Cinema Of The Philippines
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The Cinema of the Philippines (
Filipino Filipino may refer to: * Something from or related to the Philippines ** Filipino language, standardized variety of 'Tagalog', the national language and one of the official languages of the Philippines. ** Filipinos, people who are citizens of th ...
: ''Pelikulang Pilipino'' or ''Sine Pilipino'') began with the introduction of the first
moving picture A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...
s to the country on August 31, 1897, at the ''Salón de Pertierra'' in
Manila Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is highly urbanized and, as of 2019, was the world's most densely populate ...
. The following year, local scenes were shot on film for the first time by a Spaniard, Antonio Ramos, using the Lumiere
Cinematograph Cinematograph or kinematograph is an early term for several types of motion picture film mechanisms. The name was used for movie cameras as well as film projectors, or for complete systems that also provided means to print films (such as the Cin ...
. While most early
filmmakers Filmmaking (film production) is the process by which a Film, motion picture is #Production, produced. Filmmaking involves a number of complex and discrete stages, starting with an initial story, idea, or commission. It then continues through scr ...
and
producers Producer or producers may refer to: Occupations *Producer (agriculture), a farm operator *A stakeholder of economic production *Film producer, supervises the making of films **Executive producer, contributes to a film's budget and usually does not ...
in the country were mostly wealthy enterprising foreigners and
expatriate An expatriate (often shortened to expat) is a person who resides outside their native country. In common usage, the term often refers to educated professionals, skilled workers, or artists taking positions outside their home country, either ...
s, on September 12, 1919, ''Dalagang Bukid (Country Maiden)'', a movie based on a popular musical play, was the first movie made and shown by Filipino filmmaker
José Nepomuceno José Zialcita Nepomuceno ( May 15, 1893 – December 1, 1959) was one of the pioneering directors and producers of Philippine cinema. He is also known as the ''"founder of Philippine movies"'', and he had his own production company Jose Nepomuc ...
. Dubbed as the "Father of Philippine Cinema," his work marked the start of cinema as an art form in the Philippines. Even with the problems currently facing motion pictures around the world, films are still considered one of the popular forms of entertainment among the
Filipino people Filipinos ( tl, Mga Pilipino) are the people who are citizens of or native to the Philippines. The majority of Filipinos today come from various Austronesian ethnolinguistic groups, all typically speaking either Filipino, English and/or other ...
, directly employing some 260,000 Filipinos and generating around 2 billion revenues annually. Among its neighbors in Southeast Asia, Philippine cinema remains as the strongest in the Southeast Asian region with the majority of films made in the region came from the Philippines along with the film industries of Thailand and Indonesia. The
Film Development Council of the Philippines The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is the national film agency under the Office of the President of the Philippines responsible for film policies and programs to ensure the economic, cultural and educational development of th ...
established a national film archive in October 2011. Furthermore, their annually held
Luna Awards The Luna Awards are awards given annually by the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) to recognize the outstanding achievements of the Filipino film industry. The first awards were presented in 1983 in Pasay. It is considered to be the Philippine ...
honor the outstanding Filipino films as voted by their own peers. Meanwhile, the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino hands out the
Gawad Urian Awards The Gawad Urian Awards are annual film awards in the Philippines held since 1977. It is given by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP, "the Filipino Film Critics") and is currently regarded as the counterpart of the United States' New York Fi ...
, which is well known due to its credible choices of winners.


Overview

The formative years of Philippine cinema, starting from the 1930s, were a time of discovering the
film genre A film genre is a stylistic or thematic category for motion pictures based on similarities either in the narrative elements, aesthetic approach, or the emotional response to the film. Drawing heavily from the theories of literary-genre cri ...
as a new medium of
art Art is a diverse range of human activity, and resulting product, that involves creative or imaginative talent expressive of technical proficiency, beauty, emotional power, or conceptual ideas. There is no generally agreed definition of wha ...
.
Scripts Script may refer to: Writing systems * Script, a distinctive writing system, based on a repertoire of specific elements or symbols, or that repertoire * Script (styles of handwriting) ** Script typeface, a typeface with characteristics of handw ...
and
characterisation Characterization or characterisation is the representation of persons (or other beings or creatures) in narrative and dramatic works. The term character development is sometimes used as a synonym. This representation may include direct method ...
s in
film A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...
s came from popular
theatre Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors or actresses, to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage. The perform ...
and familiar local literature. Nationalistic films were also quite popular, although they were labeled as being too
subversive Subversion () refers to a process by which the values and principles of a system in place are contradicted or reversed in an attempt to transform the established social order and its structures of power, authority, hierarchy, and social norms. Sub ...
. The 1940s and the war brought to the Philippine cinema the consciousness of
reality Reality is the sum or aggregate of all that is real or existent within a system, as opposed to that which is only imaginary. The term is also used to refer to the ontological status of things, indicating their existence. In physical terms, r ...
. Movie themes consisting primarily of war and heroism had proven to be a huge hit among local audiences. The 1950s saw the first golden age of Philippine cinema,"Is the Curtain Finally Falling on the Philippine Movie Industry?"
''PhilNews.com.'' Retrieved January 25, 2009.
with the emergence of more artistic and mature films, and significant improvement in
cinematic techniques This article contains a list of cinematic techniques that are divided into categories and briefly described. Basic definitions of terms ;180-degree rule :A continuity editorial technique in which sequential shots of two or more actors within ...
among filmmakers. The
studio system A studio system is a method of filmmaking wherein the production and distribution of films is dominated by a small number of large movie studios. It is most often used in reference to Hollywood motion picture studios during the Golden Age of Hol ...
produced frenetic activity in the local film industry, as many films were made annually and several local talents started to earn recognition abroad. Award-giving bodies were first instituted during this period. When the decade was drawing to a close, the studio system
monopoly A monopoly (from Greek language, Greek el, μόνος, mónos, single, alone, label=none and el, πωλεῖν, pōleîn, to sell, label=none), as described by Irving Fisher, is a market with the "absence of competition", creating a situati ...
came under
siege A siege is a military blockade of a city, or fortress, with the intent of conquering by attrition warfare, attrition, or a well-prepared assault. This derives from la, sedere, lit=to sit. Siege warfare is a form of constant, low-intensity con ...
as a result of labor-management conflicts, and by the 1960s, the artistry established in the previous years was already on the decline. This era can be characterized by rampant
commercialism Commercialism is the application of both manufacturing and consumption towards personal usage, or the practices, methods, aims, and distribution of products in a free market geared toward generating a profit. Commercialism can also refer, positivel ...
, fan movies,
soft porn Softcore pornography or softcore porn, is commercial still photography or film that has a pornographic or erotic component but is less sexually graphic and intrusive than hardcore pornography, defined by a lack of visual sexual penetration. Softc ...
films, action flicks, and
western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...
spin-offs. The 1970s and 1980s were turbulent years for the industry, bringing both positive and negative changes. The films in this period now dealt with more serious topics following the Martial Law era. In addition, action and sex films developed further, introducing more explicit subject matter. These years also brought the arrival of alternative or
independent film An independent film, independent movie, indie film, or indie movie is a feature film or short film that is produced outside the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies (or, i ...
in the Philippines. The 1990s saw the emerging popularity of slasher movies, teen-oriented romantic comedies, as well as sexually explicit adult films, although slapstick comedies still draw a large audience. Genres of previous decades had been recycled with almost the same stories, and love teams, which had been popular in the past, have reemerged.Anonymous
"History of Philippine Cinema"
''Philippine Journeys.'' Retrieved January 22, 2009.
The Philippines, which as one of Asia's oldest film industries, remains undisputed in terms of the highest level of theater admission in
Southeast Asia Southeast Asia, also spelled South East Asia and South-East Asia, and also known as Southeastern Asia, South-eastern Asia or SEA, is the geographical United Nations geoscheme for Asia#South-eastern Asia, south-eastern region of Asia, consistin ...
. Over the years, however, the film industry has registered a steady decline in movie viewership from 131 million in 1996 to 63 million in 2004.Cannes entry puts spotlight on Philippine indie films
Grafilo, John. ''Top News Light Reading''. May 6, 2008.
A bleak storyline for the Filipino film industry
Conde, Carlos H. ''International Herald Tribune''. February 11, 2007.
From a high of 200 films a year during the 1980s, the country's film industry was down to making a total of 56 new films in 2006 and around 30 in 2007. Although the industry has undergone turbulent times, the 21st century saw the rebirth of independent filmmaking through the use of digital technology, and a number of films have once again earned international recognition and prestige.


History


Origins and Early Development

On January 1, 1897, the first film shown was ''Espectaculo Scientifico'' and followed by other four movies, namely, ''
Un Homme Au Chapeau The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and international security, security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be ...
(Man with a Hat)'', ''
Une scène de danse japonnaise Une is a municipality and town of Colombia in the Eastern Province, part of the department of Cundinamarca. The urban centre is located at an altitude of at a distance of from the capital Bogotá. The municipality borders Chipaque in the no ...
(Scene from a Japanese Dance)'', '' Les Boxers (The Boxers)'', and ''
La Place de L' Opéra LA most frequently refers to Los Angeles, the second largest city in the United States. La, LA, or L.A. may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Music * La (musical note), or A, the sixth note * "L.A.", a song by Elliott Smith on ''Figur ...
(The Place L' Opéra)'', were shown via 60 mm
Gaumont Chrono Gaumont may refer to: *Gaumont (surname) *Gaumont River, France, alias at Lafage-sur-Sombre Companies * Gaumont Film Company (founded 1895), a French company in film production and distribution ** Gaumont International Television, an American tele ...
-photograph projector at the ''Salon de Pertierra'' at No.12 Escolta in Manila. The venue was formerly known as the Phonograph Parlor on the ground floor of the Casino Español at Pérez Street, off Escolta Street. Other countries, such as France, England, and Germany had their claims to the introduction of publicly projected motion picture in the Philippines, although Petierra is credited by most historians and critics.Bautista, Arsenio 'Boots'
"History of Philippine Cinema"
''National Commission for Culture and the Arts''. Retrieved January 23, 2009.
Antonio Ramos, a Spanish soldier from Aragón, was able to import a Lumiere
Cinematograph Cinematograph or kinematograph is an early term for several types of motion picture film mechanisms. The name was used for movie cameras as well as film projectors, or for complete systems that also provided means to print films (such as the Cin ...
from Paris, including 30 film titles, out of his savings and the financial banking of two Swiss entrepreneurs, Liebman and Peritz. By August 1897, Liebman and Peritz presented the first movies on the Lumiere Cinematograph in Manila. The cinema was set up at Escolta Street at the corner of San Jacinto Street. A test preview was presented to a limited number of guests on August 28 and the inaugural show was presented to the general public the next day, August 29, 1897. Documentary films showing recent events as well as natural calamities in Europe were shown. During the first three weeks, Ramos had a selection of ten different films to show, but by the fourth week, he was forced to shuffle the 30 films in various combinations to produce new programs. These were four viewing sessions, every hour on the hour, from 6:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. After three months, attendance began to slacken for failure to show any new features. They transferred the viewing hall to a warehouse in Plaza Goiti and reduced the admission fees. By the end of November, the movie hall closed down. The next year, to attract patronage, using the Lumiere as a camera, Ramos locally filmed ''Panorama de Manila (Manila landscape)'', ''Fiesta de Quiapo (Quiapo Fiesta)'', ''Puente de España (Bridge of Spain)'', and ''Escenas Callejeras (Street scenes)'', making him the first movie producer in the Philippines. Aside from Ramos, there were other foreigners who left documentary evidences of their visits to the Philippines.
Burton Holmes Elias Burton Holmes (1870–1958) was an American traveler, photographer and filmmaker, who coined the term "travelogue". Travel stories, slide shows, and motion pictures were all in existence before Holmes began his career, as was the profess ...
, father of the
travelogue Travelogue may refer to: Genres * Travel literature, a record of the experiences of an author travelling * Travel documentary A travel documentary is a documentary film, television program, or online series that describes travel in general or ...
, who made the first of several visits in 1899, made the ''Battle of Baliwag''; Kimwood Peters shot the ''Banawe Rice Terraces''; and, Raymond Ackerman of '' American Biography'' and ''
Mutoscope The Mutoscope is an early motion picture device, invented by W. K. L. Dickson and Herman Casler and later patented by Herman Casler on November 21, 1894. Like Thomas Edison's Kinetoscope, it did not project on a screen and provided viewing to ...
'' filmed ''Filipino Cockfight'' and the ''Battle of Mt. Arayat''.


American period

Film showing in the Philippines resumed in 1900 when a British entrepreneur named Walgrah opened the Cine Walgrah at No.60 Calle Santa Rosa in Intramuros. The second movie house was opened in 1902 by a Spanish entrepreneur, Samuel Rebarber, who called his building, ''Gran Cinematógrafo Parisino'', located at No. 80 Calle Crespo in Quiapo. In 1903, José Jiménez, a stage backdrop painter, set up the first Filipino-owned movie theater, the ''Cinematograpo Rizal'' in Azcarraga Street (now C.M. Recto Ave.), in front of the
Tutuban Railway Station Tutuban station (also known as Manila station or Divisoria station) is the central railway terminus of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) network located in the city of Manila, Philippines. The name refers to two stations: the original ...
. In the same year, a movie market was formally created in the country along with the arrival of silent movies and American colonialism. The silent films were always accompanied by gramophone, a
piano The piano is a stringed keyboard instrument in which the strings are struck by wooden hammers that are coated with a softer material (modern hammers are covered with dense wool felt; some early pianos used leather). It is played using a keyboa ...
, or a
quartet In music, a quartet or quartette (, , , , ) is an ensemble of four singers or instrumental performers; or a musical composition for four voices and instruments. Classical String quartet In classical music, one of the most common combinations o ...
, or when ''Caviria'' was shown at the Manila Grand Opera House, a 200-man
choir A choir ( ; also known as a chorale or chorus) is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform. Choirs may perform music from the classical music repertoire, which ...
. In 1905,
Herbert Wyndham Herbert may refer to: People Individuals * Herbert (musician), a pseudonym of Matthew Herbert Name * Herbert (given name) * Herbert (surname) Places Antarctica * Herbert Mountains, Coats Land * Herbert Sound, Graham Land Australia * Herbert, ...
, shot scenes at the ''Manila Fire Department''; Albert Yearsley shot'' the Rizal Day Celebration'' in Luneta 1909; in 1910, the ''Manila Carnival''; in 1911, the ''Eruption of Mayon Volcano''; the first ''Airplane Flight Over Manila'' by Bud Mars and the ''Fires of Tondo, Pandacan and Paco''; and, in 1912, the ''Departure of the Igorots to Barcelona'' and the ''Typhoon in Cebu''. These novelty films, however, did not capture the hearts of the audience because they were about the foreigners. The
Philippine Commission The Philippine Commission was the name of two bodies, both appointed by the president of the United States, to assist with governing the Philippines. The first Philippine Commission, also known as the Schurman Commission, was appointed by Preside ...
recognized early the potential of cinema as a tool of communication and information, so that in 1909, the Bureau of Science bought a complete film-making unit and laboratory from
Pathé Pathé or Pathé Frères (, styled as PATHÉ!) is the name of various French people, French businesses that were founded and originally run by the Pathé Brothers of France starting in 1896. In the early 1900s, Pathé became the world's largest ...
, and sent its chief photographer, the American, Charles Martin, to France to train for a year. When Martin completed his training, he resolved to document, in motion pictures, the varied aspects of the Philippines. In 1910, the first picture with sound reached Manila, using the
Chronophone The Chronophone is an apparatus patented by Léon Gaumont in 1902 to synchronise the Cinématographe (Chrono-Bioscope) with a disc Phonograph (Cyclophone) using a "Conductor" or "Switchboard". This sound-on-disc display was used as an experiment fro ...
. A British film crew also visited the Philippines, and filmed, among other scenes, the ''Pagsanjan Falls (Oriental)'' in 1911 in
kinemacolor Kinemacolor was the first successful colour motion picture process, used commercially from 1908 to 1914. It was invented by George Albert Smith in 1906. He was influenced by the work of William Norman Lascelles Davidson and, more directly, Ed ...
. In 1912, New York and Hollywood film companies started to establish their own agencies in Manila to distribute films. In the same year, two American entrepreneurs made a film about the execution of
Jose Rizal Jose is the English transliteration of the Hebrew and Aramaic name ''Yose'', which is etymologically linked to ''Yosef'' or Joseph. The name was popular during the Mishnaic and Talmudic periods. * Jose ben Abin * Jose ben Akabya *Jose the Gali ...
, and aroused a strong curiosity among Filipino moviegoers. This led to the making of the first Filipino film, ''
La vida de Jose Rizal LA most frequently refers to Los Angeles, the second largest city in the United States. La, LA, or L.A. may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Music * La (musical note), or A, the sixth note * "L.A.", a song by Elliott Smith on ''Figure ...
''. By 1914, the US colonial government was already using films as a vehicle for information, education, propaganda and entertainment. The Bureau of Science tackled subjects designed to present an accurate picture of the Philippines before the American public, particularly the US Congress. By 1915, the best European and American films were shown in Philippine theaters. When
World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
(1914–1918) choked off the production of European studios, Manila theater managers turned to US for new film products. With the variety they offered, American films quickly dominated the Philippine film market. The first film produced by a Filipino is
José Nepomuceno José Zialcita Nepomuceno ( May 15, 1893 – December 1, 1959) was one of the pioneering directors and producers of Philippine cinema. He is also known as the ''"founder of Philippine movies"'', and he had his own production company Jose Nepomuc ...
's ''
Dalagang Bukid ''Dalagang Bukid'' (English: ''Country Maiden'') is a 1919 Filipino silent film. Directed by José Nepomuceno, it is recognized as the first full-length Filipino produced and directed feature film. An adaptation of the Tagalog sarsuwela of th ...
(Country Maiden)'' in 1919 based on a highly acclaimed musical play by Hermogenes Ilagan and León Ignacio. Early filmmakers, even with meager capital, followed some of the genres provided by Hollywood movies. The main sources of movie themes during this period were theater pieces from popular
drama Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance: a play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a genre of poetry in general, the dramatic mode has been ...
s or
zarzuela () is a Spanish lyric-dramatic genre that alternates between spoken and sung scenes, the latter incorporating operatic and popular songs, as well as dance. The etymology of the name is uncertain, but some propose it may derive from the name of ...
s. Another source of movie themes at that time was
Philippine literature Philippine literature is literature associated with the Philippines from prehistory, through its colonial legacies, and on to the present. Pre-Hispanic Philippine literature was actually epics passed on from generation to generation, o ...
. During the 1920s when the Germans and Russians dominated the artistic development of the film and its techniques (Examples are '' The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari'' – 1919, ''
Nosferatu ''Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror'' (German: ''Nosferatu – Eine Symphonie des Grauens'') is a 1922 silent German Expressionist horror film directed by F. W. Murnau and starring Max Schreck as Count Orlok, a vampire who preys on the wife ...
'' – 1922, and ''
Battleship Potemkin '' Battleship Potemkin'' (russian: Бронено́сец «Потёмкин», ''Bronenosets Potyomkin''), sometimes rendered as ''Battleship Potyomkin'', is a 1925 Soviet silent drama film produced by Mosfilm. Directed and co-written by S ...
'' – 1925), Filipino-Visayan filmmakers such as Max Borromeo, Florentino Borromeo and
Celestino Rodriguez Celestino Lazala Rodriguez (May 11, 1872 – 1955) was a Filipinos, Filipino lawyer and politician from Cebu, Philippines. He served as member and deputy in the Philippine Assembly (1907–1912), as Senate of the Philippines, senator (1916 ...
collaborated in making ''El Hijo Disobediente'' (The Disobedient Son) in 1922. This black and white silent picture could have been one of the earliest noted films from the Southern Philippines. The year 1929 marked the advent of talking pictures, but only in 1938 did the Visayan Film Industry have its first "talkie" entitle ''Bertoldo Ug Balodoy'' (Bertoldo and Balodoy) written by Piux Kabahar, which was followed by ''Mini'' (Fake; 1940), and ''Gugmang Talagsaon'' (Rare Love; 1940) by Virgilio Gonzales. In Cebu, the first movie houses were built by the Avila Clan: Ideal Theater (1911), Cine Auditorium (1922) and Cine Oriente (The old Teatro Junquera). Films have already been showing outside of Manila as early as 1897 through the feats of Señor Pertierra, a Spanish expatriate and a certain Englishman going only with the surname of 'Bischoff'. Mr. Bischoff was the first to show films in Iloilo in 1903. These were short features produced by the film company Cinematographo Pastor and were screened nightly from 6:30 to 9:30 in Bischoff's bodega or camarin in Calle Real. Later on, other film companies have also begun to rise such as Cinematografo Insular (which arrived from Manila to Iloilo in 1905), Cinematografo Teatro Colón and Cinematografo Parsien. To coincide with the rising of such film companies, there came the establishment of movie houses in Iloilo. In 1919, one highlighted event that stood out from that decade was the showing of the first full-length Tagalog feature film in Iloilo: Jose Nepomuceno's Dalagang Bukid (literal translation from Tagalog: 'mountain girl'). Thousands of Ilonggo film buffs went to see the movie and were highly moved by it. In Iloilo, Teatro Malhabour touted as the first cinema or movie house in Iloilo was opened to the public on July 3, 1908, at the corner of Calle Quiñones (now Mabini) and Calle Concepcion (now Ledesma). It was owned by Felix Malhabour, a policeman and a member of the board of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente. Other early cinema or movies houses in Iloilo City include the Rex Theater, Roxy Theater, Republic Theater and Cine Commonwealth built around 1910s–1920s. The two prominent or popular cinema houses in Iloilo include the oldest still existing and operating movie theater in Iloilo, Cine Palace and the now defunct Cine Eagle both built in 1928. In 1929, the ''
Syncopation In music, syncopation is a variety of rhythms played together to make a piece of music, making part or all of a tune or piece of music off-beat. More simply, syncopation is "a disturbance or interruption of the regular flow of rhythm": a "place ...
'', the first American sound film, was shown in Radio theater in Plaza Santa Cruz in Manila inciting a competition on who could make the first
talkie A sound film is a motion picture A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, percep ...
among local producers. On December 8, 1932, a film in Tagalog entitled '' Ang Aswang (The
Aswang Aswang is an umbrella term for various shape-shifting evil creatures in Filipino folklore, such as vampires, ghouls, witches, viscera suckers, and werebeasts (usually dogs, cats, pigs). The aswang is the subject of a wide variety of myths, s ...
)'', a
monster movie A monster movie, monster film, creature feature or giant monster film is a film that focuses on one or more characters struggling to survive attacks by one or more antagonistic monsters, often abnormally large ones. The film may also fall under ...
inspired by
Philippine folklore Philippine mythology is the body of stories and epics originating from, and part of, the indigenous Philippine folk religions, which include various ethnic faiths distinct from one another. Philippine mythology is incorporated from various ...
, was promoted as the first sound film. Moviegoers who remembered the film attested that it was not a completely sound film. José Nepomuceno's ''
Punyal na Guinto 350px, An antique gunong from Mindanao. The gunong is a knife from Mindanao and the Visayas islands of the Philippines. In ancient past, it was called bunong by the Tagalog people. It is essentially a diminutive form of the larger kalis or kris. Th ...
(Golden Dagger)'', which premiered on March 9, 1933, at the Lyric theater, was credited as the first completely sound, all-talking picture in the country. In the 1930s, a few film artists and producers deviated from the norms and presented sociopolitical movies. Ironically, the people who helped the film industry develop and flourish were also the same people who suppressed its artistic expression by inhibiting movie themes that would establish radical political views among the Filipinos. Instead, love and reconciliation between members of different classes of people were encouraged as themes.
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’s film ''
Patria Amor Patria may refer to: Entertainment * Patria (novel), a 2016 novel by Spanish writer Fernando Aramburu * Patria (TV series), a 2020 limited television series, based on the novel * ''Patria'' (serial), a 1917 American serial film Music * "Pátri ...
(Beloved Country)'' was almost suppressed because of its anti-Spanish sentiments. Carmen Concha, the first female director in the country, also ventured into filmmaking, and she directed '' Magkaisang Landas'' and '' Yaman ng Mahirap'' in 1939 under Parlatone, and '' Pangarap'' in 1940 under LVN. Despite fierce competition with Hollywood movies, the Filipino film industry survived and flourished. When the 1930s drew to a close, the Filipino film industry was well established, and local movie stars acquired huge followers. Some popular movie stars of the pre-WWII era include: *
Carmen Rosales Januaria Constantino Keller (March 3, 1917 – December 11, 1991), better known by her stage name Carmen Rosales and by her nickname Mameng, was a noted Filipina actress and World War II guerilla fighter. Her acting career spanned the decades i ...
(1917–1991) *
Angel Esmeralda In various theistic religious traditions an angel is a supernatural spiritual being who serves God. Abrahamic religions often depict angels as wikt:benevolent, benevolent celestial intermediaries between God (or Heaven) and humanity. Oth ...
(1915–1985) * Ben Rubio *
Fely Vallejo Fely is a name. Notable people with the name include: * Fely Crisóstomo, Filipina film director and actress * Fely Franquelli (1916–2002), Filipino dancer, choreographer, and actress * Fely Irvine (born 1989), Australian actress, singer and da ...
*
Exequiel Segovia Exequiel is a masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: *Exequiel Benavídez (born 1989), Argentine footballer *Exequiel Javier Exequiel Bellaflor Javier (born October 16, 1946) is a Filipino politician. He has been elected ...
*
Yolanda Marquez Yolanda may refer to: * Yolanda (name), a given name derived from the Greek ''Iolanthe'' Places * Yolanda, California * Yolanda Shrine, monument located at Barangay Anibong, Tacloban, Leyte Film * ''Yolanda'' (film), a 1924 film starring ...
*
Teddy Benavides Teddy is an English language given name, usually a hypocorism of Edward or Theodore. It may refer to: People Nickname * Teddy Atlas (born 1956), boxing trainer and fight commentator * Teddy Bourne (born 1948), British Olympic epee fencer * Teddy ...
* Manuel Barbeyto (1902–1979) * Ernesto la Guardia *
Rogelio dela Rosa Regidor Lim de la Rosa"Filipinos in History Vol. 3", page 75. (November 12, 1916 – November 26, 1986), professionally known as Rogelio de la Rosa, was one of the most popular Filipino matinee idols of the 20th century.Garcia, J., ''A Movie Qu ...
(1916–1986) *
Rudy Concepcion Rudy or Rudi is a masculine given name, sometimes short for Rudolf, Rudolph, Rawad, Rudra, Ruairidh, or variations thereof, a nickname and a surname which may refer to: People Given name or nickname *Rudolf Rudy Andeweg (born 1952), Dutch poli ...
(1915–1940) * Alfonso Carvajal *
Elsa Oria Elsa may refer to: ELSA (acronym) *ELSA Technology, a manufacturer of computer hardware *English Language Skills Assessment *English Longitudinal Study of Ageing *Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects research *European Law Students' Association *Euro ...
*
Andrés Centenera Andrés Centenera (born 1914, date of death unknown) was a Filipino character actor. He was the grandfather of Filipino singer Rafael Centenera. He appeared in films from 1937 to 1979. Andres Centenera, born in Goa, Camarines Sur. He was the so ...
(b. 1914) *
Tita Duran Teresita Rigo Durango Magalona (born Teresita Rigo Durango; September 30, 1928 – April 27, 1990), known professionally as Tita Duran, was a Filipina film actress who began as a child actress. She was the first successful child star of Philipp ...
(1929–1991) * Fernando Poe (1916–1951) * Corazon Noble *
Monang Carvajal Monang Carvajal (born Patrocinio Tagaroma Carvajal; June 30, 1898 – 22 June 1980) was a Filipina film actress best known for her roles in thriller and horror movies. She was dubbed the "Queen of Horror Pictures." Biography Carvajal was bor ...
(1898–1980) *
Mila del Sol Clarita Villarba Rivera, better known by her screen name Mila del Sol (12 May 1923 – 10 November 2020), was a Filipina actress, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Born in Tondo, Manila, she gained fame in her very first lead role in the 1939 fil ...
(1923–2020) *
Rosa del Rosario Rose del Rosario Stagner, better known by her screen name Rosa del Rosario (December 15, 1917 – February 4, 2006), was a Filipino film actress of Filipino-American descent. Early life and education She was born to an American father (Frank ...
(1917–2006) *Ely Ramos


World War II and Japanese occupation

During the Japanese Occupation,
filmmaking Filmmaking (film production) is the process by which a motion picture is produced. Filmmaking involves a number of complex and discrete stages, starting with an initial story, idea, or commission. It then continues through screenwriting, casti ...
was suddenly put to a halt. As was the case in Japan's other colonial and occupied film markets, Japanese film companies took over the local exhibition venues replacing films from the Hollywood and the region with Japanese films for propaganda. Japanese films had been imported into the Philippines since the late 1930s but without great success. Japanese-sponsored film production in the Philippines continued until 1945 but was limited mostly to newsreels and educational films. Although the Philippines never became a center for feature film production under the Japanese, it was a strategically important market for Japan. First, unlike Manchuria, where the Japanese literally had to construct a film industry, the Philippines already had many large, well-equipped motion picture theaters that were well-stocked with significant Hollywood product. Many confiscated films were exported back to Japan to train its filmmakers. Production facilities were better in the Philippines than any other market in the Japanese empire with the exception of Shanghai. This was another reason why such Japanese film companies as the Nanyo Film Association (南洋映画協会) and Film Distributors (映画配給者) each established branch offices in Manila in 1942. Further, due to the long period of American influence, the local film community boasted a significant number of people who had worked in Hollywood during the silent era and had considerable experience., pp. 108, 110 In 1944, Toho Studios sent director
Abe Yutaka was a Japanese film director and actor. He went to America along with a younger brother to visit an uncle living in Los Angeles. There he enrolled in an acting school, and upon hearing that Thomas H. Ince was looking for Japanese extras to work i ...
to Manila to produce the first of what would be the only two feature films to be entirely shot on location by the Japanese. ''
Ano hata o ute (Filipino: ''Liwayway ng Kalayaan'') also known as ''Dawn of Freedom'',, pp. 100-102 and ''Shoot That Flag: The End of Corregidor'' is a 1943 black-and-white Japanese film directed by Yutaka Abe and Gerardo de León. Synopsis The opening credits ...
'' (あの旗を撃て) aka ''Dawn of Freedom'' told the story of the Japanese victory at the Battle of Corregidor and the U.S. military's hasty retreat from the islands. The film presented the Japanese as Asian liberators who came to free the Filipinos from decades of colonial oppression that began with the Spanish and continued with the Americans. The film was shot in Japanese, Tagalog, and English and was written for the screen by Tsutomo Sawamura, co-directed by
Gerardo de Leon Gerardo may refer to: People Given name Gerardo is the Spanish, Portuguese and Italian form of the male given name Gerard. * Gerardo Amarilla (born 1969), Uruguayan politician * Gerardo Bonilla (born 1975), Puerto Rican-born professional race ...
(uncredited), and co-starred Fernando Po and Leopold Celecdo. The other Japanese-produced feature film shot in the Philippines was ''Tatlong Maria'' (1944). At the same time, the
comedy duo A double act (also known as a comedy duo) is a form of comedy originating in the British music hall tradition, and American vaudeville, in which two comedians perform together as a single act. Pairings are typically long-term, in some cases fo ...
Pugo and Togo Pugo and Togo were a Filipino comedy team in Philippine movies during the 1940s up to the 1950s.Pugo
, popular for satirizing Japanese occupation in the Philippines, was renamed to ''Tuguing and Puguing'' because of Togo name's closeness to Tojo, the name of the
Prime Minister of Japan The prime minister of Japan (Japanese: 内閣総理大臣, Hepburn: ''Naikaku Sōri-Daijin'') is the head of government of Japan. The prime minister chairs the Cabinet of Japan and has the ability to select and dismiss its Ministers of Stat ...
during the early 1940s. However, perhaps out of deference to the substantial local Japanese population, film censors were sensitive to Japanese complaints about negative representations of Japanese in U.S. films screened in the Philippines and aggressively cut scenes depicting Japanese soldiers committing atrocities in ''Thunder in the Orient'' (1939) and ''Fight For Peace'' (1939) years before Japanese military occupation. During
World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
, almost all actors depended only on stage shows on most major Manila movie theaters as livelihood. As a consequence, live theater began to thrive again as movie stars, directors and technicians returned to the stage.


Postwar 1940s and the 1950s: The First Golden Age


Post-war Cebuano and Ilonggo Cinema and its resurgence

After the second world war, a resurgence of Visayan films came about through Lapu-Lapu Pictures, which produced ''Timbu Mata'' (1948), starring Eva de Villa and Lino Ramas, and ''Damgo ni Adan'' (Adan's Dream), produced by Rudy Robles. Then came Mactan Films which produced ''Tahas'' (Mission; 1950), starring Luz Celeste and Dakay; Mat Ranillo was in this film. Then ''Balud'' (Wave; 1950) which starred Luz Celeste and Mat Ranillo. Another independent picture, ''Sa Kabukiran'' (In the Mountains; 1948), was also produced during this time. By 1951, Azucena Productions was established by the Arong Family (owners of Rene and Liberty Theaters). They produced ''Princesa Tirana'' (Princess Tirana), 1951 with Mat Ranillo and Gloria Sevilla (her first feature title role after she was discovered through a declamation contest at the University of the Visayas) as lead players. Their first feature together made such a box office success in the Visayas and Mindanao that other features immediately followed: ''Leonora'' (1951), ''Pailub Lang'' (Be Forebearing; 1951), ''Utlanan'' (Border; 1952), ''Handumanan'' (Memoir; 1953), ''Inahan'' (Mother; 1952), starring Mat Ranillo and Caridad Sanchez; ''Antigan'' (1952) with Virgie Postigo and Arise Roa; ''Carmen 1 and 2'' (from the famous radio drama in Cebu; 1953), ''Paabuta Lang Ako'' (Wait for Me; 1953), ''Gloria Kong Anak'' (Gloria My Child; 1953), and ''Gihigugma Kong Ikaw'' (I Love You; 1954). Mat and Gloria then became synonymous to Visayan pictures, and since then were called as the King and Queen of Visayan Movies. In 1953 a film entitled ''Sangang Nangabali'' (Broken Branches), produced by Cebu Stars Production broke box-office records in the mid-1950s. Cebu Stars Productions (owned by the Tojong Family) had earlier produced ''Dimakaling'' (1952) and ''Mga Anak Intawon'' (Oh, Poor Children; 1953). Other independent Visayan films produced at this time were: ''Mapait Ang Balaod'' (by Arturo Blanco; 1953), Bugas Mais (Corn Rice; by Arturo Blanco; 1953), ''Kapintas Sa Kinabuhi'' (Hard Life; 1953), (Cebu Stars Productions with Esterlina and Rebecca Torres), ''Pit Senor'' (Hail Senor) and ''San Tilmo'' (1953), (Barba Productions), ''Ang Siloy'' (1953) (with Nora Hermosa and Rebecca Torres), ''Huni sa Gugma'' (Where Is Love; 1953), ''Dadansoy'' (1953) and ''Inahan'' (Mother; 1954). Mutya and VM Productions (formed by Natalio Bacalso – former Cebu assemblyman) entered ''Salingsing sa Kasakit'' (Partner in Pain), directed by Bacalso, in the 1955 FAMAS derby and won the "Best Child Actor Award" for Undo Juezan. These movie outfits also produced some memorable features such as ''Ungo Sa Parian'' (Witch In The Parian); Remember Erlinda;Rosita; ''Politika'' (Politics); and ''Mutya sa Saging Tindok'' (Muse of Saging Tindok). ''Garbosa'' (Proud; 1957) and ''Matam-is Ang Pagpaubos'' (Too Sweet to Suffer; 1957) were also released during this time. Mat ang Gloria finally got married off-screen (in real life) and formed S-R Productions in 1954. The company's initial projects were ''Paradista'' (1955) and ''May Luhang Nahabilin sa Baybayon'' (A Tear Fell on the Shore; 1955) and even as they moved on to make Tagalog movies in Manila, they still continued producing Visayan movies like (It is the Palm That Commands) with Flash Elorde and Edita Clomera; ''Palad Ta Ang Nagbuot Lungsod Sa Buenavista'' (Town of Buenavista; 1969), and ''Hain Ang Langit'' (Where is Heavean?; 1969), with Gloria Sevilla and Mat Ranillo and Von Serna – this is Mat's last movie. ''Badlis sa Kinabuhi'' (The Line of Life; 1969) was entered in the 18th FAMAS Awards and got 12 nominations out of 14 categories. Gloria Sevilla won
Best Actress Best Actress is the name of an award which is presented by various film, television and theatre organisations, festivals, and people's awards to leading actresses in a film, television series, television film or play. The first Best Actress aw ...
, Frankie Navaja, Jr. won Best Child Performer, and the late Mat Ranillo got a posthumous award (Mat Ranillo had earlier died in a plane crash in 1969). The film (''Badlis'') was the Philippine entry to the ASEAN Film Festival in Indonesia, and was showcased under the informative division of the Berlin Film Festival (the film was dubbed in English in Hong Kong and retitled "Destined"). In 1970, ''Badlis Sa Kinabuhi'' and ''Palad Ta Ang Nagbuot'' were released in their original Visayan versions in Metro Manila and made good at the box office. ''Ang Bayan'' (The Country), 1970 was also produced at this time. The 1970s saw the emergence of more Visayan talents in the Tagalog film industry. Actresses such as Chanda Romero, Caridad Sanches, Alma Moreno, Tessie Sevilla, Rebecca Torres, Aurora Villa, Eva de Villa, Rosita Fernandez, Virgie Postigo, Virgie Solis, Olivia Solis, Cora Real, Diana Arong, Luz Celeste, Annabelle Rama, Suzette Ranillo, Lady Ramos, Pilar Pilapil, and others stepped into the limelight. Male leads (to name a few) were Bert Nombrado, Ber Lopez, Tony Delgado, Riel Ylaya, Lino Ramas, Arturo Blanco, Arturo de Castille, Frankie Navaja Jr, Tony Cruz, Undo Juezan, Felix de Catalina, Arsie Roa, Warfi Engracia, Kadyo Roma and Romy Kintanar (who is now a sports commentator). Directors Leroy Salvador, Fernando Alfon, Talyo Bacalso, Sat Villarino, Gene Labella, Leox Juesan, Cesar B. Cesar and Emmanuel H. Borlaza also originated from the south. Borlaza directed Alma Bonita (with Chanda Romero and Ernie Garcia) and Paypay Placid (Fan of Placid), Diadem Films, (with Pepito Rodriguez, Lilian Lain, Alice Mendez, and Justo C. Justo). Other films that were produced at this time were Medalyon Nga Bulawan (Medalyon Na Ginto), produced by Annabelle Rama, starring Bert Leroy, Gina Pareno, Jerry Pons, Charlie Davao, Johnny Delgado, Raul Aragon, Alice Mendez, and Yoyoy Villame; (with Nobo Bono, Jr. and Tessie Sevilla); Mayor AndalBatul of Mactan (Battle of Mactan), JRJ Productions, starring Chanda Romero, Eddie Peregrina and Alice Mendez; Anino sa Villa Lagrimas (Shadow of Villa Lagrimas), starring Chanda Romero and Ernie Garcia; Bulawan Sa Lapok (Gold in the Mud), starring Alicia Alonzon, Bert Leroy Jr., Tommy Abuel and Dindo Fernando; Antonio Solitaryo and Mga Milagaro sa Santo Niño (Miracles of Sto. Niño), Magnolia Films both directed by Sol Gaudite; Aliyana, 1974; and Ikaduhang Bathala (Second God), 1974. Gloria Sevilla remarried in 1971, and together with her husband Amado Cortez (of the Padilla clan) went on to produce another Visayan film entitled Gimingaw Ako (I Long For You), 1974 (which was shot entirely in Cebu City and directed by Amado Cortez starring Gloria Sevilla, Suzette Ranillo, Bert Nombrado and Inday Nita Cortez). This film won the FAMAS "Best Actress Award" for Gloria Sevilla and "Best Supporting Actress Award" for Suzette Ranillo. Naghila Ako Sa Kahilum (Crying Silently) also came about within the year. Other independent productions were: Diego Salvador, 1973; Ang Pagbabalik ni Diego Salvador (The Return of Diego Salvador), 1974 with Von Serna; and Sabrin, 1975 with Chanda Romero and Rebecca Torres. Visayan film producers continued trying to revive the Visayan movies in the mid-seventies by filming in the 16mm format and transferring the material to 35mm for theatrical release. Films such as ''Ang Manok ni San Pedro'' (St. Peter's Rooster), 1975 and ''Itlog Manoy Orange'' (The Orange Egg Vendor), 1976 were originally shot in 16mm. This less costly process, however, did not prevent the Visayan film industry from finally going into a dormant stage. The Tagalog film industry was just at an upswing at this time, prompting Visayan producers to venture into television production instead. It was not until 1991 that another Visayan film project was brought to the big screen. ''Eh Kasi Babae'' (Because She Is a Woman) starring Pilita Corales, Yoyoy Villame and Manilyn Reynes was produced, then followed by ''Matud Nila'' (They Say; 1991) (Bisaya Films, Inc. produced by James R. Cuenco, Jr.). This starred Gloria Sevilla, Mat Ranillo III, Suzette Ranillo, Dandin Ranillo, Juni Ranillo, Pilar Pilapil, Jennifer Sevilla, Mark Gil and Pinky Marquez. Matud Nila also marked the last film directed by Leroy Salvador.


The Golden Age and Contemporary Era of Tagalog Cinema

After World War II, the Philippine version of a
war film War film is a film genre concerned with warfare, typically about naval, air, or land battles, with combat scenes central to the drama. It has been strongly associated with the 20th century. The fateful nature of battle scenes means that war fi ...
emerged as a genre. The audience were hungry for films with patriotic themes. Films such as ''
Garrison 13 A garrison (from the French ''garnison'', itself from the verb ''garnir'', "to equip") is any body of troops stationed in a particular location, originally to guard it. The term now often applies to certain facilities that constitute a mili ...
'' (1946), '' Dugo ng Bayan (The Country’s Blood)'' (1946), '' Walang Kamatayan (Deathless)'' (1946), and '' Guerilyera'' (1946), narrated the horrors of the war and the
heroism A hero (feminine: heroine) is a real person or a main fictional character who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through feats of ingenuity, courage, or strength. Like other formerly gender-specific terms (like ''actor''), ''her ...
of the
soldier A soldier is a person who is a member of an army. A soldier can be a conscripted or volunteer enlisted person, a non-commissioned officer, or an officer. Etymology The word ''soldier'' derives from the Middle English word , from Old French ...
s and guerrillas. The 1950s was labeled as the first golden age of Philippine cinema. Four big production studios ( LVN Pictures,
Sampaguita Pictures Sampaguita Pictures was a Philippine film production company. It was named for the Philippine national flower, sampaguita. Though no longer functioning, the company's Sampaguita Compound remains in Quezon City. History Sampaguita Pictures was es ...
,
Premiere Productions Premiere Entertainment Productions was a Philippine film production company. It was among the country's major film companies, along with Sampaguita Pictures, LVN Pictures and Lea Productions. It now operates as an investment holding company. ...
and Lebran International) were at their peak in filmmaking, employing premier directors like
Gerardo de León Gerardo de León, National Artist of the Philippines, ONA (September 12, 1913 – July 25, 1981), was a Philippines, Filipino film director and actor. Biography De León, who was born Gerardo Ilagan, was a member of the Ilagan clan of Philippine ...
,
Eddie Romero Edgar Sinco Romero, (July 7, 1924 – May 28, 2013), commonly known as Eddie Romero, was a Filipino film director, film producer and screenwriter. Early life Romero was born on July 7, 1924. His father was José E. Romero, the first Philipp ...
and César Gallardo while contracting the biggest stars of that period. The Filipino film industry was one of the busiest and bustling film communities in Asia, releasing an average of 350 films a year making Philippines second to
Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
in terms of film productions a year. The premier directors of the era were (but not limited to): *
Lamberto Avellana Lamberto Vera Avellana (February 12, 1915 – April 25, 1991) was a prominent Filipino film and stage director. Despite considerable budgetary limitations that hampered the post-war Filipino film industry, Avellana's films such as ''Anak Dali ...
(1915–1991) *
Gerardo de León Gerardo de León, National Artist of the Philippines, ONA (September 12, 1913 – July 25, 1981), was a Philippines, Filipino film director and actor. Biography De León, who was born Gerardo Ilagan, was a member of the Ilagan clan of Philippine ...
(1913–1981) * Gregorio Fernández * Consuelo Ateng Padilla Osorio * César Gallardo * Armando Garces *
Eddie Romero Edgar Sinco Romero, (July 7, 1924 – May 28, 2013), commonly known as Eddie Romero, was a Filipino film director, film producer and screenwriter. Early life Romero was born on July 7, 1924. His father was José E. Romero, the first Philipp ...
(1924–2013) * Cirio Santiago (1936–2008) The biggest stars of the era were (but not limited to): * Tessie Agaña * Dely Atayatayan (1914–2004) * Andoy Balunbalunan *
Bentot Arturo Vergara Medina (13 July 1920 – 19 June 1986), better known by his stage name Bentot or Ben Cosca, was a Filipino comedian and vaudevillian who spent most of his career under LVN Pictures. He had many box office hits with another fame ...
(1928–1986) *
Nida Blanca Dorothy Guinto Jones (January 6, 1936 – November 7, 2001), popularly known by her stage name Nida Blanca, was a Filipina actress. After a successful acting career in films during the 1950s, many of which are with actor Nestor de Villa, sh ...
(1936–2001) *
Nena Cardenas Nena Cardenas, born Remy Cardenas, was a Filipina actress. Biography Cardenas made her first acting appearance in the drama ''Kidlat sa Silangan'' (Lightning on the East) with Premiere Production. She made several movies with this studio, includ ...
*
Bayani Casimiro Bayani Casimiro Sr. (July 16, 1918 – February 27, 1989) was a Filipino dancer who was among the leading stars of bodabil (vaudeville) in the 1930s and 1940s. He also appeared in musical films and later in life, in comedic roles. A tap danc ...
(1918–1989) *
Levi Celerio Levi Celerio (April 30, 1910 – April 2, 2002) was a Filipino composer and lyricist who is credited with writing over 4,000 songs. Celerio was recognized as a National Artist of the Philippines for Music and Literature in 1997. He is also known ...
(1910–2002) * Chichay (1918–1993) * Chiquito (1932–1997) *
Manuel Conde Manuel Conde (born Manuel Pabustan Urbano; October 9, 1915 – August 11, 1985) was a Filipino actor, director and producer. As an actor, he also used the screen name Juan Urbano during the 1930s aside from his more popular screen name. Early ca ...
(1915–1985) *
Rogelio de la Rosa Regidor Lim de la Rosa"Filipinos in History Vol. 3", page 75. (November 12, 1916 – November 26, 1986), professionally known as Rogelio de la Rosa, was one of the most popular Filipino matinee idols of the 20th century.Garcia, J., ''A Movie Qu ...
(1916–1986) *
Jaime de la Rosa Tomás Lim de la Rosa (September 18, 1921 – December 2, 1992), also known for his screen name Jaime de la Rosa was a Filipino prewar and postwar actor and politician. Early life Tomás de la Rosa was the first screen name he used, later chan ...
(1921–1992) * Gil de León (b. 1925) * Van de León (b. 1925) *
Nestor de Villa Gines Francisco Soriano (July 6, 1928 – February 21, 2004), also known as Nestor de Villa, was a Filipino actor frequently cast in musical films. He was a gifted dancer, often paired with frequent on-screen partner Nida Blanca in both mov ...
(1928–2004) *
Eddie del Mar Eduardo Sangalang Magat (13 October 1919 – 8 November 1986), better known by his stage name Eddie del Mar, was a Filipino actor, screenwriter, director, and movie producer, particularly noted for his portrayals of Philippine national figures ...
(1919–1986) *
Rosa del Rosario Rose del Rosario Stagner, better known by her screen name Rosa del Rosario (December 15, 1917 – February 4, 2006), was a Filipino film actress of Filipino-American descent. Early life and education She was born to an American father (Frank ...
(1917–2006) *
Mila del Sol Clarita Villarba Rivera, better known by her screen name Mila del Sol (12 May 1923 – 10 November 2020), was a Filipina actress, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Born in Tondo, Manila, she gained fame in her very first lead role in the 1939 fil ...
(b. 1923) *
Lauro Delgado Lauro Delgado (December 10, 1932 – January 15, 1978) was a Filipino actor, born as Loreto Porciuncula in Bocaue, Bulacan. He was discovered by the director Gerardo de Leon. Starting his acting career in the 1950s, Delgado primarily had villa ...
(1932–1978) *
Dolphy Rodolfo Vera Quizon Sr. (; July 25, 1928 – July 10, 2012), better known by his stage names Dolphy, Pidol, and Golay, was a Filipino comedian and actor. He is widely regarded as the country's "King of Comedy" for his comedic talent embodied ...
(1928–2012) *
Linda Estrella Consuello Vera Rigotti (December 3, 1922 – February 18, 2012), professionally known as Linda Estrella, was a Filipina actress and singer, best known as one of the players of Sampaguita Pictures. Biography Consuello Vera Rigotti was born on De ...
(1922–2012) * Arsenia Francisco * Eddie García (1925-2019) * Rita Gómez *
Luis Gonzales Luis F. Mercado (June 21, 1928 – March 15, 2012) also known as Luis Gonzales, was a Filipino actor who appeared in more than 100 films during his career, most of them by Sampaguita Pictures. Early life Raised in Tondo, Manila, Gonzales may ...
(1928–2012) * Óscar Keese *
Anita Linda Alice Bueñaflor Lake (November 23, 1924 – June 10, 2020), better known by her stage name Anita Linda, was a Filipino film actress. A romantic lead in her youth, she later gained critical acclaim for her portrayals in maternal or elderly r ...
(1924-2020) *
Vicente Liwanag Vicente is an Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese name. Like its French variant, Vincent, it is derived from the Latin name ''Vincentius'' meaning "conquering" (from Latin ''vincere'', "to conquer"). Vicente may refer to: Location *São Vicente, Cap ...
* Lopito *
Rosa Mía Rosa or De Rosa may refer to: People *Rosa (given name) *Rosa (surname) *wiktionary:Santa_Rosa, Santa Rosa (female given name from Latin-a latinized variant of Rose) Places *223 Rosa, an asteroid *Rosa, Alabama, a town, United States *Rosa, Ger ...
*
Fred Montilla Fred may refer to: People * Fred (name), including a list of people and characters with the name Mononym * Fred (cartoonist) (1931–2013), pen name of Fred Othon Aristidès, French * Fred (footballer, born 1949) (1949–2022), Frederico Rodr ...
*
Óscar Moreno (actor) Óscar Moreno (Porto, November 16, 1878 - Porto, May 26, 1971), was a Portuguese people, Portuguese urologist, physician, doctor, scientist and chemist. Early life Moreno was born in Porto, in the parish of Victoria, the son of Jose Lourenço R ...
*
Óscar Obligación Oscar or Oskar is a masculine given name of Irish origin. Etymology The name is derived from two elements in Irish: the first, ''os'', means "deer"; the second element, ''car'', means "loving" or "friend", thus "deer-loving one" or "friend of deer" ...
* Bert Olivar *
José Padilla, Jr. José is a predominantly Spanish and Portuguese form of the given name Joseph. While spelled alike, this name is pronounced differently in each language: Spanish ; Portuguese (or ). In French, the name ''José'', pronounced , is an old vernacul ...
(1911–1978) *
Paraluman Sigrid Sophia Agatha de Torres von Giese, better known by her screen name Paraluman (December 14, 1923 – April 27, 2009), was an award-winning Filipina German actress. Her contemporaries include the likes of Fernando Poe, Sr. and Carmen Rosal ...
(1923–2009) *
Patsy (Pachochay) Patsy is a given name often used as a diminutive of the feminine given name Patricia or sometimes the masculine name Patrick, or occasionally other names containing the syllable "Pat" (such as Cleopatra, Patience, or Patrice). Among Italian Ame ...
* Fred Peñalosa * Ben Pérez * Pugak * Pugo (1910–1978) * César Ramírez (1929–2003) * Delia Razón * Efren Reyes, Sr. (1924–1968) *
Johnny Reyes Johnny is an English language personal name. It is usually an affectionate diminutive of the masculine given name John, but from the 16th century it has sometimes been a given name in its own right for males and, less commonly, females. Variant ...
*
Lolita Rodriguez Dolores Marquez Clark, better known by her screen name Lolita Rodriguez (January 29, 1935 – November 28, 2016), was a multi-awarded actress in the Philippines. She was paired with Eddie Arenas in ''Gilda'' (1956), in which she won her first F ...
(1935–2016) *
Gloria Romero Gloria Romero may refer to: *Gloria Romero (actress) Gloria Anne Borrego Galla (born December 16, 1933), known professionally as Gloria Romero (), is a multi-awarded Filipino actress, regarded as the “Queen of Philippine Movies”, her care ...
(b. 1933) *
Rosa Rosal Florence Danon Gayda (born Florence Lansang Danon; October 16, 1928), better known as Rosa Rosal, is a FAMAS award-winning Filipina film actress dubbed as the "original femme fatale of Philippine cinema." She is also known for her work with the ...
(b. 1931) *
Carmen Rosales Januaria Constantino Keller (March 3, 1917 – December 11, 1991), better known by her stage name Carmen Rosales and by her nickname Mameng, was a noted Filipina actress and World War II guerilla fighter. Her acting career spanned the decades i ...
(1917–1991) * Ben Rubio * Rubén Rustia * Carlos Salazar (b. 1933) * Tony Santos, Sr. *
Charito Solis Rosario Violeta Solís Hernández, better known as Charito Solís (October 6, 1935 – January 9, 1998), was a FAMAS and Gawad Urian Award-winning Filipina film actress, in addition to being the first Philippine woman who have bared her chest in ...
(1935–1998) *
Togo Togo (), officially the Togolese Republic (french: République togolaise), is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, where its c ...
(1905–1952) * Tolindoy * Tugak * Carol Varga *
Alicia Vergel Erlinda Gaerlan Asturias-Aguilar (June 7, 1927 – May 20, 1992), popularity known as Alicia Vergel, was a Filipino people, Filipina actress noted for her roles as fighting women and amazons and, like Norma Blancaflor, for her heart-shaped face. ...
(1927–1992) *
Evelyn Villar Evelyn may refer to: Places * Evelyn, London *Evelyn Gardens, a garden square in London * Evelyn, Ontario, Canada * Evelyn, Michigan, United States * Evelyn, Texas, United States * Evelyn, Wirt County, West Virginia, United States * Evel ...
* Billy "Surot" Vizcarra *
Zaldy Zshornack José Rizaldy Taduran Zshornack (30 December 1937 – 18 November 2002) was a Filipino actor. Zshornack had a long career spanning the 1950s to the 1990s. His name Zaldy is derived from his birthdate, 30 December, which is celebrated as Rizal ...
(1937–2002) The four biggest production studios produced most of the notable films of Philippine cinema during this era. In 1951, the movie ''
Roberta ''Roberta'' is a musical from 1933 with music by Jerome Kern, and lyrics and book by Otto Harbach. The musical is based on the novel ''Gowns by Roberta'' by Alice Duer Miller. It features the songs " Yesterdays", "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes", "Let ...
'' of Sampaguita Pictures which featured leading child stars was the hit. LVN Pictures, under the leadership of the Doña Sisang de León, not only specialized in super productions, rural comedies and musicals, but also produced socially-relevant films such as Avellana's ''
Anak Dalita ''Child of Sorrow'' ( tl, Anak Dalita; subtitled ''The Ruins'') is a 1956 Philippine crime drama-tragedy film written by Rolf Bayer and directed by Lamberto V. Avellana. Set in the slums of Manila, recovering from the aftermath of the Second Wor ...
'' (1956), Tony Santos's '' Badjao'' (1957) and
Manuel Silos Manuel Silos (1 January 1906 – 31 March 1988) was an award-winning Filipino film-maker from the 1920s through the 1950s. He began his career by making silent movies together with his brothers. As a ''bodabil'' (vaudeville) actor and comed ...
's ''
Biyaya ng Lupa ''Blessings of the Land'' ( fil, Biyaya ng Lupa) is a 1959 Filipino drama film directed by Manuel Silos. It was entered into the 10th Berlin International Film Festival. The film won Best Picture and Best Story from the Filipino Academy of Mov ...
'' (1959). Sampaguita Pictures mainly produced high-gloss, glamorous pictures such as ''
Maalaala Mo Kaya ''Maalaala Mo Kaya'' (; formerly written as ''Maala-ala Mo Kaya...''; abbreviated as ''MMK''), also known as ''Memories'', is a Philippines, Philippine television drama anthology show broadcast by Kapamilya Channel under ABS-CBN Entertainment. ...
'' (1954). On the other hand, Premiere Productions released most of the
action film Action film is a film genre in which the protagonist is thrust into a series of events that typically involve violence and physical feats. The genre tends to feature a mostly resourceful hero struggling against incredible odds, which include life ...
s of the decade, such as ''Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo'' (1952), ''Salabusab'' (1954) and ''Huwag Mo Akong Limutin'' (1960). High production values on the motion pictures during this era produced movies that gained international acclaim. In 1952,
Manuel Conde Manuel Conde (born Manuel Pabustan Urbano; October 9, 1915 – August 11, 1985) was a Filipino actor, director and producer. As an actor, he also used the screen name Juan Urbano during the 1930s aside from his more popular screen name. Early ca ...
's ''
Genghis Khan ''Chinggis Khaan'' ͡ʃʰiŋɡɪs xaːŋbr />Mongol script: ''Chinggis Qa(gh)an/ Chinggis Khagan'' , birth_name = Temüjin , successor = Tolui (as regent)Ögedei Khan , spouse = , issue = , house = Borjigin , ...
'' became the first Asian film to be shown at the
Venice Venice ( ; it, Venezia ; vec, Venesia or ) is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto Regions of Italy, region. It is built on a group of 118 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by over 400  ...
and
Cannes Film Festival The Cannes Festival (; french: link=no, Festival de Cannes), until 2003 called the International Film Festival (') and known in English as the Cannes Film Festival, is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films o ...
, a feat that would not be repeated until the 1970s. Inspired by Conde's picture, Hollywood remade ''Genghis Khan'' in 1956 as '' The Conqueror'' starring
John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne and nicknamed The Duke or Duke Wayne, was an American actor who became a popular icon through his starring roles in films made during Hollywood's Gol ...
as Genghis Khan and produced by RKO Radio Pictures. And also of Columbia Pictures' film "Genghis Khan" in which
Omar Sharif Omar Sharif ( ar, عمر الشريف ; born Michel Yusef Dimitri Chalhoub , 10 April 193210 July 2015) was an Egyptian actor, generally regarded as one of his country's greatest male film stars. He began his career in his native country in the ...
portrayed in the title role in 1965. In 1956, ''Anak Dalita'' won the Golden Harvest Award (Best Picture) of the prestigious
Asia-Pacific Film Festival The Asia-Pacific Film Festival (abbreviated APFF) is an annual film festival hosted by the Federation of Motion Picture Producers in Asia-Pacific. The festival was first held in Tokyo, Japan, in 1954. History The festival was first held in Toky ...
. Actress
Lilia Dizon Claire Dizon Strauss (1928 – June 15, 2020) professionally known as Lilia Dizon was a Filipina actress active in the 1940s and 1950s. Personal life She was the only daughter of Regina Dizon, a Filipino, and Abraham "Abe" Strauss, an Ameri ...
, was presented with the Best Actress Award by the prince of
Cambodia Cambodia (; also Kampuchea ; km, កម្ពុជា, UNGEGN: ), officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochinese Peninsula in Southeast Asia, spanning an area of , bordered by Thailand t ...
,
Norodom Sihanouk Norodom Sihanouk (; km, នរោត្តម សីហនុ, ; 31 October 192215 October 2012) was a Cambodian statesman, Sangkum and FUNCINPEC politician, Norodom Sihanouk filmography, film director, and composer who led Cambodia in vari ...
, for the film ''Kandelerong Pilak'' in the 1954 Asia-Pacific Film Festival. Leroy Salvador was also recognized in his performance as Best Supporting Actor for the film ''Huk sa Bagong Pamumuhay'' (1953) in the same film festival. During this era, the first award-giving body was also established in 1950. The ''
Maria Clara Awards The Maria Clara Awards is the first formal film industry award-giving body of the Philippines. It was established in 1950 by a group of writers from the Manila Times Publishing, Co., which included National Artist Dr. Alejandro Roces, regarded ...
'' of the Manila Times Publishing Corp., was composed of film publicists and writers who voted for the exemplary achievements of Filipino motion pictures in a calendar year. In 1953, the María Clara folded up to give way to the establishment of the
Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences The Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (also known as the FAMAS Awards) are the annual honors given by the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS), an organization composed of award-winning writers and movie columni ...
(FAMAS), the Philippines' equivalent to the United States'
Academy Awards The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...
in prestige. During this period, Filipinos saw Hollywood's first full-length picture in living
Technicolor Technicolor is a series of Color motion picture film, color motion picture processes, the first version dating back to 1916, and followed by improved versions over several decades. Definitive Technicolor movies using three black and white films ...
. Soon after, Filipino local producers started presenting full-length pictures in color despite some technical deficiency, one of which was ''Prinsipe Amante'' (Prince Amante).


1960s

This era is characterized by rampant
commercialism Commercialism is the application of both manufacturing and consumption towards personal usage, or the practices, methods, aims, and distribution of products in a free market geared toward generating a profit. Commercialism can also refer, positivel ...
with
James Bond The ''James Bond'' series focuses on a fictional British Secret Service agent created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short-story collections. Since Fleming's death in 1964, eight other authors have ...
and
Western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...
knock offs, and in the later 1960s, the so-called ''bomba'' (
soft porn Softcore pornography or softcore porn, is commercial still photography or film that has a pornographic or erotic component but is less sexually graphic and intrusive than hardcore pornography, defined by a lack of visual sexual penetration. Softc ...
) pictures. It was also the era of
musical film Musical film is a film genre in which songs by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, but in some cases, they serve merely as breaks ...
s produced mostly by Sampaguita Pictures and their discovered talents. The
studio system A studio system is a method of filmmaking wherein the production and distribution of films is dominated by a small number of large movie studios. It is most often used in reference to Hollywood motion picture studios during the Golden Age of Hol ...
s came under siege from the growing
labor movement The labour movement or labor movement consists of two main wings: the trade union movement (British English) or labor union movement (American English) on the one hand, and the political labour movement on the other. * The trade union movement ...
, which resulted in labor-management conflicts. The first studio to close was Lebran followed by Premiere Productions then LVN. Those production studios were replaced by new and independent producers like
Regal Films Regal Entertainment, Inc. (formerly and more commonly known as Regal Films) is a Philippine film production company based in Pasig. It was founded by Lily Monteverde on August 19, 1962. It has produced movies of all genres; and is the oldest s ...
, which was established by
Lily Monteverde Lily Yu Monteverde, nicknamed Mother Lily (born August 19, 1938), is a Filipina film producer and businesswoman. She is the first and many Filipina Movie producers who produced the boom of blockbuster films in different genres in the 70s and 80 ...
in 1962. The decade also saw the emergence of the
youth subculture Youth subculture is a youth-based subculture with distinct styles, behaviors, and interests. Youth subcultures offer participants an identity outside of that ascribed by social institutions such as family, work, home and school. Youth subcultures ...
best represented by
the Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...
and
rock and roll Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, or rock 'n roll) is a Genre (music), genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It Origins of rock and roll, originated from Africa ...
. As a result, certain movie genres were made to cater to this trend. Fan movies and teen love team-ups emerged, showing
Nora Aunor Nora Cabaltera Villamayor (born May 21, 1953), professionally known as Nora Aunor (), is a Filipino actress, recording artist, and film producer. Aunor has also appeared in several stage plays, television shows and concerts. She is known as Ph ...
and
Vilma Santos Rosa Vilma Tuazon Santos-Recto (, born November 3, 1953) is a Filipino actress, singer, dancer, TV host, producer, and politician. She served as a House Deputy Speaker since 2019 to 2022 and as the Representative of Batangas' 6th district since ...
, along with
Tirso Cruz III Tirso Silvano Cruz III (born April 1, 1952) is a Filipino actor, comedian, and singer. He currently serves as the Chairperson of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. Regarded as a "matinee idol", Cruz is a FAMAS Award and Gawad Ur ...
and
Edgar Mortiz Edgardo Mortiz (born August 30, 1954) is a Filipino actor, comedian, singer and director who is currently affiliated with GMA Network and Brightlight Productions. He previously directed numerous shows under ABS-CBN, until its shutdown where he ...
as their respective screen sweethearts. In addition, movie genres showing disaffection to the
status quo is a Latin phrase meaning the existing state of affairs, particularly with regard to social, political, religious or military issues. In the sociological sense, the ''status quo'' refers to the current state of social structure and/or values. W ...
during the era were also popular. Action movies with
Pinoy ''Pinoy'' ( ) is a common informal self-reference used by Filipinos to refer to citizens of the Philippines and their culture as well as to overseas Filipinos in the Filipino diaspora. A Pinoy who has any non-Filipino foreign ancestry is often ...
cowboy A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the '' vaquer ...
s and
secret agent Espionage, spying, or intelligence gathering is the act of obtaining secret or confidential information (intelligence) from non-disclosed sources or divulging of the same without the permission of the holder of the information for a tangib ...
s as the movers of the plots depicted a "society ravaged by criminality and corruption". Another kind of youth revolt, implying rejection of adult corruption, came in the form of movies featuring child stars. Near the end of this decade, another
movie genre A film genre is a stylistic or thematic category for motion pictures based on similarities either in the narrative elements, aesthetic approach, or the emotional response to the film. Drawing heavily from the theories of literary-genre cri ...
that embodied a different form of revolt took center stage.
Soft porn Softcore pornography or softcore porn, is commercial still photography or film that has a pornographic or erotic component but is less sexually graphic and intrusive than hardcore pornography, defined by a lack of visual sexual penetration. Softc ...
movies, more popularly known as ''bomba'' films, increasingly became popular, and these films were described as a direct challenge to the conventions, norms and conduct of the society. Even in the period of decline, several Philippine films that stood out. These include the following films by Gerardo de Leon: * ''Huwag Mo Akong Limutin'' (Never Forget Me) in 1960; *'' Noli Me Tangere'' (Touch Me Not) in 1961; * '' El Filibusterismo'' (Subversion) in 1962 During this period, Filipino filmmakers were more successful in presenting some full-length pictures in living
Eastmancolor Eastmancolor is a trade name used by Eastman Kodak for a number of related film and processing technologies associated with color motion picture production and referring to George Eastman, founder of Kodak. Eastmancolor, introduced in 1950, was on ...
, one of which was ''Ito ang Pilipino'' by J.E. Production. This movie was produced and starred by
Joseph Estrada Joseph Ejercito Estrada, (; born Jose Marcelo Ejercito; April 19, 1937), also known by the nickname Erap, is a Filipino politician and former actor. He served as the 13th president of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, the 9th vice preside ...
.


1970s to early 1980s: Second Golden Age

Touted as the second golden age of Philippine cinema, this was the period of the
avant-garde The avant-garde (; In 'advance guard' or ' vanguard', literally 'fore-guard') is a person or work that is experimental, radical, or unorthodox with respect to art, culture, or society.John Picchione, The New Avant-garde in Italy: Theoretical ...
filmmakers. At the turn of the 70s, local producers and filmmakers ceased to produce pictures in black and white. In 1972, the Philippines was placed under
martial law Martial law is the imposition of direct military control of normal civil functions or suspension of civil law by a government, especially in response to an emergency where civil forces are overwhelmed, or in an occupied territory. Use Marti ...
, and films were used as
propaganda Propaganda is communication that is primarily used to influence or persuade an audience to further an agenda, which may not be objective and may be selectively presenting facts to encourage a particular synthesis or perception, or using loaded ...
vehicles. President
Ferdinand Marcos Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos Sr. ( , , ; September 11, 1917 – September 28, 1989) was a Filipino politician, lawyer, dictator, and kleptocrat who was the 10th president of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He ruled under martial ...
and his technocrats sought to regulate filmmaking through the creation of the ''Board of Censors for Motion Pictures'' (BCMP). Prior to the start of filming, a finished script was required to be submitted to the Board and incorporate the "ideology" of the
New Society Movement The New Society Movement ( fil, Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, KBL), formerly named the New Society Movement of United Nationalists, Liberals, et cetera ( fil, Kilusang Bagong Lipunan ng Nagkakaisang Nacionalista, Liberal, at iba pa, KBLNNL), is a r ...
such as, a new sense of discipline, uprightness and love of country. Annual festivals were revived, and the ''Bomba'' films as well as political movies critical of the Marcos administration were banned. ''Maharlika'' was a 1971 film banned by then-first lady
Imelda Marcos Imelda Romualdez Marcos (; born Imelda Remedios Visitacion Trinidad Romualdez; July 2, 1929) is a Filipino politician who served as the First Lady of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986, wielding significant political power during the dictator ...
because it starred actress
Dovie Beams Dovie Beams Villagran (born Dovie Leona Osborne,Hermie Rotea, ''Marcos' Lovey Dovie'', Liberty Pub. Co., 1983, 5 August 1932 – 30 December 2017) was an American actress, best known for having an illicit sexual affair with former Filipino Preside ...
, who was allegedly Ferdinand Marcos' mistress. The producer of the film was Luis Nepomuceno, son of Filipino filmmaker
Jose Nepomuceno Jose is the English transliteration of the Hebrew and Aramaic name ''Yose'', which is etymologically linked to ''Yosef'' or Joseph. The name was popular during the Mishnaic and Talmudic periods. * Jose ben Abin * Jose ben Akabya *Jose the Galile ...
. The company that produced the film went bankrupt, as the banned screening prevented them from recouping production costs. In pity, Imelda Marcos offered loans to the company through government banks. However, the bank would then go on to foreclose the film company. The film portrayed the story of Ferdinand Marcos' life in the Philippine Military. There have been allegations that the film was propaganda intended to portray Marcos as a war hero who fought against the Japanese in World War II. Although the film was banned, it was allowed to make its cinematic debut in 1987, after the
EDSA Revolution The People Power Revolution, also known as the EDSA Revolution or the February Revolution, was a series of popular demonstrations in the Philippines, mostly in Metro Manila, from February 22 to 25, 1986. There was a sustained campaign of c ...
. In spite of the censorship, the exploitation of sex and violence onscreen continued to assert itself. Under martial law, action films usually append an epilogue like claims that social realities depicted had been wiped out with the establishment of the New Society. The notorious genre of sex or ''bomba'' films still existed but in a milder, less overt way like female stars swimming in their underwear or taking a bath in their
chemise A chemise or shift is a classic smock, or a modern type of women's undergarment or dress. Historically, a chemise was a simple garment worn next to the skin to protect clothing from sweat and body oils, the precursor to the modern shirts commonl ...
, labeled as the "wet look". An example of the trend was the 1974 hit movie ''
Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa ''Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa'' (although "The Most Beautiful Animal in the World" is the official translation, the literal meaning of the title is "The Most Beautiful Animal on the Surface of the Earth") is a 1974 Tagalog-language ...
'' (The Most Beautiful Animal on the Face of the Earth) which featured former
Miss Universe Miss Universe is an annual international beauty pageant that is run by a United States and Thailand based Miss Universe Organization.Natalie Tadena (July 2, 2015"Donald Trump's Miss USA Pageant Lands on Reelz Cable Channel". ''The Wall Stre ...
Gloria Díaz Gloria Maria Aspillera Diaz (; born 10 March 1951) is a Filipino actress of film and television, model and beauty queen who rose to fame after being crowned Miss Universe 1969, becoming the first Filipino to hold the Miss Universe title. Early ...
and filmed in the famed
Sicogon Island Sicogón is an island in northern Iloilo, which is part of the municipality of Carles, Iloilo, Philippines. It is named after ''cogon'', a type of grass found in abundance on the island. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 5,238. ...
in Carles,
Iloilo Iloilo (), officially the Province of Iloilo ( hil, Kapuoran sang Iloilo; krj, Kapuoran kang Iloilo; tl, Lalawigan ng Iloilo), is a province in the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is the City of Iloilo, the ...
. In spite of the presence of censorship, this period paved way to the ascendancy of a new breed of directors. Some of the notable films made by these new crop of filmmakers were: *
Ishmael Bernal Ishmael Bernal (30 September 1938 – 2 June 1996) was a Filipino filmmaker, stage and television director, actor and screenwriter. Noted for his melodramas, particularly with feminist and moral issues, he directed many landmark Filipino films s ...
(1938–1996) **''Pagdating sa Dulo'' (1971) **''Nunal sa Tubig'' (1975) **''Salawahan'' (1979) **'' Manila by Night/City After Dark'' (1980) **''Relasyon'' (1982) **''
Himala ''Himala'' (English: ''Miracle'') is a 1982 Filipino film directed by Ishmael Bernal and produced by the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines. It stars Nora Aunor as a young woman living in the province who claims to have seen a Marian appari ...
'' (1982) **''
Hinugot sa Langit ''Hinugot sa Langit'' (lit. "Plucked from Heaven") is a 1985 Gawad Urian Award winning Filipino melodramatic film directed by Ishmael Bernal based on moral values. It is considered a classic in Filipino cinema and picked up four Gawad Urian Award ...
'' (1985) *
Lino Brocka Catalino Ortiz Brocka (April 3, 1939 – May 22, 1991) was a Filipino film director. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and significant filmmakers in the history of Philippine cinema. He co-founded the organization Concerned Art ...
(1939–1991) **''
Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang ''Weighed But Found Wanting'' ( Filipino: ''Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang''; also known as ''Human Imperfections'' ) is a 1974 Filipino drama film directed by Lino Brocka. The films stars Christopher De Leon (in his debut role), Hilda Koronel, Lolita ...
'' (1974) **'' Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag'' (1975) **''
Insiang ''Insiang'' () is a 1976 Philippine drama film directed by Lino Brocka. Its screenplay, written by Mario O'Hara and Lamberto E. Antonio, is based on O'Hara's teleplay of the same name. Set in the slums of Tondo, Manila, the film stars Hilda Korone ...
'' (1976) **'' Ang Tatay Kong Nanay'' (1978) **'' Bona'' (1980) **'' Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim'' (1984) **'' Orapronobis'' (1989) * Celso Ad. Castillo (1943–2012) **''Burlesk Queen'' (1977) **''Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak'' (1978) * Mike de León (b. 1947) **''Itim'' (1976) **'' Kakabakaba Ka Ba?'' (1980) **''
Kisapmata ''Kisapmata'' (English: ''In the Wink of an Eye'') is a 1981 Filipino psychological horror film directed by Mike de Leon, with a screenplay by de Leon, Clodualdo del Mundo Jr., and Raquel Villavicencio. It stars Vic Silayan, Charo Santos, Jay I ...
'' (1981) **''
Batch '81 ''Alpha Kappa Omega Batch '81'' (also known as ''Batch '81'' or ''ΑΚΩ 81'') is a 1982 Filipino psychological drama film directed by Mike de Leon, with a screenplay by de Leon, Clodualdo del Mundo, Jr., and Raquel Villavicencio. The film depic ...
'' (1982) **''Sister Stella L.'' (1984) *
Peque Gallaga Maurice Ruiz de Luzuriaga Gallaga (August 25, 1943 – May 7, 2020), better known as Peque Gallaga, was a multi-awarded Filipino people, Filipino film-maker. His most significant achievement in film was ''Oro, Plata, Mata'', which he directed aft ...
(1943–2020) **''
Oro, Plata, Mata ''Oro, Plata, Mata'' ( es, Gold, Silver, Death) is a 1982 Philippine historical war drama film directed by Peque Gallaga, from a story by Peque Gallaga, Mario Taguiwalo, and Conchita Castillo and screenplay by José Javier Reyes. The film is cons ...
'' (1982) **''
Scorpio Nights ''Scorpio Nights'' is a 1985 Philippine erotic thriller film directed by Peque Gallaga for Regal Films. It was written by T.E. Pagaspas and Romel Bernardino and screenplay by Rosauro "Uro" dela Cruz. It is about a love affair between a young man an ...
'' (1985) *
Mario O'Hara Mario Herrero O'Hara (April 20, 1946 – June 26, 2012) was a Philippines, Filipino film director, film producer and screenwriter known for his sense of Realism (arts), realism often with dark but realistic social messages.Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos ''Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos'' () is a 1976 Filipino period film written and directed by Mario O'Hara that set in the province of Laguna during the Second World War. The film stars Nora Aunor as the barrio lass Rosario, Christopher De Leon as t ...
'' (1976) **''
Babae sa Breakwater ''Women of Breakwater'', also known as ''Woman of Breakwater ''or ''Babae sa Breakwater ''in Tagalog is a 2003 Filipino drama film directed by Mario O'Hara and starring Katherine Luna. The film is a moving insight into the squalor and poverty of ...
'' (2003) In 1977, Eric de Guia, going by his
pseudonym A pseudonym (; ) or alias () is a fictitious name that a person or group assumes for a particular purpose, which differs from their original or true name (orthonym). This also differs from a new name that entirely or legally replaces an individua ...
Kidlat Tahimik Eric Oteyza de Guia (born October 3, 1942), better known as Kidlat Tahimik ("Silent Lightning"), is a film director, writer and actor whose films are commonly associated with the Third Cinema movement through their critiques of neocolonialism. ...
, made a film entitled ''Mababangong Bangungot ( Perfumed Nightmare)'', which won the International Critic's Prize in the
Berlin Film Festival The Berlin International Film Festival (german: Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin), usually called the Berlinale (), is a major international film festival held annually in Berlin, Germany. Founded in 1951 and originally run in June, the festi ...
that same year. Out of short film festivals sponsored by the University of the Philippines Film Center and by the
Experimental Cinema of the Philippines The Experimental Cinema of the Philippines (ECP) was a government-owned corporation of the Republic of the Philippines created to promote the growth and development of the local film industry. Created in 1982 after the first Manila International ...
, young filmmakers joined Kidlat Tahimik by distancing themselves from the traditions of mainstream cinema. Nick Deocampo’s ''Oliver'' (1983) and Raymond Red's ''Ang Magpakailanman'' (''The Eternal'', 1983) have received attention in festivals abroad. In 1981, as mandated by Executive Order No. 640-A, the
Film Academy of the Philippines Established in 1981, the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) is the Philippines' official counterpart of the United States' Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The FAP was founded through Executive Order 640-A issued by the President o ...
was enacted, serving as the
umbrella organization An umbrella organization is an association of (often related, industry-specific) institutions who work together formally to coordinate activities and/or pool resources. In business, political, and other environments, it provides resources and ofte ...
that oversees the welfare of various guilds of the movie industry and gave recognition to the artistic and technical excellence of the performances of its workers and artists.Film Academy of the Philippines Official Website
. Retrieved January 26, 2009.
The same year,
Viva Films Viva Films is a Philippine film production company established under Viva Communications. It was founded on November 11, 1981, by Vic del Rosario Jr. History Veering away from the Sharon Cuneta-Gabby Concepcion tandem, Viva became home to qual ...
was established and began its rise as a production company. Also in 1981, first lady
Imelda Marcos Imelda Romualdez Marcos (; born Imelda Remedios Visitacion Trinidad Romualdez; July 2, 1929) is a Filipino politician who served as the First Lady of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986, wielding significant political power during the dictator ...
organized the first Manilla International Film Festival (MIFF). The objective was to promote Filipino films for them to be distributed worldwide. A lavish event took place January 18–29, 1982, major entertainment figures were present including
Priscilla Presley Priscilla Ann Presley ( Wagner, changed by adoption to Beaulieu; born May 24, 1945) is an American actress and businesswoman. She is the former wife of American singer Elvis Presley, as well as co-founder and former chairwoman of Elvis Presley ...
,
Franco Nero Francesco Clemente Giuseppe Sparanero (born 23 November 1941), known professionally as Franco Nero, is an Italian actor, producer, and director. His breakthrough role was as the title character in the Spaghetti Western film '' Django'' (1966), ...
, Brooke Shields,
Jeremy Irons Jeremy John Irons (; born 19 September 1948) is an English actor and activist. After receiving classical training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Irons began his acting career on stage in 1969 and has appeared in many West End theatre ...
, etc. Local filmmakers saw it as a real opportunity to showcase their talents. The spy comedy spoof '' For Your Height Only'' (1981) turned Ernesto dela Cruz, better known as
Weng Weng Weng may refer to: * Weng (surname), a Chinese surname * Weng, Germany, a town in the district of Landshut, Bavaria, Germany * Weng im Innkreis, a town in the district of Braunau am Inn, Upper Austria, Austria * Weng im Gesäuse, a town in the distr ...
, in a short lived international star and gave him the notoriety to become a unique figure in
cinema Cinema may refer to: Film * Cinematography, the art of motion-picture photography * Film or movie, a series of still images that create the illusion of a moving image ** Film industry, the technological and commercial institutions of filmmaking ...
being a
short person Short stature refers to a height of a human which is below typical. Whether a person is considered short depends on the context. Because of the lack of preciseness, there is often disagreement about the degree of shortness that should be called '' ...
who performs death defying stunts. At the event, ''For Your Height Only'' outsold every other films on foreign sales, while dela Cruz was the mediatic center of attention and the breakthrough celebrity. Marcos' daughter Imee said dela Cruz's success shocked and shattered everyone's artistic aspirations. Filipino film historians Teddy Co and Ed Lejano said that in the film industry the Weng Weng image was uncomfortable since at the time they had no other international figures. The film became
Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...
' highest exported film, and within their acting community dela Cruz's international reach hasn't been topped. The second MIFF took place from January 24-February 4, 1983. 280 local and foreign films were screened out of competition in the 12-day festival while 22 films from 21 countries competed for seven different categories. Despite the festival’s financial success, the festival received criticisms from the Catholic Church, film censors, and civic groups. Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin criticized the festival’s organizers, Johnny Litton and First Lady Imelda Marcos, for allowing the screening of soft-core pornographic movies in participating theaters. Board of Review for Motion Pictures and Television Chairman Maria Kalaw-Katigbak also questioned the legality of showing films banned by the board in commercial cinemas. Because of the controversies and public outcry, the succeeding Manila International Film Festivals were permanently canceled. During the closing years of martial rule, a number of films defiant of the Marcos
dictatorship A dictatorship is a form of government which is characterized by a leader, or a group of leaders, which holds governmental powers with few to no limitations on them. The leader of a dictatorship is called a dictator. Politics in a dictatorship are ...
were made. Films such as
Marilou Diaz-Abaya Marilou Correa Diaz-Abaya (March 30, 1955 – October 8, 2012) was a Filipina multi-award winning film director. She was conferred the Order of National Artists of the Philippines for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2022, she was the founder and pres ...
’s ''
Karnal Karnal ( is a city located in the state of Haryana, India and is the administrative headquarters of Karnal District. It was used by East India Company army as a refuge during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 in Delhi. The Battle of Karnal between ...
'' implicitly depicted this defiance in the film's plot, wherein
patricide Patricide is (i) the act of killing one's own father, or (ii) a person who kills their own father or stepfather. The word ''patricide'' derives from the Greek word ''pater'' (father) and the Latin suffix ''-cida'' (cutter or killer). Patricid ...
ended a tyrannical father's domination. In the same year, Mike de Leon's ''Sister Stella L.'', a movie about
oppression Oppression is malicious or unjust treatment or exercise of power, often under the guise of governmental authority or cultural opprobrium. Oppression may be overt or covert, depending on how it is practiced. Oppression refers to discrimination w ...
and
tyranny A tyrant (), in the modern English usage of the word, is an absolute ruler who is unrestrained by law, or one who has usurped a legitimate ruler's sovereignty. Often portrayed as cruel, tyrants may defend their positions by resorting to rep ...
was shown on the big screen. In 1985, Lino Brocka's ''
This Is My Country "This Is My Country" is an American patriotic song composed in 1940. The lyrics are by Don Raye and the music is by Al Jacobs. Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians were the first to record the song, in 1942. The song has played at the end of Walt ...
'' depicted images of
torture Torture is the deliberate infliction of severe pain or suffering on a person for reasons such as punishment, extracting a confession, interrogation for information, or intimidating third parties. Some definitions are restricted to acts c ...
,
incarceration Imprisonment is the restraint of a person's liberty, for any cause whatsoever, whether by authority of the government, or by a person acting without such authority. In the latter case it is "false imprisonment". Imprisonment does not necessari ...
, struggles and oppression. During this period, the Philippines ranked among the top 10 film-producing countries in the world, with an annual output of more than 300 movies.Filipino film industry reborn
. ''Straight website''. January 25, 2009.
The Philippines' most political filmmaker was
Lino Brocka Catalino Ortiz Brocka (April 3, 1939 – May 22, 1991) was a Filipino film director. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and significant filmmakers in the history of Philippine cinema. He co-founded the organization Concerned Art ...
(1939–1991). His works such as ''
Manila in the Claws of Light ''Manila in the Claws of Light'' ( tl, Maynila, sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag) is a 1975 Filipino drama film directed by Lino Brocka based on the story ''In the Claws of Brightness'' by Edgardo M. Reyes. It is considered by many as one of the greatest f ...
'' (1975) and ''
Fight for Us ''Fight for Us'' ( fil, Orapronobis) is a 1989 Philippine political thriller film directed by Lino Brocka and written by Jose F. Lacaba. It stars Phillip Salvador and Dina Bonnevie. During its initial release, the film was banned in the Philippi ...
'' (1989) were considered the opening and the end of the golden age of film in the country. Brocka's works were committed to an anti-Marcos, anti-authoritarian type of politics and highly valued the freedom of artistic expression. He contributed in the building of a post-Marcos Philippines and was able to help topple the Marcos dictatorship through his active participation in cultural and social activities. His films told the story of the underclass' struggle, the dark side of a sprawling metropolis and featured poverty-stricken locations which were able to make a statement with regards to the Marcos' autocratic rule and human rights violations. He was also notably part of the group of filmmakers, artists and cultural workers that formed the ''Free Artist Movement'' which eventually became the ''Concerned Artists of the Philippines''. This group challenged the censorship practice that the Marcoses imposed on all artistic media.


Late 1980s to 1990s

By the time the
People Power Revolution The People Power Revolution, also known as the EDSA Revolution or the February Revolution, was a series of popular Demonstration (people), demonstrations in the Philippines, mostly in Metro Manila, from February 22 to 25, 1986. There was a ...
deposed
Ferdinand Marcos Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos Sr. ( , , ; September 11, 1917 – September 28, 1989) was a Filipino politician, lawyer, dictator, and kleptocrat who was the 10th president of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He ruled under martial ...
from the presidency, most Filipino films were mass-produced with quality sacrificed for commercial success. Storylines were unimaginative and predictable, comedy was
slapstick Slapstick is a style of humor involving exaggerated physical activity that exceeds the boundaries of normal physical comedy. Slapstick may involve both intentional violence and violence by mishap, often resulting from inept use of props such a ...
, and the acting was either mediocre or overly dramatic. Producers resorted to formulas that worked well in the past that cater to the standards and tastes of the masses, and story ideas were often copied from Hollywood and Hong Kong films that were successful in local cinemas. Romantic dramas, broad comedy films and soft pornographic pictures composed the majority of the genre produced, while the action genre became especially prevalent during this period; in 1992, critic Justino Dormiendo observed that "the action flick itself remains as the most abused genre in our time." In reviewing the acclaimed American drama film '' Stand by Me'', JC Nigado of the ''
Manila Standard The ''Manila Standard'' is a broadsheet newspaper in the Philippines. , it is owned by the Romualdez family. The Romualdezes, through incumbent speaker of the House Martin Romualdez, also own Journal Publications, Inc., the owner of tabloid pap ...
'' stated that he was disturbed while viewing the film because "I was hard put trying to figure out what local movie could have approximated it. And it bothered me that I couldn't think of any." Despite the imposition of a high amusement tax, the film industry prospered and produced more than 200 films a year. Majority of them were ''pito-pito'' films, shot in seven to ten days and aimed at quickly recouping their minimal costs. Attendance in theaters rose and several productions became huge successes. New laws were also introduced that gave more rights to women, causing several female directors to launch careers. Aside from competition with Hollywood films, the
Asian Financial Crisis The Asian financial crisis was a period of financial crisis that gripped much of East Asia and Southeast Asia beginning in July 1997 and raised fears of a worldwide economic meltdown due to financial contagion. However, the recovery in 1998–1 ...
, escalating cost of film production, exorbitant taxes, arbitrary and too much film censorship, high-tech film piracy,It’s total war on pirates as movie industry reels
. Mocon, Claudeth. ''Business Mirror''. June 18, 2008.
and rise of
cable television Cable television is a system of delivering television programming to consumers via radio frequency (RF) signals transmitted through coaxial cables, or in more recent systems, light pulses through fibre-optic cables. This contrasts with broa ...
further contributed for the trimming down of production costs of film outfits that resulted to falling box-office receipts of domestic films, and the eventual precarious state of the local film industry. In 1993, a television station ventured into film production.
ABS-CBN ABS-CBN (an initialism of its two predecessors' names, Alto Broadcasting System and Chronicle Broadcasting Network) is a Television in the Philippines, Philippine Commercial broadcasting, commercial broadcast broadcast network, network tha ...
's
Star Cinema ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc. (doing business as Star Cinema or ABS-CBN Films) is a Philippines, Filipino film studio and film and television production company and film distributor headquartered in Quezon City. It is one of the major film ...
produced '' Ronquillo: Tubong Cavite, Laking Tondo'' in cooperation with
Regal Films Regal Entertainment, Inc. (formerly and more commonly known as Regal Films) is a Philippine film production company based in Pasig. It was founded by Lily Monteverde on August 19, 1962. It has produced movies of all genres; and is the oldest s ...
. Five years later, another television station,
GMA Network GMA Network (Global Media Arts or simply GMA) is a Philippine free-to-air television and radio network. It is the flagship property of publicly traded GMA Network, Inc. Its first broadcast on television was on October 29, 1961. GMA Network (f ...
, started producing movies.
GMA Films GMA Pictures, formerly Cinemax Studios and GMA Films, is a film and television production company in the Philippines, established by GMA Network in 1995. Its films include ''Jose Rizal'', '' Muro Ami'', and '' Deathrow''. Filmography Histor ...
released the critically acclaimed ''
Sa Pusod ng Dagat ''Sa Pusod ng Dagat'' () is a 1998 Filipino film produced and directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya. It stars Jomari Yllana with Chin Chin Gutierrez and Elizabeth Oropesa. The film was critically acclaimed in local and international film festivals. ...
'', ''
Jose Rizal Jose is the English transliteration of the Hebrew and Aramaic name ''Yose'', which is etymologically linked to ''Yosef'' or Joseph. The name was popular during the Mishnaic and Talmudic periods. * Jose ben Abin * Jose ben Akabya *Jose the Gali ...
'', and '' Muro Ami'', which attained commercial success.


2000s: Decline of commercial movies and emergence of independent films


2010s: Box office resurgence

2011 is the most fruitful year in Philippine Cinema history as 3 films produced within the year (all from
Star Cinema ABS-CBN Film Productions, Inc. (doing business as Star Cinema or ABS-CBN Films) is a Philippines, Filipino film studio and film and television production company and film distributor headquartered in Quezon City. It is one of the major film ...
) landed in the top 3 of the highest grossing Filipino films of all time.
Wenn Deramas Wenn or WENN may refer to: *WENN (AM), a radio station (1320 AM) licensed to Birmingham, Alabama, United States *''Remember WENN'', a television series that aired from 1996 to 1998 on American Movie Classics *World Entertainment News Network, an ...
' ''
The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin ''The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin'' (also known as ''Praybeyt Benjamin'') is a 2011 Filipino action, comedy, andparody film directed by Wenn V. Deramas. It stars Vice Ganda in the title role, alongside Eddie Garcia, Nikki Valdez, Vandolph Quizon ...
'' grossed ₱331.6 million in box office and became the highest grossing local film in the Philippines. ''
No Other Woman ''No Other Woman'' is a 2011 Filipino romantic drama film starring Anne Curtis, Derek Ramsay, and Cristine Reyes. The film is notable for breaking box office records in the Philippines. It currently holds the title of third highest grossing Fil ...
'' grossed ₱278.39 million while 2011 Metro Manila Film Festival ("MMFF") entry '' Enteng Ng Ina Mo'', has a gross income of ₱237.89 million () and considered the highest-grossing MMFF entry of all time. However, ''
Sisterakas ''Sisterakas'' is a 2012 Filipino comedy parody film produced by Star Cinema and Viva Films and selected as one of the eight official entries to the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival. The film was released nationwide in theaters on December 25, 20 ...
'' , a
Kris Aquino Kristina Bernadette Cojuangco Aquino (born February 14, 1971), professionally known as Kris Aquino (), is a Filipino television host, actress, producer, socialite and businesswoman. Dubbed as Philippine's "Queen of All Media", Aquino has hos ...
-
Ai Ai delas Alas Martina Eileen Hernandez delas Alas-Sibayan (born November 11, 1964), known professionally as Ai-Ai delas Alas, is a Filipino actress and comedian. She is widely regarded as the country's "Queen of Comedy" for her comedic talent and best know ...
-Vice Ganda movie, replaced the title of ''Enteng ng Ina Mo'' and ''the Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin'' as it became the highest grossing Filipino film and highest grossing MMFF entry of all time. In 2013, ''
It Takes a Man and a Woman ''It Takes a Man and a Woman'' is a 2013 Filipino romantic comedy film directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina and written by Carmi Raymundo. It is a sequel to two earlier films '' A Very Special Love'' (2008) and '' You Changed My Life'' (2009). John Ll ...
'', the third film of the ''
A Very Special Love ''A Very Special Love'' is a 2008 Filipino comedy romance film produced by Star Cinema and Viva Films and starring John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo. The film was directed by Cathy Garcia Molina and had received an “A” rating from the Ci ...
'' series of
Sarah Geronimo Sarah Asher Tua Geronimo-Guidicelli (, , born July 25, 1988) is a Filipino singer, performer and actress. Geronimo rose to prominence after winning the television singing contest '' Star for a Night'' earning her a recording contract with Vi ...
and
John Lloyd Cruz John Lloyd Espidol Cruz (born June 24, 1983) is a Filipino actor, model and occasional TV host. He was a member of ABS-CBN's Star Magic, where he is an alumnus of Batch 5. He starred in the teen drama ''Tabing Ilog'', and is best known for his ...
, made many box office records, one of which is being the current "Highest Grossing Filipino Film of All Time", replacing ''Sisterakas''. It made ₱375,024,507 during its theatrical run in the Philippines and ₱211,573,332 overseas, for a total of ₱586,597,839 worldwide until Vice Ganda's ''
Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy ''Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy'' (Girl, Boy, Gay, Tomboy) is a 2013 Filipino comedy film, comedy parody film produced by Star Cinema and Viva Films starring Vice Ganda in the title role, alongside Maricel Soriano, Joey Marquez, Ruffa Gutierrez, JC de ...
'' and Kris Aquino's ''
My Little Bossings ''My Little Bossings'' (also known as ''Torky and My Little Bossings'') is a 2013 Filipino family-comedy film directed by Marlon Rivera, starring Vic Sotto, Kris Aquino, Ryzza Mae Dizon, and Bimby Yap. The film is an official entry for the 2013 M ...
'' (both are MMFF entries) surpassed their local box-office record and battle for the first spot . In 2014, ''
The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin ''The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin'' is a 2014 Philippine comedy film written and directed by Wenn V. Deramas. It is the sequel to ''The Unkabogable Praybeyt Benjamin''. The film is one of the official entries to the 40th Metro Manila Film Festival ...
'', another Vice Ganda film, breaks his own record again with an estimated gross of PHP450,000,000.00. Meanwhile, the sequel of Kris Aquino's '' Feng Shui series'' is the highest grossing Filipino horror film. In 2015, a new box-office breaking record has been set as '' A Second Chance'', the sequel of
John Lloyd Cruz John Lloyd Espidol Cruz (born June 24, 1983) is a Filipino actor, model and occasional TV host. He was a member of ABS-CBN's Star Magic, where he is an alumnus of Batch 5. He starred in the teen drama ''Tabing Ilog'', and is best known for his ...
and
Bea Alonzo Phylbert Angelli Ranollo Fagestrom (born October 17, 1987), professionally known as Bea Alonzo (), is a Filipino actress. Alonzo first gained recognition for the 2002 teleserye ''Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay''. She is best known for her portrayals ...
's '' One More Chance'' earns PHP 556,000,000 worldwide surpassing Phenomenal Box-Office Star Vice Ganda's ''The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin''. It is surpassed again by a Star Cinema, Viva Films-produced film ''
Beauty and the Bestie ''Beauty and the Bestie'' is a 2015 Filipino action comedy film directed by Wenn V. Deramas, starring Vice Ganda and Coco Martin, alongside James Reid, and Nadine Lustre in their also stars. It is an official entry to the 2015 Metro Manila Fi ...
'' still starred by the "Phenomenal Box-Office Star" Vice Ganda. The mid 2010s also saw broader commercial success of films produced by independent studios, with
Antoinette Jadaone Antoinette Hilario Jadaone (born April 3, 1984) is a Filipina filmmaker and podcaster, best known for directing ''That Thing Called Tadhana'' (2014), '' Love You to the Stars and Back'' (2017), ''Never Not Love You'' (2018), '' Alone/Together'' ( ...
's
Cinema One Originals Film Festival The Cinema One Originals Film Festival, a division of ABS-CBN Films commonly known as Cinema One Originals, is an independent film festival in the Philippines held annually in the month of November in Quezon City. Its primary goal is to showcase ...
entry ''
That Thing Called Tadhana ''That Thing Called Tadhana'' (International title: ''That Thing Called Destiny'') is a 2014 Filipino romantic comedy film directed by Antoinette Jadaone who had already worked with Panganiban in the 2014 comedy film, ''Beauty in a Bottle.'' It fo ...
'' achieving commercial success upon its commercial release in 2015, becoming the highest grossing independently produced Filipino film of all time in under 3 weeks despite facing
piracy Piracy is an act of robbery or criminal violence by ship or boat-borne attackers upon another ship or a coastal area, typically with the goal of stealing cargo and other valuable goods. Those who conduct acts of piracy are called pirates, v ...
issues online during its run. September 2015 saw the release of
Jerrold Tarog Jerrold Viacrucis Tarog (; born May 30, 1977) is a Filipino film director, screenwriter, producer, editor, and composer. He is best known for directing ''Heneral Luna'' (2015), ''Bliss'' (2017), '' Goyo: The Boy General'' (2018), and the upcomin ...
's ''
Heneral Luna ''Heneral Luna'' () is a 2015 Filipino historical biopic film depicting General Antonio Luna's leadership of the Philippine Revolutionary Army during the Philippine–American War. Directed by Jerrold Tarog and produced by Artikulo Uno Product ...
'', a 2015
historical History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbrella term comprising past events as well ...
biopic film A biographical film or biopic () is a film that dramatizes the life of a non-fictional or historically-based person or people. Such films show the life of a historical person and the central character's real name is used. They differ from docudra ...
depicting General
Antonio Luna Antonio Narciso Luna de San Pedro y Novicio Ancheta (; October 29, 1866 – June 5, 1899) was a Filipino army general who fought in the Philippine–American War before his assassination in 1899. Regarded as one of the fiercest generals of his ...
's leadership of the
Philippine Revolutionary Army The Philippine Revolutionary Army, later renamed Philippine Republican Army (Spanish: ''Ejército Revolucionario Filipino''; Tagalog: ''Panghimagsikang Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas''), was the official armed forces of the First Philippine Repu ...
during the
Philippine–American War The Philippine–American War or Filipino–American War ( es, Guerra filipina-estadounidense, tl, Digmaang Pilipino–Amerikano), previously referred to as the Philippine Insurrection or the Tagalog Insurgency by the United States, was an arm ...
, produced by an independent outfit called Artikulo Uno Productions. Because it was independently produced, Heneral Luna initially fell prey to the commercial theater practice of dropping films after only a few screening days on the first week. But praise from critics and audiences alike, praising the film's writing, plot, acting, and cinematography resulted in a word of mouth campaign to bring the movie back to theaters. As a result,
Heneral Luna ''Heneral Luna'' () is a 2015 Filipino historical biopic film depicting General Antonio Luna's leadership of the Philippine Revolutionary Army during the Philippine–American War. Directed by Jerrold Tarog and produced by Artikulo Uno Product ...
become the highest grossing Filipino historical film of all time on its third week in cinemas. Similar word of mouth campaigns would allow critically acclaimed films like
Antoinette Jadaone Antoinette Hilario Jadaone (born April 3, 1984) is a Filipina filmmaker and podcaster, best known for directing ''That Thing Called Tadhana'' (2014), '' Love You to the Stars and Back'' (2017), ''Never Not Love You'' (2018), '' Alone/Together'' ( ...
's ''
That Thing Called Tadhana ''That Thing Called Tadhana'' (International title: ''That Thing Called Destiny'') is a 2014 Filipino romantic comedy film directed by Antoinette Jadaone who had already worked with Panganiban in the 2014 comedy film, ''Beauty in a Bottle.'' It fo ...
'' (commercially released in 2015) and JP Habac's ''
I'm Drunk, I Love You ''I'm Drunk, I Love You'' is a 2017 Filipino romantic comedy independent film directed by JP Habac, and written by Habac and Giancarlo Abrahan. It stars Maja Salvador and Paulo Avelino, who previously worked together in the 2015 television soap ...
'' (2017) to achieve broad commercial success even if they did not benefit from the large promotional budget and television cross-promotion enjoyed by commercial studio films.


2020s: Centennial Year of Philippine Cinema and onward

On September 12, 2019, the film industry celebrated its One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema, in pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 622, S. 2018, which declares the same day up until September 11, 2020, as Philippine Cinema's Centennial Year.


Censorship


Under the Americans and the Early Philippine Republic

Censorship in the Philippines truly began under the reign of the Spaniards, who prohibited works that were deemed revolutionary. While they prohibited literary, musical, and visual forms of art, film censorship was included in the picture upon the American colonization. When the Americans took over after the
Spanish–American War , partof = the Philippine Revolution, the decolonization of the Americas, and the Cuban War of Independence , image = Collage infobox for Spanish-American War.jpg , image_size = 300px , caption = (clock ...
in 1898, a brief stint of Philippine cultural freedom after independence from Spain was halted. General Arthur MacArthur's military censorship focused on repressing nationalism, along with the Flag Act of 1907. Because film in itself was only beginning to form at the time, motion pictures brought to the Philippines were tame, and film was not yet seen as an avenue for social and cultural subversion. In 1929, the Philippine Legislature creates Act. No. 3582, titled "An Act to Create a Board of Censorship for Moving Pictures and Define Its Functions". The board consisted of 15 members that sought ''"to examine all films, spoken or silent, imported or produced in the Philippine Islands, and prohibit the introduction and exhibition in this country of films, which in their judgement are immoral or contrary to law and good customs or injurious to the prestige of the Government of people of the Philippine Islands".'' In 1930, The first meeting of the board was conducted in the office of then Secretary of the Interior Honoro Ventura, and the first president of the board was Teodoro M. Kalaw. Out of the 1,249 films approved, 6 had parts cut out. Two films were banned. In 1937 the film ''Batang Tulisan'', directed by Rod Avlas and produced by Philippine Films was set to be released, and controversies arose regarding its sudden ban. The cost of production totaled 16,000 Pesos, and the film 2 and a half months to complete. Four reasons were stated as to why it was pulled-out: Three are aspects of the movie: the priest portrayed in a villainous light, the use of a hypodermic needle as a murder weapon, the amorous scenes between a 10-year-old couple, and the fact that ''"
he film He or HE may refer to: Language * He (pronoun), an English pronoun * He (kana), the romanization of the Japanese kana へ * He (letter), the fifth letter of many Semitic alphabets * He (Cyrillic), a letter of the Cyrillic script called ''He'' ...
might give heyouth certain subversive ideas".'' The production crew argued that this was an example of foreign films being given more lenience, despite being as bad (or sometimes, worse) than local cinema. The novel adaptation of ''Batang Tulisan'' which was published in ''
Liwayway ''Liwayway''''Liwayway''
Komiklopedia, The Philippine Komiks Encyclopedia, Komiklopedia.wor ...
'' Magazine, in contrast, was not met with the same negative criticism. In 1938, the Board of Censorship was renamed the Board of Review for Moving Pictures, enabled by the amendment of the law by Commonwealth Act No. 305.


The Eiga Heikusa: Under Japanese rule

In 1942, the
Japanese occupation of the Philippines The Japanese occupation of the Philippines (Filipino: ''Pananakop ng mga Japones sa Filipinas''; ja, 日本のフィリピン占領, Nihon no Firipin Senryō) occurred between 1942 and 1945, when Imperial Japan occupied the Commonwealth of the ...
led to what was arguably the strictest period of censorship the country has faced. The ''Eiga Heikusa'' was established to act as a Board of Censors, and introduced Japanese films with American subtitles. In light of Japan's desire to convert the Philippines into a willing member of the Greater East-Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, printed matter, radio shows, theater plays, and visual art were heavily monitored, leading to the hiatus of production for Philippine cinema until 1945. As a result, the country saw an increase in theatrical productions. Screen actors such as
Carmen Rosales Januaria Constantino Keller (March 3, 1917 – December 11, 1991), better known by her stage name Carmen Rosales and by her nickname Mameng, was a noted Filipina actress and World War II guerilla fighter. Her acting career spanned the decades i ...
,
Rogelio de la Rosa Regidor Lim de la Rosa"Filipinos in History Vol. 3", page 75. (November 12, 1916 – November 26, 1986), professionally known as Rogelio de la Rosa, was one of the most popular Filipino matinee idols of the 20th century.Garcia, J., ''A Movie Qu ...
, Norma Blancaflor, Ely Ramos, Elsa Oria,
Leopoldo Salcedo Leopoldo Salcedo (March 12, 1912 – June 11, 1998) was a Filipino film actor dubbed as "The Great Profile" who specialized in portraying dramatic heroes. Early life Salcedo was born in Cavite. His father was of Spanish descent whose family i ...
, and Ester Magalona, took to the ''entablado'' and were received well. Theaters showed ''
bodabil Vaudeville in the Philippines, more commonly referred to as bodabil, was a popular genre of entertainment in the Philippines from the 1910s until the mid-1960s. For decades, it competed with film, radio and television as the dominant form of Filip ...
'' (a malapropism of
Vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic composition ...
) shows where actors would perform a special number upon knowing that they were to be raided by the ''
Kempei Tai The , also known as Kempeitai, was the military police arm of the Imperial Japanese Army from 1881 to 1945 that also served as a secret police force. In addition, in Japanese-occupied territories, the Kenpeitai arrested or killed those suspecte ...
'', signaling the viewers to flee.


Post-war censorship

Independence and the regime of then President
Manuel Roxas Manuel Acuña Roxas (born Manuel Roxas y Acuña; ; January 1, 1892 – April 15, 1948) was a Filipino lawyer and politician who served as the fifth president of the Philippines, who served from 1946 until his death due to heart attacks in 194 ...
saw the creation of a new Board of Reviews for Moving Pictures, led by Marciano Roque, who would also become Executive Secretary under President
Quirino Quirino, officially the Province of Quirino ( ilo, Probinsia ti Quirino; tl, Lalawigan ng Quirino), is a landlocked province in the Philippines located in the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Its capital is Cabarroguis. It is named after Elp ...
. In months, the board reviewed 76 films, with only 5 being locally made. Due to the non-confirmation by the
Congress A congress is a formal meeting of the representatives of different countries, constituent states, organizations, trade unions, political parties, or other groups. The term originated in Late Middle English to denote an encounter (meeting of a ...
of all 10 members of the board, it was reconstituted on October 29, 1946, with its 7 official members. The newly appointed chairman was Dr. Gabriel Mañalac, and the secretary was Teodoro Valencia. The board had grown to 12 members by 1947, having reviewed a total of 463 films for the year. 435 were foreign, and 28 were locally produced. By the time, the Philippines had 463 officially recorded theaters, with 71 of them being in Manila. ''Ako Raw ay Huk'' (Dir. Ramon Estrella) is one of the films that was banned at the time, due to allegations of it promoting communism. In 1950, a Code of Motion Picture Censorship was instilled, further identifying what aspects were considered censorable. Scenes that depict drunkenness as attractive, scenes that depict drug trafficking, and scenes that deal with sex and surgical subjects "when shown to selected groups" are some examples of scenes that were put under review. Foreign films banned at the time include ''
The Moon Is Blue ''The Moon Is Blue'' is a play by F. Hugh Herbert. A comedy in three acts, the play consists of one female and three male characters. Performance history ''The Moon Is Blue'' premiered at The Playhouse in Wilmington, Delaware on February 16, 19 ...
'' (Dir.
Otto Preminger Otto Ludwig Preminger ( , ; 5 December 1905 – 23 April 1986) was an Austrian-American theatre and film director, film producer, and actor. He directed more than 35 feature films in a five-decade career after leaving the theatre. He first gai ...
) in 1954, and ''
Martin Luther Martin Luther (; ; 10 November 1483 – 18 February 1546) was a German priest, theologian, author, hymnwriter, and professor, and Order of Saint Augustine, Augustinian friar. He is the seminal figure of the Reformation, Protestant Refo ...
'' (Dir.
Irving Pichel Irving Pichel (June 24, 1891 – July 13, 1954) was an American actor and film director, who won acclaim both as an actor and director in his Hollywood career. Career Pichel was born to a Jewish family in Pittsburgh. He attended Pittsburgh Cent ...
) in 1953. ''Perlas ng Silangan'' (Dir. Pablo Santiago) was screened without edits, which spiked a protest from the Provincial Board of Sulu, claiming that it misrepresented
Muslim Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...
culture. The Citizens Council for Better Motion Pictures was established by in 1960, as a response to a "grave concern over the general disappearance of the cherished virtues and traditions of the Christian way of life, the alarming increase in juvenile delinquency, and the deterioration of public and private morals". In 1961, they lobbied for what is presently known as the Censorship Law (Republic Act No. 3060), which was approved on June 17, 1961. The law created an Appeals Committee, composed of the undersecretaries of justice, national defense, and education. This committee could revoke the decisions of the Board of Censors. Independent from the CCBMP, the still standing Board of Censors had grown to 24 members, and could now establish a system of classification which consisted of two categories: "for general patronage". and "for adults only". Jose L. Guevara was appointed by President
Diosdado Macapagal Diosdado Pangan Macapagal Sr. (; September 28, 1910 – April 21, 1997) was a Filipino lawyer, poet and politician who served as the ninth president of the Philippines, serving from 1961 to 1965, and the sixth vice president, serving from 19 ...
as the new chairperson in 1962, and the board members appointed by President
Carlos P. Garcia Carlos Polestico Garcia (November 4, 1896 – June 14, 1971) was a Filipino teacher, poet, orator, lawyer, public official, political economist, guerrilla and Commonwealth military leader who was the eighth president of the Philippines. A l ...
were removed, on account of their positions being "midnight" extensions. In 1962, the board lifted the ban on mouth-to-mouth kissing, so long as it was deemed non-lascivious. In 1963 and after a long-pleaded appeal from the public, the board bans films that heavily play up violence and crime. ''Ang Manananggol Ni Ruben'' (Dir.
Eddie Garcia Eduardo Verchez Garcia (; May 2, 1929 – June 20, 2019), known colloquially as Manoy, was a Filipino actor, television personality, film director and producer. With almost 600 film and television roles and a career spanning seven decades, he ...
) was a 1963 film heavily based on the story of Ruben Ablaza, who was convicted for the rape of Annabelle Huggins. The film was initially approved and quickly banned in September, but was screened again in December after being renamed to ''Ang Manananggol.'' In 1965, ''Iginuhit ng Tadhana'' (Dir.
Jose de Villa Jose is the English transliteration of the Hebrew and Aramaic name ''Yose'', which is etymologically linked to ''Yosef'' or Joseph. The name was popular during the Mishnaic and Talmudic periods. * Jose ben Abin * Jose ben Akabya *Jose the Galile ...
) is released, and is arguably one of the most controversial films to come out of Philippine cinema, in that it was able to set the tone of
Ferdinand Marcos Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos Sr. ( , , ; September 11, 1917 – September 28, 1989) was a Filipino politician, lawyer, dictator, and kleptocrat who was the 10th president of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He ruled under martial ...
’ entire presidential campaign. The movie, which chronicled the life of Marcos, had reached the realm of politics, ultimately leading the appointment of Marcos to presidency. In August 1965, the film was approved without change, but its premiere in September was halted on the time of the premiere itself. An ''
en banc In law, an en banc session (; French for "in bench"; also known as ''in banc'', ''in banco'' or ''in bank'') is a session in which a case is heard before all the judges of a court (before the entire bench) rather than by one judge or a smaller ...
'' of the film was requested by then acting chairman Rosalina Castro, raising much suspicion from the press and the Nacionalistas. Days after, then chairman Jose L. Guevara resigned from his spot.


Bomba films

1967 onwards saw a relaxing of rules by the Board of Censorship, who started allowing more nudity and explicit sex. This led to the rise of commercial, pornographic ''bomba'' (taken from the term "bombshell", which normally included a scandal in Political public office) films, which persisted despite heavy criticism from Catholic groups. These films usually depicted outright nudity and sexual scenes, cut portions from previously banned films, or the entire prohibited films themselves. The rise of ''bomba'' films was attributed to the fact that movies tackled more adult, realistic themes. The ideal of a "true Filipino" was introduced. These films also brought in a new audience for Philippine film; the usual filmgoers, the teenagers who saw the films as "hip", and the youth, who used these films as a means for their own sexual awakenings, the educated, collegiate, and the working-class crowd. On another side, the larger audience of these films were the male devotees, who came to see the sex scenes and left as soon as the last one finished airing. Some films from this era include ''Ang Saging ni Pacing, Dayukdok'' (Dir. Luis San Juan; the movie was only approved by the board upon being renamed to ''Ang Magsasaing ni Pacing), Ang Batuta ni Drakula'' (Dir. Luis San Juan)'', Gutom'' (Dir.
Danny Zialcita Danilo L. "Danny" Zialcita (November 24, 1939 – March 10, 2013) was a Filipino film director, writer and producer. Early life Zialcita was born November 24, 1939, in Manila. During his long career where he made 52 films as director, 22 of whic ...
)'', Sabik'' (Dir. Angelito de Guzman)'', Laman sa Laman'' (Dirs. Lauro Pacheco, Jose Sibal)'','' and ''Hayok'' (Dir. Ruben Abalos) among many other titles. While the non-ban of these kinds of films led to the liquidation of censorship committees for most countries, this was not the case for the Philippines, likely due to the demand in box office. On February 22, 1970, the theaters ''Pablace'' and ''Mayfair'' are picketed by protesters who went against ''bomba'' movies. In 1972, the Board begins its anti-sex policy, which was backed by the general public who deemed the films as "attributing to the upsurge of crimes by minors and loose morality of youth".


The martial law era

Film censorship under the martial law dictatorship was undertaken as part of the stifling of free expression and civil rights, during which artists, journalists, activists, and members of the opposition were under threats of sanctions or arrest. Prior to the administration of Ferdinand Marcos and the declaration of
Martial Law Martial law is the imposition of direct military control of normal civil functions or suspension of civil law by a government, especially in response to an emergency where civil forces are overwhelmed, or in an occupied territory. Use Marti ...
in 1972, policing films had been a matter which only went as far as censorship and the non-distribution of movies in the country. The Board of Censorship then had no right to take legal action against any film, director, actor, producing company, or theater that had violated any of its mandates. Cases like these were to be brought up to the local government, who had jurisdiction over legal matters. On September 27, 1972, Marcos issued Letter of Instructions No. 13, which he claimed would "uphold morality in the youth". However, the ban was instead used to stifle dissent and to maintain the propaganda of the government at the time. Among the films banned were ''Hubad na Bayani'' (1977), ''Manila By Night'' (1980), ''Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim'' (1984), among many others. The letter stated 7 kinds of films that were not to be exhibited in any local theater: # ''Films which tend to incite subversion, insurrection or rebellion against the State;'' # '' Films which tend to undermine the faith and confidence of the people in their government and/or duly constituted authorities;'' # '' Films which glorify criminals or condone crimes;'' # '' Films which serve no other purpose but to satisfy the market for violence or pornography;'' # '' Films which offend any race or religion;'' # '' Films which tend to abet the traffic in and use of prohibited drugs;'' # '' Films contrary to law, public order, morals, good customs, established policies, lawful orders, decrees or edicts; and any or all films which in the judgment of the Board are similarly objectionable and contrary to the letter and spirit of Proclamation No. 1081.'' What made this proclamation different from those appointed by the board was that the government now had jurisdiction over bodies that were at fault. It was proclaimed in coordination with the
Department of National Defense Department of Defence or Department of Defense may refer to: Current departments of defence * Department of Defence (Australia) * Department of National Defence (Canada) * Department of Defence (Ireland) * Department of National Defense (Philippin ...
. In fear of legal action and prosecution, the board tightened their rules, banning 148 imported movies and 50 local movies which displayed negative acts. Films were expected to uphold objectives of the
New Society ''New Society'' was a weekly magazine of social inquiry and social and cultural comment, published in the United Kingdom from 1962 to 1988. It drew on the disciplines of sociology, anthropology, psychology, human geography, social history and so ...
through upholding moral values and ensuring that the ideologies shown did not subvert the peace of the nation and the mind. Aside from the Letter of Instructions, the board had assumed three more rights apart from the right to cut scenes from movies: the right to (1) encourage, (2) warn, and (3) be consulted. Taking from the
British Board of Film Censors The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC, previously the British Board of Film Censors) is a non-governmental organisation founded by the British film industry in 1912 and responsible for the national classification and censorship of fi ...
, the board started requiring submission of the full script of a movie before it was slated to begin production. This allows the board to warn the producers of possible issues within the script. Due to this, there have been fewer portions cut out of local movies, with 163 of 173 films being approved for general audiences from September 21, 1972, to September 21, 1973. This also resulted in longer, more sophisticated films that wasted less shooting time and production cost. The divide between the government and filmmakers (and in result, the viewing public) became smaller as national responsibility was imbibed in the art of filmmaking in itself. Filmmakers and other artists protested censorship and the suppression of civil rights. For example, Lino Brocka and other artists organized protests against "arbitrary, senseless censorship" in 1983. They organized the Free the Artist movement, which led to the founding of the Concerned Artists of the Philippines.


Movie and Television Review and Classification Board

On October 5, 1985, Executive Order No. 876-A was created to reformat the Board of Review for Motion Pictures, leading to the creation of the
Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (English: "For Intelligent and Responsible Viewing") , employees = More than 33 , chief1_name = Diorella Maria Sotto-Antonio , chief1_position = Chairperson , agency_type = Film and television classification , parent_agency ...
. The board was created only for the purpose of classifying cinematic films and television shows. The board holds 30 members at any given time, with the first chairman after the Executive Order being Manuel "Manoling" Morato, who took office in 1986. The board classifies movies into 6 categories, listed below:


Notable directors

Although foreign films were shown in the Philippines since the Spanish period, interest in the creation of local films was not given much attention by the Filipinos. However, the advent of Hollywood films during the American period sparked the interest of Filipinos and eventually led to the boom of filmmakers in the country. *
Jose Nepomuceno Jose is the English transliteration of the Hebrew and Aramaic name ''Yose'', which is etymologically linked to ''Yosef'' or Joseph. The name was popular during the Mishnaic and Talmudic periods. * Jose ben Abin * Jose ben Akabya *Jose the Galile ...
is known as the Father of Philippine Movies, and is considered one of the pioneers of Filipino cinema. His first movie entitled ''
Dalagang Bukid ''Dalagang Bukid'' (English: ''Country Maiden'') is a 1919 Filipino silent film. Directed by José Nepomuceno, it is recognized as the first full-length Filipino produced and directed feature film. An adaptation of the Tagalog sarsuwela of th ...
'' (1919), a stage play turned movie, is the first movie produced by a Filipino filmmaker. Along with his brother Jesus, they founded the film company ''Malayan Movies'' which later produced over a hundred movies. Some of the titles include ''La Venganza de Don Silvestre'' (1920), '' La Mariposa Negra'' (1920), and ''El Capullo Marchito'' (1921) among others. *
Lino Brocka Catalino Ortiz Brocka (April 3, 1939 – May 22, 1991) was a Filipino film director. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and significant filmmakers in the history of Philippine cinema. He co-founded the organization Concerned Art ...
was a prominent Filipino director who received fame in the 1970s. Growing up, he gained interest in American film which led him to pursue a career in the film industry. Most of Brocka's films revolve around the issues faced by the common Filipino such as poverty, discrimination, and politics. He is also known to be anti-Marcos and created films to protest against Martial Law. Some of his films include ''Ora Pro Nobis'' (1989) and ''
Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak ''Gumapang Ka sa Lusak'' is a 1990 Filipino drama film directed by Lino Brocka. Plot Living in the slums of Manila, Jonathan, a college student likes to hangout with his wealthy college friends Eric, Dodo and RJ. One night at a bar, he met Rach ...
'' (1990) among others. He is a recipient of five Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) best director in 1970, 1974, 1975, 1979, and 1990. *
Marilou Diaz-Abaya Marilou Correa Diaz-Abaya (March 30, 1955 – October 8, 2012) was a Filipina multi-award winning film director. She was conferred the Order of National Artists of the Philippines for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2022, she was the founder and pres ...
was a multi-awarded film and TV producer and director who gained fame for her film ''
Jose Rizal Jose is the English transliteration of the Hebrew and Aramaic name ''Yose'', which is etymologically linked to ''Yosef'' or Joseph. The name was popular during the Mishnaic and Talmudic periods. * Jose ben Abin * Jose ben Akabya *Jose the Gali ...
'' (1998). This film also earned her a Best Director Award from the
Metro Manila Film Festival The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is an annual film festival held in Metro Manila, Philippines. The festival, which runs from December 25 (Christmas) through New Year's Day and into first weekend of January in the following year, focuses on ...
. Diaz-Abaya claimed that she used her films and shows as a way to promote social issues in the Philippines, such as the state of the country's democracy. Some of these films include ''Brutal, Karnal'', and '' Ipaglaban Mo.''


Independent Filipino Cinema

Independent Filipino cinema, has existed for almost as long as commercialized cinema, but this type of cinema has not been recognized as much, and thus has few historical accounts. Many of the independent films show actual happenings in the society using authentic voices of the people, but oftentimes, these films have been suppressed due to its revelations about social and political realities or marginalized due to its cinematography. These films also sometimes offer valuable historical content. In its early beginnings, alternative cinemas were documentaries about the Philippines. Jose Nepomuceno was first commissioned to make documentaries about the richest industries in the Philippines, and his most famous one was about the hemp industry. Other alternative films made during 1920–1955 include Old Manila, Tres Sangganos, Intramuros, Jose Rizal, March of the Time Series: The Philippines, and Woodcarving in the Philippines. All of the films above were destroyed during World War II. However, in the film archives in Washington DC, only the old film titled ''March of Time Series: The Philippines'' by Louis de Rochemont survived Film making halted during the Japanese occupation however, some documentaries and newsreels were made such as ''Laurel Review His Troops (1943), First Session of the National Assembly (1943), New Cabinet Organized (1943),'' and ''What Do You Think? (1943).'' The 1950s to 1970s saw the rise of the First Independent Film Movement when the production of short films had a substantial increase, and these short films were garnering awards locally and internationally. Furthermore, several film organizations were formed during this time such as the Film Institute of the Philippines, Film Society of the Philippines. Some of the alternative films produced during this time include ''El Legado'', ''Soul of a Fortress'', ''Mangandingay: A Place of Happiness'', ''The Wall'', ''Mababangong Bangungot'', ''Masinloc'', and ''The Survivor''. The 1970s to 1980s saw the rise of the Second Independent Film Movement where the films produced contained more of the personal creativity of the filmmakers, and films became more ideological. Independent films became highly politicized in the 1980s with the Marcos dictatorship and the People Power Revolution. The filmmakers of that time sought to innovate ways of expression for their political films as they deal with social reality. Some of the famous independent films of that time include ''Ang Magpakailanman'', ''Children of the Regime'', ''Revolutions Happen like Refrains in a Song'', ''A Legacy of Violence'', ''And Rain Fell in July, Sugat sa Ugat'', ''The Arrogance of Power'', ''Signos'', ''Kalawang'', ''Sa Maynila'', ''Ynang Bayan: To be a Woman is to Live at a Time of War'', ''
Why is Yellow the Middle of the Rainbow Why may refer to: * Causality, a consequential relationship between two events * Reason (argument), a premise in support of an argument, for what reason or purpose * Grounding (metaphysics), a topic in metaphysics regarding how things exist in vi ...
'', '' Perfumed Nightmare'', ''Isang Munting Lupa'', and ''Bayani''. Currently, there are a few Filipino film festivals that support independent Filipino films such as
Cinemalaya The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival is a film festival in the Philippines held annually during the month August at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex and various cinemas. Its aim is the development and promotion of Fi ...
and CineFilipino. These are annual film festivals that screens, invests, promotes, and awards independent Filipino films.


Internationally acclaimed films

Over the years, Filipino films have been recognized not only in their own country, but also globally in different countries. Competing with international films, Filipino films have earned many different rewards such as the
Golden Lion The Golden Lion ( it, Leone d'oro) is the highest prize given to a film at the Venice Film Festival. The prize was introduced in 1949 by the organizing committee and is now regarded as one of the film industry's most prestigious and distinguishe ...
in the 2016
Venice Film Festival The Venice Film Festival or Venice International Film Festival ( it, Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica della Biennale di Venezia, "International Exhibition of Cinematographic Art of the Venice Biennale") is an annual film festival he ...
won by ''
Ang Babaeng Humayo ''The Woman Who Left'' ( fil, Ang Babaeng Humayo) is a 2016 Philippine drama film written, produced, edited, and directed by Lav Diaz. Filmed entirely in black-and-white, it was selected to compete in the main competition section at the 73rd Ven ...
'' (The Woman Who Left) by
Lav Diaz Lavrente Indico Anciro Diaz (born December 30, 1958) is a Filipino independent filmmaker and former film critic. Frequently known as one of the key members of the slow cinema movement, having made several of the list of longest films, longest na ...
, the Audience Choice Award in the
Tokyo International Film Festival The is a film festival established in 1985. The event was held biennially from 1985 to 1991 and annually thereafter. Along with the Shanghai International Film Festival, it is one of Asia's competitive film festivals, and is considered to be the ...
won by ''
Die Beautiful ''Die Beautiful'' is a Filipino LGBT comedy-drama film directed by Jun Robles Lana and produced by Jun Robles Lana, Ferdinand Lapuz and Perci M. Intalan, from a story by Jun Lana and screenplay by Rody Vera. It stars Paolo Ballesteros as Trish ...
'' by
Jun Lana Rodolfo R. Lana Jr. (born October 10, 1972), known professionally as Jun Robles Lana, is a Philippines, Filipino filmmaker. The winner of 11 Palanca Awards, Palanca Awards for Literature, he became the youngest member of the Palanca Awards#Palan ...
, or the Silver Bear Alfred Bauer Prize at the
66th Berlin International Film Festival The 66th Berlin International Film Festival was held from 11 to 21 February 2016, with American actress Meryl Streep as the President of the Jury. The Honorary Golden Bear for lifetime achievement was presented to German cinematographer Michael ...
won by '' Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis'' (A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery) also by Lav Diaz. All these films were granted these awards in the year of 2016 among many other Philippine films. In the years before, other films equally gaining recognition internationally include ''Pamilya Ordinaryo'' by Eduardo Roy Jr.; ''Toto'' by John Paul Su; ''Taklub'' by Brillante Mendoza; ''Metro Manila'' by Sean Ellis; and ''Foster Child'' by Brillante Mendoza.


Animation

Filipino animation, is a body of original cultural and artistic works and styles applied to conventional Filipino storytelling, combined with talent and the appropriate application of classic
animation Animation is a method by which image, still figures are manipulated to appear as Motion picture, moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent cel, celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited ...
principles, methods, and techniques, which recognizes their relationship with
Filipino culture The culture of the Philippines is characterized by cultural diversity. Although the Ethnic groups in the Philippines, multiple ethnic groups of the Philippine archipelago have only recently established a shared Filipinos, Filipino Filipino natio ...
,
comics a medium used to express ideas with images, often combined with text or other visual information. It typically the form of a sequence of panels of images. Textual devices such as speech balloons, captions, and onomatopoeia can indicate ...
, and
film A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...
s. It also delves into relying on traditional and common Filipino "sense of going about things" or manner of coping with Filipino life and environment.Pinoy animation defined
, Animation Council of the Philippines, Animationcouncil.org


Historical epics

Another staple of the Philippine film industry, historical dramas where part of the mainstream genres of the Philippine cinema, the deep history of the Philippines where the filmmakers are constantly inspired by it. Over the years, there have been many films based on history or on historical figures that not only captivated audiences with their powerful and enriching stories, but have also taken viewers back in time with the detailed costumes, sets, and atmosphere. Be it based on real people – like the biographies of
José Rizal José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (, ; June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896) was a Filipino nationalist, writer and polymath active at the end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. He is considered the national he ...
(1939,
1998 1998 was designated as the ''International Year of the Ocean''. Events January * January 6 – The '' Lunar Prospector'' spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for frozen water, in soil in permanently ...
),
Andrés Bonifacio Andrés Bonifacio y de Castro (, ; November 30, 1863May 10, 1897) was a Filipino Freemason and revolutionary leader. He is often called "The Father of the Philippine Revolution", and considered one of the national heroes of the Philippines ...
(1995, 2010, 2012,
2014 File:2014 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Stocking up supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the Western African Ebola virus epidemic; Citizens examining the ruins after the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping; Bundles of wat ...
),
Lapulapu Lapulapu or Lapu-Lapu (ᜎᜉ̰-ᜎᜉ̰), whose name was first recorded as Çilapulapu, was a datu (chief) of Mactan in the Visayas in the Philippines. He is best known for the Battle of Mactan that happened at dawn on April 27, 1521, where ...
(1955, 2002),
Antonio Luna Antonio Narciso Luna de San Pedro y Novicio Ancheta (; October 29, 1866 – June 5, 1899) was a Filipino army general who fought in the Philippine–American War before his assassination in 1899. Regarded as one of the fiercest generals of his ...
(
2015 File:2015 Events Collage new.png, From top left, clockwise: Civil service in remembrance of November 2015 Paris attacks; Germanwings Flight 9525 was purposely crashed into the French Alps; the rubble of residences in Kathmandu following the Apri ...
) and
Gregorio del Pilar Gregorio Hilario del Pilar y Sempio (; ; November 14, 1875 – December 2, 1899) was a Filipino general of the Philippine Revolutionary Army during the Philippine–American War. As one of the youngest generals in the Revolutionary Army, he ...
(
2018 File:2018 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in PyeongChang, South Korea; Protests erupt following the Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi; March for Our Lives protests take place across the United ...
); or set during a certain time period – ''Teniente Rosario'' (1937), '' Banaue: Stairway to the Sky'' (1975), ''Dugo sa Kapirasong Lupa'' (1975), ''
Oro, Plata, Mata ''Oro, Plata, Mata'' ( es, Gold, Silver, Death) is a 1982 Philippine historical war drama film directed by Peque Gallaga, from a story by Peque Gallaga, Mario Taguiwalo, and Conchita Castillo and screenplay by José Javier Reyes. The film is cons ...
'' (1982), ''
Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos ''Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos'' () is a 1976 Filipino period film written and directed by Mario O'Hara that set in the province of Laguna during the Second World War. The film stars Nora Aunor as the barrio lass Rosario, Christopher De Leon as t ...
'' (1976) and ''
Quezon's Game ''Quezon's Game'' is a 2018 Philippine Biographical film, biographical drama film directed by Matthew Rosen. The film centers on Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon and his plan to shelter History of the Jews in Germany, German and History of th ...
'' (2018).


Film Associations and Organizations

Notable local film associations and groups include: *Metro Manila Film Festival The
Metro Manila Film Festival The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is an annual film festival held in Metro Manila, Philippines. The festival, which runs from December 25 (Christmas) through New Year's Day and into first weekend of January in the following year, focuses on ...
is an annual film festival held in Metro Manila, Philippines. The festival takes place from Christmas Day (December 25) and concludes at the first weekend in January of the following year. The MMFF has taken place every year since its inception in 1975. The 2016 event was the 42nd festival in its history. Throughout the festival, only Filipino Films, which are approved by the jurors of the MMFF, are shown in cinemas. No foreign films are shown in Metro Manila cinemas during the festival (except
IMAX IMAX is a proprietary system of high-resolution cameras, film formats, film projectors, and theaters known for having very large screens with a tall aspect ratio (approximately either 1.43:1 or 1.90:1) and steep stadium seating. Graeme F ...
, 4DX, and select 3D cinemas). This has been a tradition ever since the establishment of the festival's precursor, “Manila Film Festival” in 1966 by former Manila Mayor
Antonio Villegas Antonio de Jesus Villegas (January 9, 1928 – November 16, 1984) was a Filipino mayor of Manila from 1962 to 1971. His term was after the term of Arsenio Lacson as mayor of Manila, and before the period of martial law in the Philippines. Poli ...
. The festival is accompanied with an awards ceremony. Over the years, films such as Yamashita: The Tiger's Treasure, One More Try,
Walang Forever ''#WalangForever'' () is a 2015 Filipino romantic comedy film starring Jennylyn Mercado and Jericho Rosales. It is an official entry to the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival and was shown on December 25, 2015. JM de Guzman was supposed to be the ...
, and Sunday Beauty Queen have received the Best Picture Award. *Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino The Pista ng Pelikulang Filipino (or PPP) is a film festival held in theaters nationwide. Its inaugural season was held on August 16–22, 2017, coinciding with the Buwan ng Wika. Similar to the Metro Manila Film Festival, foreign movies will not be shown in theaters (except
IMAX IMAX is a proprietary system of high-resolution cameras, film formats, film projectors, and theaters known for having very large screens with a tall aspect ratio (approximately either 1.43:1 or 1.90:1) and steep stadium seating. Graeme F ...
, 4DX, VIP (starting from 2nd edition), and large format 3D theaters) and films approved by the jury will be shown. It is organized by the
Film Development Council of the Philippines The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is the national film agency under the Office of the President of the Philippines responsible for film policies and programs to ensure the economic, cultural and educational development of th ...
in association with theaters nationwide. The inaugural awardees in the competition include: Mikhail Red's ''
Birdshot A shotgun shell, shotshell or simply shell is a type of rimmed, cylindrical (straight-walled) cartridges used specifically in shotguns, and is typically loaded with numerous small, pellet-like spherical sub-projectiles called shot, fired throu ...
'' (Critic's Choice), Victor Villanueva's ''
Patay na si Hesus ''Patay na si Hesus'' () is a 2016 Cebuano dark comedy road trip film and an entry to the 2017 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino. Synopsis Iyay (Jaclyn Jose), a food vendor in Cebu City, learns the death of her estranged husband, Hesus, in Dumague ...
'' (Jury's Choice) and Jason Paul Laxamana's ''
100 Tula Para Kay Stella ''100 Tula Para Kay Stella'' () is a 2017 Philippine romantic film directed by Jason Paul Laxamana and starring Bela Padilla and JC Santos. It was produced under Viva Films. Synopsis In 2004, Fidel Lansangan (JC Santos) and Stella Puno (Bela Padi ...
'' (Audience Choice). *
Film Academy of the Philippines Established in 1981, the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) is the Philippines' official counterpart of the United States' Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The FAP was founded through Executive Order 640-A issued by the President o ...
The Film Academy of the Philippines was established in 1981 and is considered the Philippine counterpart of the United States' Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. It serves as the general organization of the various film-related guilds in the country that help in the organizing and supervising of film activities. *
Filipino Society of Cinematographers The Filipino Society of Cinematographer (FSC) is an educational, cultural, and professional organization of cinematographers established on February 27, 1970. In 2010, the FSC in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts of ...
Established on February 27, 1970, it serves as an "educational, cultural and professional organization of cinematographers". *
Film Development Council of the Philippines The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is the national film agency under the Office of the President of the Philippines responsible for film policies and programs to ensure the economic, cultural and educational development of th ...
Formed on June 7, 2002, the Film Development Council of the Philippines can be found under the Office of the President. It ensures that the economic, cultural and educational aspects of film are represented locally and internationally. *National Film Archives of the Philippines The National Film Archives of the Philippines houses the history of Philippine Cinema and protects the country's cultural legacy in film through the preservation, retrieval, and restoration of film negatives, prints and other film related material and promotes these to provide a wider appreciation of the cinema history by making them available to the public. *Movie Workers Welfare Foundation Inc. The Movie Workers Welfare Foundation Inc. or MOWELFUND was organized and established in 1974 by former President Joseph E. Estrada who was then president of the Philippine Motion Picture Producers Association (PMPPA). Its primary purpose is to provide aid to movie workers such as medical, livelihood and housing benefits.


Yearly revenue


See also

*
ABS-CBN Film Archives The ABS-CBN Film Archives, also called ABS-CBN Archives, is a state-of-the-art film archive in the Philippines located at the basement of ELJ Communications Center in Eugenio Lopez Drive, Diliman, Quezon City. It was a member of the Southeast ...
*
Asian cinema Asian cinema refers to the film industries and films produced in the continent of Asia. However, in countries like the United States, it is often used to refer only to the cinema of East Asia, Southeast Asia and South Asia. West Asian cinema is ...
*
Cinema of the world This is a list of cinema of the world by continent and country. By continent * Cinema of Africa *Cinema of Asia **South Asian cinema **Southeast Asian cinema * Cinema of North America * Cinema of Latin America *Cinema of Europe * Cinema of Oceani ...
*
East Asian cinema East Asian cinema is cinema produced in East Asia or by people from this region. It is part of Asian cinema, which in turn is part of world cinema. The most significant film industries that are categorized as East Asian cinema are the industries o ...
*
Film awards bodies in the Philippines There are many institutions, academies and fellowships in the Philippines that hands out awards, citations and recognitions to outstanding film achievements for a certain calendar year. History 1950-1975 The Maria Clara Awards was established in 1 ...
*
History of cinema The history of film chronicles the development of a visual art form created using film technologies that began in the late 19th century. The advent of film as an artistic medium is not clearly defined. However, the commercial, public scree ...
*
List of Filipino actors Lists of Philippine actors cover actors from the Philippines. The lists are organized by age and gender. * List of Filipino current child actors * List of Filipino former child actors * List of Filipino actresses List of Filipino actresses i ...
* List of Filipina actresses *
List of films about Martial Law in the Philippines This is a list of films that deals with topics about the 1972–1981 martial law under Ferdinand Marcos. Various filmmakers made films that directly deal with the political atmosphere, provide social commentary, or chronicle the life of Filipin ...
*
List of films banned in the Philippines The following is a list of films banned in the Philippines. This list includes films which were banned for public screening in the Philippines by law by virtue of being given an "X" or "Banned" rating or by being deemed "not fit for public exhibit ...
*
List of highest-grossing films in the Philippines Films in the Philippines derive income mainly from theatrical exhibitions as revenues from home video, television broadcast rights and merchandising share a small portion of the studio earnings. Even more, unlike in the United States and other te ...
*
List of highest-grossing Filipino films The following is a list of highest grossing Philippine films. ; Color key – is an entry film for Metro Manila Film Festival. Eight hundred million mark {, class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" style="text-align:center; line-height:16 ...
*
List of Philippine co-produced films and television series This is a list of international co-produced Philippine films and television series . The first film co-produced by a Philippine film studio with a studio based outside the Philippines is ''Rodrigo de Villa''. The film was produced with Indonesi ...
* List of Philippine film studios *
List of Philippine films A list of films produced in the Philippines in Filipino and in English. For an A-Z see :Philippine films. Pre-1940s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s See also *List of years in the Philippines *List of ...
*
Metro Manila Film Festival The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is an annual film festival held in Metro Manila, Philippines. The festival, which runs from December 25 (Christmas) through New Year's Day and into first weekend of January in the following year, focuses on ...
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Southeast Asian cinema Southeast Asian cinema is the film industry and films produced in, or by natives of Southeast Asia. It includes any films produced in Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam ...
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World cinema World cinema is a term in film theory that refers to films made outside of the American motion picture industry, particularly those in opposition to the aesthetics and values of commercial American cinema.Nagib, Lúcia. "Towards a positive de ...


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External links


''Acquiring Eyes: Philippine Visuality, Nationalist Struggle and The World Media-System''
PDF
Jonathan Beller Jonathan Beller is a film theorist, culture critic and Mediology, mediologist. He currently holds the position of Professor of Humanities and Media Studies and Critical and Visual Studies, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY. He is the recipient of numero ...
(Manila: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2006)
Philippines' Brillante Mendoza scoops Best Director at CannesFilipino-language titles
at the
Internet Movie Database IMDb (an abbreviation of Internet Movie Database) is an online database of information related to films, television series, home videos, video games, and streaming content online – including cast, production crew and personal biographies, ...

Tagalog-language titles
at the
Internet Movie Database IMDb (an abbreviation of Internet Movie Database) is an online database of information related to films, television series, home videos, video games, and streaming content online – including cast, production crew and personal biographies, ...

Philippine Independent FilmsCriticine Philippines
– Philippine page of Southeast Asian Cinema journa
Criticine
* ttp://www.listal.com/list/50-greatest-filipino-films-all 50 Greatest Filipino Filmsbr>Filipino Movies
at GMOAT
Philippine Cinemas
at Flixseats *Talaan ng mga Artista sa Pilipinas {{Navboxes , title = Philippine Cinema related topics , list = {{Philippines topics {{Years in the Philippines {{World cinema {{Asia in topic, Cinema of