Are we about to witness the second coming of bomba films? Or have they bounced back with a vengeance when we weren’t looking?
The dominance of sexy films in streaming sites and various other social media channels seems to point to this new, resurrected phase in Philippine movies.
Yet, there was a period in our film history when actors and actresses pulled off daring scenes and gutsy portrayals in the name of fleeting stardom. A chapter in my recently launched book, PH MOVIE CONFIDENTIAL, recalls the era of bomba (later known as bold) films.
Excerpts:
Robert Q. Castillo recalled the craze for erotic movies in an article entitled, Those Were The Bomba Days (Focus magazine, Jan. 13, 1973).
Robert wrote that bomba movies were previously shown only in the provinces, but the trend soon caught up in Metro Manila in the months preceding the declaration of martial law in Sept. 1972.
‘’Bomba buffs in Manila had the titillating problem of deciding which of the following movie houses they should first visit: Palace, Mayfair, Esquire, Gala, Lider, World, Boulevard, Forum, Majestic, Republic and Crown. These movies were amply advertised, not in the mass media, but directly by barkers who posted themselves in the immediate vicinity of the said movie houses, behind the display of stills, beside the box office, on the sidewalk, clapping their hands to attract attention.’’
Followers of the bomba craze who wanted more action (absolutely no censorship) would go to nearby towns and cities.
These could be found in old, nearly rundown theaters in Malabon, Marikina, Pasig, Quezon City (San Francisco del Monte), or as far as Meycauayan, Bulacan, San Fernando, Pampanga and some towns in Laguna.
Stars of 'bomba'
And who were the famous, or notorious, stars of the ‘’bomba’’ genre?
Robert cites a comely actress who went by the screen name, Vina Morena, who made it as the star of a box office hit, Luray.
Another film was called Nympho, the story of a sex-starved woman.
Before Nympho, there was the 1971 Nympha, a critically acclaimed film by Celso Ad. Castillo that launched a new sexy star known simply as Rizza.
Put in also Rossana Marquez, previously a bit player until she starred in Gutom. There was Uhaw, a sensational box office hit that starred Merle Fernandez opposite formerly wholesome boys Tito Galla and Lito Legaspi, fresh out of Sampaguita Pictures.
Ruling the sex films genre as queen before Marquez came along was Rosanna Ortiz, the tall, long-haired Bicolana with such an enthralling face and figure. Ortiz starred in films like Saging ni Pacing and Batuta ni Dracula.
In the 90s, the name Rosanna was revived by Seiko Films boss, Robbie Tan, and crowned it on Jennifer Adriano, who was to be known henceforth as Rosanna Roces. She, too specialized in sexy movies with even more titillating titles: Patikim ng P’nya, Kirot 2.
Not to be forgotten is Merle Fernandez, the breakout star of Uhaw, described by critic Mel Tobias in his book, 100 Acclaimed Tagalog Movies, as the first and original bomba film. Uhaw, released in 1970, defined Merle as the undisputed bombera star, says Tobias.