Ukulele Cameos in Filipino Movie, 'Hawayana' [1953]

HISTORY OF THE 'UKULELE IN THE PHILIPPINES

One of the earliest mention of the 'Ukulele in Philippine literatures was from
way back early 1930s. Nicanor Abelardo wrote the tune "Naku, Kenkoy!" (My Goodness, Kenkoy!) in 1930. Kenkoy was a comical character. And "Kenkoy" is a Pilipino slang for goofy or slapsticks comedian.
Snippet of the song, "Naku, Kenkoy!" goes (English translation):

[Chorus]
Even his forehead was shaved
The gait is different
Singing along the way
Of English without letters
(There's even a ukulele)

Say hello, how are you?
And the answer, look!
"Hey! Tagalog? Mi, no habla"
Oh, oh, oh Kenkoy!

[Verse 2]
And Kenkoy is popular
At all parties
Ukelele's hand to hand
You are ready to sing

In the original (Tagalog/Pilipino):

[Chorus]
Pati noo’y inahit na
Kilos lakad ay nag-iba
Habang daa’y kumakanta
Ng Ingles na walang letra
(May ukulele pa)

Batiin mo, kumusta ka?
At ang sagot, tingnan mo ba!
"Hey! Tagalog? Mi, no habla"
Ay naku, naku Kenkoy!

[Verse 2]
At si Kenkoy ay popular
Sa lahat ng handaan
Ukelele’y tangan-tangan
Handa mo’y inaawitan

- Though the significance of the 'uke was not been and is still not yet being discussed emphatically in Philippine history lessons and books, if you noticed the old song, "Naku, Kenkoy!", it is a clue.

Moving on, in the 1950s, the Philippines was dominated by many 'ukulele players (or 'ukulelists) that the 'ukulele have made it into Philippine cinemas too. Especially comedy films, there are some ukulele cameos from at least five 1950s romance-comedy films that utilizes the ukulele as the main musical instrument that are available on the internet:
"Victory Joe" [1946], "Hawayana" [1953], "Dalaginding" [1954], "Dalagang Ilocana" [1954], "Puppy Love" [1956], "Dama Juana Gang" [1956], "Ukulele Boy" [1957, No available video yet but there are photos], "Austerity Love" [1958], "Tawag ng Tanghalan" [1958] and "Combo Festival" [1958] - these movies are mostly directed by Manuel Silos.
Aside from the movie, there was actually a "Combo Festival" (or battle of the bands) held in all movie theaters nationwide at that time. The 5 Brown Boys won it. The instruments used here were ordinary guitars (acoustic), ukuleles and basses made from gasoline cans. Popular songs sung here were songs by Elvis, Paul Anka, Neil Sedaka and the Platters. The "Combo Festival" movie was shown first, followed by the Live Contest. The movie theater was packed, so we kids were in the front and still standing because there was standing room due to the large number of spectators.
By the early 1960s, There was a Filipino band (combo) named, The Rocky Fellers. They played acoustic guitars and ukuleles in 1963. They had a hit single called "Killer Joe", written by Bert Russell, Phil Medley, and Bob Elgin. "Killer Joe" reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 18, 1963. They went popular a year before The Beatles took over the radio stations internationally