Yesterday, May 15, was the birth anniversary of the Father of Philippine Cinema, José Nepomuceno who was born on 1893 in Quiapo, Manila. It was alsoon May 15 when Don José established Malayan Movies, later renamed Nepomuceno Productions, in 1917.

Nepomuceno was hailed as the Father of Philippine Movies because he was the one who started it all. As the formidable figure of the Philippine silent cinema era, he produced and directed “Dalagang Bukid” starring Atang de la Rama and Marceliano Ilagan, the first Filipino-produced and directed feature film.