Cirio H. Santiago

Cirio Hermoso Santiago (January 18, 1936 – September 26, 2008) was a Filipino film producer, director and writer. He used the screen names Cirio Santiago, Cirio H. Santiago, Leonardo Hermoso, 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, 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 for his father's studio in the 1950s and 1960s, he went on writing scripts for such notable films as National Artist Gerardo de Leóns award-winning Ifugao (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.

Very early on, Santiago recognized the potential of producing films for the international market, cast with international actors. The war drama Cavalry Command (1958), which was shot in English, was a first 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 (1971) with Pam Grier. His first credit as a director for Corman was Savage! (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 classics such as TNT Jackson (1975), The Muthers (1976) and Death Force (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 rip-off Final Mission (1984) or the rape-revenge drama Naked Vengeance (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, Firehawk (1993), martial arts action such as Bloodfist (1989, producer), and post-apocalyptic thrillers such as Dune Warriors (1991) with David Carradine, made directly for video. At that time, 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, Joe Dante, Curtis Hanson, Carl Franklin, Katt Shea, Todd Field, and Terrence O'Hara.

"'Cirio taught me a lot about fast paced filmmaking which served me well in my future career as a director. And how to shoot things really quickly - but with style.'"

He also helped kickstarting the career of many international actors.

"'Working with Cirio was my film school. And it’s because of those B-films that I finally found an agent and got my SAG card.'"

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.

Actress Jean Bell who played the lead in Santiago's TNT Jackson (1975) and The Muthers (1976), remembered him in an interview for Quentin Tarantino's New Beverly Cinema after learning of his death: "'Cirio Santiago was a very professional man, and lotta personality, patient, and a family man. I would sit next to him by the camera, and he would explain to me how this scene is going to work, this amazing creative person, I learned so much from him. I thought some day that I want be a director, he made it look so easy. RIP my friend.'"

Trivia
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 Death Force (1978).

According to David Renske in his Santiago biography, Santiago met Steven Spielberg 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 (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 (1989).

Producer

 * The Hunt for Eagle One: Crash Point (2006) (co-producer)
 * The Hunt for Eagle One (2006) (co-producer)
 * Bloodfist 2050 (2005) (producer - as Leonard Hermes)
 * When Eagles Strike (2004) (producer)
 * Operation Balikatan (2003) (producer)
 * 'Captain Barbell' (2003) (executive producer)
 * Vital Parts (2001) (producer) or Harold Robbins’ Body Parts (USA)
 * Ama Namin (1998) (executive producer)
 * Anak Ng Bulkan (1997) (producer)
 * Damong Ligaw (1997) (executive producer)
 * Kadre (1997) (executive producer)
 * Vulcan (1997) (producer)
 * To Saudi with Love (1997) (executive producer)
 * Robo Warriors (1996) (executive producer)
 * Aringkingking: Ang Bodyguard Kong Sexy (1996) (executive producer)
 * Terminal Virus (1995) (TV) (producer) or Last Chance
 * Angel of Destruction (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 (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)
 * Bloodfist (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 (1987) (producer)
 * Fast Gun (1987) (producer)
 * Equalizer 2000 (1986) (producer)
 * Eye of the Eagle (1986) (producer)
 * Silk (1986) (producer) or Silk: Lady Dynamite (Philippines)
 * Naked Vengeance (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) (executive producer)
 * Stryker (1983) (producer) or Savage Dawn
 * Firecracker (1981) (executive producer) or Naked Fist
 * Up from the Depths (1979) (producer)
 * Modelong Tanso (1979) (producer)
 * Hell Hole (1978) or Escape from Women’s Hell Hole (USA) or Women of Hell’s Island (executive producer)
 * Tinimbang ka, bakit husto? (1977) (producer)
 * Once a Moth (1976) (executive producer)
 * The Muthers (1976) (producer)
 * Ebony, Ivory & Jade (1976) or She-Devils in Chains, American Beauty Hostages, Foxfire, or Foxforce
 * Hustler Squad (1976) (producer)
 * Call Me Direnz! (1976) (producer)
 * Cover Girl Models (1975) (producer)
 * TNT Jackson (1975) (producer)
 * Lollipops and Roses at Burong Talangka (1975) (producer)
 * Bamboo Gods and Iron Men (1974) (producer) or Black Kung Fu (USA)
 * South Seas (1974) (producer) or South Seas Massacre (Australia)
 * Savage! (1973) (producer) or Black Valor
 * Fly Me (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
 * Ang uliran (1971) (producer)
 * 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) (producer)
 * Marko aintado (1967) (producer)
 * Kulay Dugo ang Gabi (1966) (producer) or The Blood Drinkers (USA) or The Vampire People (USA)
 * 7 gabi sa Hong Kong (1966) (producer)
 * Hanapin si Leo Baron (1965) (producer)
 * 7 Mukha ni Dr. Ivan (1965) (producer)
 * Captain Barbell kontra Captain Bakal (1965) (producer)
 * Hong Kong 999 (1965) (producer)
 * The Blood Drinkers (1964) (producer)
 * Man on the Run (1964) (producer) or The Kidnappers
 * The Big Show (1963) (producer)
 * Cavalry Command (1963) (producer) or The Day of the Trumpet
 * Water Lily (1958) (producer)
 * Pepeng Kaliwete (1958) (producer)
 * Tokyo 1960 (1957) (producer)
 * Prinsipe Alejandre at Don Luis (1957) (producer)
 * Pandanggo ni Neneng (1955) (producer)
 * Pangako ng puso (1955) (producer)
 * Minera (1955) (producer)
 * Palahamak (1955) (producer)
 * Solitaryo (1953) (producer)

Director

 * Water Wars (2014) (completed by Jim Wynorski)
 * Bloodfist 2050 (2005) (as Leonard Hermes)
 * When Eagles Strike (2004)
 * Operation Balikatan (2003)
 * Aladdin and the Adventure of All Time (1999)
 * Anak ng Bulkan (1997)
 * Nagmumurang Kamatis (1997)
 * Vulcan (1997)
 * Rexur (1995) (as Leonardo Hermoso)
 * 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 Mei (1990) or Eye of the Eagle 3
 * Nam Angels (1989)
 * Silk 2 (1989)
 * The Expendables (1988)
 * The Sisterhood (1988)
 * Demon of Paradise (1987)
 * Fast Gun (1987)
 * Killer Instinct (1987) or Behind Enemy Lines (USA)
 * Equalizer 2000 (1987)
 * Eye of the Eagle (1987)
 * Future Hunters (1986) or Deadly Quest or Spear of Destiny
 * Silk (1986) detective drama.
 * Naked Vengeance (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)
 * Gabi ng Lagim Ngayon (1980)
 * Modelong Tanso (1979)
 * Death Force (1978)
 * Vampire Hookers (1978)
 * Hell Hole (1978) or Escape from Women’s Hell Hole (USA) or Women of Hell’s Island
 * Doble Kara (1978)
 * The Muthers (1976)
 * Ebony, Ivory & Jade (1976) or She-Devils in Chains, American Beauty Hostages, Foxfire, or Foxforce
 * Call Me Direnz! (1976)
 * Cover Girl Models (1975)
 * Happy Days Are Here Again (1974)
 * Carnival Song (1974)
 * TNT Jackson or Dynamite Wong and TNT Jackson (1974)
 * Fe, Esperanza, Caridad (with Lamberto V. Avellana and Gerardo de Leon, 1974)
 * El Negro (1974)
 * Savage! (1973) or Black Valor
 * Fly Me (1973)
 * Once Upon a Time (with Zenaida Amador, 1971)
 * Lollipops and Roses (1971)
 * Panagupa (1969)
 * Operation: Impossible (1967)
 * Alamid (Agent 777) (1967)
 * Marko Aintado (1967)
 * Bravados (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 (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 (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 (2003) (story)''
 * Home Alone da Riber (2002) (concept)
 * Anak ng Bulkan (1997) (story)
 * Vulcan (1997) (story)
 * Ultimatum (1994) (as Leonardo Hermoso)
 * 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
 * Death Force (1978) (story)
 * The Muthers (1976) (story - as Leonard Hermes)
 * Call Me Direnz! (1976) (as Leonard Hermes)
 * Impossible Dream (1973) (story)
 * Bravados (1967) (story)
 * Kardong Kaliwa (1966) (story)
 * Dalawang Lahi, Isang Dugo (1965) (story)
 * Hong Kong 999 (1965) (story)
 * Ang matapang lamang (1959) (story)
 * Anak ng bulkan (1959) (story)
 * Pusang itim (1958) (story)
 * Guerrero (1955) (story)
 * 10th Battalion Sa 38th Parallel, Korea (1951) (story)