Lenten presentation: Kalbaryo ni Hesus

In 1952, Lebran’s Lenten presentation was Kalbaryo ni Hesus, hyped as ‘The first local screenization of the life and passion of Jesus Christ!’

Kalbaryo ni Hesus starred Jennings Sturgeon as Christ and Norma Blancaflor as the Blessed Mother.

Directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa, the film had Prof. J. Esteban Anguita as musical director, Carlos R. Garcia as in-charge of production and Carlos V. Francisco as production designer.

Kalbaryo ni Hesus was star-studded. The cast included Elvira Reyes, Carol Varga, Fernando Royo, Ben Rubio, Juan Monteiro, Teddy Benavidez, Africa dela Rosa, Lupe Velasco, Sweet Williams (Corazon Rivas), Andres Centenera, Cecilio Joaquin, Ramon D’Salva, Rita Rivera, Gracita Dominguez, Fred Penalosa, Bert Oliver, Don Danon, Manuel Barbeyto, Oscar Keese and Ric Bustamante. — RKC