Filipino heroism at the Korean War

Three films in the early ‘50s captured Filipino heroism during the Korean War, when our soldiers joined allied forces in defending South Korea from being invaded by enemies.

They were:

10th Battalion (Sa 38th Parallel, Korea), topbilled by Efren Reyes and supported by Lopito, Eddie Infante, Oscar Keese. Directed by future National Artist Gerardo de Leon.

Lagablab sa Silangan (Sunset Over Korea), starring Gloria Sevilla, Amado Cortez, Rodolfo Ruiz, Mat Ranillo Jr., Jose Villafranca. Written and directed by Constancio Villamar.

(Trivia: Gloria and Mat were married then, known as the King and Queen of Visayan Movies. Gloria was widowed in 1969 and later married Amado.)

Korea, topbilled by Jaime de la Rosa and co-starring Nida Blanca, who won the 1952 FAMAS Best Supporting Actress for the movie. Korea was written by Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino, based on his memoirs as a young reporter of the Manila Times covering the Korean War. Directed by future National Artist Lamberto Avellana. — RKC