Sampaguita Pictures was a Philippine film production company. It was named for the Philippine national flower, sampaguita. The company has been defunct since the 1980s with Mike de Leon's classic Batch '81 being the last film released. Though no longer functioning, the company's Sampaguita Compound remains in Quezon City. It was acquired and merged with Canadian media giant Entertainment One to become Entertainment One Philippines.
Sampaguita Pictures was established in the last quarter of 1937. Its first feature-length film was Bituing Marikit, starring Elsa Oria and Rogelio dela Rosa. It was a box-office hit. The company continued to make films in the action, musical, horror and suspense genres.
Before the Second World War began, and the Japanese occupied Manila, several Sampaguita films enjoyed box office success in the region. Some of them employed the famous tandem of Carmen Rosales and Rogelio dela Rosa, like Panambitan, Pagsuyo, Jazmin and many more. But the first film made at the Sampaguita studio by Carmen and Rogelio was Takipsilim.
After the war ended, Sampaguita made several war pictures in 1946, including Guerilyera, with Carmen and newcomer Celso Baltazar, Maynila, the comeback picture of Corazon Noble featuring Tita Duran, and Isumpa mo Giliw, with husband-and-wife team Angel Esmeralda and Corazon Noble.
After several war musicals became popular, the studio created a new star team with real husband and wife Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran. They made several hits including Bulaklak na Walang Pangalan, Huwag Ka ng Magtampo, Sa Isang Sulyap mo Tita, and Sa Isang Halik mo Pancho.
In 1950, the studios were hit by fire and hundreds of film prints were destroyed. But in 1951, they top-billed the unknown Tessie Agana, the daughter of Linda Estrella, in her first lead role in Roberta, with another child actor Boy Alano and the movie was one of the biggest hits of the year.
In the early fifties several actors appeared in the studio's productions, including Alicia Vergel and her husband César Ramírez in Ukkala, Diwani, the Philippine folk hero Bernardo Carpio, MN and many more.
In 1952 the half-Filipino half-American Gloria Romero made her first full-length movie as the partner of Cesar Ramirez in an action costume picture Palasig.
Another famous husband-and-wife team were Rita Gomez and Ric Rodrigo. They were popular together in their movie Diyosa.
The infamous tandem of husband-and-wife Lolita Rodriguez and Eddie Arenas made some dramas together, like Kundiman ng Puso, Busabos, Cicatriz and Mapait na Lihim. The two later divorced. Arenas is still active in Philippine cinema while Rodriguez moved to the United States.
Another husband-and-wife team in the 1950s were Amalia Fuentes and Romeo Vasquez. Fuentes made her last appearance for Sampaguita in 1964, before leaving for another studio.
Though not as well remembered, many supporting actors and actresses, such as Imelda Concepcion and Nelly Baylon worked in the Sampaguita system.
Susan Roces took her first lead role as a boxer in Sabungera opposite Luis Gonzales, but the movie was not a box office hit. Fuentes and Roces are famous for their rivalry when they made the movie Cover Girls in the 1960s.
By that time, a new manager, Dr. Jose R. Perez, took over the reins of Sampaguita.
In 1960, Sampaguita made Pitong Pagsisi supported by 20 Sampaguita stars, including the return of Paraluman who reigned in the studio in the late 40s.
In 1971, the studio was merged with that of Vera-Perez Productions to form Sampaguita-Vera Perez pictures but, despite its fling with musicals, especially with the Nora Aunor-Tirso Cruz III tandem culminating in the 1971 movie Guy and Pip, the studio closed a decade later after its last success Batch 81. The company was absorbed by Unitel Pictures, where Sampaguita's film library resides.
In 1995, the company ventured into television with GMA Network; they produced the drama anthology Pira-pirasong Pangarap which lasted until 2003, which started another co-production Nagmamahal, Manay Gina. The TV shows were hosted by Gina de Venecia.
All movies were aired on television via GMA News TV's Pinoy Cine Klasika every Sunday afternoons. Starting May 2011, selected movies from Sampaguita Pictures aired worldwide on GMA Life TV, under the movie blocks Reel Life, Pinoy Cine Klasika and Ginintuang Telon.
1938 - Bituing Marikit also known as Beautiful Star1938 - Alipin ng Palad a.k.a. Slave of Fate1938 - Dahong Lagas a.k.a. Fallen Leaves1938 - Himagsikan ng Puso a.k.a. Rebellion of the Heart1938 - Inang Mahal a.k.a. Beloved Mother1938 - Madaling Araw a.k.a. Dawn1938 - Mapait na Lihim a.k.a. Dark Secret1938 - Paru-parong Bukid a.k.a. Meadow Butterfly1938 - Tigre (Ang Taong Halimaw) a.k.a. Tiger (The Monster)1938 - Walang Pangalan a.k.a. Nameless1939 - Ang Magsasampaguita a.k.a. Sampaguita Vendor1939 - Gabay ng Magulang a.k.a. Parental Guidance1939 - Lagot na Kuwintas a.k.a. Broken Necklace1939 - Pasang Krus a.k.a. Burden Cross1939 - Siya'y Aking Anak a.k.a. He is my Child1939 - Takipsilim a.k.a. Twilight1940 - Estrellita a.k.a. Little Star1940 - Gunita a.k.a. Memory1940 - Jazmin1940 - Lambingan a.k.a. Expression of one's love1940 - Magbalik ka Hirang a.k.a. Come Back Darling1940 - Nang Mahawi ang Ulap a.k.a. When the Clouds Rolled By1940 - Senorita1941 - Balatkayo Disguise1941 - Mariposa Butterfly1941 - Pagsuyo a.k.a. Courting1941 - Palikero a.k.a. Playboy1941 - Panambitan a.k.a. Serenade1941 - Panibugho a.k.a. Jealousy1941 - Sa Iyong Kandungan a.k.a. In your Lap1941 - Tampuhan Lovers' Spat1941 - Tarhata a.k.a. Queen of the Sea1942 - Landas na Ginto a.k.a. Path of Gold1946 - Guerilyera a.k.a. Lady War Fighter1946 - Maynila a.k.a. Manila1946 - So Long America Hanggang sa Muli, Amerika1946 - Ulilang Watawat a.k.a. The Solitary Flag1947 - Maria Kapra1948 - Bulaklak na Walang Pangalan a.k.a. A Nameless Flower1948 - Kaputol ng Isang Awit a.k.a. A Broken Song1948 - Tatlong Puso a.k.a. Three Hearts1949 - Ang Kampeon a.k.a. The Champion1949 - Apoy sa Langit a.k.a. Heaven's Fire1949 - Damit Pangkasal a.k.a. Wedding Gown1949 - Pinaghating P100 a.k.a. Torn 100 Pesos1950 - Campo O'Donnell a.k.a. Camp O'Donnell1950 - Huling Patak ng Dugo a.k.a. The Last Drop of Blood1950 - Huwag ka ng Magtampo a.k.a. Don't be Mad1950 - Kay Ganda mo Neneng a.k.a. You're so beautiful, Neneng1950 - Kilabot sa Makiling a.k.a. Terror of Makiling1950 - Kulog sa Tag-araw a.k.a. Thunder in Summer1950 - 13 Hakbang a.k.a. 13 Steps1950 - Mga Baguio Cadets a.k.a. The Baguio Cadets1951 - Ang Prinsesa at ang Pulubi a.k.a. The Princess and the Pauper1951 - Anghel ng Pag-ibig a.k.a. Angel of Love1951 - Batas ng Daigdig a.k.a. The Law of the World1951 - Kasaysayan ni Dr. Ramon Selga a.k.a. The Story of Dr. Ramon Selga1951 - Kasintahan sa Pangarap a.k.a. Dream Sweetheart1951 - Roberta1951 - Tres Muskiteros a.k.a. The Three Muskiteers1952 - Barbaro a.k.a. The Barbarian1952 - Buhay Pilipino a.k.a. Filipino Life1952 - Kasaysayan ni Rudy a.k.a. The Story of Rudy1952 - Kerubin a.k.a. Cherubim1952 - Lihim ng Kumpisalan The Confessional's Secret1952 - Madam X1952 - Mayamang Balo a.k.a. Rich Widow1952 - Rebecca1952 - Siklab sa Batangas a.k.a. War in Batangas1952 - Ulila ng Bataan a.k.a. The Orphan of Bataan1953 - Anak ng Espada a.k.a. The Child of the Sword1953 - Ang Ating Pag-ibig a.k.a. Our Love1953 - 4 na Taga a.k.a. Four Hacks of the Machete1953 - Cofradia1953 - Diwani1953 - El indio a.k.a. The Indian1953 - Gorio at Tekla a.k.a. Gorio & Tekla1953 - Maldita The Bitch1953 - May Umaga Pang Darating a.k.a. Tomorrow Will Come1953 - Mister Kasinthanan a.k.a. Mr Lover1953 - Munting Koronel a.k.a. Little Colonel1953 - Recuerdo Souvenir1953 - Reyna Bandida a.k.a. The Bandit Queen1953 - Sa Isang Sulyap mo Tita a.k.a. Just a stare from you, Tita1953 - Tulisang Pugot a.k.a. Headless Outlaw1953 - Vod-a-Vil1954 - Anak sa Panalangin a.k.a. Child of Prayer1954 - Ang Biyenang Hindi Tumatawa a.k.a. The Unsmiling Mother-in-law1954 - Bondying1954 - Dalagang Ilocana a.k.a. Lady Ilocana1954 - Dumagit1954 - Kurdapya1954 - Luha ng Birhen a.k.a. A Virgin's Tear1954 - MN1954 - Maalaala Mo Kaya a.k.a. Remember When?1954 - Matandang Dalaga a.k.a. The Old Maid1954 - Menor Edad a.k.a. Underage1954 - Milyonarya at Hampaslupa a.k.a. The Millionaire and the Mendicant1954 - Musikong Bumbong a.k.a. Bamboo Music1954 - Nagkita si Kerubin at si Tulisang Pugot Kerubin Meets Capt. Headless1954 - Pilya Bubbly Girl1954 - Sa Isang Halik mo Pancho a.k.a. Just a kiss From You, Pancho1954 - Sabungera a.k.a. The Cock-Fight Lady1954 - Tres Muskiteras a.k.a. The 3 Lady Muskiteers1954 - Tres Ojos a.k.a. 3 Eyed1954 - Ukkala1955 - Ang Tangi kong Pag-ibig a.k.a. My Only Love1955 - Artista a.k.a. Actor1955 - Balisong a.k.a. Butterfly Knife1955 - Bim Bam Bum1955 - Bulaklak sa Parang a.k.a. Flower in the Meadow1955 - Despatsadora a.k.a. The Sales Girl1955 - Hindi Basta-Basta a.k.a. VIP1955 - Iyung-Iyo a.k.a. Truly Yours1955 - Kontrabida The Villain1955 - Kuripot Stingy1955 - Lola Sinderella a.k.a. Grandma Cinderella1955 - Lupang Kayumanggi a.k.a. The Brown Soil1955 - Mariposa Butterfly1955 - R.O.T.C.1955 - Sa Dulo ng Landas a.k.a. The End of the Road1955 - Tatay na si Bondying a.k.a. Bondying is now a Father1955 - Uhaw na Pag-ibig a.k.a. Thirsty Love1955 - Waldas Big Spender1956 - Chavacano1956 - Gilda1956 - Inang Mahal a.k.a. Beloved Mother1956 - Kanto Girl Street-wise Girl1956 - Katawang Lupa a.k.a. A Flesh of Dust1956 - Kontra-Partido The Other Party1956 - Kulang sa 7 Lacking 71956 - Movie Fan1956 - Prince Charming1956 - Rodora1956 - Senorita1956 - Senyorita de Campanilla a.k.a. The Special Daughter1956 - Society Girl1956 - Teresa1957 - Ate Barbara Sister Barbara1957 - Batang Bangkusay The Child of Bangkusay1957 - Busabos The Rif-raf1957 - Colegiala a.k.a. College Girl1957 - Diyosa a.k.a. Goddess1957 - Eternally Magpakailan man1957 - Gabi at Araw a.k.a. Night and Day1957 - Hahabul-Habol The Following Admirer1957 - Hongkong Holiday1957 - Mga Ligaw na Bulaklak Wild Flowers1957 - Prinsesang Gusgusin a.k.a. The Pauper Princess1957 - Sino ang Maysala a.k.a. Who is Guilty?1957 - Sonata a.k.a. Tugtugin1957 - Taga sa Bato a.k.a. A Hack in the Stone1957 - Veronica1958 - Anino ni Bathala a.k.a. God's Shadow1958 - Baby Bubot1958 - Beloved Ang Minamahal1958 - Bobby1958 - Kundiman ng Puso a.k.a. Sad Song of the Heart1958 - Madaling Araw a.k.a. Dawn1958 - Mga Reyna ng Vicks a.k.a. The Queen of Vicks1958 - Selosang-Selosa a.k.a. A Very Jealous Woman1958 - Silveria1958 - Talipandas Untrustworthy1958 - Tatang Edyer Childish Old Man1958 - Tatlong Ilaw sa Dambana a.k.a. 3 Candles on the Altar1958 - Ulilang Anghel a.k.a. An Orphaned Angel1958 - Handsome1959 - Baby Face1959 - Tatak Branded1959 - Pitong Pagsisisi Seven Regrets1959 - Batas ng Alipin A Slave's Law1960 - Amy, Susie & Tessie1960 - Kahapon Lamang Just Like Yesterday1960 - Kuwintas Ng Alaala A Necklace of Memories1960 - Laura1960 - Tatlong Magdalena Three Magdalene1960 - Limang Misteryo Ng Krus The Five Mysteries of the Cross1961 - Batas Ng Lipunan The Law of Society1961 - The Big Broadcast (a color film)1962 - June Bride1962 - Kaming Mga Talyada We Who Are Sexy1963 - Ang senyorito at ang atsay1963 - Apat ang anak ni David1963 - Tansan vs. Tarsan1964 - Mga kanyon sa Corregidor1964 - Show of Shows1965 - Magic bilao1966 - Jamboree '661966 - James Batman1966 - Walastik sa Downtown1967 - Anong ganda mo!1967 - Bus Stop1967 - Hinango kita sa lusak1968 - Juanita Banana1968 - Quinto De Alas The 5th Ace1969 - Jinkee1969 - Young Girl1970 - The Young at Heart1970 - First Kiss1970 - For You, Mama1970 - Gintong alaala1970 - Nasaan ka, Inay?1970 - Nobody's Child1970 - Orang1970 - With These Hands1971 - Always in My Heart1971 - Fiesta extravaganza '711971 - Guy and Pip1971 - Life Everlasting1971 - Mag-inang ulila1971 - My Heart Belongs to Daddy1972 - And God Smiled at Me1972 - A Gift of Love1972 - Just Married, Do Not Disturb1972 - Kung may gusot, may lusot1972 - My Blue Hawaii1972 - My Little Brown Girl1972 - Sixteen1972 - The Sisters1972 - Winter Holiday1973 - Hindi kita malimot1973 - Kondesang basahan1973 - Maalaala mo kaya?1975 - Big J1975 - Kung ako'y patay na, sino ako?1975 - Mag-ingat kapag biyuda ang umibig1975 - Memories of Our Love1976 - Daluyong at Habagat1976 - Mrs. Eva Fonda, 161976 - Tatlong kasalanan1977 - Masarap, masakit ang umibig1977 - Nananabik1977 - Masikip maluwang paraisong parisukat1977 - Rebecca Marasigan, ano ang iyong kasalanan?1977 - Basag na kristal1978 - Garrote: Jai alai king1978 - Rubia Servios1978 - Marupok, mapusok, maharot1978 - Anak sa una, kasal sa ina1978 - Nakawin natin ang bawat sandali1979 - Tsikiting Master1979 - Ang tsimay at ang tambay1980 - Tatlong patak ng dugo ni Adan1980 - Goriong Butete Gorio, the Blowfish1982 - Batch '81 (co-production with LVN Pictures)