FLT Films International was a Philippine film production company owned by Rose and Eduardo Flaminiano. FLT stands for Flaminiano, Loanzon and Ti.[1]
History
The film company was established in 1984 by couple Rose Loanzon-Flaminiano and Atty. Eduardo Flaminiano after selling their taxi franchise and restaurant. Goodtime Girls was its maiden movie. Similar to its competitor Seiko Films, it primarily focused on producing bold films. Among its notable bold films are Mga Lihim ng Kalapati (1987) and Burlesk Queen Ngayon (1999).[2]
In 1989, FLT ventured into other genres. Among its notable films in various fields are comedy films Juan Tamad at Mister Shooli (1991), which won 6 awards at the 1991 Metro Manila Film Festival, and Swindler's List (1994); action films Anak ng Pasig (1993) and Tatak ng Kriminal (1993); biopic films Bingbong: The Vincent Crisologo Story (1991), Epimaco Velasco NBI (1994) and Chop-Chop Lady (1994). Bingbong marked the film company's shift to creating script and critique-conscious films.[2][3]
FLT was responsible for reviving Robin Padilla's movie career. His first film under the film outlet was Anak, Pagsubok Lamang ng Diyos (1996), which was done while serving a 17-year jail term on illegal possession of firearms. It caught the attention of Viva Films, which sued Padilla for breach of contract, prompting the film's release to be delayed. In 1998, after receiving a conditional pardon from Pres. Fidel Ramos, he starred in Tulak ng Bibig, Kabig ng Dibdib, co-produced with Viva Films.[4]
In 2003, after the release of You and Me Against the World, FLT became dormant with Rose Flaminiano focusing on real estate business. Three years later, it made its short-lived comeback with a Manny Pacquiao biopic Pacquiao: The Movie.[5] With the film being a box office bomb, plans of a two-picture contract for Pacquiao didn't push through. Struggling with the film industry at that time, FLT stopped producing films indefinitely.[6]
^"Movie Guide". Manila Standard. Standard Publications, Inc. February 12, 1987. p. 14. Retrieved August 1, 2023. DYNASTY-B....................Amanda
^"Boy Vinarao's take on priesthood". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. December 18, 2001. p. 21. Retrieved August 1, 2023. [Edgardo 'Boy' Vinarao's] break as movie director came in FLT Films' production of Tatak Ng Kriminal...
^Red, Isah V. (January 11, 2002). "For Kring-Kring, there's no business like food business". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. p. 18. Retrieved August 1, 2023. ...the new comedy called Burles King (Daw O) produced by a company known for churning out the boldest of bold films, Rose Flaminiano's FLT Films.
^Red, Isah V. (January 27, 2003). "Ara Mina is Cory Aquino". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. p. 18. Retrieved August 1, 2023. It's a wrap for the shoot of Alab ng Lahi topbilled by Robin Padilla and international action star Jacky Woo.