Cirio Hermoso Santiago (January 18, 1936 – September 26, 2008) was a prolific Filipino film producer, director and writer. He used the screen names Cirio Santiago, Cirio H. Santiago and Leonard Hermes.

Life and career

Santiago was born on January 18, 1936, in Manila, Philippines to Dr. Ciriaco Santiago, the founder of Manila's

Premiere Productions Premiere Entertainment Productions was a Philippine film production company. It was among the country's major film companies, along with Sampaguita Pictures, LVN Pictures and Lea Productions. It now operates as an investment holding company. H ...

, and his wife Adela Hermoso. He had two siblings, Danilo H. Santiago and Digna H. Santiago. He majored in Economics and Marketing at the Ateneo de Manila University. After starting out as a movie trailer editor and later as a producer of dozens of local films in

Tagalog Tagalog may refer to: Language * Tagalog language, a language spoken in the Philippines ** Old Tagalog, an archaic form of the language ** Batangas Tagalog, a dialect of the language * Tagalog script, the writing system historically used for Tagal ...

for his father's studio in the 1950s and 1960s, he went on writing scripts for such notable films as National Artist '' Gerardo de León''s award-winning ''

Ifugao Ifugao, officially the Province of Ifugao ( ilo, Probinsia ti Ifugao; tl, Lalawigan ng Ifugao), is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is Lagawe and it borders Benguet to the wes ...

'' (1954). Working intensively with de Léon and acclaimed director '' Eddie Romero'' on many projects motivated him to finally take over director's chores. His first directorial work was the film ''Paltik'' (1955) which went on to be nominated for Best Picture at the

1956 FAMAS Awards The 4th Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards Night was held on MARCH 17, 1956 for the Outstanding Achievements in 1955 at Fiesta Pavilion in Manila Hotel. ''Higit Sa Lahat,'' by (LVN Pictures) is the recipient of this edition's FAM ...

. Very early on, Santiago recognized the potential of producing films for the international market, cast with international actors. With the war drama ''

Cavalry Command ''Cavalry Command'' (also known as ''The Day of the Trumpet'') is a 1958 Filipino-American Western film directed by Eddie Romero and starring John Agar and Richard Arlen. Plot Cast * John Agar as Sgt. Judd Norcutt * Richard Arlen ...

'' (1958), which was shot in English, he made a first timid attempt. However, it would be several years before he was able to establish himself in international productions. His breakthrough came with his collaboration with B-movie king Roger Corman, who was endorsed to him by the U.S. embassy in Manila. For Corman's New World Pictures, Santiago initially served as production supervisor on hits like ''

Big Doll House ''The Big Doll House'' is a 1971 American women-in-prison film starring Pam Grier, Judy Brown, Roberta Collins, Brooke Mills, and Pat Woodell. The film follows six female inmates through daily life in a gritty, unidentified tropical prison. Late ...

'' (1971) with Pam Grier. His first credit as a director for Corman was ''

Savage! ''Savage!'' is a 1973 American-Philippines action film with elements of blaxploitation. The funding and distribution came from Roger Corman's New World Pictures which also provided the leading players from among a number of American actors who re ...

'' (1973) for which he was paid 3,000 USD. The strong business relationship between Corman and Santiago grew into a close friendship over the years. Santiago even became the godfather of Corman's children. Many more productions for Corman and other U.S. production companies followed soon after including

Blaxploitation Blaxploitation is an ethnic subgenre of the exploitation film that emerged in the United States during the early 1970s. The term, a portmanteau of the words "black" and "exploitation", was coined in August 1972 by Junius Griffin, the president o ...

classics such as ''

TNT Jackson ''TNT Jackson'', released in the Philippines as ''Dynamite Wong and T.N.T. Jackson'', is a 1974 American blaxploitation film produced and directed by Cirio H. Santiago. The script was originally written by actor Dick Miller, but Roger Corman had i ...

'' (1975), ''

The Muthers ''The Muthers'' is a 1976 women in prison film. It starred Jeannie Bell, Rosanne Katon, Trina Parks, Jayne Kennedy, Tony Carreon and John Montgomery. Quentin Tarantino later wrote, "So why is this cruddy little flick one of my favorite movies? It ...

'' (1976) and ''

Death Force ''Death Force'' (also known as ''Vengeance Is Mine'') is a 1978 martial arts exploitation film directed by Cirio H. Santiago and written by Howard R. Cohen. The film is an international co-production of the Philippines and the United States, an ...

'' (1978). By the 1980s, Santiago was almost working exclusively on international productions of various genres. A particularly fruitful period was his 3 picture collaboration with West Indian film distributor Anthony Maharaj, during which Santiago often had larger budgets at his disposal resulting in significantly better production values. These films include the

First Blood ''First Blood'' (also known as ''Rambo: First Blood'') is a 1982 American action film directed by Ted Kotcheff, and co-written by Sylvester Stallone, who also stars as Vietnam War veteran John Rambo. It co-stars Richard Crenna as Rambo's mentor ...

rip-off ''Final Mission'' (1984) or the rape-revenge drama ''

Naked Vengeance ''Naked Vengeance'' is a 1985 exploitation rape-revenge film directed by Cirio Santiago. The film features Deborah Tranelli as its protagonist, actress-turned-vigilante Carla Harris. The film has since received a cult following and is often menti ...

'' (1985) that both enjoyed a worldwide theatrical release. His later career was dominated by war films such as '' Eye of the Eagle'' (1987) with

Robert Patrick Robert Hammond Patrick (born November 5, 1958) is an American actor. Known for portraying villains and honorable authority figures, he is a Saturn Award winner with four other nominations. Patrick dropped out of college when drama class sparked ...

, ''Firehawk'' (1993), martial arts action such as ''

Bloodfist ''Bloodfist'' is a 1989 American martial arts action film directed by Terence H. Winkless, written by Robert King, and starring Don "The Dragon" Wilson. Wilson plays a dojo sensei in California who travels to Manila to avenge his professional ki ...

'' (1989, producer), and post-apocalyptic thrillers such as ''

Dune Warriors ''Dune Warriors'' is a 1991 American action sci-fi film co-produced and directed by Cirio H. Santiago. The film stars David Carradine. Several film critics consider the film a rip-off of '' Mad Max''. Plot Set in the year 2040, a group of ou ...

'' (1991) with David Carradine, made directly for video, of which his output sometimes peaked at four releases a year. In the late 1990s, with the decline of the video store era, his output dwindled. His final credit is ''Water Wars'' (2014). Santiago was forced to leave the set after only three days of shooting and was admitted to the hospital where he died soon after. Jim Wynorski stepped in to finish the project. Over time, Santiago has had the opportunity to work with numerous U.S. directors notably

Jonathan Demme Robert Jonathan Demme ( ; February 22, 1944 – April 26, 2017) was an American filmmaker. Beginning his career under B-movie producer Roger Corman, Demme made his directorial debut with the 1974 women-in-prison film ''Caged Heat'', before ...

Joe Dante Joseph James Dante Jr. (; born November 28, 1946) is an American film director, producer, editor and actor. His films—notably ''Gremlins'' (1984) alongside its sequel, '' Gremlins 2: The New Batch'' (1990)—often mix 1950s-style B movies wit ...

, Curtis Hanson and

Carl Franklin Carl Franklin (born April 11, 1949) is an American filmmaker. Franklin is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley, and continued his education at the AFI Conservatory, where he graduated with an M.F.A. degree in directing in 1986. Earl ...

, some of whom made their first experiences at the helm on a Cirio Santiago set.

Other activities

From 1986 to 2001, Santiago held the role of Chairman of the Film Development Foundation of the Philippines. At the time of his death he was also chairman of the Laguna Lake Development Authority.

Death

Cirio Santiago died September 26, 2008, in Makati City, Metro Manila from lung cancer. He left behind his wife Annabelle and his children Christopher, Cathy, Claudine, and Cirio Jr. His third son Cyril died just a few months earlier.

Legacy

Quentin Tarantino counts Santiago among his influences. He owns an extensive collection of Cirio H. Santiago movies and based some of the characters in '' Kill Bill'' on Santiago's ''

'' (1978). According to David Renske in his book, Santiago met

Steven Spielberg Steven Allan Spielberg (; born December 18, 1946) is an American director, writer, and producer. A major figure of the New Hollywood era and pioneer of the modern blockbuster, he is the most commercially successful director of all time. Spie ...

in his mum's L.A. restaurant "The Milky Way" expecting Spielberg wanting to collaborate with him on a project. To Santiago's astonishment, Spielberg merely inquired whether ''

Nam Angels ''Nam Angels'' is a 1989 Philippine biker Vietnam war film directed by Cirio H. Santiago and written by Dan Gagliasso. The film was released in West Germany as ''Hell's Angels in Vietnam''. Plot During the Vietnam War an American patrol eng ...

'' (1989) had really only cost 400,000 USD. Spielberg did, however, offer the film's leading man, Brad Johnson, a considerable role in his romantic drama ''

Always Always may refer to: Film and television * ''Always'', a 1985 film directed by Henry Jaglom * ''Always'' (1989 film), a 1989 romantic comedy-drama directed by Steven Spielberg * ''Always'' (2011 film), a 2011 South Korean film, also known as '' ...

'' (1989).

Awards and nominations

Filmography

Producer

*''Operation Balikatan'' (2003) (producer) *''

When Eagles Strike ''When Eagles Strike'' (released in the Philippines as ''Operation Balikatan'') is a 2003 war action film co-produced and directed by Cirio H. Santiago. The film stars ex-bodybuilder Christian Boeving, Stacy Keach, Davee Youngblood, Nate Adams ...

'' (2003) (producer) *''Vital Parts'' (2001) (producer) or ''Harold Robbins’ Body Parts'' (USA) *''Anak Ng Bulkan'' (1997) (producer) *''Damong Ligaw'' (1997) (executive producer) *''Kadre'' (1997) (executive producer) *''Vulcan'' (1997) (producer) *''Robo Warriors'' (1996) (executive producer) *''

Terminal Virus ''Terminal Virus'' is a 1995 American film produced by Roger Corman and starring James Brolin. It is part of the ''Roger Corman Presents ''Roger Corman Presents'' was a series of films made for Showtime by movie producer Roger Corman. Production ...

'' (1995) (TV) (producer) or ''Last Chance'' *''

Angel of Destruction ''Angel of Destruction'' is a 1994 film directed by Charles Philip Moore and starring Maria Ford, and Charlie Spradling. The film, produced and distributed by Concorde-New Horizons, was a Roger Corman production. Plot A controversial rock star D ...

'' (1994) (producer) or ''Furious Angel'' *''Caged Heat II: Stripped of Freedom'' (1994) (producer) *''One Man Army'' (1994) (producer) or ''Kick & Fury'' *''Stranglehold'' (1994) (producer) *'' Ultimatum'' (1994) (producer) *''

Angelfist ''Angelfist'' is a 1993 martial arts action film starring Catya Sassoon, Michael Shaner, and Melissa Moore. Directed by Cirio H. Santiago, the film was produced by Santiago and Roger Corman. The film has been described as a "reworking of '' T ...

'' (1993) (producer) *''Blackbelt II'' (1993) (producer) or ''Blackbelt II: Fatal Force'' *''Firehawk'' (1993) (V) (producer) *''Kill Zone'' (1993) (producer) *''Live by the Fist'' (1993) (producer) *''Blackbelt'' (1992) (producer) or ''Black Belt'' *''Beyond the Call of Duty'' (1992) (producer) *''Raiders of the Sun'' (1992) (producer) *'' Bloodfist II'' (1990) (producer) *''Dune Warriors'' (1990) (producer) *''Terror in Paradise'' (1990) (producer) *''

'' (1989) (producer) *'' Eye of the Eagle 2: Inside the Enemy'' (1989) (producer) or ''KIA'' *''Silk 2'' (1989) (producer) *''Spyder'' (1988) (executive producer) *''

Demon of Paradise ''Demon of Paradise'' is a 1987 horror film shot in the Philippines and directed by Cirio H. Santiago. Plot The film is set in Hawaii and features fire-twirling women who participate in rituals to appease the awakened monster. The hunters be ...

'' (1987) (producer) *''Fast Gun'' (1987) (producer) *''

Equalizer 2000 ''Equalizer 2000'' is a 1987 action film shot in the Philippines. Plot In post-nuclear Alaska, a fascist Fascism is a far-right, Authoritarianism, authoritarian, ultranationalism, ultra-nationalist political Political ideology, ideology ...

'' (1986) (producer) *'' Eye of the Eagle'' (1986) (producer) *''Silk'' (1986) (producer) or ''Silk: Lady Dynamite'' (Philippines) *''

'' (1985) (producer) or ''Satin Vengeance'' *'' Wheels of Fire'' (1985) (producer) or ''Desert Warrior'' or ''Pyro'' or ''Vindicator'' *''The Devastator'' (1985) (producer) or ''Kings Ransom'' or ''The Destroyers'' *''Final Mission'' (1984) (producer) or ''Last Mission'' *''PX'' (1984) (producer) *'' Stryker'' (1983) (producer) or ''Savage Dawn'' *''Firecracker'' (1981) (producer) or ''Naked Fist'' *''

Up from the Depths ''Up From the Depths'' is a 1979 horror film directed by Charles B. Griffith and starring Sam Bottoms, Susanne Reed, Virgil Frye, Kedric Wolfe, and Charles Howerton. The film, along with many other natural horror films at the time of its releas ...

'' (1979) (producer) *''Modelong Tanso'' (1979) (producer) *''The Muthers'' (1976) (producer) *''

Ebony, Ivory & Jade ''Ebony, Ivory & Jade'' is a 1976 film by director Cirio Santiago, made in Manila, Philippines. A relatively well-budgeted martial arts feature by Santiago's standards, the film was seen mainly in US drive-in movies, where it was first released as ...

'' (1976) or ''She-Devils in Chains'', ''American Beauty Hostages'', ''Foxfire'', or ''Foxforce'' *''Hustler Squad'' (1976) (producer) *'' Cover Girl Models'' (1975) (producer) *''

'' (1975) (producer) *''

Bamboo Gods and Iron Men ''Bamboo Gods and Iron Men'' is a martial arts comedy film set in the Philippines. It is considered a blaxploitation film. It was produced by American International Pictures. It stars the Filipino actors, Chiquito, Vic Diaz, and Eddie Garcia. P ...

'' (1974) (producer) or ''Black Kung Fu'' (USA) *''South Seas'' (1974) (producer) or ''South Seas Massacre'' (Australia) *''

'' (1973) (producer) or ''Black Valor'' *''

Fly Me ''Fly Me'' is a 1973 United States-Filipino sexploitation film about the adventures of three flight attendants. Plot Three young flight attendants fly from Los Angeles, California to Hong Kong. Toby's mother has followed her on the plane and Toby ...

'' (1973) (producer) *'' The Big Bird Cage'' (1972) (producer) or ''Women’s Penitentiary II'' *'' The Hot Box'' (1972) (producer) or ''Hell Cats'' (UK) *'' Women in Cages'' (1971) (producer) or ''Women’s Penitentiary III'' *'' The Big Doll House'' (1971) (producer) or ''Bamboo Dolls House'' or ''Women’s Penitentiary'' or ''Women’s Penitentiary III'' (USA: changed title) *'' The Arizona Kid'' (1970) (producer) or ''Fratelli di Arizona'', ''I'' (Italy) *''El Pinoy Matador'' (1970) *''Kulay Dugo ang Gabi'' (1966) (producer) or ''The Blood Drinkers'' (USA) or ''The Vampire People'' (USA) *''Man on the Run'' (1964) (producer) or ''The Kidnappers'' *''

'' (1963) (producer) or ''The Day of the Trumpet''

Director

*''

'' (2003) *''Aladdin and the Adventure of All Time'' (1999) *''

Anak ng Bulkan Anak (; he, , homophone to a word for "giant, long neck, necklace"; ) is a figure in the Hebrew Bible. His descendants are mentioned in narratives concerning the conquest of Canaan by the Israelites. According to the Book of Numbers, Anak was a ...

'' (1997) *''Nagmumurang Kamatis'' (1997) *''Vulcan'' (1997) *''Caged Heat II: Stripped of Freedom'' (1994) or ''Caged Heat 2: Stripped of Freedom'' (USA) or ''Prisoners'' *''One Man Army'' (1994) or ''Kick & Fury'' *''Stranglehold'' (1994) *''Ultimatum'' (1994) *''Angelfist'' (1993) *''Firehawk'' (1993) (V) *''Kill Zone'' (1993) *''Live by the Fist'' (1993) *''Beyond the Call of Duty'' (1992) *''Raiders of the Sun'' (1992) *''Field of Fire'' (1991) *''Dune Warriors'' (1990) *''Last Stand at Lang Me]'' (1990) or ''Eye of the Eagle 3'' *''

'' (1989) *''Silk 2'' (1989) *'' The Expendables (1989 film), The Expendables'' (1988) *'' The Sisterhood'' (1988) *''

'' (1987) *''Fast Gun'' (1987) *''Killer Instinct'' (1987) or ''Behind Enemy Lines'' (USA) *''

'' (1987) *'' Eye of the Eagle'' (1987) *''Future Hunters'' (1986) or ''Deadly Quest'' or ''Spear of Destiny'' *''Silk'' (1986) detective drama. *''

'' (1985) or ''Satin Vengeance'' *'' Wheels of Fire'' (1985) or ''Desert Warrior'' or ''Pyro'' or ''Vindicator'' *''The Devastator'' (1985) or ''Kings Ransom'' or ''The Destroyers'' *''Final Mission'' (1984) or ''Last Mission'' *''Caged Fury'' (1983) *'' Stryker'' (1983) or ''Savage Dawn'' (video title) *''Firecracker'' (1981) or ''Naked Fist'' *''Ang Galing-Galing Mo, Mrs. Jones'' (1980) *''Modelong Tanso'' (1979) *''

'' (1978) *''

Vampire Hookers ''Vampire Hookers'' is a 1978 sexploitation horror film directed by Cirio H. Santiago and written by Howard R. Cohen. An international co-production of the Philippines and the United States, the film stars John Carradine as a vampire named Ric ...

'' (1978) *'' Hell Hole'' (1978) or ''Escape from Women’s Hell Hole'' (USA) or'' Women of Hell’s Island'' *''

'' (1976) *''

'' (1976) or ''She-Devils in Chains'', ''American Beauty Hostages'', ''Foxfire'', or ''Foxforce'' *'' Cover Girl Models'' (1975) *'' Fe, Esperanza, Caridad'' (1975) *''Happy Days Are Here Again'' (1974) *''Carnival Song'' (1974) *''

'' or ''Dynamite Wong and TNT Jackson'' (1974) *''Fe, Esperanza, Caridad'' (with

Lamberto V. Avellana Lamberto Vera Avellana (February 12, 1915 – April 25, 1991) was a prominent Filipino film and stage director. Despite considerable budgetary limitations that hampered the post-war Filipino film industry, Avellana's films such as ''Anak Dalit ...

and Gerardo de Leon, 1974) *''

'' (1973) or ''Black Valor'' *''

'' (1973) *''Once Upon a Time'' (with Zenaida Amador, 1971) *''Lollipops and Roses'' (1971) *''Panagupa'' (1969) *''Operation: Impossible'' (1967) *''Alamid (Agent 777)'' (1967) *''Marko Asintado'' (1967) *''Ang Limbas at ang Lawin'' (1967) *''Tiagong Lundag'' (1966) *''Room 69'' (with Gerardo de Leon, 1966) *''Wanted: Johnny L'' (with Cesar J. Amigo, Teodorico C. Santos, Gerardo de Leon and Eddie Romero, 1966) *''Kardong Kaliwa'' (1966) *''Pistolero'' (1966) *''Hanapin si Leo Baron'' (1965) *''7 Mukha ni Dr. Ivan'' (1965) *''Darna at ang Babaing Tuod'' (1965) or ''Darna and the Tree Monster'' *''Kaaway Bilang Uno'' (1965) *''Scorpio'' (1964) *''Saan Man Sulok ng Daigdig'' (1964) *''Bakas ng Dragon'' (1964) *''Lagalag'' (1964) *''Duwag ang Sumuko'' (1964) *''

Ging Ging or Gings may refer to: * ''Ging'' (film), a 1964 Philippine film * Ging (live CD), a GNU variant * Ging (surname), a surname * Ging, the stage name of musician Adam Feeney (f.k.a. Frank Dukes) * Gings, Indiana, a community in the United Sta ...

'' (1964) *''Magnong Mandurukot'' (1963) *''Los Palikeros'' (1963) *''Sa Pagitan ng Dalawang Mata'' (1963) *''The Big Show'' (1963) *''Leon Marahas'' (1962) *''Masikip ang Daigdig'' (1962) *''Walang Susuko'' (1962) *''Mga Yapak na Walang Bakas'' (1961) *''Pitong Gabi sa Paris'' (1961) *''Nagbabagang Lupa'' (1961) *''Konsiyerto ng Kamatayan'' ("Lumuluhang Bangkay" segment, 1961) *''Sa Ibabaw ng Aking Bangkay'' (1960) *''Pagsapit ng Hatinggabi'' (fourth segment, 1960) *''Pautang ng Langit'' (1960) *''Sandakot Na Alabok'' (1960) *''Hawaiian Boy'' (1959) *''Ultimatum'' (1959) *''Pusang Itim'' (1958) *''

Laban sa Lahat ''Laban sa Lahat'' () is a 1958 action film based from a novel created by Francisco Coching which was serialized in Liwayway Magazine. The film was directed by Cirio H. Santiago, written by Cesar Amigo and stars Fernando Poe Jr., Leonor Verg ...

'' (1958) *''Water Lily'' (1958) *''Pepeng Kaliwete'' (1958) *''Pusakal'' (1957) *''Bicol Express'' (fourth segment, 1957) *''4 Na Kasaysayang Ginto'' ("30 Sandali" segment, 1956) *''Paltik'' (1954)

Writer

*''

Operation Balikatan ''When Eagles Strike'' (released in the Philippines as ''Operation Balikatan'') is a 2003 war action film co-produced and directed by Cirio H. Santiago. The film stars ex-bodybuilder Christian Boeving, Stacy Keach, Davee Youngblood, Nate Ada ...

'' (2003) or ''Where Eagles Strike'' *''Anak ng Bulkan'' (1997) (story) *''Vulcan'' (1997) (story) *''Silk'' (1986) (story) *'' Stryker'' (1983) (story - as Leonard Hermes) *''Firecracker'' (1981) or ''Naked Fist'' *''Hell Hole'' (1978) or ''Escape from Women’s Hell Hole'' (USA) or ''Women of Hell’s Island'' *''

'' (1976) (story - as Leonard Hermes)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Santiago, Cirio H. 1936 births 2008 deaths Blaxploitation film directors Deaths from lung cancer in the Philippines Filipino film directors People from Manila