SANTIAGO
Santiago! (1970) –
Complete Dossier
Basic Film Details
·
Title: Santiago! (with
exclamation point)
·
Release
Date: November
13, 1970 (Philippines) IMDbWikipediaPelikula
Atbp
·
Studio /
Distributor: Lea
Productions Pelikula
Atbpfpj-daking.blogspot.com
·
Genre: War-drama / Action, set during
World War II under Japanese occupation WikipediaIMDbLetterboxd
·
Director /
Writer: Lino
Brocka (his second feature film) WikipediaDBpedia
Association
·
Cinematography
& Music: Not
explicitly listed in mainstream sources, but the stylistic and thematic
continuity with other Lea/Brocka films of the time suggests thoughtful
production values.
Plot Synopsis
Santiago! centers on Gonzalo
(Fernando Poe Jr.), a guerrilla in the Philippine resistance who mistakenly
bombs a school he thought was a munitions depot, only to discover it’s filled
with civilians. Overwhelmed by guilt, he deserts to a nearby barrio, where he
becomes labeled a coward. IMDb+1TraktLetterboxd
In one of the school’s
bomb-sites, he meets Cristina, played by Hilda Koronel in her
acting debut—marking a pivotal, silent yet emotionally powerful moment in the
narrative. LetterboxdDBpedia
Associationfpj-daking.blogspot.com
Cast & Characters
·
Fernando
Poe Jr. as Gonzalo
(the guilt-ridden guerrilla) IMDbWikipedia
·
Dante
Rivero (plays a
key supporting role) IMDb
·
Boots
Anson-Roa, Jay
Ilagan, Caridad Sanchez, Mary Walter, Ruben Rustia, Joonee
Gamboa, Angie Ferro, Lorli Villanueva, and a cameo from Mario
O’Hara among others fpj-daking.blogspot.comLetterboxdDBpedia
Association
·
Hilda Koronel plays Cristina
(often cited as the bomb-blast survivor), in her very first role at just 13
years old IMDbLetterboxdDBpedia AssociationStar For All Seasons
Awards & Legacy
·
FAMAS Award
Winner: Hilda
Koronel received Best Supporting Actress at the 19th FAMAS Awards
(1970)—she was the youngest recipient in history. Pelikula
AtbpBusinessMirrorInquirer
Entertainment
·
Historic
Pairing: This film
marks the only collaboration between Lino Brocka and FPJ, and contains
the rare on-screen moment of FPJ shedding a tear. DBpedia
AssociationFamousFix.com
·
Brocka's
Early Style: As his
sophomore film (following Wanted: Perfect Mother), it showcased Brocka’s
early experimentation with editing and tone. DBpedia
AssociationLetterboxd
Cultural Significance & Impact
·
A
significant entry in Philippine film history for combining the mass appeal of
FPJ with the emerging artistry of Lino Brocka. DBpedia
AssociationLetterboxd
·
Introduced
two major stars: Hilda Koronel began a distinguished career from this debut;
Brocka’s direction here paved the way to critically acclaimed films like Insiang
and Maynila: Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag. Star
For All SeasonsPhilstarInquirer
Entertainment
·
Its wartime
moral conflict—between duty and conscience—echoed themes Brocka would explore
more deeply in later works.
Summary Table
|
Category |
Details |
|
Title |
Santiago! (1970) |
|
Director/Writer |
Lino Brocka |
|
Main Cast |
Fernando Poe Jr., Dante
Rivero, Boots Anson-Roa, Hilda Koronel (debut as Cristina), Jay Ilagan,
Caridad Sanchez, others |
|
Plot |
Guerilla camp sabotage wrong
target → guilt → desertion → survivor Cristina (Hilda) |
|
Release Date |
November 13, 1970
(Philippines) |
|
Studio |
Lea Productions |
|
Awards |
FAMAS Best Supporting Actress
– Hilda Koronel (youngest to win at age 13) |
|
Legacy |
Only Brocka-FPJ collaboration;
Brocka’s early directorial style; launched Hilda Koronel’s career |
Poster & Visual Reference
The poster captured in the image
is a vintage newspaper-style ad, portraying the conflict, emotional stakes, and
cast names. It’s preserved by archival blogs like Video48 and fan collectors—a
valuable piece of visual history.
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