Tovic Salvador

‘Pelikula at Pilipina’: Two female directors reawaken 'dying' Philippine cinema

Article (news)

Josh Mercado

<p>Many Filipinos believe that Philippine cinema is &quot;dying,&quot; although several film workers dispute this. Is it because of the high price of movie tickets, or because the public has gone digital?</p><p>Whatever the reasons, Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) head Jose Javier Reyes stated in his most recent interview with a magazine that everyone from the government to cinema owners and producers should collaborate to &quot;get people together to enjoy the film [again].”</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754280675835image0.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Currently, audiences are enjoying two films by two female directors -- Antoinette Jadaone (&quot;Sunshine&quot;) and Baby Ruth Villarama (&quot;Food Delivery&quot;), which fit Philippine cinema’s theme for this year, &quot;Pelikula at Pilipina: Ang Mga Babae sa Likod ng Kamera.&quot;</p><p>“Two Filipina filmmakers not only making waves but defining Philippine cinema 2025 with their two award winning master works gaining worldwide attention,” Reyes wrote on his Facebook page.</p><p>“It is only fitting that this year&#x27;s theme for the Philippine Film Industry Month is ‘PELIKULA AT PILIPINA: ANG MGA BABAE SA LIKOD NG KAMERA,’ honoring the best and the brightest and the significance of the Filipina in the heart and soul of our cinematic tradition.”</p><p>“Mabuhay kayo, Tonet at Baby Ruth. Mabuhay ang mga malikhaing Filipina,” the FDCP chair concluded.</p><p>Here are some reviews for the two films:</p><p>“‘Sunshine’ is the kind of film the Philippines has needed for years. It’s hard to overstate how vital it feels, not just in 2025, but after so many years without a film that thoughtfully centers women’s reproductive health in a country where it’s so often overlooked,” ABS-CBN News wrote.</p><p>“What makes it remarkable is that it understands that it isn’t just adversity that defines the Filipino experience – there is also hope. There is the joy that we find in community, allowing us to brave even the toughest of times. Things definitely have to change, and there should be plenty of discussion about the issues that the movie brings up. But what makes the film truly brave is that it is a story of strength and kindness, most of all,” critic Philbert Dy said.</p><p>Congresswoman Leila de Lima shared her thoughts about “Food Delivery”: “Kailangang mas maraming makapanood nito. We need to bring these stories to more communities, especially those who live closest to the conflict but remain furthest from the conversation. This is our story, and we carry it forward; fully and without apology. We claim what is ours, and we stand where we belong.”</p><p>Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro wrote, “Maraming salamat kay Ms. Baby Ruth Villarama, sa kanyang team, at sa Voyage Film Studios sa paggawa ng pelikulang ito. Dahil sa pamamagitan ng ganitong media, naibabahagi natin ang katotohanan at nabibigyang-boses ang ating mga bayani.”</p><p>The success of two films, &quot;Sunshine&quot; and &quot;Food Delivery,&quot; sends a message to the industry that there is a place for female directors who dare to discuss sensitive topics in the most genuine ways, even when society tells them not to, and that they have the power to simply show realities without relying on love teams.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hGKuApBmDsY?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-h7y-c36ZyI?&amp;pp=0gcJCccJAYcqIYzvautoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QXGL1zzSbQk?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AZg_A7kBAS8?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Currently, audiences are enjoying two films by two female directors -- Antoinette Jadaone ("Sunshine") and Baby Ruth Villarama ("Food Delivery"), which fit Philippine cinema’s theme for this year, "Pelikula at Pilipina: Ang Mga Babae sa Likod ng Kamera."</p>

Currently, audiences are enjoying two films by two female directors -- Antoinette Jadaone ("Sunshine") and Baby Ruth Villarama ("Food Delivery"), which fit Philippine cinema’s theme for this year, "Pelikula at Pilipina: Ang Mga Babae sa Likod ng Kamera."