Doña Sisang and Filipino Movies

In 1938, Narcisa B. de Leon became the executive producer of LVN film studio. She had just turned 61 and was willing to make a start from scratch, for she knew little of film production, then an incipient industry in the Philippines.

She had the resources and a proven way with making resources profitable. More than these, she had the will, the style, the energy and the incandescent intelligence that all totalled to a formidable managerial personality.

Under her direction, LVN stayed in active film production for over 20 years. As executive producer, Doña Sisang –– as she was best known –– made over 350 movies.

They bore a distinct style, the LVN style –– which was a sense of value, a definite moral to it all. That style is perceptible in the totality of Philippine cinema, not just during Doña Sisang's time, but as the industry grows and evolves its particular Filipino idiom.

This book was prepared with the enthused cooperation of LVN stars and personnel who gave numerous interviews and trotted out picture albums.The film library of LVN was opened to the editors, researchers and writers who viewed hundreds of miles of old LVN movies.

Six writers worked together in this book to limn a profile of Dona Sisang through the movies that she made.

Published in 1977 by A.R. Mercado Management

175 pages / Paperback