Magkaibang lahi (1947)

Magkaibang Lahi tells the story of two sisters, Corazon del Rio (Corazon Noble), a former movie star before the war and Nenita (Rosita del Cielo). Cora was among the victims of Japanese atrocities during the last few weeks before the fall of Manila in 1945. She was bayoneted in the arm something that really happened to actress Corazon Noble. In the hospital while recuperating and being cared for by Charlie, the American officer who saved her life (the ubiquitous Art Cantrell) Nenita, Cora's sister meets the dashing American and a love affair develops. In the meantime the wealthy Fidel (Ely Ramos) resurfaces and is frantically searching for Cora. He is trying to rekindle a romantic past that was ruined by Fidel's mother (Isa Bonita) who looks down on movie actresses. Nenita and Charlie got married but the American officer has to remain in Manila to await his discharge. Nenita travels to the U.S. with Cora and both women receive the shock of their lives when they are given a frosty or chilly welcome by Charlie's family. Unable to endure their stay in the United States any longer, the sisters prepare to leave and return to the Philippines but Charlie accompanied by Fidel arrive in the nick of time. Charlie' s two haughty sisters are immediately chastised by their brother. They are charmed by the debonair Fidel now believing perhaps that Filipinos do not have tails and live in the trees. Charlie leaves his American family and comes back to the Philippines and Fidel and Cora are reunited and they live happily ever after. A happy ending all around. Magkaibang Lahi tackled the controversial and almost taboo "serious" interracial relationships that occasionally developed between American officers or G.I.s and Filipino women.