Joanna Marie O. Santos
August 14, 2022

Cinema is very much a part of every culture. It was part of the people's favorite pastimes before the internet came along and streaming services became a thing. Filipinos witnessed many icons through the many decades of cinema in the Philippines. To this day, these icons and films have influenced both our culture and our society. This makes cinema, not just a lucrative form of entertainment, but also an expression of art and a medium to document our history. Films reflect and preserve society's current state.

 

 

Short History of Philippine Cinema

The origin of Philippine Cinema dates back to January 1897, when a Spaniard named Pertierra launched his first movie show at the Salon de Pertierra in Escolta. Through a 60mm Gaumont Chrono-photograph projector, Un Homme Au Chapeau (Man with a Hat), Une scene de danse Japonaise (Scene from a Japanese Dance), Les Boxers (The Boxers), and La Place de Lâ Opera (The Place Lâ Opera) was the first ever movies shown in the Philippines. In August of the same year, a Spanish Soldier named Antonio Ramos imported a Lumiere Cinematograph along with 30 film titles from Paris into Manila. These films would be available to the public until November when the movie hall closed down after attendance started decreasing because of the lack of new films. Ramos would also become the first motion picture producer in the Philippines.   Today, Philippine Cinema has undergone a lot of development since the days of Pertierra and Ramos. They established movie houses, films were colorized and produced with sounds, cameras are also more advanced, and we now use different filming equipment. Take a trip down memory lane as we have plucked out ten all-time Filipino classic movies for you to binge-watch.  

 

Top 10 Classic Filipino Movies to Watch for Binge Watchers

 

Himala

Directed by Ishmael Bernal, Himala features Nora Aunor in her greatest role as Elsa, a young woman from a small village who claims to have been visited by the Virgin Mary. Elsa's life drastically changes after this visit grants her special healing powers. Meanwhile, the village which is suffering from a drought enters a panic as Elsas newfound talent causes mass hysteria.  

 

 

Sister Stella L.

 

Starring Vilma Santos, and directed by Mike de Leon, Sister Stella L. narrates the story of a nun who becomes involved in a labor strike and gets caught up in the plight of the working class after discovering the government's inefficiency and inability to support the poor masses.

 

 

Muro-Ami

Muro-Ami follows the story of Fredo, a fisher on a quest to take revenge and strip the sea of its resources after it took the life of his wife and his child in a boating accident. Fredo carries this out with illegal netting techniques and disturbing schools of fish inside corals. His oppressive ways also extend to his crew, a group of overworked children which he takes with him on his risky expeditions. While Fredo and his crew lay waste onto the sea, he is met with troubles as his body betrays him and his crew becomes angered at their living conditions.

 

 

The Flor Contemplacion Story

 

Based on a true story, Director Joel Lamangan depicts the story of Flor Contemplacion, a Singapore-based Filipina domestic helper who was taken to trial after being accused of killing her fellow domestic helper, Delia Maga, and her employer's son. Despite evidence supporting her innocence, Flor is still deemed guilty and sentenced to death.

 

 

Bayaning Third World

 

Bayaning Third World takes on a satiric and part-investigative approach in tackling the life of the Philippines' declared National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Director Mike de Leon uses a pair of filmmakers who are discussing how to portray Rizal for the film that they are supposed to produce. To clarify the gray areas surrounding Rizal's life, these characters meet historical figures from the time of Rizal, and even Rizal himself. They also debate on certain topics such as Rizal's retraction of his writings and his views about the Catholic Church.

 

 

Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon

Set during the end of the Spanish colonization, Ganito Kami Noon, Pano Kayo Ngayon is a period drama film that explores themes such as nationalism and identity as it traces the story of Kulas, a young indio who lost his mother. After his mother's burial, Kulas leaves the countryside and begins his journey to Manila. Along with this journey is the loss of his innocence and idealism as he immerses himself in the colonized culture and society of the Philippines.  

 

 

Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag

A masterpiece by Lino Brocka, Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag transcends decades with the issues depicted in the film still prevalent today. The piece portrays the story of Julio, a fisher from the province who travels to Manila in search of his loved one, Ligaya. Julio then spirals into alienation as the city overwhelms him with its chaos and its problems such as poverty, capitalism corruption, and prostitution.

 

 

Oro, Plata, Mata

Set during the Japanese occupation in the Philippines, Oro, Plata, Mata is about two affluent families from Negros struggling to survive the war. The film explores themes such as trauma, violence, and loss as the families were not spared from the ruthlessness of war.

 

 

Dekada '70

This movie is about how the clutches of Martial Law affected the Bartolome family. Despite their son's involvement in various forms of activism, parents Julian and Amanda remain apolitical until their youngest son became the victim of extremist violence. It shows how closely knit Filipino families passionately rise to the occasion if the family is being threatened. Amanda was empowered to use her voice and to express dissent from the dictatorship.  

 

Tag-Ulan sa Tag-Araw

Tag-ulan sa Tag-Araw tells the story of forbidden love between a young man and a young woman who are first cousins. Nanette and Rod muster up their best to keep their relationship a secret, however, everything goes downhill when Nanette is revealed to be pregnant.

 

 

These movies showcase the Filipino's creativity at its finest, both from the artists on screen and those working behind the scenes. It's rare that we produce films we can consider the best of the bests. These depict part of our history, some of a Filipino's everyday struggles, and the triumphs over the challenges that come their way.  Movies can move, educate, and even change lives. Movies bridge our past and present, a snapshot to see in the future. Movies are glimpses into lives we may have not lived through, but are worth knowing.