LOCATION: A room at the MTRCB (Movies and Television Review and Classification Board) offices, prior to a television preview. It is about 10 in the morning. Two Board members are conversing.

CU: A gentle-looking lady with an ever-ready smile. She takes off her glasses.

POV: Man.

DIALOGUE: Man: May I interview you?

REVERSE SHOT: Lady: Of course. About what?

DIALOGUE: Man: Let's go back in time, Nida. You've just won your second Famas Award for ''Sana Pag-ibig Na'' directed by Jeffrey Jeturian. When was the first time? Wasn't it 47 years ago for the film ''Korea''?

Nida: Yes. That was directed by Bert Avellana and starred Jaime dela Rosa. It was my fourth film under my contract with LVN.

FLASHBACK: The time is the early '50s. Location, the LVN Compound on P. Tuazon st., Quezon City.

Nida: Yes. You see, I entered LVN as an extra. I appeared in many films before I was, well, ''discovered'' by Doña Sisang. It was Delia Razon, one of the senior stars of the studio, who brought me to Doña Narcisa de Leon's office. I was only 14 then so Delia told me to lie about my age. She advised me to get rid of the ribbons in my hair and to say I was 17. I got away with it. (Laughs.)

Soon after, the grand dame of LVN put me under contract. My first film under contract was ''Venus'' starring the studio senior stars, Lilia Dizon and Mario Montenegro.

I was born in Gapan, Nueva Ecija, but I was raised in Manila. I studied at Adamson University where I finished high school in 1952. I continued studying even when I was already acting in the movies. I always wanted to be an actress but I seldom went to the movies because I grew up with my grandmother ,who didn't like going to the movies.

My grandfather was John William Jones from Maryland and he married Benita Garcia. Their son, John Jr., was my father. He died during the start of the Japanese war, which is why I was raised by my grandmother. My real name is Dorothy Jones.

FLASH FORWARD: Back at MTRCB conference room. The lady is eating butong pakwan.

Man: How were the old LVN Studio days?

FLASHBACK: The LVN canteen. It is crowded with actors, directors, make-up artists, technicians and eager extras. The canteen is full of activity. You hear laughter and a constant exchange of stories.

Nida: Maganda. It was more like school for me. Masaya. We were like one big family. I enjoyed it. I admired director Joe Generoso, who looked after my welfare. His daughter Cora (now Iñigo) danced and choreographed for the studio, including my second movie (under contract) ''Prinsipe Amante Sa Rubitania,'' a sequel to a very successful costume film starring Rogelio dela Rosa and Delia Razon. Both were directed by Mr. Generoso.

I enjoyed the company so much I would get the food and drinks for the senior stars like Delia, Rosa Rosal, Lilia Dizon and beautiful Tessie Quintana. I was their runner. I offered to do things for them. You see, there were no utility boys then. Naturally, in due time, Delia, Rosa and Lilia sort of took me under their wings and always gave me advice. They regularly gave me pangaral.

Delia taught me about pakikisama. You see I was a rebel. They advised me not to be too galawgaw. (Laughs) Who gave me the name? Mr. Manny de Leon. Yes, Mike's father, he ran the studio.

It is in my nature to be a rebelde, I think. You know, I would go to the set on skates. I had them under my costumes. Lahat na hindi dapat ginagawa ng mga stars, ginagawa ko. (Laughs).

Delia would take me with her in her car. In fact, one of my most embarrassing experiences in LVN was the time I closed the door of her car on her hand. Naku, I was so ashamed! Rosa made me sleep in her house, which was near LVN, when we shot late. Ay naku, I was always amazed by her frankness. She really conducted herself like a movie star, but she was always down to earth. At lunch time, she would say, ''O galawgaw, kumain na tayo.''

Lilia Dizon offered her house for our get-togethers. I told you, we were one big, happy family. Those who were in my category at that time were Emma Alegre and Carmencita Abad.

I remember the closeness of the movie stars during those studio years. They were not star-conscious. We would meet in the studio canteen every afternoon after location shooting to compare notes or just plain gossip. Ang saya-saya namin talaga!

Man: Your impressions of the LVN actors then?

FLASHBACK: Quick cuts of Leopoldo Salcedo, Roger and Jaime dela Rosa, and other LVN leading men.

Nida: The senior stars were Rogelio, Mario Montenegro and Armando Goyena. How was Rogelio dela Rosa? Wow! Mabait.

Supportive, a real gentleman--lahat na. Talagang image ng movie star.

Man: How about Nestor de Villa, you perennial partner and love team:

FLASHBACK: Young Nida Blanca and Nestor de Villa dancing in a musical extravaganza. They are executing fancy mambo steps.

Nida: Palagi kaming nag-aaway-- sa personal appearance, sa steps ng sayaw. Nagagalit siya, pag sumasakay ako sa kabayo ng walang doble.

We fought about little things. We were two temperamental people. Si Nestor pa-sosyal, galing siya sa UST. He could be dominante din sometimes.

FLASHFORWARD: MTRCB conference room. Eric Quizon, another member of the Board, is listening.

Man: What were the most memorable films you did at LVN?

FLASHBACK: It is the '60s. Nida and Nestor are the LVN love team pitted against Sampaguita's formidable duo, Gloria Romero and Luis Gonzales.

Nida: I will have to mention ''Babaeng Hampaslupa'' a story by Nemesio Caravana that was serialized in ''Bulaklak.'' Of course, also ''Korea.'' Then, those I made with Nestor like ''Waraywaray,'' ''Turista'' and ''Ikaw Kasi.''

SEGUE: The '70s.

I was under contract with LVN until it closed. Then, I did films for its sister company Dalisay. Nestor and I were both married then but we formed Gold Stars with Felicing Constantino and produced eight movies which capitalized on our team-up, like ''Huwag Kang Sumingkit,'' ''Sound of Bwisit'' and ''Magkapatid na Jesse at James.''

But I also starred with Chiquito in ''Mabilis Paa't Kamay'' and Nestor appeared with Susan Roces in ''Headline.'' I also starred with Zaldy Zschornack in ''Adjang Batibot.'' How was Zaldy? Ay naku, a male galawgaw, but, he was a very good actor. Nawawala ang pagkagalawgaw niya sa screen.

By 1963, we had the ''Nida and Nestor Show'' on television. The other big shows then were ''Buhay Artista'' with Dolphy and ''An Evening with Pilita.'' Yes, I was with the original ABS-CBN stable of stars. I also appeared in ''Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig ni Doray,'' ''Kami Naman'' was with Luis Gonzales and Ronald Remy. Then, I also did the Tuesday shows of ''Stop, Look and Listen'' with Bert Leroy, Jr. Mother studio ko nga ang ABS.

FLASHFORWARD: Question: And Dolphy? When did that tandem start?

FLASHBACK: Nida: I did three movies with Dolphy before we teamed up on television in ''John en Marsha.'' For Dalisay, we did ''Asiong La Loma'' and then for Lea Productions we did ''Eco Tatakot,'' ''Pag-ibig Masdan ang Ginawa Mo'' and ''Up, Up and Away'' which we shot in the States with Ricky Belmonte and the young Pilar Pilapil, ''Binibining Pilipinas'' of 1967. Dolphy and she flew in from Spain where they starred in ''Pinoy Matador'' directed by Chaning Carlos.

FLASHFORWARD: Question: You've made 168 movies?

Nida: Yes, I have a list of the movies I made, the directors and the production companies involved in the projects. (Ms. Nida Blanca aka Dorothy Jones is known at the MTRCB for meticulously documenting the movies and television shows she has reviewed and classified. She notes everything down in a little notebook. Her biographer will have no problem getting pertinent material from Dorothy Jones about one of the superstars of the '50s and '60s, who continues to make her presence felt on film and television. Her latest dramatic success has earned her the Urian Award as well as the Famas Award for Best Actress for 1999).

Question: What are your fondest memories of your career and how do you want Nida Blanca to be remembered by the public?

Answer: Dorothy Jones on Nida Blanca: I fondly remember the samahan of their stars then. It was a caring family. The producers considered the stars a part of their families. You know, Manny de Leon would even come to our parties. We were that close. Walang mga plastik, puro pa beso-beso. It has become too commercialized, maraming tao ngayon. Of course, the technology is far more advanced. Things are hi-tech now, but, I miss the camaraderie.