
Directing
Born January 18, 1936 · Manila, Philippines
Producer/director Cirio H. Santiago is the son of Dr. Ciriaco Santiago, who founded Premiere Productions in Manila in 1946. He has two siblings. After starting out as a producer he started directing english-language movies in the early 70s. Santiago became one of the pioneers of the "Blaxploitation" genre by being one of the first to cast black actors and especially actresses as strong action heroes. Movies like TNT Jackson (1974) became instant cult classics. In the 80s, Santiago became known for his numerous low-budget Vietnam war movies such as Firehawk (1993) which gave him a reputation as the "master of the Vietnam war genre". A long running production partnership with Roger Corman assured proper distribution of his movies in the USA. Many of today's hottest filmmakers such as Jonathan Demme, Joe Dante or Carl Franklin got their first directing jobs with Santiago. In 1995 he was named president of the Philippines Film Development Funds by President Ramos. The organization strives to uplift the quality of Filipino filmmaking to new, higher standards and to encourage production of foreign movies on location in the Philippines. Premiere Productions, headed by Cirio H. Santiago, still remains one of the biggest studios in the Philippines and went public in 1997.

Water Wars
2014

Bloodfist 2050
2005

Operation Balikatan
2003

Aladdin and the Adventure of All Time
2000

Vulcan
1997

Ultimatum
1994

One Man Army
1994

Stranglehold
1994

Caged Heat II: Stripped of Freedom
1994

Live by the Fist
1993

Angelfist
1993

Kill Zone
1993

Firehawk
1993

Raiders of the Sun
1992

Beyond the Call of Duty
1992

Dune Warriors
1991

Field of Fire
1991

Silk 2
1990

Last Stand at Lang Mei
1989

Nam Angels
1989

The Expendables
1988

Killer Instinct
1988

Equalizer 2000
1988

The Sisterhood
1988

Fast Gun
1988

Demon of Paradise
1987

Eye of the Eagle
1987

The Devastator
1986

Silk
1986

Future Hunters
1986

Naked Vengeance
1985

Wheels of Fire
1985

Final Mission
1984

Caged Fury
1983

Stryker
1983

Firecracker
1981
Gabi ng Lagim Ngayon
1980

Death Force
1978

Vampire Hookers
1978

Doble Kara
1978

Hell Hole
1978

The Muthers
1976

Ebony, Ivory & Jade
1976

Cover Girl Models
1975

Happy Days Are Here Again
1974

TNT Jackson
1974

Fe, Esperanza, Caridad
1974

Impossible Dream
1973

Savage!
1973

Fly Me
1973

A Time for Dying
1970

Wanted: Johnny L
1966

Darna At Ang Babaing Tuod
1964
Right Between The Eyes
1963

Masikip ang Daigdig
1962

Footsteps without a Trace
1961

Konsiyerto ng Kamatayan
1961

Pagsapit ng Hatinggabi
1960
Pusang Itim
1958

Laban sa Lahat
1958

Pepeng Kaliwete
1958

Bicol Express
1957