Women in Philippine cinema

In 1950's

The Golden Age of Philippine Cinema.

Powerful women figured in the shaping of the nascent Filipino movie industry in the field of production and direction. Dona NarcisaVda. De Leon, also known as “Dona Sisang,” had set up LVN Studio in 1983. She was a leading producer in the post-war period. So were Sampaguita pictures’ Dolores Vera and Premiere production’ Adela Santiago.

Consuelo P. Osario and Susana De Guzman were among the most prolific scriptwriter and directors of the era. New women scriptwriters also appeared, like Daisy Honteveros Avellana who wrote Sakay – a film directed by his husband, Lamberto Avellana.

The Star system, Hollywood style, gave rise to female idol like Carmina Rosales, Gloria Romero, Nida Blanca, Rosa Rosal, Anita Linda, Charito Solis, Lolita Rodriguez, Rita Gomez and many more. A child star, Tessie Agana, made waves with tearjerker hit, Roberta. 

In 1990's

The nineties saw the emergence of corporate film studious like ABS-CBN’s Star Cinema, while the movie industry continued, ironically to collapse.

Charo Santos-Concio oversees Star Cinema, which is responsible for the rise of innovative women directors like Olivia Lamasan and Rory Quintos.

There were more films with pro-woman themes like Sharon Cuneta’s Madrasta and Maricel Soriano’s Soltera. Marilou Diaz Abaya became more visible with films like Ipaglaban Mo ans Sa Pusod ng Dagat, Independent women directors who made documentaries and Short films, like Ditsi Carolino and Sari Dalena also began to emerge.

In 2000's

The decline of the local movie industry is balanced by the rising fortunes of Television. Movie icons are now leading stars on television. Big Movie hits like Darna have become blockbuster T.V. programs. Old legends are recycled into new ones like Kampanerang Kuba.

New Independent directors strong on women themes are now joining the ranks of promising film makers in the country.





Source: Mowelfund museum / Published by CCP & Anvil production