippines)

*1995 - Tough Beauty And The Sloppy Slop/Mabangis Na Lungsod (Cynthia Khan, Monsour del Rosario)

*1995 - Ultimate Revenge

1995 - A Sudden Love (TO BE CONFIRMED)

*1996 - Guardian Angel (Godfrey Ho, Yukari Oshima/Cynthia Luster - uses footage from the Tagalog version of Fatal Chase)

*1997 - Techno Warriors/Computer Hero (Phillip Ko) 

*1997 - The Hunted Hunter/Tapusin Natin Ang Laban 

*1997 - Hong Kong '97 (Albert Pyun; filmed in Hong Kong and the Philippines)

*1998 - The Golden Nightmare (Yukari Oshima/Cynthia Luster)

*1998 - Troublesome Night 4

1998 - The Three Lustketeers

1998 - Leopard Hunting 

*1998 - The Suspect (Ringo Lam)

*1998 - Fatal Desire 

1998 - Raging Angels (TO BE CONFIRMED)

*1999 - Purple Storm

*1999 - Techno Warriors 2: Lethal Combat/Digital Warriors (Phillip Ko, Yukari Oshima/Cynthia Luster)

*2001 - Dark War (Hong Kong)

*2002 - Naked Weapon

Amable "Tikoy" Aguiluz IV

Amable "Tikoy" Aguiluz IV: A Tribute by Andrew Leavold

The Philippines has lost another Titan of Cinema; for me, Amable Tikoy Aguiluz VI was the guy who first brought me to the Philippines. We met at the Brisbane International Film Festival in 2006 where I was screening They Call Her Cleopatra Wong with its star Marrie Lee. He saw my "I Heart Weng Weng" shirt and said, "I love Weng Weng too!" I had no idea he was Filipino until he invited me to do my Bamboo Gods mash-up at his own film festival in Manila that November. "Find the airfare and I'll put you up for a few days..." 

BIFF 2006: Tikoy, festival director Anne Demy-Geroe, Marrie Lee and Andrew Leavold

Cinemanila International Film Festival was my introduction to the Philippines, and it became so addictive that I was back in February 2007 on what would become the most important shoot for The Search for Weng Weng; Tikoy picked me up from the airport and for the entire two weeks was my line producer, taking me on the cab ride to TayTay to interview Eddie Nicart, even lending me the $25 exit fee when I'd run out of my meager budget. Even though we stopped talking for a while after he ditched me at the last minute for Tarantino at his 2007 Cinemanila, Brendan Young and I still interviewed him in 2008; that footage finally ended up in the finished film, which Tikoy screened at the 2013 Cinemanila. 

The Four Lions of Cinemanila 2007: Quentin Tarantino, Eddie Romero, Cirio H. Santiago and Tikoy

He was also a highly accomplished director, and his undisputed masterpiece The Boatman (1984) gets a good mention in my next documentary on Filipino cinema; shame I never got around to a second interview. And although we'd stopped communicating after that last Cinemanila screening, I'll be forever grateful to the man who, perhaps more than anyone else (with the possible exception of BIFF head Anne Demy-Geroe!), was responsible for the start of my Philippines adventures - and changed my little world forever. Rest easy, Uncle Tikoy....

Ramon A. Estella

From the Facebook group Memories Of Old Manila by Michelle C. Cidro: Ramon A. Estella (1911–May 4,1991), son of Filipino composer Jose Estella, was a pre-war Philippines movie director and actor. At the age of 27 years old, he started directing his first film, Bayan At Pagibig, in 1938 and in 1941, he was proclaimed Director of the Year by Philippine Cinema and Radio because of the success of his assigned project, Buenavista. During the 1950s, Estella started his career as a neo-realist painter which later in 1959, had his first solo exhibition at the Philippine Art Gallery. He spent his entire life in Florida with his Japanese wife and his last recorded visit to the country was during the Manila International Film Festival in 1981.

As filmmaker, Ramon Estella was acclaimed. In the late ’30s, ’40s and ’50s, he directed such important films as Buenavista, Huling Habilin, Voice of Freedom, Sundalong Talahib, Desperado and Buhay at Pag-ibig ni Dr. Jose Rizal.

Buenavista merited Estella the Director of the Year (1941) award from the Philippine Cinema and Radio. Rosa del Rosario was named Actress of the Year for the same film.

Desperado was FAMAS Best Picture, Editor and Director for 1956.

Buhay At Pag-ibig Ni Dr. Jose Rizal is a three-hour epic which depicted major events in the life of the National Hero, shown in 1956.

But as a painter, little is written about Estella, although his exhibits were acclaimed here and abroad, including the United States. Estella was described as purveyor of modern art, culture and antiquities.
In the late ’50s, Estella left for New York to study film and television courses under top directors. He also worked for the United Nations and directed documentaries, TV shows and newsreels. His UN job brought him to Latin America and some parts of Asia, among them Singapore and Malaya.
Estella died of cancer of the liver on May 4, 1991.

Filmography
1933 – Ang Punyal na Ginto (actor)
1938 – Bayan at Pag-ibig [Excelsior] (dir)
1939 – Ruisenor [Parlatone]
1940 – Buenavista  ? (dir)
1942 – Huling Habilin  ?
1941 – Kundiman [Excelsior]
1941 – Singsing na Pangkasal [Acuna-Zaldariaga]
1941 – Paraiso [Excelsior] (dir)
1941 – Ilang-Ilang [Lvn] (dir)
1946 – Angelus [Lvn] (dir)
1947 – Caprichosa [Premiere] (dir)
1948 – Ang Anghel sa Lupa [Premiere] (dir)
1948 – Perfidia [Premiere] (dir)
1948 – Labi ng Bataan [Premiere] (dir)
1948 – Hiram na Pangalan [Premiere] (dir)
1949 – Lihim na Bayani [Premiere] (dir)
1949 – Kay Ganda ng Umaga [Premiere] (dir)
1949 – Dugo ng Katipunan [Premiere] (dir)
1950 – Sundalong Talahib [Filipinas] (dir)
1950 – Kenkoy [Premiere] (dir)
1950 – Punglo at Pag-ibig [Premiere] (dir)
1950 – Bandido [Premiere] (dir)
1950 – Prinsipe Don Juan [Premiere] (dir)
1956 – Desperado [People's] (dir)
1956 – Buhay at Pag-ibig ni Dr. Jose Rizal [Balatbat & Bagumbayan] (dir)
1957 – Kim [C.Santiago Film Org] (dir)
1958 – Sta. Rita de Casia [Premiere] (dir)
1958 – Ramir [Everlasting] (dir)

Filmography in Singapore / Malaya
1. 1957 / Kembali Saorang / One Came Back / Ramon Estella / Malay Film Productions
2. 1958 / Anak Pontianak / Son of Pontianak / Ramon Estella / Malay Film Productions
3. 1958 / Matahari/ The Rape of Malaya / Ramon Estella / Malay Film Productions
4. 1959 / Saudagar Minyak Urat / Love Crazy / Ramon Estella / Malay Film Productions
5. 1959 / Samseng / Gangster / Ramon Estella / Malay Film Productions
6. 1963 / Raja Bersiong / King of Dracula / Ramon Estella / Cathay-Keris
7. 1963 / Darah-Ku / My Blood / Ramon Estella / Maria Menado Productions, Cathay-Keris
8. 1963 / Bunga Tanjong / Cape of Flowers / Ramon Estella/ Maria Menado Productions, Cathay-Keris
9. 1964 / Pontianak Kembali / The Pontianak Returns / Ramon Estella / Maria Menado Productions, Cathay-Keris
10. 1964 / Melanchong ka-Tokyo / Holiday in Tokyo / Ramon Estella / Malay Film Productions
11. 1964 / Dupa Chendana / The Enchanted Island / Ramon Estella / Malay Film Productions
12. 1965 / Pusaka Pontianak / The Accursed Heritage / Ramon Estella / Malay Film Productions

The Malaysian/Singapore Connection

The Singapore/Malaysian Connection (slowly being constructed)

A list of Filipino films and filmmakers associated with Singapore and Malaya/Malaysia. Films marked with an * are already in digital form in the Bamboo Gods Collection

1955 - Elephant Girl (dir. Eddie Infante)

*1957 - Badjao (Singapore/Filipino co-production filmed in the Philippines; dir. Lamberto V. Avellana)

*1957 -  Taufan/“Typhoon” (dir. T.C. Santos)

*1958 - Sergeant Hussain (dir. Lamberto V. Avellana) 

*1958 - Azimat/"Talisman"/Tatak Ni Solomon: Seal Of Solomon (dir. Rolf Bayer) 

1959 - Black Gold (dir. Rolf Bayer; produced by Shaw Brothers for the Chinese market, filmed in Singapore and Malaya)

Ramon Estella's films shot in Singapore and Malaya: 

*1957 / Kembali Saorang / One Came Back / Ramon Estella / Malay Film Productions

*1958 / Anak Pontianak / Son of Pontianak / Ramon Estella / Malay Film Productions

*1958 / Matahari/ The Rape of Malaya / Ramon Estella / Malay Film Productions

*1959 / Saudagar Minyak Urat / Love Crazy / Ramon Estella / Malay Film Productions

*1959 / Samseng / Gangster / Ramon Estella / Malay Film Productions

1963 / Raja Bersiong / King of Dracula / Ramon Estella / Cathay-Keris

*1963 / Darah-Ku / My Blood / Ramon Estella / Maria Menado Productions, Cathay-Keris

*1963 / Bunga Tanjong / Cape of Flowers / Ramon Estella/ Maria Menado Productions, Cathay-Keris

1964 / Pontianak Kembali / The Pontianak Returns / Ramon Estella / Maria Menado Productions, Cathay-Keris

1964 / Melanchong ka-Tokyo / Holiday in Tokyo / Ramon Estella / Malay Film Productions

*1964 / Dupa Chendana / The Enchanted Island / Ramon Estella / Malay Film Productions

*1965 / Pusaka Pontianak / The Accursed Heritage / Ramon Estella / Malay Film Productions

1965 - Hong Kong, Manila, Singapore (Shaw Brothers)

1975 - Interpol Malaysia Five (Jun Aristorenas and Sarimah)

*1976 - The Bionic Boy (produced by Bobby A. Suarez)

*1977 - They Call Her Cleopatra Wong (dir. Bobby A. Suarez)

*1978 - Dynamite Johnson (dir. Bobby A. Suarez) 

1978 - Code-Name: The Destroyers and Queen Cobra, two of Bobby A. Suarez's unfinished projects, partly filmed in Malaysia with Marrie Lee 

Sunny Lee's association with Davian International

c.1996 - Phillip Ko's co-productions with Malaysia's HVD Entertainment: Bad Blood (1996), Desperate Hours (1997), Nightmare Honeymoon (1998), The Resort Murders (1998), and Murder On The Menu (1998)

Malaysia's mysterious HVD Entertainment TV films

 

Phillip Ko (left)

 

NOTES by Andrew Leavold: Some of the most mysterious films involving the Philippines in the Nineties is a series of made-for-TV movies funded by Malaysian consortium HVD Entertainment - a comprehensive overview of the company can be found HERE - and overseen by Hong Kong actor/director Phillip Ko, with much of the writing credited to Mike Cassey, a UK expat living in the Philippines at the time. 

To date I haven't found any trace of the films other than brief cast and crew credits on the IMDB. If anyone can please help out with more information or, even better, copies of the movies, I'd be immensely grateful!

Mike shared with me his scant memories of doing (he estimated) nine films back-to-back in Malaysia around 1996 - his comments are below. 

1996 - Bad Blood (HVD Entertainment)

Director Phillip Ko Writer Mike Cassey Executive Producer Choo Leomg Meng Cinematography Eduardo "Baby" Cabrales Assistant Director Mike Cassey 

Cast Rando Almanzor (Danny), Mike Cassey (Photographer)

THRILLER

1997 - Desperate Hours (HVD Entertainment)

Director Phillip Ko Writer Mike Cassey Executive Producer Choo Leomg Meng Cinematography Eduardo "Baby" Cabrales Assistant Director Mike Cassey 

Cast Heather Van Vleet (Girl Waiting), Zoren Legaspi (Max)

THRILLER

1997 - Nightmare Honeymoon (HVD Entertainment)

Director Phillip Ko Writer Mike Cassey Executive Producer Choo Leomg Meng Assistant Director Mike Cassey

Cast Rando Almanzor (Eddie)

THRILLER

1998 - The Resort Murders (HVD Entertainment)

Director Teddy Chiu Writer Mike Cassey Cinematography Eduardo "Baby" Cabrales Production Manager Max Paglinawan Assistant Director Mike Cassey

Cast Zoren Legaspi   

THRILLER     

1998 - Murder On The Menu (HVD Entertainment)

Director Teddy Chiu Cinematography Eduardo "Baby" Cabrales Production Manager Max Paglinawan Assistant Director Mike Cassey

Cast Mike Cassey (Resort Manager), Dan Fernandez (Danny)

THRILLER/COMEDY

Mike Cassey on the HVD films (interview with Andrew Leavold, 2009 - the full interview can be found HERE)

Andrew: I'm fascinated in the series of video features you scripted in the late 90s directed by Teddy Chiu and Philip Ko for what looks like a Malay company? The Resort Murders, for instance.

Mike Cassey: That was all through Philip Ko, who was wheeling and dealing to get movies projects from all over Asia. Because of Philip's "unique" style of directing (he would often change actors and locations in the middle of the shoot!) I scripted most of those "on the fly" rewriting the stories, scenes and characters on a yellow pad on the set during the shooting. No time to type them up!

These are between '96 and '98 - where are the markets he's selling to at the time?

We often had a mixture of Chinese actors, Korean actors, Malaysian actors, Western actors...all speaking their own languages! Pure bedlam! But a great way to improve my writing skills. No writer's block on those movies! Philip was trying to cover and sell to all the Asian markets. Some were shown theatrically in some countries, some only on TV and some direct-to-video. I think most of them made money...for someone!

Not to the West, at this stage?

Philip's style meant that he could never really break into the mainstream and so his market was always "B". that also meant low-budgets, short shooting schedules...and lots of confusion. I was never in on the marketing schemes to most of these productions, so don't know much about their back-end deals. I'm sure some of them wound up on in Western video stores. Most of the post-production was done in the countries that financed them, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia...we just provided the raw footage. So I never saw the final cut of these movies...or even knew their release titles!

Do you remember the name of the company? I've found "HVD Entertainment" listed.

Yes...I think that was a Malaysian company. We never met the producers at all, just the actors. Philip released several of them under his "One Take" company in Hong Kong.

So you don't remember much about the individual films...

Sorry I can't be much more help. We shot around nine movies back-to-back and I was writing, acting and Assistant Directing (with Teddy) on all them so it's all pretty much of a blur! And I usually had to baby-sit the actors that didn't speak Cantonese...you know, take them to restaurants, sight-seeing, etc. Whew!

Onna Rambo (1991)

1991 - Onna Rambo/女ランボー (JVM [Japan Video Movie Co Ltd])

[Japanese production filmed entirely in the Philippines; English title on advertising material "Lady Ramboh: Kill You! In My Justice"]

Director Ippei Suzuki

Cast Mio Takaki (Miki/Lady Ramboh), Hiroyuki Okita (Nango), Harumi Kai (Shizuku), Tomu Saeba (Shima), Kenji Imai (Japanese Boss), Roosa Tanaka (Eiko), Anthony East (American Boss), Cristina Gonzales (Elena)

ACTION

 

 

 Review by Paul John Blair (Our Man In Japan)

Japan Video Movie Co. Ltd (JVM) are a company that are known for producing and distributing mostly low-budget, straight-to-video action/yakuza films, porn, video games, and anime. They started off in 1984 as the VHS boom kicked off in Japan and some of the titles that they were involved in are rather impressive such as the cyberpunk classic Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989) and the cult horror hybrid Evil Dead Trap (1988). However, with this one they would take the cameras to The Philippines for a shot-on-video actioner featuring a sexy Japanese drug enforcement agent who has bothered a few tips from the legendary Sylvester Stallone character Rambo.

Lady Ramboh: KILL YOU! IN MY JUSTICE. That’s the tagline at least. 

Three Japanese drug enforcement agents Miki, Shima and Nango are working in Manila trying to catch a notorious narcotics and prostitution organization ran by an American (Anthony East) and a Japanese mobster (Kenji Imai). One of the agents Miki (Mio Takaki) is a rather sexy and long-legged woman who the organization wants to get rid of. When it is decided that killing her is a bad idea that will only bring the attention of the Japanese G-Men the gang starts an intimidation campaign using snakes in her hotel room bath and a severed pigs head with an image of her younger sister pinned to it as a warning.

The beautiful agent’s younger sister Shizuka (Harumi Kai) and her friend Eiko (Roosa Tanaka) come to visit her in Manila and we are treated to a tourist advertisement as they galivant around town taking photos and riding in taxis waving to people saying “Hi!” in English. It is not long before the gang kidnap Shizuka and Eiko which was the idea of the Japanese mobster but by the time the female agent gets to the poor girls they have already been tied to a mattress, drugged and raped. They even kill poor Shizuka in a slow-motion barrage of squibs. 

You just know these tattooed rapist pricks will be hunted down. 

 

You wonder why would the organization be so brutal but we see at the start of the film that Miki had interrupted one of their big drug deals going on bizarrely at an outdoor birthday party. The agent along with her male counterparts slaughter the partygoers in an impressive action sequence. Actually, you might notice that this film, despite being low budget and shot on video, does genuinely have some great action that is well-choreographed yet clichéd.

The opening of the film actually uses a montage of the action that is to come later in the story which has some serious fucking spoilers including Predator-style machine guns with rocket launchers attached and some very nice leather boots and skimpy tops. It plays out like a trailer that shows you all the best parts from a film leaving nothing to the imagination.

What is the fucking connection to Rambo?!

Our agent Miki becomes Lady Ramboh as she heads out to the jungle for an obligatory training scene and some sexy change of clothes. She will tool up and take on the entire organization who have at their disposal a reasonably sized paramilitary group out there in the sweaty wilderness. Armies aside, the organization has also hired their very own Filipina femme fatale Elena (Cristina Gonzales) to assassinate Lady Ramboh.

May the war of who has the sexiest outfit commence.

It is revealed that this hit woman for hire was once a squeeze of Lady Ramboh`s fellow agent Nango (Hiroyuki Okita) who ends up duking it out with knives with her in the jungle before she asks him to “don’t leave me like this” and he commits a mercy killing on her. She didn’t look that bad in shape but he executes her all the same.

 

  

Once this daft subplot is out the way the action kicks off big style. The film then forgets it is supposed to be aping Rambo but ends up an extended pyrotechnic Commando rip-off. This is another surprisingly well-filmed and choreographed action piece that’s lifts actual scenes and framing from the 1985 Arnold Schwarzenegger classic. 

 

Did I mention that Lady Ramboh performs all this in a black headband, a leather studded bra, black knickers with a tasseled mini skirt, and thigh leather boots? She also has some impressive artillery as she destroys every single man in khakis.

For a shot-on-video 90s Japanese action film made by such a company as JVM it is pretty impressive stuff. They could have easily just made another erotic film with the talent on offer but they decided to actually put some effort into the action scenes to accommodate the stolen soundtrack that is from some1970s Italian cop film. Lady Ramboh has a little bit of everything and isn’t just a simple Rambo rip-off in the way that Bruno Mattei`s Strike Commando (1987) was. For that reason, its well worth your time if even for just the eye candy.

When the film was made The Philippines was basically a state of siege and was at the tail end of a bloody coup that caused almost 100 deaths including half of them civilians. 

 

The film also sports an interesting cast:

Veteran character actor Kenji Imai must have been hard up for some cash as he appears as one of the main bad guys performing in heavily accented English as he engages with his non-Japanese co-stars. To list the Japanese cult films that he has featured in as a villain would be exhausting as he has over 120 titles under his obi.

When she was a model and singer aged 24 years old Lady Ramboh herself, Mio Takaki, actually appeared in an international production which was Liliana Cavini`s 1985 erotic drama The Berlin Affair. She was handpicked in Japan by the controversial female director because of her beauty. This was a largely forgotten film produced by Cannon Films when they went through their disastrous phase of trying to infiltrate the European arthouse scene.

  

Harumi Kai who plays the sister Shizuka is probably most well known for being the star of the 1990 shot-on-video superhero parody Big Boobs Buster which was actually given a north American DVD release back in the early 2000s. As well as having a short-lived singing career she was also an underwear model.

Roosa Tanaka who plays Eiko was a model who appeared in many swimwear and nude photo books but was also an AV actress. She would feature in another 1991 shot-on-video film called Female Teacher Under the Wet Piano which a home invasion roughie.

Hiroyuki Okita who played the hard drinking womanizing agent appeared in some far superior productions such the modern Ultraman and Gamera films but would sadly commit suicide in 1999 aged 36.

Anthony East who plays one of the drug kings was an American expat who featured in low-budget Filipino cinema.  

Cristina Gonzales was a former beauty pageant and actress who actually became a politician and was Mayor of Tacloban. She can now be seen on her Instagram page aged 53 and still looking gorgeous.

 

 

 Mio Takaki (Miki/Lady Ramboh)

 Hiroyuki Okita (Nango)

 Harumi Kai (Shizuku)

 Tomu Saeba (Shima)

Kenji Imai (Japanese Boss)

 Roosa Tanaka (right - Eiko)

 Anthony East (American Boss)

Cristina Gonzales (Elena) 

...and a number of unidentifiable actors (can you identify them? We'd love to hear from you!)

 

 

 

VIDEO

 Japan - VHS via JVM

DIGITAL

Japan - DVD via several companies including V Theatre

 

 

 mp4 file [in Japanese with no subtitles]

Japanese productions filmed in the Philippines

 

The BAMBOO GODS LIST of Japanese productions filmed in the Philippines, and Filipino movies shot in Japan

...and it's far from complete, so please contact us with any additions or corrections. Films marked with an * are already in digital form in the Bamboo Gods Collection.

*1944 - Ano Hatte O Utte/Dawn Of Freedom/Tear Down The Stars And Stripes (co-directed by Gerry de Leon; Japanese propaganda drama on American "atrocities" in the Philippines, using American POWs in Manila)

1944 – Tatlong Maria (co-directed by Gerry de Leon and made during the Japanese occupation)

1953 - Nenita Unit (Filipino anti-Huk propaganda drama screened in Japan)

*1953 - Now And Forever (Filipino drama partly filmed in Japan)

1957 - Turista (Filipino/Japanese co-production filmed in Japan by LVN Pictures and Daiei Motion Picture Co)

1958 - Obra Maestra (People’s Pictures' portmanteau movie filmed in Japan, Hong Kong, Macao, Singapore and the Philippines)

1960 - Basta Pinoy (Premiere Productions' musical comedy filmed in Japan)

1961 - Tokyo Calling: Walang Ligtas (Leopoldo Salcedo spy movie filmed entirely in Japan)

*1963 - Gojuman-Nin No Isan/Legacy Of The 500,000 (Toho, directed by Toshiro Mifune) 

*1972 - The Evil Within (Philippines production partly financed by 20th Century Fox and filmed in 1970 in India, Japan, Hong Kong and the Philippines)

*1972 - Winter Holiday (Sampaguita/VP Pictures' musical comedy starring Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III, filmed in Japan)

1972 - Cherry Blossoms (Lino Brocka drama filmed in Japan)

*1983 - Tatak Ng Yakuza (RUDY Fernandez action movie partly filmed in Japan)

*1984 - The Miracle Of Joe Petrel/Umitsubame Jō No Kiseki (co-produced by Toshiro Mifune)

1988 - Full Speed Run 

1988 – Passage To Hell (Watanabe)

1988 - Sando and the Diplomat's Daughter (Watanabe)

*1989 - Above the War/Search And Destroy/The B-Team (Watanabe)

1989 - Harimao (Watanabe)

*1990 [released 1993] - Manila Emmanuelle 1: Dangerous Paradise (Watanabe)

*1990 [released 1993] - Manila Emmanuelle 2: Devilish Paradise (Watanabe)

*1991 – Onna Rambo/Lady Ramboh

1991 - Asian Beat: I Love Nippon (stars Ruby Moreno - was it filmed all or in part in the Philippines?)

*1992 - Men Who Love Filipinas (TV movie; Rodeo Films)

*1992 - Drug Connection (shot in Japan, USA and the Philippines) 

1992 - Wangan Midnight (stars Ruby Moreno - was it filmed all or in part in the Philippines?)

1992 - Afureru Atsui Namida (stars Ruby Moreno - was it filmed all or in part in the Philippines?)

1993 – Sani No Yuutsu/Sunny Gets Blue/Blowback/Sloppy Joe And The Heartbreak Gang (Rodeo Films)

*1993 – Blowback 2/Blowback: Love & Death (Rodeo Films)

1994 - Senso E Iko Yo!! Parts 1 & 2 (stars Ruby Moreno - was it filmed all or in part in the Philippines?)

1994 - Kike Wadatsuminokoe 

1994 - Wasurerareta Kodomotachi/Scavengers: Forgotten Children (feature-length documentary on Smokey Mountain directed by Hiroshi Shinomiya)

*1994 - Wangan Midnight Final: GTR Densetsu Acts 1 & 2

*1995 - Score 

*1995 - Kinkyû Yobidashi: Emergency Call (Filipino co-production starring Lorna Tolentino)

1995 - Nanba Kin'yû Den: Minami No Teiô - Gekijô Ban Part VI (stars Ruby Moreno - was it filmed all or in part in the Philippines?)

1997 - Code Name K-9/Kill 

1997 – Shoot My Darlin’/Koroshiya & Usotsuki Musume

1999 - Satsujinsha - Uragiri No Kyoudan 

*2000 - The Guys From Paradise (Takashi Miike) 

2001 - Blades Of The Sun 

*2002 – Uniba-G Story/Uniba G Monogatari (“documentary”)

2002 - God's Children (second documentary - after 1994's Scavengers: Forgotten Children - by Hiroshi Shinomiya) 

2005 - Last Dance Of August 15th 

2005 - Chateau de Roses 

*2005 – Love Tomato

2005 - Yûsha No Hihô/The Cruel Stone 

2006 - Kamikaze

2006 - Katana-Man (stars Ruby Moreno - was it filmed all or in part in the Philippines?)

2007 - Buddy 1 

*2009 – Pandemic (partly shot in Banaue and Bacolod)

2009 – Wangan Midnight: The Movie (unconfirmed)

2009 - Basura (third documentary by Hiroshi Shinomiya)

2010 - Aibou The Movie 2 

*2014 – Fires In The Plain/Noba (Shinya Tsukamoto)

2015 – Blanka (stars Don Gordon Bell)

2015 – Crossroads (partly filmed in Baguio)

2023 - Kodomo No Hitomi O Mitsumete/YIELD Final Version (documentary feature by

Honey I Love You (details unconfirmed, with Hong Kong star Daniel Wu)

Death Match (details unconfirmed; possibly a working title only, stars Alvin Anson and Kozo Takeda)

Bayside At Midnight (details unconfirmed)

Excel 3 (details unconfirmed; TV show, 3 episodes only)