2019 marked the restoration of the 1977 film “Mga Bilanggong Birhen.”
This movie tells
a classic story of forbidden love and class oppression set during the American
occupation.
Attendants of the screening last Sept. 26 at Cinema ‘76 Anonas reminisced about
how actor Leroy Salvador was only paid a check of P1 or how the issue of two
directors for film was completely dodged by Romy Suzara, the one who completed
the film.
Alma Moreno, then a 17-year-old star and one of the titular Birhens, brought up
fond memories of her time on camera. “Yung
mga food namin, sobrang masasarap. ‘Tas si tita Mids (producer
and actress Armida Siguion-Reyna), sobrang
mag-alaga sa artista.”
“Parang nanay mo, kapatid mo. And then yung bonding ng director sobrang ganda,
kaya makikita mo naman sa movie.”
She wasn’t too specific about having a
difficult time but she worked hard at her craft. “Halos lahat ng scene ko doon mahihirap naman…At saka yung uamaabot kami ng madaling araw,”
said Alma.
On the controversy of original director Mario O’Hara leaving the project
unfinished, she couldn’t shed any new light on the subject.
“Hindi ko talaga alam yun,” she said.
“Kahit nung ginagawa namin yun, hindi namin alam kung ano ang naging
problem kasi problema na ng
production yun. Kumbaga, personal note.”
When asked about her possible upcoming projects, Alma Moreno stated, “Now? Wala eh,
so far. Pero may mga offers kaya lang, siyempre, di basta–basta pipili.” (Pep.ph)
