Seiko Films

{{Infobox company

| name = Seiko Films

| image =

| image_size =

| type = Private

| industry = Film production

| fate = Closed due to intense competition

| owner =

| foundation = {{Start date|1981}}

| defunct = {{End date|2007}}

| location_city = Manila

| location_country = Philippines

| key_people = Robbie Tan

}}

Seiko Films was a Philippine film production company owned and run by Robbie Tan. It is known for its erotic films (colloquially known as "bold movies") of the late 1990s. Seiko Films was known for its tagline "If it's from Seiko, it must be good" used from 1989 to 1994.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V6saAQAAIAAJ|last=Yeatter|first=Bryan|title=Cinema of the Philippines: A History and Filmography (1897-2005)|pages=194|date=2007|publisher=McFarland & Company|isbn=9780786430475|accessdate=May 7, 2020|via=Google Books}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CztwAAAAMAAJ|title=The Fookien Times Philippines Yearbook|publisher=Fookien Times|pages=320|date=1990|isbn=9789710503506|accessdate=May 7, 2020|via=Google Books}} The company is not affiliated with the Japanese company sharing the same name.

History

Seiko Films was founded in 1981 by Robbie Tan. Its initial offering was Panlaban: Dos por Dos, starring Rex Lapid and Bomber Moran and written and directed by Mike Relon Makiling.{{cite web|url=https://www.pep.ph/pepalerts/cabinet-files/155128/robbie-tan-seiko-films-a734-20201123-lfrm2|last=Gabinete|first=Jojo|title=Robbie Tan, inilahad ang pagsisimula at pagsasara ng Seiko Films|website=Philippine Entertainment Portal|date=November 23, 2020|accessdate=May 2, 2021|language=Filipino}} Since then, after the People Power Revolution, Seiko Films immediately became one of the major film production studios in the late 80s, alongside Monteverde's Regal Films and Vic Del Rosario's Viva Films. The film production is home to its homegrown stars, mostly Regal babies like Romnick Sarmenta, Sheryl Cruz, Rey "PJ" Abellana and Gretchen Barretto as well as talents inside Seiko like Jestoni Alarcon, Ian Veneracion, John Regala, Cesar Montano and Rita Avila. Among its most memorable productions during its early years are The Life Story of Julie Vega and Blusang Itim, as well as horror flicks Huwag Mong Buhayin ang Bangkay, and Hiwaga sa Balete Drive.{{cite web|url=http://tempo.com.ph/2018/06/18/seiko-jewels/|last=Constantino|first=Ronald|title=Seiko Jewels|website=Tempo|date=June 18, 2018|accessdate=May 7, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/films/photos/2018-06-29/141/1779/priscilla-almeda-then|title=Seiko Films Jewels: Where are they now?|website=GMA Network|date=June 29, 2018|accessdate=May 7, 2020}}

Robbie Tan explained that his decision-making process when it comes to greenlighting film projects is primarily based on what is popular among audiences.{{cite news|last=Libo-on|first=Eddie|title=Avellana challenges Robbie|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dWcVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bgsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5321%2C942727|access-date=December 31, 2022|work=Manila Standard|publisher=Kagitingan Publications, Inc.|date=November 6, 1989|page=18}}

In 1989, Seiko increased its production in action films, by the time the genre was on the rise. Among its notable action movies produced were Ang Lihim ng Golden Buddha and Alyas Baby Face, as well as biographical films Ako ang Batas: General Karingal, Canary Brothers and Lt. Col. Alejandro Yanquling, and DZRH-based dramas Kunin Mo ang Ulo ni Ismael, Kasalanan ang Buhayin Ka and Lumaban Ka, Itay. A majority of the films produced throughout the 1990s are focused on this genre.

Sex trip (ST) was among Seiko's primary focus. It was in 1995 when it increased its production in ST films, with Rosanna Roces, Priscilla Almeda, Natasha Ledesma, Leandro Baldemor and Gardo Versoza in its stable of talents. Seiko made Rosanna Roces a popular sex symbol. This would be Seiko's focus starting in 2000.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}}

In 2003, Seiko released the Liberated series, directed by Mac Alejandre, and starred Diana Zubiri, Francine Prieto, and Christian Vazquez which became among the most important films in the history of Seiko. Seiko produced movies later like Bridal Shower (2003), the mockumentary Bikini Open (2005), the family comedy I Wanna Be Happy (2006) and the psycho-erotic thriller Silip (2007). Seiko Films also co-produced the award-winning Foster Child (2007) by director Brilliante Mendoza.

In 2007, Seiko was reportedly suspended by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) due to the prominence of the production of erotic films. It was later revealed that it closed down due to intense competition with major film outlets. Since then, Tan shifted his focus on his wallet business.

ABS-CBN currently owns the rights to Seiko Films' library.{{cite news|title=ABS-CBN renews partnership with Regal and Viva|url=https://ent.abs-cbn.com/articles-news/6142116-abs-cbn-renews-partnership-with-regal-and-viva-114|access-date=February 1, 2025|work=ABS-CBN Entertainment|publisher=ABS-CBN Corporation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203143113/https://ent.abs-cbn.com/articles-news/6142116-abs-cbn-renews-partnership-with-regal-and-viva-114|archive-date=December 3, 2020|date=April 21, 2016}}{{cite news|last=Almo|first=Nerisa|title=Chito Rono returns to directing for TV via Magkano Ang Iyong Dangal?|url=https://www.pep.ph/news/local/5387/chito-rono-returns-to-directing-for-tv-via-magkano-ang-iyong-dangal|access-date=January 27, 2024|work=PEP.ph|publisher=Philippine Entertainment Portal Inc.|date=January 18, 2010}}

Filmography

=1980s=

class="wikitable sortable"
Year ! Film ! Release ! Notes
1981 \| Panlaban: Dos por Dos \| September 11 \|
rowspan="2"\| 1982 \| Bagong Boy Condenado \| April 28 \|
Isla Sto. Niño \| October 8 \|
rowspan="4"\| 1983 \| Kirot \| March 4 \|
Iiyak Ka Rin \| July 8 \|
Public Enemy No. 1 and the Innocents \| September 9 \|
Hanguin Mo Ako sa Putik \| December 9 \|
rowspan="2"\| 1984 \| Goodah!!! \| March 8 \|
Give Me Five! \| June 8 \|
rowspan="4"\| 1985 \| Magchumikap Ka! \| January 4 \|
Isang Platitong Mani \| February 21 \|
Beware: Bed Sins \| September 19 \|
God... Save Me! \| December 25 \|
rowspan="2"\| 1986 \| Blusang Itim \| February 14 \|
Lumuhod Ka sa Lupa! \| August 21 \|
rowspan="3"\| 1987 \| The Sisters \| May 21 \|
Black Magic \| November 26 \|
Huwag Mong Buhayin ang Bangkay \| December 25 \|
rowspan="5"\| 1988 \| Puso sa Puso \| May 25 \|
Hiwaga sa Balete Drive \| June 2 \|
Apoy sa Lupa \| August 11 \|
Natutulog Pa ang Diyos \| September 22 \|
Magkano ang Iyong Dangal? \| December 25 \|
rowspan="5"\| 1989 \| Walang Panginoon \| January 12 \|
Ipaglalaban Ko! \| July 27 \|
Babayaran Mo ng Dugo \| September 7 \|
One Two Bato, Three Four Bapor \| December 14 \|
Ang Bukas ay Akin (Langit Ay Uusig) \| December 25 \|

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Film

! Release

! Notes

1981

| Panlaban: Dos por Dos

| September 11

rowspan="2"| 1982

| Bagong Boy Condenado

| April 28

Isla Sto. Niño

| October 8

rowspan="4"| 1983

| Kirot

| March 4

Iiyak Ka Rin

| July 8

Public Enemy No. 1 and the Innocents

| September 9

Hanguin Mo Ako sa Putik

| December 9

rowspan="2"| 1984

| Goodah!!!

| March 8

Give Me Five!

| June 8

rowspan="4"| 1985

| Magchumikap Ka!

| January 4

Isang Platitong Mani

| February 21

Beware: Bed Sins

| September 19

God... Save Me!

| December 25

rowspan="2"| 1986

| Blusang Itim

| February 14

Lumuhod Ka sa Lupa!

| August 21

rowspan="3"| 1987

| The Sisters

| May 21

Black Magic

| November 26

Huwag Mong Buhayin ang Bangkay

| December 25

rowspan="5"| 1988

| Puso sa Puso

| May 25

Hiwaga sa Balete Drive

| June 2

Apoy sa Lupa

| August 11

Natutulog Pa ang Diyos

| September 22

Magkano ang Iyong Dangal?

| December 25

rowspan="5"| 1989

| Walang Panginoon

| January 12

Ipaglalaban Ko!

| July 27

Babayaran Mo ng Dugo

| September 7

One Two Bato, Three Four Bapor

| December 14

Ang Bukas ay Akin (Langit Ay Uusig)

| December 25

=1990s=

class="wikitable sortable"
Year ! Film ! Release ! Notes
rowspan="5"\| 1990 \| "Ako ang Batas" -Gen. Tomas Karingal \| March 1 \|
Kasalanan ang Buhayin Ka \| March 8 \|
Beautiful Girl \| June 28 \|
Naughty Boys \| October 9 \|
Ama... Bakit Mo Ako Pinabayaan? \| December 25 \|
rowspan="2"\| 1991 \| Akin Ka... Magdusa Man Ako! \| June 20 \|
Tukso layuan mo ako! \| September 11 \|
rowspan="4"\| 1992 \| Lumayo Ka Man sa Akin \| January 25 \|
Eh, Kasi Bata \| May 29 \|
Jerry Marasigan, WPD \| July 8 \|
Takbo... Talon... Tili!!! \| December 25 \|
rowspan="2"\| 1993 \| Lumaban Ka ...Itay! \| February 24 \|
Pulis Patola \| October 14 \|
1994 \| Bawal Na Gamot \| March 27 \|
rowspan="2"\| 1995 \| Pamilya Valderama \| November \|
Di Mapigil ang Init \| December 6 \|
1996 \| Itataya Ko ang Buhay Ko \| May 27 \|
1997 \| Kiliti \| February 12 \|
1998 \| Berdugo \| September 18 \|
rowspan="2"\| 1999 \| Burlesk King \| March 10 \|
Resbak, Babalikan Kita \| November 29 \|

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Film

! Release

! Notes

rowspan="5"| 1990

| "Ako ang Batas" -Gen. Tomas Karingal

| March 1

Kasalanan ang Buhayin Ka

| March 8

Beautiful Girl

| June 28

Naughty Boys

| October 9

Ama... Bakit Mo Ako Pinabayaan?

| December 25

rowspan="2"| 1991

| Akin Ka... Magdusa Man Ako!

| June 20

Tukso layuan mo ako!

| September 11

rowspan="4"| 1992

| Lumayo Ka Man sa Akin

| January 25

Eh, Kasi Bata

| May 29

Jerry Marasigan, WPD

| July 8

Takbo... Talon... Tili!!!

| December 25

rowspan="2"| 1993

| Lumaban Ka ...Itay!

| February 24

Pulis Patola

| October 14

1994

| Bawal Na Gamot

| March 27

rowspan="2"| 1995

| Pamilya Valderama

| November

Di Mapigil ang Init

| December 6

1996

| Itataya Ko ang Buhay Ko

| May 27

1997

| Kiliti

| February 12

1998

| Berdugo

| September 18

rowspan="2"| 1999

| Burlesk King

| March 10

Resbak, Babalikan Kita

| November 29

=2000s=

class="wikitable sortable"
Year ! Film ! Release ! Notes
2000 \| Mapagbigay \| February 23 \|
2001 \| Tikim \| November 28 \|
rowspan="3"\| 2002 \| Itlog \| April 3 \|
Bakat \| September 4 \|
Kasiping \| November 27 \|
2003 \| Liberated \| November 5 \|
rowspan="2"\| 2004 \| Bridal Shower \| January 1 \|
Liberated 2 \| July 14 \|
2005 \| Bikini Open \| May 18 \|
2006 \| I Wanna Be Happy \| July 12 \|
rowspan="2"\| 2007 \| Foster Child \| May 25 \|
Silip \| June 6 \|

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Film

! Release

! Notes

2000

| Mapagbigay

| February 23

2001

| Tikim

| November 28

rowspan="3"| 2002