The exquisite Hilda Koronel

by Nini Valera
excerpted from the Philippine Daily Inquirer, April 15, 2005

Exceptional older actresses never fade away. They become second leads in movies and continue to shine.


Hilda Koronel, a veteran of 36 years in Philippine movies, has remained one of the country’s most respected actresses, as well as one of the most beautiful ages in showbiz.


Unlike most actresses her age that have crept back into oblivion or found alternative careers, Hilda still gets to turn down roles.


“Sometimes, it’s about the money, like the offer is really super low,” she confided. “I also turn down roles that call for sex scenes, which I no longer want to do at my age.


“Even when I was younger, I was careful about accepting those types because of my children.


“I didn’t want them to be teased in school about their mother being a bomba star.”


But the present scenario is nowhere near the ideal that the golden age of Philippine cinema spawned in the ’70s, when Lino Brocka ruled and Hilda, his muse, was the toast of the town, even at the Cannes Film Festival.


“It’s different today, unlike during the time of Lino (Brocka),” she observed. “You barely get anything now. Most movies are not for our age, unlike in the States where actresses like Meryl Streep and Susan Sarandon still make good movies. Here, you are taken for granted, as you grow older. What you get are roles for second lead.”


Whatever the role and no matter how short, Hilda is able to transform the part into an acting tour de force. She proved this mastery of her craft recently in two roles—as Chayong, the Quiapo denizen who prays for the intentions of other people for pay in director Laurice Guillen’s “‘Santa Santita” and as one of the professional weepers in director Mike Meily’s “Crying Ladies”.


“Even if the roles are short, I would do the movie if the script is good,” said Hilda.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:



MOVIE CREDITS


· Nasaan Ka
Star Cinema - 2004


· Crying Ladies
Unitel Productions - 2003


· Tanging Yaman
Directed By: Laurice Guillen - 2002


· Labs Kita, Okey Ka Lang
Star Cinema - 2001


· Habang May Buhay
Viva Films - 1997


· Balakyot Regal Films/Directed By: Mario O’Hara


· Maynila Sa Kuko Ng Liwanag
Directed By: Lino Brocka


· Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising
Directed By: Mike de Leon


· Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang
Directed By: Lino Brocka


· Insiang
Directed By: Lino Brocka


· Hanggang Dito Na Lang
with Eddie Rodriguez


· Cherrie Blossoms
with Nicolas Hammond 


· “The Sound of Music” released in Japan


· Villa Miranda


· Ang Gangster at and Birhen


· Happy Hippie Holiday


· Tubog Sa Ginto


· Angela Markado


· Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan


· Haydee with Ed Finlan


· Leslie with Liza Lorena

TELEVISION SPECIALS


· Hokus Pokus
SitCom/ Semi- Regular / GMA7 2004-2005


· Ikaw ang Lahat Sa Akin
Series / Mainstay / ABS-CBN 2005


· Kung Mawawala Ka
Series / Mainstay / GMA 7 2003-2004


· Marinella
Series / Mainstay / ABS-CBN 2/1999


· Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako
Series / Mainstay - ABS-CBN 2/1998-99


· Ganyan Kita Kamahal
Series / Mainstay - GMA 7/1998


· Esperanza
Series / Mainstay - ABS-CBN 2/1998


· Hilda
Drama Anthology / RPN 9 /1970-1971


AWARDS


· Natatanging Parangal
Gawad CCP sa Telebisyon - 1989


· Best Stage Actress
Aliw Awards “Ang Kaaway” - 1982


· 10 Prettiest Advertising Model
Lux Beauty Soap - 1979


· Best Actress
Dangal ng Kalinangan Filipino Film Festival - 1976


· Best Supporting Actress
“Insiang” - 1976


· Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS)


· Best Supporting Actress
“Santiago” - 1973


· Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Continuing Series
“Hilda” - 1972 / Citizens Council for Mass Media


ENDORSEMENTS


· Lux - 1977
· 7 - Up - 1977
· Pepsi - 1977
· Mirinda - 1977
· Sarsi - 1970 & 1974