ISMOL BAT TERIBOL (1957), starring Amalia Fuentes and Luis Gonzáles, perfectly encapsulates the social mores and the sexual attitudes of Filipino society during the 1950s. Wit: Wilful and simplistic barrio lass Lorna (Fuentes) is seemingly stuck in poverty, oblivious to the roguish charms of jeepney driver Mauro (Gonzáles), until she is brought out of her doldrums with the appearance of the charming and affluent Bobby (Romeo Vasquez).
Add to the merry mix a haughty millionairess mother (Etang Discher as Doña Polonia), Lorna's bickering parents Mang Lucas and Aling Marta, a pretty nurse-aide (Nelly Baylon?) in love with Bobby, and the climactic wedding scene where Lorna jilts her would-be groom (and finally chooses the right man). ISMOL BAT TERIBOL is well cast and well directed (by José de Villa), as you alternately find yourself wincing with Fuentes' prerequisite preachifying to the gossipy townsfolk, or chuckling slyly at the sexual repartee at film's closing credits between Mauro and Lorna. Mars Ravelo's characters were truly one of a kind.
They don't really make this kind of films anymore -- beautiful faces, earnest acting, social values (of family ties, courtship of women, the sanctity of marriage, etc.) and happy endings.
Add to the merry mix a haughty millionairess mother (Etang Discher as Doña Polonia), Lorna's bickering parents Mang Lucas and Aling Marta, a pretty nurse-aide (Nelly Baylon?) in love with Bobby, and the climactic wedding scene where Lorna jilts her would-be groom (and finally chooses the right man). ISMOL BAT TERIBOL is well cast and well directed (by José de Villa), as you alternately find yourself wincing with Fuentes' prerequisite preachifying to the gossipy townsfolk, or chuckling slyly at the sexual repartee at film's closing credits between Mauro and Lorna. Mars Ravelo's characters were truly one of a kind.
They don't really make this kind of films anymore -- beautiful faces, earnest acting, social values (of family ties, courtship of women, the sanctity of marriage, etc.) and happy endings.