Isang Bala, Isang Buhay

Isang Bala, Isang Buhay (lit. 'One Bullet, One Life') is a 1989 Filipino action film co-written and directed by Jose N. Carreon. The film stars Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., Tony Ferrer, Dawn Zulueta, Suzanne Gonzales, Rosemarie Gil, Paquito Diaz, Ruben Rustia, Subas Herrero, Dencio Padilla, and Ilonnah Jean. Produced by Viva Films, the film was released on November 2, 1989.

Isang Bala, Isang Buhay
Directed by	Jose N. Carreon
Written by	Jose Carreon Jojo M. Lapus
Produced by	Jesse Ejercito
Starring	Ramon 'Bong' Revilla Jr. Dawn Zulueta
Cinematography	Ely Cruz
Edited by	Edgardo Vinarao
Music by	Jaime Fabregas
Production company	Viva Films
Distributed by	Viva Films
Release date	November 2, 1989 (1989-11-02)
Country	Philippines
Language	Filipino

Critic Justino Dormiendo of the National Midweek gave the film a negative review, criticizing its cliché plot that fictionalizes the real story it is based on.

Cast

• Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. as Daniel Zarragoza
• Dawn Zulueta as Dolores^[1]
• Tony Ferrer as Roman
• Suzanne Gonzales as Celis
• Rosemarie Gil as Dolores' Mother
• Romeo Rivera as Dolores' Father
• Paquito Diaz as Rigor
• Ruben Rustia as Don Honorio
• Subas Herrero as Mr. Abad
• Dencio Padilla as Mang Doming
• Ilonnah Jean as Maita
• George Estregan Jr. as ex-commando
• Rez Cortez as Ex-Commando
• Robert Talabis as Capt. Omar
• Bing Davao as Ex-Commando
• Mon Godiz as Ex-Commando
• Edwin Reyes as Ex-Commando
• Roldan Aquino as Lt. Roldan
• RR Herrera as Monching
• Rudy Meyer as Barbie
• Mario Escudero as Mr. Zulueta
• Arthur Santamaria as Arvee

Production

Isang Bala, Isang Buhay is actress Ilonah Jean's first film for Viva Films.^[2]

Release

Isang Bala, Isang Buhay was released in theaters on November 2, 1989.^[3][4]

Critical response

Justino Dormiendo, writing for the National Midweek, gave the film a negative review. He criticized the film's tired plot of "gold-hearted goons forced to embrace a life of crime and mayhem" which fictionalizes the true story from which it is based, and noted that Daniel's principle of using only one bullet for every opponent makes the film absurd "as soon as Revilla guns down his second victim." He also considered the actor's performances to be "barely passable." Overall, Dormiendo expressed disappointment in the film due to director Carreon previously demonstrating his filmmaking skills through his "brilliantly-scripted" Broken Marriage (1983) and "impressive directorial debut" Sandakot Na Bala (1988).^[5]

References

1. "After Robin, now Bong". Manila Standard. Kagitingan Publications, Inc. November 4, 1989. p. 27. Retrieved July 9, 2021. Dawn is Dolores...
2. Lam, Lulubelle (November 5, 1989). "Edu worried about Lucky". Manila Standard. Kagitingan Publications, Inc. p. 17. Retrieved July 9, 2021. Ilonah Jean signed up with Viva Films but until now, she is not yet given any assignments. [sic]
3. "Movie Guide". Manila Standard. Kagitingan Publications, Inc. November 2, 1989. p. 16. Retrieved July 9, 2021. AMOR 2........Isang Bala, Isang Buhay
4. "Movie Guide". Manila Standard. Kagitingan Publications, Inc. November 1, 1989. p. 27. Retrieved July 9, 2021. AMOR 2..........Jones Bridge Massacre
5. Dormiendo, Justino (November 29, 1989). "Cold and Lifeless". National Midweek. Lagda Publishing Inc. pp. 28–29. Retrieved July 9, 2021. There is a new kind of violence being inflicted on today's local screen—the reel-life exploits of real-life gangsters and hoodlums. [...] The film's scenarists, Jose Carreon (who also directed) and Jojo Lapus, attempt to refurbish a plot worn-out and puerile with their fictional embellishments...

External links

• Isang Bala, Isang Buhay at IMDb