Ramon A. Estella: Int’l prominence

In the ’50s, Ramon A. Estella was one of the top directors along with Gerry de Leon, Bert Avellana and Manuel Conde. They were collectively known as the four ‘wonder boys.’ They brought Philippine cinema to international prominence during that period.

After he left the country in 1965, Estella directed feature films and documentaries all over the world — US, Puerto Rico, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, receiving prestigious awards and honors for them.

One of his memorable films was Buhay at Pag-ibig ni Dr. Jose Rizal (1956), a three-hour epic which depicted major events in the life of the National Hero. Eddie del Mar played Rizal, supported by popular actors portraying characters who figured in and influenced his life. Given prominence were the ladies in Rizal’s colorful love life.

Other important Ramon A. Estella movies included Huling Habilin  (1940), Ang Tagala (1941), Angelus (1946), Tagumpay (1946), Voice of Freedom (1946), Magkaibang Lahi (1947), Ako Raw Ay Huk (1948), Kenkoy (1950) and Sundalong Talahib (1950).

Estella won the FAMAS Best Director award for Desperado (1956), which also won Best Picture and Editor.

He died in the US in 1991.— RKC