Unfortunately, I cannot include some of the former movie queens like Gloria Romero, Rosa Rosal, Susan Roces and Amalia Fuentes because I didn’t get to see most of their early films. But here’s a list anyway of the fine actresses (and their best films) who came generations after them:
Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag – She may play a short role as Ligaya Paraiso, the oppressed kept woman of a cruel Chinese businessman, but her performance has so much impact you remember it three decades after the film was exhibited in theaters.
Insiang – This is a role that she played first on TV – in her weekly Channel 9 anthology, Hilda. When transported on the big screen, it becomes her best performance ever – especially her confrontation scene (the one with the flat iron) with the equally brilliant Mona Lisa.
Kung Mahawi Man ang Ulap – The material may be out and out komiks, but trust Koronel to turn it into a very decent performance – and without going overboard with the histrionics.
Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita – She was supposed to play the lead role here – with Dawn Zulueta playing the contravida. But given her build – big bones and all – she thought it would be unbelievable for her to play somebody oppressed. In the end, it was Sharon Cuneta who took over the lead part and Hilda willingly played support. True enough, she delivers a very creditable performance that to this day remains memorable.
Crying Ladies – Hilarious and delicious is how to best describe Hilda’s performance here. A great actress, she also excels in comedy.
Nasaan Ka Man – She may end up with another award for this movie.
Ging – I think she delivers an even better performance in this film where she plays an exploited child performer.
Burlesque Queen – This will always be the turning point of her career.
Pakawalan Mo Ako – Her material here may be frowned on by the really serious film reviewers, but there’s no denying that she rises above the material and gives an inspired performance.
Relasyon – She richly deserves her first grand-slam win for this film.
Sister Stella L. – You see here how her character develops from a nun who is content with convent life to that of a concerned street parliamentarian.
Adultery – An underrated performance that should have won for her another acting trophy. Sadly, it was released in the same year as Sister Stella L. and was totally eclipsed.
Pahiram ng Isang Umaga – The fact that she agreed to do this film where she dies already deserves a lot of commendation. But Vilma being Vilma she gives another worthy performance that brought her the fourth of her eight Urian trophies.
Ipagpatawad Mo – Another understated performance that only she can deliver.
Dahil Mahal Kita (The Dolzura Cortez Story) – Another daring role (that of an AIDS victim) that gave her another well-deserved grand-slam win (her second).
Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa? – A landmark performance in the history of Philippine Cinema. She earns her third grand-slam for this.
Dekada ’70 – She remains quiet in most of the film, but her silence is so overpowering that you feel her presence all over. She is rightfully rewarded with a fourth round of grand-slam win.
Gumapang Ka sa Lusak – She could have won at least one Best Actress trophy for this, except that it was a tough competition among actresses the year this film was released.
Bridal Shower – No one would have thought that she’d agree to make fun of herself, but she did and the viewers had a ball watching her go through her hilarious scenes. It’s another side of Dina Bonnevie I’d want to see more often.
Mano Po – One of my biggest frustrations as a Manunuri is the fact that she didn’t win an Urian for this (but she was this close to getting it). Her performance here is a clear example of how one can improve his/her craft and develop through time.
(To be continued)