Filmography: Sinasamba Kita (1982)

“For godsake, Nora! Magkaroon ka nga ng sarili mong identity!” – Divina Ferrer

“Imposible namang lumaki ang tingin ko sa taong tinutulungan ko lang!..kungsabagay magkaiba tayo ng ina…bakit kaya pinatulan ni papa ang iyong inay?…hindi ko siya iniinsulto sinasabi ko lang sayo ang totoo…magkaiba tayong dalawa…hindi mo ako matutularan at hindi kita tutularan. Nora, ang hindi mo maabot huwag mong pagplitan abutin, wala ka pang pakpak kaya huwag ka pang lumipad ng ubod ng taas!” – Divina Ferrer

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Basic Information: Directed: Eddie Garcia; Story: Gilda Olvidado; Screenplay: Orlando Nadres; Cast: Vilma Santos, Christopher Deleon, Lorna Tolentino, Philip Salvador, Ramil Rodriguez, Irene Celebre, Loleta Abesamis, Norma Blancaflor, Danny De Cordova, Moody Diaz, Luz Fernandez, Larry Leviste, Kristina Paner, Fanny Serrano, Yvonne; Executive producer: Vic del Rosario Jr.; Sinasamba Kita Theme Song Arrange by Armando Triviño, Sung by: Sharon Cuneta; Sinasamba Kita Theme Song Arrange by Danny Favis, Sung by Rey Valera; Words and Music: George Canseco; Cinematography: Romeo Vitug; Production Design: Manny Morfe; Art Direction: Donnie Gonzales, Arthur Santamaria; Sound: Rolly Ruta; Original story serialized in Tagalog Klasiks comics published Atlas Publication.

Plot Description: Strong-willed and sophisticated, Divina (Vilma Santos) takes over the business of her late father Don Ferrer (Eddie Garcia) who had requested Divina to ensure that his daughter Nora (Lorna Tolentino) with his mistress is cared for. But Nora wins the love of Jerry (Christopher De Leon), the only man who has captivated Divina’s discriminating heart. From the start. Jerry is attracted to Nora whose steadfast suitor Oscar (Phillip Salvador) respects and honors her chastity, only to find out that she has fallen in love and has given herself to Jerry. But Will Divina ever give up fighting for Jerry’s love? – TFC Now (READ MORE)

Film Achievements: 1982 FAMAS Best Director – Eddie Garcia; 1982 FAMAS Nomination Best Picture; 1982 FAP Best Cinematography – Romeo Vitug; 1982 FAP Best Original Song – George Canseco; 1982 FAP Best Story Adaptation – Orlando Nadres; 1982 Top Box Office Record Breaker; The original film became a TV movie in 2007 by GMA Network, directed by Joel Lamangan, starring Sheryl Cruz as Divina and Valerie Concepcion as Nora.

Napanood namin ang “Sinasamba Kita” at hindi nga pala kayang iarte ni Lampel Luis ang role na napunta kay Lorna Tolentino. Parang komiks talaga ang istorya ng pelikulang hanggo nga sa nobelang komiks. Melodramatiko at kung minsan ay mahirap paniwalaan ang mga sitwasyon. Pero mapupuri na rin ang iskrip ni Orlando Nadres dahil nagawa niyang credible ang mga tauhan sa istorya. At talagang mahuhusay ang acting ng mga artista. Napakagaling ni Vilma Santos sa papel ng mataray na business executive. Para talagang alam niya ang bawat kilos at hakbang na ginagawa niya. Very sympathetic namang tunay si Lorna sa kanyang role bilang inaaping kapatid. At for once, hindi nasapawan si Christopher de Leon ng kanyang co-star. Kontroladong-kontrolado ang acting niya rito. Si Phillip Salvador nga ang nagmukhang dehado, iba pati ang hitsura niya sa pelikula. Mukha siyang tumandang hindi mawari. Maganda rin ang theme song ng pelikula. At dito kami naniwalang totoo ang kasabihang it’s the singer not the song. – Mario E Bautista, Puna at Puri, 1982 (READ MORE)

“Muli na namang ipinakita ni Vilma Santos ang kanyang husay sa pagganap sa pelikulang “Sinasamba Kita”. Consistent ang characterization ni Vilma sa naturang pelikula, at nagmukhang supporting na lahat ang kasama niyang may malalaki din namang pangalan.” – Arthur Quinto

“Sobra pala ang lakas ng “Sinasamba Kita.” Tuwang tuwa sina Vic at Mina del Rosario. They started with 38 theatres, by the weekend, 41 theatres na ang nagpapalabas ng pelikula. After 6 days, kumita na ito ng P5,207,416.00. After a week’s time, almost P6 million na ito.” – Billy Balbastro

“1982 was a banner year for Vilma Santos. Aside from the acting gem, “Relasyon,” she also established her bankable status, thanks to Viva film’s “Sinasamba Kita”. This film grossed 6.2 million in just 6 days, a box office record! Directed by Eddie Garcia, the film featured Vilma as the “bitchy-rich” anti-heroine executive, Lorna Tolentino, Christopher DeLeon and Philip Salvador. The intertwined love quadrangle between the four characters enhanced by crisp dialogue, glossy production design and catchy theme song made this movie effective and very commercial. Two scenes stands out, both involved Vi and Lorna. (By the way, Lorna’s name in this film was Nora and Vilma was Divina, which made us wonder if this is supposed to be a Nora-Vilma film.) In one scene, Vilma was waiting for her younger sibling Lorna, when she finally arrived, she accused the younger sister of wearing her perfume, the accusation made Lorna defensive and replied: “…bumili ako para sa sarili ko nagustuhan ko kasi ang amoy!” In which Vilma countered: “…for godsake, Nora, bakit hindi ka magkaroon ng sarili mong identity!..Hindi kita anino!” Another scene, Vilma caught Lorna wearing the same designer clothes: Vilma: “Iniinsulto mo ba ako? Anong gusto mong palabasin bakit ginagaya mo ang damit ko?” Lorna: “Ate naman ano naman ang masama kung gayahin kita?” Vilma: “Alamin mo muna ang iyong limitasyon…baka nakakalimutan mo kung saan kita pinulot…kinikilala kitang kapatid pero hindi tayo magkapantay!” Lorna: “Napakaliit naman pala ng pagtingin mo sa akin…” Vilma: “Imposible naman lumaki ang pagtingin ko sa taong tinutulungan ko lang?…kung sabagay magkaiba tayo ng ina…bakit kaya pinatulan ng papa ang iyong ina?” Lorna: “huwag mo naming insultuhin ang inay, patay na siya…” Vilma: “Hindi ko siya iniinsulto sinasabi ko lang sayo ang totoo! Magkaiba tayong dalawa, hindi mo ako matutularan at hindi kita tutularan! Nora, ang hindi mo maabot huwag mog pagpilitang abutin, wala kang pang pakpak k’ya huwag lumipad ng pagkataas-taas!” – RV (READ MORE)

“…The movie showed Garcia’s strengths as a director—able to motivate his actors, frame sequences and scenes, and efficiently tell a story. Those qualities would be very evident in the 1980’s when Eddie Garcia directed the biggest blockbusters of Viva Films…But his best movies were domestic dramas that gripped audiences for their complex take on relationships and their tendencies toward tortured, twisted operations. Hallmarks of this genre were “Sinasamba Kita” in 1982 (Vilma Santos cruelly treating her half-sister), “Paano Ba ang Mangarap?” in 1983 (cruel mom-in-law seizing her grandkid from his mom, played by Santos), and “Magdusa Ka” in 1986 (an illegitimate daughter claims her birthright but finds life in her rich dad’s mansion a cruel torture). His last most significant movie as a director was obviously “Abakada Ina” (2001). In telling the story of an illiterate mother struggling for her children’s attention against her mother-in-law who’s a schoolteacher, Garcia seemed to go back to the standard traits of his best domestic dramas, with their take on the meanness and cruelty that seem to underlie filial relationships…” – Lito B. Zulueta (READ MORE)

“…Lorna the illegitimate daughter of a business tycoon was left in the care of her half-sister Vilma upon the death of their father. Though she took care of all her material needs she refused to show the girl any kind of affection. In contrast Lorna absolutely adored her and wanted to be like her older sister in every way. She was hoping that someday Vilma would learn to love her too like a real sister. What Lorna did not know was that it was now become very difficult for Vilma to do so because the man she loved was in love with Lorna and the older sister was determined to win him at all costs…” – Mav Shack (READ MORE)