In celebration of National Women’s Month, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is putting the spotlight on iconic films by some of the country’s most influential female filmmakers.
Curated from the CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Arts (CCP EPA), these must-watch classics capture the struggles, triumphs, and complexities of being a woman in Philippine society.
Among the featured films is “Brutal” (1980), directed by National Artist Marilou Diaz-Abaya, which was the first Filipino film to address gender-based violence within a patriarchal society.
“Moral” (1982) follows four friends navigating life’s challenges, while “Karnal” (1983) explores family tensions that lead to tragedy. “Salome” (1981) presents a crime from different perspectives, and “Milagros” (1997) tells the story of a woman seeking love and belonging.
More contemporary films include “Madrasta” (1996), which follows a woman adjusting to life as a stepmother, and “K’na the Dreamweaver” (2014), a visually stunning tale of a T’boli princess who inherits the sacred art of dreamweaving.
The documentary “Sunday Beauty Queen” (2016) provides a glimpse into the lives of Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong who find empowerment in beauty pageants. “Babae at Baril” (2019) tackles violence and self-defense, while “A Thousand Cuts” (2020) follows journalist Maria Ressa’s fight for press freedom.
These films, whether fiction or documentary, reflect real struggles faced by women in Philippine society. The CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Arts (CCP EPA) continues to be a treasure trove of cultural narratives, offering over 5,000 articles and video excerpts from CCP archives—all accessible for an affordable subscription.
