Jimmy L. Pascual timeline and filmography

JIMMY L. PASCUAL BIOGRAPHY: A Work In Progress by Andrew Leavold

- Chinese-Filipino, also known as Chu Won Yin and Zhu Huan Ran

- Born in the Philippines. Born into the Pascual family, a Chinese-Filipino film dynasty in production, distribution, and exhibition (the Pascual family owned several theaters including the Ocean in Quezon City). 

- Asia Films - a distribution company owned by Jimmy's father Tommy Pascual. Imported kung fu films from Hong Kong in the early 70s, including his son's Emperor productions. 

- Ambassador Pictures or Ambassador Productions - Juanito Pascual (father of producers Baby and William Pascual) and brothers Prisco and Jacinto. Primarily a distributor of Japanese action films (Zatoichi, Yojimbo, Watari) and spaghetti westerns in the Sixties; also produced a series of Joseph Estrada and Zaldy Zshornack action films, Agent 009 spy films starring Charlie Davao, and Dolphy and Chiquito comedies, between 1962 and 1965.

- Brother George owned GP Films; his cousins Mely “Baby” Pascual and her brother William at first operated Melros Productions (1978-), and later Baby Pascual & Associates.

- Married to Anita Pascual

- relocated to Hong Kong in the Sixties. Initially worked for Shaw Brothers. The market was starting to change – end of 1971, Fist Of Fury was a massive success and opened doors to the global film market.

- Jimmy was an original shareholder and president of Fu Kok Film Co (c.1971) with future producer and director Ng See Yuen, who soon split over creative differences; Jimmy then registered his new company, Empire Cinema Centre, in Hong Kong on 8th February 1972, and later Emperor Films International (and, according to an online article, Wells Fargo Pictures). An essential face in the new ventures was fellow Chinese-Filipino producer and presenter Filipino-born Cornelio “Cony” or “Cory” B. Sarangaya – Chinese names Hong Lik, Kang Li, Hong Li. Jimmy and Cony formed part of Hong Kong's Filipino Film Mafia which included fellow producer and distributor Bobby A. Suarez (Intercontinental), writer/director Joseph Velasco, and actors Trovador Ramos and Rey Sagum.

- Empire initially claimed to have signed Alain Delon to an Empire contract; it was later revealed Delon's asking price was $500,000 US. 

1972 – The Bloody Fists/Death Beach/Deadly Buddhist Raiders/The Bloody Fist/Bloody Fist/Dragon Showdown (Empire Film Centre/Goldig Films) [Hong Kong release date 17th May 1972] A significant film in a number of ways - the first production for Pascual’s Empire Cinema Center, and one of the First Wave of kung fu films to penetrate the international market. Jimmy is beaten by Bobby A. Suarez, who releases The King Boxer in March 1972 and creates a superstar out of Meng Fei. As an independent producer, Jimmy was creating opportunities for individuals outside the rigid Shaw studio system, all the while forming a repertory company for his series of productions

1972 – Tough Guy/Kung Fu The Head Crusher/Revenge Of The Dragon/Kung Fu Master – Bruce Lee Style (Empire Film Centre) [Hong Kong release date 19th October 1972]

1972 – The Good And The Bad/Kung Fu The Invisible Fist/Tiger vs Dragon/Death Rivals Of Kung Fu (Empire Film Centre) [Hong Kong release date 6th December 1972]

1973 – The Awaken Punch/Village On Fire/Buddhist Shaolin Avengers/The Fury Of The Black Belt/Black Belt Fury (Empire Cinema Centre) [Hong Kong release date 23rd May 1973]

1973 – The Black Friday (Empire Cinema Centre) [Hong Kong release date 11th August 1973]

1973 – The Magnificent Boxer/Shadow Of The Dragon (Emperor Films International [HK]) [Hong Kong release date August 1973]

1973 - Death Blow/Thunderfist (Emperor Films International [HK]) [Hong Kong release date 22nd September 1973]

1973 – He Walks Like A Tiger/King Of Kung Fu (Emperor Films International [HK]) [Hong Kong release date 29th November 1973

1973 – The Devils (Empire Cinema Centre) [Hong Kong release date unknown]

1973 – Duel Of The Dragons (Emperor Films International [HK]) [Hong Kong release date unknown]

1973 – Fist To Fist/Fists Of The Double K/Dragons Of Death (Emperor Films International [HK]) [Hong Kong release date unknown]

1974 – The Big Showdown/Kung Fu Massacre/Fatal Strike/Taekwondo Tiger Fight (Empire Cinema Centre) [Hong Kong release date 3rd January 1974]

1974 – Wits To Wits/Con Man And The Kung Fu Kid/From China With Death/Dirty Partners/Duel Of Dragons (Empire Cinema Centre???) [Hong Kong release date 22nd May 1974]

1974 – April Fool (Empire Cinema Centre) [Hong Kong release date unknown]

1975 – The Playboy (Empire Cinema Centre) [Hong Kong release date unknown]

THE EMPEROR RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES

In 1973, Jimmy begins his transition back to the Philippines. Siblings Prima and Fely also worked for the company as producers and in post-production. 

1973 - Beba The Mermaid (Emperor Films International/Asia Films) [A Hong Kong/Filipino co-production filmed in the Philippines in 1973 and released via Hong Kong soon afterwards; Philippines release date 24th October 1975]

1974 – Dragons Never Die/Kung Fu 10th Dan/Kung Fu Of 10th Dan/King Of Kung Fu/The Wander Man (Emperor Productions; production company listed on the Hong Kong Movie Database as Dai Gwok) [Hong Kong/Filipino co-production filmed partly or entirely in the Philippines, and released in the US on a double bill with producer Jimmy L. Pascual’s “Devil Woman” (1974).]

1974 – Devil Woman/Manda (Snakewoman) vs Kung Fu/Manda vs Kung Fu (Emperor Films International [Phils.]/Asia Films) [Hong Kong-Filipino co-production, Philippines release date 26th April 1974. Working title “Kung Fu vs Manda (Snake Woman)”]

1975 – Sleeping Dragon (Sultan Films/Emperor Films International) [A Filipino-Hong Kong co-production filmed in the Philippines, Philippines release date 24th April 1975]

1975 – Bruka/Bruka Queen Of Evil (Emperor Films) [Release date 18th July 1975; a Hong Kong-Filipino co-production]

EMPEROR FILMS PHILIPPINES

By 1975, it appears Jimmy had relocated to the Philippines permanently. Most of his subsequent productions, aside for a few action films in the early Eighties, were for the Tagalog-language market only.

1975 – Isinumpa (Emperor Films International) [Release date 15th August 1975]

1975 – Pag-Sapit Ng Dilim (Emperor Films International) [Release date 3rd October 1975]

1975 – Pandemonium (Lupa, Langit At Impiyerno) (Emperor Films International) [Release date 21st November 1975]

1976 - Hugasaan Mo Ang Aking Kasalanan/“Wash Out My Faults” (Emperor Films International) [Release date 23rd April 1976]

1976 - Putik Ka Man... Sa Alabok Magbalik (Emperor Films International) [Release date 30th July 1976]

1976 - Hinog Sa Pilit (Emperor Films International) [Release date 23rd September 1976]

1977 – Liwanag Sa Kabila Ng Dilim: Janet Clemente Story (Emperor Films International) [Release date 28th January 1977]

1977 – Bawa't Himaymay Ng Aking Laman (Emperor Films International) [Release date 6th May 1977]

1978 - Maiinit Na Labi… Nag-aapoy Na Dibdib (Emperor Films International) [Release date 24th February 1978]

1978 - Mananayaw/"The Dancer" (Emperor Films International) [Release date 14th May 1978]

1978 - Babaeng Makasalanan… Lalaking Salawahan (Emperor Films International) [Release date 16th June 1978]

1978 - Lalaki, Ikaw Ang Dahilan (Emperor Films International) [Release date 6th October 1978]

1979 - Hoodlum Killer (Emperor Films International) [Release date 19th January 1979]

1979 – Sugpuin: Holduppers (Emperor Films) [Release date 4th May 1979]

1979 - Terror Ng Tundo (Emperor Films International) [Release date 16th August 1979; also listed as "Terror Ng Tondo "]

1980 - Pangkat Do Or Die/“The Do Or Die Gang” (Emperor Films International) [Release date 4th January 1980]

1980 - Lasing Master/“Drunken Master” (Emperor Films) [Release date 16th May 1980]

1980 - Puwede Ba Utol, Akin Siya? (Emperor Films) [Release date 18th July 1980]

1980 – Rocky Tu-Log (Emperor Films International) [Release date 3rd October 1980]

1980 - Anak Ng Maton (Emperor Films) [Release date 19th December 1980]

1981 – Tartan (Emperor Films) [Release date 20th January 1981]

1981 – Milyonaryong Gipit (Emperor Films International) [Release date 26th March 1981]

1981- Palpak Connection (Emperor Films) [Release date 3rd April 1981]

1981 – Kumander Surot (Emperor Films International) [Release date 24th April 1981]

1981 - Wanted: Sabas Ang Kilabot (Emperor Films) [Release date 22nd May 1981]

1981 – Deadly Commandos (Emperor Films International) [Release date 4th September 1981]

1981 – Kami’y Ifugao (Emperor Films International) [Release date 20th November 1981; listed incorrectly on IMDB as “Kaming Ifugao”]

1981 – Kami’y Ifugao (Emperor Films International) [Release date 20th November 1981; listed incorrectly on IMDB as “Kaming Ifugao”]

1982 - Encuentro (Emperor Films) Release date 14th January 1982]

1982 - Suicide Force (Emperor Films International) [Release date 29th April 1982]

1982 – Akin Ang Paghihiganti (Emperor Films) [Release date 6th August 1982]

1982 - Pretty Boy Charlie (Emperor Films) [Release date 15th October 1982]

1982 - Liquidate: Sex Gang (Emperor Films) [Release date 3rd December 1982]

1983 - Presidential Pardon (Emperor Films) [Release date 5th February 1983]

1983 – Mga Pusang Bundok (Emperor Films International) [Release date 9th September 1983; export version "Death Raiders" distributed by Atlas International]

1984 - Ang Pagbabalik Ni Dimasalang/"The Return Of Dimasalang" (Emperor Films) [Release date 6th August 1984; sequel to "Dimasalang" (1970), also starring Jun and Robin Aristorenas]

1984 - Harot (Emperor Films) [Release date 3rd September 1984]

1984 - Bedtime Story (Emperor Films) [Release date 1st November 1984]

1984 - Padre Hudas (Emperor Films) [Release date 29th November 1984]

1984 - Dagta (Emperor Films) [Release date 13th December 1984]

1985 - Erotika (Emperor Films) [Release date 10th April 1985]

1985 - Unang Karanasan (Emperor Films) [Release date 22nd May 1985]

1985 - Mga Alipin Ng Buwan (Emperor Films) [Release date 5th June 1985]

1985 - Mga Kalapating Musmos (Emperor Films International) [Release date 19th September 1985]

1986 - Isusumpa Mo Ang Araw Nang Isilang Ka (Emperor Films) [Release date February 1986]

1986 - Hayok (Emperor Films International) [Release date 12th March 1986]

1986 - Unang Gabi/"One Night" (Emperor Films International) [Release date 29th May 1986]

1986 - Huwag Pamarisan: Kulasisi (VS/Emperor Films) [Release date 26th June 1986]

1986 - Bawal: Malaswa (Emperor Films) [Release date 30th October 1986]

1987 - Lala (Emperor Films) [Release date 1st July 1987]

1987 – Pulis Iskwad Kuno!/“Fake Police Squad!” (Emperor Films) [Release date 14th August 1987]

1988 - Batang Matadero (Emperor Films) [Release date 9th April 1988]

1990 - Anak Sa Una (Emperor Films) [Release date 14th April 1990]

1990 – Enkuwentro (Emperor Films) [Release date 26th July 1990]

1992 - Nympa Sa Putikan (Emperor Films) [Release date 18th April 1992]

1993 - Maj. Napoleon Velasco: Kumander Kalbo (Emperor Films) [Release date 24th February 1993]

1993 - Sgt. Alvarez: Ex-Marine (Emperor Films) [Release date 7th October 1993]

1993 - Itumba Si Angel Delgado (Emperor Films) [Release date 9th December 1993]

1994 - Da Young Asyong Aksaya (Emperor Films) [Release date 27th July 1994]

Jimmy kept a close eye on trends - horror films in the mid-Seventies, goon action films, bold films from the mid-Eighties. Emperor's final production is in 1994.

- Jimmy also owned a famous chicken restaurant

- Passed away died 28th March 2005. Erap attended the funeral.