Sharon, Hilda & Angel: Getting to know the three 'Crying Ladies'

Article from:Manila Bulletin Article date:October 18, 2003CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2009 Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights or concerns about this content should be directed to customer service. (Hide copyright information)


Three very fine actresses portray the title roles in Crying Ladies, written and directed by Mark Meily and produced by Toni Gloria under the banner of Unitel Pictures. They are Sharon Cuneta, Hilda Koronel, and Angel Aquino, award-winning actresses all.


Crying Ladies, an entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival, tells the story of three women who sideline as professional mourners in Chinatown, crying for a fee at the wake of a Chinese businessman. Their simple lives and little dreams warm the heart, at once eliciting laughter and tears, but more of the former.


Megastar Sharon plays Stella Mate, streetmaster-hustler, gambler, briefly jailed for estafa who dreams of a better job to regain custody of her son (Julio Pacheco) from his father (Ricky Davao).


Drama great Hilda is Aling Doray, whose sole claim to fame is a bit role in the Vilma Santos starrer Darna and the Giants, the one a giant stepped on, then billed Rhoda Rivera. She spends most of her time accompanying her daughter (Jomalene Estrada) at auditions for commercials.


Fashion icon and exotic beauty Angel is Choleng, a naive and religious woman who cant resist the sexual advances of her friends husband (Raymond Bagatsing).


Sharon, Hilda, and Angel accept a part-time job as the crying ladies for a traditional Chinese funeral, hired by the son (Eric Quizon) of the deceased.


Aside from being a megastar, movie queen, Sharon Cuneta is a multi-awardee, a grandslam winner for Madrasta (Urian, Star, Famas, and Academy best actress). Sharon is also a best-selling recording and concert artist.


Offcam, Sharon is mother to KC and Frankie and wife of Sen. Francis Pangilinan.


Hilda starred in some of the greatest Filipino films, mostly directed by the late National Artist Lino Brocka. Among them: Santiago (which gave her a FAMAS best supporting actress award at 13), Insiang (the first Filipino picture to be shown in Cannes, giving her a best actress trophy in the Metro Manila Film Festival), Maynila: Sa Kuko ng Liwanag (one of the 100 best film in the world), Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang, Angela Markado, Tatlo, Dalawa, Isa.


Hilda has graced magazine covers and pictorials which highlighted her lovely face and high-fashion taste. But let it be said that Angel is a fine actress as well, Star awardee for Laro sa Baga (Best supporting actress). She was introduced in Mumbaki, and stood out in such films as Sana Pag-ibig Na, Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa, and Goodbye, America.


Angel is single parent to two girls.


The story of the three Crying Ladies is told in the context of a funeral wake, shedding light on the struggles of ordinary people living in the back street of Chinatown.


The struggle of Stella Mate (Sharon Cuneta) to survive touches the hearts of all women in a similar situation: making ends meet, separate from a husband, the pain of losing a child.


The plight of Aling Doray (Hilda Koronel) and Choleng (Angel Aquino) may well be the story of every persons search for acceptance and recognition. In Aling Doray, it is through a faded movie career that never took off. In Choleng, it is through a forbidden love affair.


Crying Ladies is also the story of hope and triumph. In the end, Sharon, Hilda, and Angel find their place in the sun.