Tailor’s son found his calling as acclaimed filmmaker

GALLARDO. Learned the rudiments of directing from silent-movie icon.

Director Cesar “Chat” Gallardo was once asked what was the noblest profession. Without batting an eyelash, he replied: “A tailor” – his father’s occupation as he was growing up in Tondo.

With his dad’s modest income, Chat finished high school and took up law at the Far Eastern University. However, he didn’t get past sophomore year, because the movies beckoned.

Among his father’s clients was the good-looking Paquito Bolero, who introduced him to director Eduardo de Castro (“Zamboanga”), who was then in need of an assistant director. Chat was hired on the spot.

So, instead of going to his classes, he went to the location shooting of “Bandilang Basahan,” where he started learning the rudiments of directing under the silent-movie icon.

Sartorial flair

Rogelio dela Rosa, who was known for his sartorial flair, was the lead star of Chat’s 1949 directorial debut, “Kidlat sa Silangan.” By the time they were reunited in 1956 for “Conde de Monte Kristo,” Roger had already had his fill of colorful costumes fit for show biz royalty.

The filmmaker also made a dashing leading man out of Premiere Productions’ Efren Reyes in “Kapitan Bagwis,” his first film in color.

When Chat started directing romantic dramas, he paid attention to how his actors would fit their roles more than their attire, as in “Ginto sa Lusak,” starring Jose Padilla Jr. and Arsenia Francisco.

In another film, “Anak ng Lasengga,” a suffering mother (Alicia Vergel) becomes a drunkard who makes life unbearable for her children (Edna Luna and Zaldy Zshornack).

If Chat knew how to dress up his actors, he also knew when to “undress” them –as was the case of Mr. Philippines, Jesus Ramos, who starred in Premiere Productions’ “Og” and “Si Og Sa Maynila.” Audiences loved the Filipino Tarzan due to the way Gallardo presented him.

Awards

Gallardo won two Best Director awards from Famas – for “Salabusab” and “Kalibre .45.” He was also acclaimed for “Ang Maton,” “Suicide Susy” and “Dapit-Hapon: Oras ng Pagtutuos.”

At heart, the director was also a movie fan. When  asked what his favorite films were, he listed: “Tondo: Isla Puting Bato” (Fernando Poe Jr.); “Ander Di Saya Si Erap” (Joseph Estrada); “King Khayam and I” (Estrada and Vilma Santos); “Mokong” (Dolphy); “Maynila 1970: Panganib Araw at Gabi” (Rudy Fernandez and Phillip Salvador); “Kumander Agimat” (Ramon Revilla); “The Jess Lapid Story” (Lito Lapid); “Ang Nobya Kong Sexy” (Estrada and Gloria Diaz); “Leon Guerrero” (Jess Lapid), and “Jakiri  Valiente” (Estrada).

Gallardo passed away in 1989. His son, Jun, followed in his footsteps and proved himself a worthy successor when he launched Rudy Fernandez to stardom via “Bitayin si Baby Ama.”