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 (1949), He Promised To Return (1948) and Fort Santiago (1946) Filipino films dubbed into Cantonese and released in Hong Kong - all three were purchased by US distributor Lloyd Friedgen in 1949

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)

Hong Kong newspaper ad for Darna (1950)

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)

Hong Kong newspaper ad for Kahariang Bato/Tagani (1956) 

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), Kahariang Bato/Tagani (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. Santiago)

*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 fantasy adventure 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)

1963 - Blood Of Bataan (1953), a Filipino war film screened in Hong Kong, most probably as the English-dubbed version from Joseph Brenner Associates; also Tictaban (aka The 13th Sultan/Forbidden Women, 1948), a Filipino film re-edited and released internationally by US exploitation guru Lloyd Friedgen

1964 - Outrages Of The Orient (1949), a second Lloyd Friedgen re-edit released to Hong Kong theatres

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

*1965 - Hong Kong, Manila, Singapore (Shaw Brothers musical partly filmed in the Philippines, and stars Filipino actors Maggie de la Riva and Alfonso Carvajal) 

c.1965 - Filipino spy film Misyong Mapanganib (1965) is released in Hong Kong

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 (Filipino spy movie filmed in Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand)

1966 - Tabla Manalo (1961 Eddie Rodriguez action film) released in Hong Kong theatres

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)

1970 - Nora Aunor and Manny de Leon shot scenes for two teenybopper musicals in Hong Kong and Japan for Tower Productions - Around Asia With Nora and The Golden Voice. The majority of scenes for the two features were filmed onboard the liner Ms President. 

*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 (Jesse Chua). 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), and many more to be listed...

*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 (Bobby A. Suarez production filmed in Taiwan, and released internationally via his Hong Kong distribution company Intercontinental Films [HK])

*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 (Jimmy L. Pascual)

*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 (Jowell)

*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 (Hong Kong production partly filmed in the Philippines, starring a young Chow Yun Fat)

*The Furious (directed by Joseph Kong/Velasco, partly filmed in the Philippines)

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

*1982 - Marianna (Hong Kong production partly filmed in the Philippines)

*1982 - Trap/Cop Killer (Hong Kong production partly filmed in the Philippines)

*1984 - Teppanyaki (Hong Kong production partly filmed in the Philippines)

*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 - David Hung's Davian International films its own fully-fledged productions in the Philippines. All are technically Hong Kong co-productions

*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

*2007 - Knock-Off (Tsui Hark directs Jean-Claude Van Damme, 2nd Unit scenes shot in the Philippines)

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....