August 29, 2025 | 12:00am
In its celebration of the Philippine Movie Trade Month this September, the Movie Improvement Council of the Philippines is spotlighting ladies icons of Filipino cinema, previous and current, together with 5 trailblazers whose work has helped form and maintain the business.
The particular recognition will happen through the gala night time on Sept. 11 at Seda Vertis North, Quezon Metropolis.
“The FDCP will honor 5 Filipino ladies whom we consider are very important to (understanding Philippine cinema) right this moment,” stated FDCP chair Jose “Joey” Javier Reyes at a media gathering forward of the festivities that carry the theme Pelikula at Pilipina.
The honorees are manufacturing designer and screenwriter Raquel Villavicencio; cinematographer and instructor Lee Briones-Meily; actress, director and mentor Gina Alajar; filmmaker Olivia Lamasan; and Malou Santos, the previous head of Star Cinema.
Tribute screenings highlighting their contributions will happen at SM North EDSA, in addition to FDCP Cinematheque Facilities throughout the areas.
STAR/ File
These embrace “Tanging Yaman” (2000) with cinematography by Briones-Meily; “Hihintayin Kita sa Langit” (1991) with screenplay by Villavicencio; “Ethical” (1982), starring Alajar; “Madrasta” (1996), directed by Lamasan; and “Anak” (2000), produced by Santos.
In recognizing these 5 ladies, the FDCP celebrates their achievements and invaluable function within the path that Philippine cinema or popular culture is taking right this moment.
“If we’re to be trustworthy, all through the historical past of Filipino cinema, the girl, the Filipina, has been the anchor who formed the inspiration of the business. How will you inform the historical past of Filipino cinema with out mentioning Emilia Blas (Lea Productions), Mom Lily (Monteverde of Regal Movies), Doña Sisang (Doña Narcisa de Leon of LVN Photos), Boss Mina (Aragon of Viva Movies)? After that got here Ma’am Charo (Santos-Concio), Miss Malou (Santos).”
He famous that ladies have been current from the very starting, whether or not as producers, actresses, writers or working behind the scenes in technical and inventive roles.
“Misnomer yan pag sabihin mo na ang Filipina director began with Marilou (Diaz-Abaya) and Laurice (Guillen), no! As early as Rosa Mia (of Sampaguita Photos), okay. We even had a Filipino motion director within the particular person of Maria Saret. We’ve all the time been matriarchy,” direk Joey stated.
“And in the event you have a look at the most important studios of our nation, solely Viva is a patriarchy. All the remainder are matriarchy. It’s all the time been the girl who has performed a really, very robust function within the Filipino movie scene,” he reiterated.
The PFIM’s opening movie itself is a tribute to ladies on display screen — the digitally restored model of Ishmael Bernal’s “Ikaw ay Akin” (1978), which is headlined by two display screen legends, the late Nationwide Artist Nora Aunor and the Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos. Screening will occur on Sept. 1 on the Purple Carpet Cinemas in Shangri-La Plaza.
“It is a seminal movie. As a result of it roughly embodies two of the best Filipina actresses ever. So what higher technique to begin this complete occasion than to spotlight Nora and Vilma?” stated direk Joey.
Audiences nationwide can, likewise, catch female-led and woman-centric classics by particular screenings throughout the nation.
Movie Fridays will function “Brutal” (1980) and “Karnal” (1983), directed by Nationwide Artist Marilou Diaz-Abaya, on Sept. 5, at Centro De Turismo, Intramuros, and “Anak Dalita” (1956), directed by Nationwide Artist Lamberto Avellana, on Sept. 12 at Teatro, Fort Santiago.
JuanFlix Presents: Lights Digital camera Attraction! will display screen “Gusto Kita with All My Hypothalamus” (2018), directed by Dwein Baltazar, on Sept. 20 at SM North EDSA. Mga Hiyas ng Sineng Filipino will current the restored “Sisa” (1951), directed by Gerardo De Leon, on Sept. 21 on the Metropolitan Theater.