Pinoy James Bonds: Agent 69

1964 - Agent 69 (Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions)

[Release date 27th May 1964]

Director/Story Armando Garces Executive Producer Espiridon Laxa Music F. Buencamino

Cast Alberto Alonzo (Agent 69), Miriam Jurado, Divina Valencia, Menchu Morelli, Bessie Barredo, Marina de Veyra, Max Alvarado, Victor Bravo, Manolo Robles, Ezar Visenio, Nort Nepomuceno, Joaquin Fajardo, Steve Alcarado, Alex Flores, Jun Aristorenas

1965 - G-2/Taga-Usig Ng Kaaway “The Enemy Interrogator” (Broadway Pictures)

[Release date 15th January 1965]

Director Eddie Garcia Music Carding Cruz

Cast Tony Ferrer (Tony Falcon, Agent X-44), Alberto Alonzo (Agent 69), Divina Valencia, Bessie Barredo, Menchu Morelli, Max Alvarado, Rod Navarro, Victor Bravo, Manolo Robles, Rocco Montalban, Mort Nepomuceno, Joachin Fajardo, Lope Policarpio, Leon Pajaron, Steve Alcarado, Alex Flores, Danny Rojo, Rudy Dominguez, Ruben Tizon, Greg Lansang, Manolo Noble, Arnold Mendoza, Ezar Visenio, Lucien Pan, Val Castelo

1965 – Karate Sa Karate (BB Productions/Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions)

[Release date 20th July 1965]

Director George E. Rowe Producer Bernard Bonnin Music Polding Silos

Cast Bernard Bonnin (Agent 707), Alberto Alonzo (Agent 69), Lyn D'Amour, Bessie Barredo, Ely Ramos Jr, Johnny Stuart, Margie Tanquintic, Vic Silaya, Max Alvarado, Lorretta Rocco, Jose Garcia, Jose Vergara, Philipp Coo, Eddie Baydo, Carlito Varca, Joe Cunanan, Ben Datu, SOS Daredevils, Gorgonio 'Dagul' Se

Synopsis (from the Filmography of Philippine Films 1959-1989): “The ultimate karate technique known as ‘atemi-uchi-kudaki’ meaning ‘karate attack to pulverize’ is brought to the screen by Bonnin and Alonzo in the roles of Agent 707 and Agent 69 respectively.”

1966 – Gintong Patibong (Golden Harvest)

[Release date 15th January 1966]

Director Leroy Salvador Screenplay Tony Camonte

Cast Eddie Fernandez (Lagalag), Alberto Alonzo (Agent 69), Alona Alegre, Minda Morena, Oscar Roncal, Ruby Regala

Synopsis (from the Filmography of Philippine Films 1959-1989): “Highlights the most vicious trap ever set by syndicated crime for the country’s top secret agents, Lagalag and Agent 69.”

1966 – Lambat (Dragnet) (BB Productions)

[Release date 12th February 1966]

Director/Story George E. Rowe Producer Bernard Bonnin Music Polding Silos

Cast Bernard Bonnin (Agent 707), Von Serna, Jose Vergara, Rocco Montalban, Alona Alegre, Alberto Alonzo (Agent 69), Johnny Monteiro (Franco Castro), Abelardo Dacer, Darmo Orbase, Tiva Lava, Mike Lozano, Jimmy Roldan, Boy Estrella, Gorgonio 'Dagul' Se, Erning Almanza,Danny Medel, Leo Longalong, Roger Dado, Eduardo Rodriguez, SOS Daredevils, Carlito Varga, Eddie Baydo, Rolando Varga, Luz Angeles

Synopsis (from the Filmography of Philippine Films 1959-1989): “Revolves around the search for a smuggled diamond believed to have been hidden in an island resort.”

1967 – Eden Boys (Dan-Sil Productions)

[Release date 24th January 1967]

Director Rod Navarro Story/Screenplay Henry Cuino Music F. Buencamino

Cast Zaldy Zshornack, Alex Flores, Max Alvarado, Ruben Ramos, Merle Fernandez, Daniel Patena, Alberto Alonzo (Agent 69), Greg Guerrero, Jaye Stevens, Tina Lava, Rocco Montalban, Lope Policarpio, Vic Andaya, Art Veloso, Tony Dantes, Nort Nepomuceno, Angie Razon, Steve Alcarado, Joaquin Fajardo, Arthur Lavidez, Bert Delfino, Andy Garchitorena, Ross Cuneta

1967 – The Experts (Wag-Wag Productions)

[Release date 6th March 1967]

Director Abelardo Cortez Story Rey Ylag Screenplay Greg Macabenta Music Raul Silos

Cast Alberto Alonzo (Agent 69), Eddie Garcia, Rod Navarro, Joe Sison, Nort Nepomuceno, Bernard Belleza, Paquito Salcedo, Hosping Pregonero, Eddie Torrente, Elsa Bouffard, Jill Hamilton, Marilou Ver, Lucien Pan, Liza Belmonte

1967 – Dolls For Hire (Wag-Wag Productions)

[Release date 12th May 1967]

Director George Rowe Story/Screenplay Romy Galang Executive Producer LK Guarin Music Carding Cruz

Cast Alberto Alonzo (Agent 69), Lourdes Medel, Merle Fernandez, Bessie Barredo, Miriam Jurado, Eddie Garcia, Tony Cayado, Ely Ramos Jr, Nort Nepomuceno, Romy Kintanar (X-1), SOS Daredevils

The following Alberto Alonzo spy film is unconfirmed as an Agent 69 movie:

1966 – Top Secret (Kamagong)

[Release date 5th September 1966]

Director Armando Garces

Cast Alberto Alonzo (Agent 69?), Merle Fernandez, Rod Navarro, Helen Thompson, Danny Rojo, Eva Marie, Minda Morena

Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions founder passes away

Film industry pillar Espiridion Laxa; 79

By Bayani San Diego Jr.

Philippine Daily Inquirer

First Posted 08:14:00 09/17/2009

MANILA, Philippines—Film industry leader and pioneering independent film producer Espiridion Laxa died of cardiac arrest on Tuesday evening. He was 79.

“I was shocked when I heard the news,” actress-turned-Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos told Inquirer Entertainment. “I really feel sad. I will pray for the repose of his soul and visit him one last time.”

“He was like a second father to me,” said Santos. “He supported my love team with Edgar Mortiz when I was a teenager. He trusted in me as an actress, but, more than that, he stood by me through my lowest moments … when I had financial problems.”

“He will be sorely missed. He served the industry for five decades,” said actor Leo Martinez. “He was a strong pillar in the movies.”

They worked together in the Film Academy of the Philippines where Martinez was director-general and Laxa was chairman of the board.

Pillar of industry

“The entire industry mourns his loss,” Martinez said.

At the time of his death, Laxa was a board member of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

“A pillar of the film industry, he tirelessly championed the cause of film producers and movie workers, campaigning for their rights during his time on the FDCP board,” Rolando Atienza, head of FDCP, said in a statement.

Atienza said Laxa helped the FDCP in developing plans to assist the industry, and his experience and dedication to the local film industry were unparalleled.

“He was a wise old man. We will miss his wise counsel,” he said.

Another film producer and industry leader, Marichu Vera Perez-Maceda, described Laxa as a “dedicated man.

He was never late in his appointments. I have no idea how he did it. He never used a cell phone.”

“He was a gentleman of the first order,” said Boots Anson-Roa, head of the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation. “His integrity was beyond reproach. He fathered the original indie scene.”

Filmmaker Elwood Perez said that Laxa, a lawyer by profession, ended the supremacy of the studio system (composed of the so-called Big Four: LVN, Sampaguita, Lebran and Premiere) when he put up Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions in the 1960s.

Maverick

“He was a mild-mannered maverick who helped pave the way for other fledgling producers to become major industry players,” Perez said of Laxa.

Perez said Laxa nurtured the careers of stars Amalia Fuentes, Fernando Poe Jr. and Joseph Estrada who later became successful independent film producers themselves.

“I was at the crossroads of my career when Atty. Laxa offered me the chance to work in his new company. I am forever indebted to him. He was a kind and courteous man. A giant in the industry,” said Fuentes.

According to the film web site IMBd.com, Laxa produced action flicks that starred Poe (“Baril sa Baril”) and Estrada (“Markang Rehas”), considered the box-office giants of the 1960s.

In the 1970s, he also produced the biggest hits of Vilma Santos, including “Kampanerang Kuba,” “Darna and the Giants” and “Darna vs the Planet Women.”

His remains lie in state at the Heritage Park in Taguig City. Industry leaders are organizing necrological rites on Sept. 18 after the 7 p.m. Mass. Interment will be on Sept. 19 after the 9 a.m. Mass.

Laxa was the older brother of actor Tony Ferrer who gained fame as Tony Falcon, the local version of James Bond, in the 1970s.

The Gunfighter (1983)

1983 - The Gunfighter (Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions)

[An entirely Filipino production filmed in the United States, Philippines release date 26th December 1983; distributed internationally by Saga Film International in 1985, released on Greek VHS as "The Gunfighter And The Kid" (on-screen title), and on the cover as “The Kid And The Gunfighter” ]

Director Romy Suzara Story/Screenplay Tony Calvento Producer [uncredited] Espiridon Laxa Music Jun Latonio Production Manager Cayetano B. Lalic Sound Engineer Vic Macamay Editor Augusto Salvador Cinematography Rey Lapid, Bhal Dauz Post-Production Coordinator Leonides Laya Assistant Cameraman Efren Lapid Assistant Director Mike Mariano Special Effects/Routine Instructor Eddie Nicart Sound Effects Jun Martinez Assistant Editors Toto Natividad, Efren Salvador, Boy Gloria Dubbing Director Jess Ramos Opticals Amano Buencamino Unit Manager Murray Ord

Cast Lito Lapid (Tejan), Connie Angeles (Wawona), Chuck Biller (Frank Smith), Cole McKay (JJ), Paul Jones (Lex Jake), Marlene Chavez (Mother of Tejan), Rey Lapid (Father of Tejan), Vernell Dizon Arquero (Lito The Kid), Brad Fletcher (Desperado), Bret Davidson (Desperado), Kurt Campau (Desperado), Rooster Cortez (JJ’s Henchman), Terry Reynolds (JJ’s Henchman), Don Moody (JJ’s Henchman), Greg Willowman (JJ’s Henchman), Jerry Hall (Sheriff), Emil Varga (Judge), Linda King (Saloon Keeper), Rod Casteel (Store Keeper), Ken Wilson (JJ’s Man), Warren Simons (JJ’s Man), Mike Valentine (JJ’s Man), Mark Janco (JJ’s Man), Eddie Nicart (Chief Aide) Indian Village People Bonnie Delgado, Mary Patino, Mary Melina, Rory Delgado, “Baby” Casey Delgado, Anita Cruz, Armin “Chico” Sanchez, Frank “Don” Hogya Indian Warriors Bill Porter, Larry Bruce, Chico Sánchez, Don Hougie Stagecoach Passengers Joe Anderson, Frank Blakeney Indian Girls Cassandra Delgado, Mary Petino Wife Of The Judge Soakie Chacolla, Vicky Varga