Seiko Films

Last updated

Seiko Films
Company typeFilm production company
Industry Motion pictures
Founded1984 (1984)
Defunct2007 (2007)
Headquarters,
Key people
Robbie Tan

Seiko Films was a Philippine film production company owned and run by Robbie Tan. It is known for its bold films of the late 1990s. Seiko Films was known for its tagline "If it's from Seiko, it must be good" used from 1989 to 1994. [1] [2] The company is not affiliated with the Japanese company sharing the same name.

Contents

History

Seiko Films was founded in 1981 by Robbie Tan. Its initial offering was Panlaban: Dos por Dos, starring Rex Lapid and Bomber Moran and written and directed by Mike Relon Makiling. [3] Since then, after the People Power Revolution, Seiko Films fast became one of the major productions in the late 80s, alongside Monteverde's Regal Films and Vic Del Rosario's Viva Films. The film production is home to its homegrown stars, mostly Regal babies like Romnick Sarmenta, Sheryl Cruz, Rey "PJ" Abellana and Gretchen Barretto as well as talents inside Seiko like Jestoni Alarcon, Ian Veneracion, John Regala, Cesar Montano and Rita Avila. Among its most memorable productions during its early years are The Life Story of Julie Vega and Blusang Itim, as well as horror flicks Huwag Mong Buhayin ang Bangkay , and Hiwaga sa Balete Drive . [4] [5]

Robbie Tan explained that his decision-making process when it comes to greenlighting film projects is primarily based on what is popular among audiences. [6]

In 1989, Seiko increased its production in action films, by the time the genre was on the rise. Among its notable action movies produced were Ang Lihim ng Golden Buddha and Alyas Baby Face, as well as biographical films Ako ang Batas: General Karingal, Canary Brothers and Lt. Col. Alejandro Yanquling, and DZRH-based dramas Kunin Mo ang Ulo ni Ismael, Kasalanan ang Buhayin Ka and Lumaban Ka, Itay. A majority of the films produced throughout the 1990s are focused on this genre.

Sex trip (ST) was among Seiko's primary focus. It was in 1995 when it increased its production in ST films, with Rosanna Roces, Priscilla Almeda, Natasha Ledesma, Leandro Baldemor and Gardo Versoza in its stable of talents. Seiko made Rosanna Roces a popular sex symbol. This would be Seiko's focus starting in 2000.[ citation needed ]

In 2003, Seiko released the Liberated series, directed by Mac Alejandre, which became among the most important films in the history of Seiko. Seiko produced movies later like Bridal Shower (2003), the mockumentary Bikini Open (2005), the family comedy I Wanna Be Happy (2006) and the psycho-erotic thriller Silip (2007). Seiko Films also co-produced the award-winning Foster Child (2007) by director Brilliante Mendoza.

In 2007, Seiko was reportedly suspended by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) due to the prominence of the production of erotic films. It was later revealed that it closed down due to intense competition with major film outlets. Since then, Tan shifted his focus on his wallet business. [3]

ABS-CBN currently owns the rights to Seiko Films' library. [7] [8]

Filmography

1980s

YearFilmReleaseNotes
1981Panlaban: Dos por DosSeptember 11
1982Bagong Boy CondenadoApril 28
Isla Sto. NiñoOctober 8
1983KirotMarch 4
Iiyak Ka RinJuly 8
Public Enemy No. 1 and the InnocentsSeptember 9
Hanguin Mo Ako sa PutikDecember 9
1984Goodah!!!March 8
Give Me Five!June 8
1985Magchumikap Ka!January 4
Isang Platitong ManiFebruary 21
Beware: Bed SinsSeptember 19
God... Save Me! December 25
1986Blusang ItimFebruary 14
Lumuhod Ka sa Lupa!August 21
1987The SistersMay 21
Black Magic November 26
Huwag Mong Buhayin ang Bangkay December 25
1988 Puso sa Puso May 25
Hiwaga sa Balete Drive June 2
Natutulog Pa ang Diyos September 22
One Two Bato, Three Four Bapor December 14
Magkano ang Iyong Dangal? December 25
1989 Walang Panginoon January 12
Ipaglalaban Ko!July 27
Babayaran Mo ng Dugo September 7
Ang Bukas ay Akin (Langit Ay Uusig)December 25

1990s

YearFilmReleaseNotes
1990 "Ako ang Batas" -Gen. Tomas Karingal March 1
Kasalanan ang Buhayin Ka March 8
Ama... Bakit Mo Ako Pinabayaan?December 25
1991Akin Ka... Magdusa Man Ako!June 20
1992Lumayo Ka Man sa AkinJanuary 25
Eh, Kasi Bata May 29
Jerry Marasigan, WPD July 8
Takbo... Talon... Tili!!!December 25
1993Lumaban Ka ...Itay!February 24
Pulis PatolaOctober 14
1994 Bawal Na Gamot March 27
1995 Pamilya Valderama November
Di Mapigil ang InitDecember 6
1996 Itataya Ko ang Buhay Ko May 27
1997KilitiFebruary 12
1998BerdugoSeptember 18
1999 Burlesk King March 10
Resbak, Babalikan KitaNovember 29

2000s

YearFilmReleaseNotes
2000MapagbigayFebruary 23
2001TikimNovember 28
2002ItlogApril 3
BakatSeptember 4
KasipingNovember 27
2003 Liberated November 5
2004Bridal ShowerJanuary 1
2005Bikini OpenMay 18
2006I Wanna Be HappyJuly
2007 Foster Child May 25
SilipJune 6

Remakes of Seiko films

This is a list of some films produced by Seiko that were remade into television series:

Related Research Articles

Sheryl Rose Anna Marie Sonora Cruz is a Filipino actress and singer. She is known for her roles as Divina Ferrer in 2007's television drama series Sinasamba Kita, as Valeria in Bakekang, and in the Philippine remake of Rosalinda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regal Entertainment</span> Philippine filmmaking and entertainment firm

Regal Entertainment, Inc. is a Filipino film and television production company based in New Manila, Quezon City. It was founded by Lily Monteverde on August 19, 1962, and is the oldest surviving film studio in the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Star Cinema</span> Philippine film and television production company and film distributor

ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc., doing business as Star Cinema and also known as ABS-CBN Films, is a Filipino film and television production and distribution company headquartered in Quezon City. It is one of the major film studios in the Philippines, along with Viva Films, Regal Entertainment and GMA Pictures. Star Cinema has produced and released most of the highest-grossing Philippine films of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TV5 (Philippine TV network)</span> Commercial television network in the Philippines

TV5 is a Philippine free-to-air television and radio network. It is headquartered in Mandaluyong, with alternate studios located in Novaliches, Quezon City. TV5 serves as the flagship property of TV5 Network, Inc., which is owned by MediaQuest Holdings, the multimedia arm of telecommunications conglomerate PLDT. The network is commonly referred to as "The Kapatid Network", using the Filipino term for "sibling", a branding introduced in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cesar Montano</span> Filipino actor, film producer and film director

Cesar Demontaño Manhilot, known professionally as Cesar Montano, is a Filipino actor, film producer, film director and aspiring politician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cinema One</span> Filipino cable television channel

Cinema One is a Philippine pay television channel targeted to the Filipino diaspora. It is owned by Creative Programs Inc., a subsidiary of Philippine media conglomerate ABS-CBN Corporation. Its programming includes a lineup of mainstream and independent local and foreign films distributed by Star Cinema, Regal Entertainment and rarely, OctoArts Films, film-related programming, and original made-for-television films. An international feed called Cinema One Global is also available worldwide as part of TFC premium channels via cable, satellite, iWantTFC and TFC IPTV.

Rosemarie Joy Garcia-Smith, better known by her stage name Diana Zubiri, is a Filipino actress. She was discovered by Seiko Films when she was 15, years after applying for work in Japan. She then had sexy roles in various films by Seiko. In October 2002, Zubiri became widely known in the Philippines after posing on the top of the EDSA–Shaw flyover in Mandaluyong, wearing only a two-piece bikini. That photo shoot for FHM Philippines sparked controversy and prompted the then Mayor of Mandaluyong, Benhur Abalos, to file charges against Zubiri and FHM but it was later withdrawn after an apology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benjie Paras</span> Filipino basketball player

Venancio Johnson Paras Jr., better known as Benjie Paras, is a Filipino actor, comedian, and a retired professional basketball player who played for Shell Turbo Chargers and San Miguel Beermen of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He is the only PBA player to win both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player honors, in a single season (1989). As its star center, Paras led the Shell Turbo Chargers to championship titles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ai-Ai delas Alas</span> Filipina actress and comedian

Martina Eileen Hernandez delas Alas-Sibayan, known professionally as Ai-Ai delas Alas, is a Filipina singer, actress, and comedian. She is widely regarded as the country's "Queen of Comedy " of her generation for her comedic talent and best known for her role in the film Ang Tanging Ina (2003), which became a blockbuster hit. On account of the film's popularity, a television series spin-off was produced, as well as three sequels: Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat (2008), Ang Tanging Ina Mo (2010) and Enteng ng Ina Mo (2011), with delas Alas reprising her role. She also appeared in the comedy film Our Mighty Yaya, which premiered on May 10, 2017, through Regal Entertainment.

Janno Ronaldo Ilagan Gibbs is a Filipino singer-songwriter, actor, and comedian in the Philippines. He was a regular host of GMA Network television shows SOP Rules, Nuts Entertainment, Eat Bulaga!, Kakasa Ka Ba Sa Grade 5?, Power of 10, Party Pilipinas and Sunday All Stars.

Maria Milagros "Snooky" Sumayao Serna is a Filipino actress. Regarded as the “Eternal Star” by the local media, she is best known for her portrayals in Anak ni Waray, Anak ni Biday (1984); Blusang Itim (1986) and Rosa Mistica.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryza Cenon</span> Filipino actress, dancer, model, and painter

Rhiza Ann Cenon Simbulan, known professionally as Ryza Cenon, is a Filipino actress, dancer, model and painter. In 2004, she became the Ultimate Female Survivor of the second season of StarStruck of GMA Network. She appeared in several shows including Darna, Ay, Robot!, Majika, Fantastikids, Fantastic Man, Joaquin Bordado, Buena Familia, and Alyas Robin Hood.

Gretchen Castelo Barretto is a Filipino former actress and socialite. She was launched in Regal Films' 14 Going on Steady as a singer-actress, with the release of her debut single "Going Steady", which served as the soundtrack single to her debut film. In the late eighties, Barretto rose to prominence after gaining success in skin flicks produced by Seiko Films like Tukso, Layuan Mo Ako!, Ang Bukas Ay Akin, Ama, Bakit Mo Ako Pinabayaan?, Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin and Bakit Ako Mahihiya?. She has released two studio albums under Star Records. Her debut album, Unexpected, was released in 2008, and her second album Complicated was released a year after. Her two younger sisters, Marjorie and Claudine, and niece Julia are also actresses. Since 2010, she is already a contract star of ABS-CBN.

Jennifer Adriano Arias, better known by her stage names Rosanna Roces and Osang, is a Filipino actress and comedian.

Joselito Perez Marquez better known as Joey Marquez, is a Filipino actor, comedian, politician and former professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eugene Domingo</span> Filipino actress and comedian

Eugena Roxas Domingo-Bottoni is a Filipino actress, comedienne and host. She has performed in lead and supporting roles in various genres of the Philippine film industry. She is popularly known as the "Comedy Star for All Seasons" and was a sidekick of Ai-Ai delas Alas in the Ang Tanging Ina series (2003–2010), until her very first lead film role in Kimmy Dora in 2009. She is currently an exclusive artist of GMA Network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Viva Films</span> Filipino film production company

Viva Films is a Filipino film production company owned by Viva Communications. It was founded in 1981, by Vic del Rosario Jr. and his sister Tess Cruz. It is one of the major film production companies in the Philippines, along with Regal Entertainment, Star Cinema and GMA Pictures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paulo Avelino</span> Filipino actor and model

Michael Paulo Lingbanan Avelino is a Filipino actor, singer, model, and film producer. He has starred in multiple hit television series such as Walang Hanggan (2012), Bridges of Love (2015), and The General's Daughter (2019). In films, one of his best known works is his portrayal of Gregorio del Pilar in the Philippine war epic Heneral Luna (2015), which he reprised in a title role for its sequel, Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral (2018). Avelino's other prominent films include Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay (2013), I'm Drunk, I Love You (2017), and Fan Girl (2020).

Jennifer Sevilla-Go is a Filipino actress in movies and television shows. She was a former member of That's Entertainment.

Antonio Ford Aquitania is a Filipino actor, comedian, host, and model. He is a former member of Bubble Gang.

References

  1. Yeatter, Bryan (2007). Cinema of the Philippines: A History and Filmography (1897-2005). McFarland & Company. p. 194. ISBN   9780786430475 . Retrieved May 7, 2020 via Google Books.
  2. The Fookien Times Philippines Yearbook. Fookien Times. 1990. p. 320. ISBN   9789710503506 . Retrieved May 7, 2020 via Google Books.
  3. 1 2 Gabinete, Jojo (November 23, 2020). "Robbie Tan, inilahad ang pagsisimula at pagsasara ng Seiko Films". Philippine Entertainment Portal (in Filipino). Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  4. Constantino, Ronald (June 18, 2018). "Seiko Jewels". Tempo . Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  5. "Seiko Films Jewels: Where are they now?". GMA Network . June 29, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  6. Libo-on, Eddie (November 6, 1989). "Avellana challenges Robbie". Manila Standard . Kagitingan Publications, Inc. p. 18. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
  7. "ABS-CBN renews partnership with Regal and Viva". ABS-CBN Entertainment . ABS-CBN Corporation. April 21, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  8. Almo, Nerisa (January 18, 2010). "Chito Rono returns to directing for TV via Magkano Ang Iyong Dangal?". PEP.ph . Philippine Entertainment Portal Inc. Retrieved January 27, 2024.