HiLdA KoRoNeL: 12 Films That Put Philippine Cinema on the Map at Cannes

Monday, August 25, 2025

12 Films That Put Philippine Cinema on the Map at Cannes

As 5 new Filipino films debut at Cannes, we revisit some of the Philippines’ boldest moments on the global stage

By Mel Wang

May 15, 2025

Rolling Stone Philippines

The 2025 Cannes Film Festival is proving to be a big milestone for Filipino cinema. Not only are three Filipino-produced short films — Agapito, Ali, and Bleat! — screening at Cannes, but the Japanese-Filipino co-produced drama Renoir and director Lav Diaz’s historical epic Magellan will also be premiering at the prestigious festival.

As this year’s festival kicks off, we’re revisiting some of the standout moments when Filipino cinema captured the spotlight on the Croisette.

Maynila: Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag (1975): Directed by legendary Filipino filmmaker Lino Brocka, Maynila: Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag follows Julio (Bembol Roco), a fisherman who heads to Manila in search of his girlfriend Ligaya (Hilda Koronel). However, the chaos and harsh realities of the city slowly eat away at him. A restored version of the film made its world premiere at the Classics section of the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.

Insiang (1976): The first Filipino feature film to be presented at Cannes, Lino Brocka’s Insiang, was screened at the 1978 Cannes under the Directors’ Fortnight section. The drama follows a young girl named Insiang (Hilda Koronel) whose life becomes almost unbearable when her mother Tonya (Mona Lisa), invites her boyfriend, Dado (Ruel Vernal), to live with them.

Others:

Itim (1976)

Bona (1980)

Bayan Ko (1984)

Anino (2000)

Kinatay (2009)

Independencia (2009)

Death March (2013)

Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan (2013)

On the Job (2013)

Ma’Rosa (2016)

Link: https://rollingstonephilippines.com/culture/film-tv/12-filipino-films-cannes-film-festival/

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Hilda

In a world where cinema often chases the fleeting and the new, Hilda Koronel stands as a testament to the enduring power of true artistry. Her return in Sisa is not merely a comeback — it is a reminder that certain voices, certain faces, and certain stories are timeless. They live on, not because they resist change, but because they evolve with it, carrying wisdom, grace, and truth into every frame. As the lights dim and the first scene unfolds, we are not just watching the return of a beloved actress — we are witnessing history, wrapped in the radiance of a woman who will forever be the gold standard of Philippine cinema. There are actors who play roles, and there are artists who inhabit them so completely that they transcend the screen. Hilda Koronel belongs firmly to the latter. For decades, she has been the luminous thread woven through the tapestry of Philippine cinema — a performer of rare beauty, grace, and truth. From the quiet resilience of Insiang to the magnetic authority of Working Girls, her portrayals have not merely entertained, but stirred the soul and reflected the struggles, dreams, and dignity of a nation. Some stars fade with time, their brilliance dimmed by the passing years. But Hilda Koronel is not one of them. Her light has only deepened — glowing warmer, brighter, and richer with every role. She has walked through the rain-soaked streets of Maynila, stood defiant in the narrow alleys of Insiang, and gazed at love’s fleeting beauty in Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising. Now, as she steps into the haunting world of Sisa, we witness not just the return of an actress, but the revival of a living legend — one whose presence still commands the gaze of the lens, and the heart of a nation. After more than a decade away from the big screen, Hilda Koronel — one of Philippine cinema’s most celebrated and multi-awarded actresses — is making her highly anticipated return. Known for her iconic performances in films by Lino Brocka and Mike de Leon, Koronel has long been considered the gold standard of Filipino acting, influencing generations of artists and earning the admiration of audiences worldwide. Her comeback in Jun Robles Lana’s Sisa marks not just a new chapter in her career, but a cultural moment for Philippine cinema — a chance to see a screen legend once again in a role crafted especially for her. ~ Cielomar