Bulacan pays tribute to the life and contributions of Dr. Jose Perez in Philippine cinema

CITY OF MALOLOS – The life and contributions to Philippine cinema of Dr. Jose Roxas Perez was once again relived through an exhibition launched for the film producer and star maker of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, yesterday, 3 pm at the Gat. Blas Ople Building in this city.

The said exhibit featured the photos of his family, quality movies he produced, and notable artists that became famous during his time.

According to the Provincial History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Office (PHACTO), Dr. Perez was born in Bagumbayan, Bulakan, Bulacan on October 15, 1915. He finished Medicine at the University of Santo Tomas and was married to Azucena Vera, daughter of the owner of Sampaguita Pictures.

In his speech prior the launching of the exhibit, Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado thanked and praised Dr. Perez, the great filmmaker of the Philippine movie industry.

“Salamat kay Doc Perez at mga Vera na nagsulong ng Gintong Panahon sa Industriya na kinagiliwan at tinangkilik ng mga Pilipino. Sila ang mga tunay na builder of stars hindi lamang sa magaling na pag-arte at makatuturang pagganap kundi sa malinis na pamumuhay, matuwid na moralidad, mapitagang pakikipagkapwa-tao at matalinong pagdedesisyon sa buhay,” Alvarado said.

The governor said that Perez continued to produce quality and classic films like “Roberta”, the movie that saved Sampaguita Pictures from its great loss due to a fire incident.

He added, “marubdob na taus-pusong pasasalamat ang maaaring bigkasin ng mga labi ng nagbubunying mga Bulakenyo, mga inapo ni Balagtas, at Jose Corazon De Jesus, ni Atang Dela Rama at Amado Hernandez upang itumbas sa kanyang iniwang pamana sa mga taga-Bulacan gaya ng karangalan, pagka-masining, wagas na pagmamahal sa kapwa at paggalang sa Diyos na nais ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Bulacan ipahatid sa kanyang mga anak na sina Marichu Maceda, Gina De Venecia, Pepito, Lilibeth, Chona at Kokoy”.

Among the personalities who graced the occasion were Susan Roces, Boots Anson-Rodrigo, Dok Perez’s daughter Maria Azucena ‘Marichu’ Vera-Perez Maceda and son Jose Gregorio ‘Kokoy’ Vera Perez, grandson Lander Vera-Perez, and niece Bernadette Paterno.

Dr. Perez served Sampaguita Pictures, Inc. as marketing manager, general manager and executive producer from 1951 up to 1975 and he geared the said company towards success in many decades which is dubbed to be “golden age of Philippine cinema”.

He built up stars like Dolphy, Susan Roces, Vilma Santos, Nora Aunor, Eddie Gutierrez, Rita Gomez, Ric Rodrigo, Jose Mari Gonzales, Amalia Fuentes, Juancho Gutierrez, Bobby Vasquez and a lot more.

Dr. Perez died at the age of 59 on July 28, 1975 due to a heart ailment.