HiLdA KoRoNeL: 14 Filipina Icons Who Mothered Philippine Entertainment

Monday, August 25, 2025

14 Filipina Icons Who Mothered Philippine Entertainment

14 Filipina Icons Who Mothered Philippine Entertainment

Did they mother or did they mother? From the Diamond Star to the Star for All Seasons, these iconic women have left a permanent mark on the country’s entertainment landscape

By Mel Wang

March 07, 2025

Rolling Stone Philippines

How does one “mother”? For the uninitiated, the slang term “mother” describes someone who starts trends from ground zero and leaves everyone else taking notes. A mother serves. A mother slays. To use the term in a sentence, as both a noun and verb: “Oh, she’s mother — she’s truly mothering, I could never mother like her.” In short — a mother is a star who excels, and it is a huge honor to be deemed as such.

Any fan of Philippine film and TV knows that the local industry has its fair share of mothers. An elite group of Filipina actresses are so exceptional in their craft, delivering memorable performances again and again, that they’ve earned their own monikers: The Queen of All Media, The Star for All Seasons, The Megastar, just to name a few. These women have transcended mere stardom, becoming the benchmarks for the industry. Their roles go far beyond the screen, shaping culture and reflecting the complexities of Filipino life.

With that, we revisit some of Philippine entertainment’s greatest Mothers (with a capital M!) and explore how their careers shaped the country’s cultural landscape.

Hilda Koronel

Hilda Koronel’s cinematic journey has spanned decades, filled with exceptional roles and legendary collaborations. Her partnership with acclaimed director Lino Brocka yielded masterpieces like the violent drama Insiang, where Koronel’s performance as the vengeful titular character earned her the 1976 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actress Award. Other major Brocka collaborations include Santiago!, Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang, and Maynila sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag. Although Koronel has been based in the United States since the early aughts, she recently returned to acting in director Jun Lana’s upcoming gritty historical thriller Sisa.

Why she mothered so hard: “Once, twice, thrice, gaano ba kadalas ang minsan?” Koronel delivered this iconic line in the 1982 drama Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan? where the actress gave a performance oozing in melodrama and heartbreak as Elsa, a woman torn between her husband and best friend. Koronel’s ability to pour raw emotion into her roles, often portraying women navigating complex relationships and intense heartache, has long made her a beloved figure among fans.

Others:

Vilma Santos

Paolo Ballesteros

Cherie Gil

Dolly De Leon

Vice Ganda

Nora Aunor

Judy Ann Santos

Lorna Tolentino

Ai-Ai delas Alas

Cherry Pie Picache

Sharon Cuneta

Jaclyn Jose

Maricel Soriano

Link: https://rollingstonephilippines.com/culture/film-tv/14-filipina-icons-who-mothered-philippine-entertainment/

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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

HiLdA KoRoNeL

Monday, August 25, 2025

14 Filipina Icons Who Mothered Philippine Entertainment

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