100 Essential Filipino Films

Biyaheng Lupa

2009 • 90 min

A bus journeys from the city of Manila into the rural southeast, filled with a diverse group of passengers, each carrying their own stories. As they travel, grappling with their pasts and futures, unexpected events unfold – a flat tire,…

2.7

6.1

Cain and Abel

1982 • 111 min

This story updates the classic Cain and Abel tale. Señora Pina, a powerful mother, shows favoritism towards her younger son, Ellis. She holds Lorenzo, her older son, responsible for the death of his father.

7.0

7.1

17+

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The Bet Collector

2006 • 98 min

Amelita, a middle-aged store owner in Manila, earns extra money by taking bets for the popular illegal numbers game, jueteng. She skillfully convinces people to wager, always watchful for police raids.

7.0

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Anak

2000 • 135 min

After years working overseas, a woman returns to the Philippines to discover her family has fractured during her time away.

5.9

7.9

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At the Top

1971 • 114 min

A stripper and a taxi driver are unexpectedly offered a way out of their lives by a commercial film director. Driven by the pursuit of fame, they are molded into movie stars, a process that ultimately erases their identities and…

10.0

7.4

14+

A Short Film About the Indio Nacional

2005 • 97 min

This silent, black-and-white film follows a Filipino commoner through the 1890s as the country revolts against Spanish rule. The story unfolds in three parts, depicting his life from childhood – ringing bells in a village church – to adolescence as…

6.7

6.5

Flowers of the City Jail

1984 • 110 min

A pregnant woman, arrested for attempted murder, is incarcerated in the Manila City Jail. There, she encounters a group of women who each carry deeply disturbing histories.

5.4

7.1

17+

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Miguelito

1985 • 117 min

A young boy uncovers his politician father's corrupt and cruel nature, learning that his biological mother was a victim of his father's immoral and violent actions.

4.5

7.9

Lola

2009 • 110 min

Two elderly women struggle with the fallout from a crime committed by their grandsons. One grandson is the victim, the other the accused. Both women, facing hardship and poverty, desperately seek money during a storm – one to cover funeral…

7.3

7.2

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Perfumed Nightmare

1979 • 95 min

Comedy, Drama

Zatōichi, a blind masseur, travels Japan seeking work and a place to settle. He encounters gambling, sake, and lively games in different towns. But his peaceful life is often disturbed by violent gangs who threaten the local people and try…

7.2

6.9

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Death in the Land of Encantos

2015 • 540 min

Years after leaving for Europe, a poet returns to his Philippine village only to find it devastated by landslides. He journeys through the countryside, seeking out friends, former lovers, and family members whose lives are hanging by a thread.

7.9

7.7

Fight for Us

1989 • 94 min

In 1985, the isolated town of Dolores is shaken when the Orapronobis, a secretive cult led by Kumander Kontra, murders a foreign priest. The priest had recently administered last rites to a man labeled a rebel, who was subsequently executed…

6.4

7.0

17+

Slingshot

2008 • 86 min

Slingshot is a powerful look at the potential of digital filmmaking, presenting a sprawling story of life in the Philippines' poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods. With national elections approaching, powerful figures initiate a crackdown on the area's inhabitants – squatters,…

5.4

6.9

A Tired, Angry Moon on a Restless Night

1983 • 122 min

This is a story about married couples who choose to leave their existing relationships for one another.

5.2

7.2

14+

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Milagros

1997 • 130 min

Milagros, a sex worker, finds unexpected belonging as the maid for a family of four men. She discovers a sense of family with them, while they each find solace in her presence. However, their shared existence ultimately leads to their…

1.0

7.3

A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino

1965 • 107 min

Lamberto Avellana's film, adapted from Nick Joaquin's play, centers on a painter, his artwork, two sisters, and a criminal.

9.0

7.0

One More Chance

2007 • 115 min

Popoy and Basha have a long history as a couple, dating back to their university days. They were deeply connected, sharing all aspects of their lives. However, Popoy's constant planning and nagging eventually strained their relationship, leading Basha to end…

6.7

7.5

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Batang West Side

2001 • 301 min

The death of a Filipino teenager in New Jersey sparks an investigation. As the case unfolds, the investigation reveals details about the victim's life and the broader Filipino community in America, including the impact of the drug "shabu" on young…

7.4

7.8

Noli Me Tángere

1961 • 180 min

Inspired by Jose Rizal's groundbreaking novel, the film centers on Crisostomo Ibarra, a Filipino who returns from Europe to find his father unjustly imprisoned and mistreated by Spanish friars, notably Padre Damaso. As Ibarra attempts to improve the lives of…

5.8

7.2

Malvarosa

1958 • 101 min

This is a moving story about a family facing hardship. It centers on Rosa, who lives with her mother and five brothers in a poor neighborhood by the train tracks. Her mother is consumed by guilt and sadness after Rosa's…

5.7

7.1

The Moises Padilla Story

1961 • 90 min

The film centers on Leopoldo Salcedo, a hopeful mayoral candidate in Negros Occidental, who is brutally tortured and murdered amidst the chaos of election season.

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6.7

Bulaklak ng Maynila

1999 • 101 min

In this Filipino drama, a woman's life unravels when she becomes entangled with a powerful crime boss after a devastating betrayal. Azun (Elizabeth Oropesa) lives in a dangerous Manila neighborhood and sells goods on the street. Her husband Roque (Bembol…

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6.8

My Pal

1995 • 119 min

A group of optimistic teenagers navigate the complexities of adolescence, facing challenges related to life, relationships, friendships, and family, all while trying to maintain their bond.

8.0

7.1

14+

Moments in a Stolen Dream

1977 • 112 min

Joey, a college student adrift and without direction, finds his sole inspiration in music, though he hasn't yet completed a song. His life takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of Ana, completely changing his perspective.

7.1

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Batch '81

1982 • 100 min

Sid Lucero, a 21-year-old pre-med student hoping to join the Alpha Kappa Omega fraternity, undergoes a brutal six-month initiation. He and six other new members endure intense physical and psychological abuse, both within and outside the fraternity house.

5.6

7.3

17+

This Is My Country

1984 • 108 min

A working man receives payment from his employer for his wife's pregnancy, but the agreement comes with the condition that he does not join the union.

6.9

7.1

Todo Todo Teros

2006 • 110 min

The protagonist briefly considers that an artist is essentially a terrorist, and wonders if he might as well embrace that label. The film unfolds like an intricate puzzle, pieced together from diary entries, revealing a gradual transformation rather than a…

5.2

6.4

Refrains Happen Like Revolutions in a Song

2010 • 120 min

Sarah, a debt collector in the village of Guimbal on Panay Island, journeys to Negros Island in search of a young man who appeared to her in a dream. As she interacts with the island's people, Sarah’s search evolves into…

6.5

8.1

Burlesk Queen

1977 • 129 min

To help her paralyzed father, Chato works as an assistant for the burlesque performer Virgie Nite. When Virgie becomes too intoxicated to perform on the night of her show, Chato steps in and unexpectedly captivates the audience. Encouraged by the…

6.1

7.3

Life on the Tracks

2003 • 70 min

"Riles" is a documentary film following the life of Eddie, a resident of a settlement located in a squatter area alongside the railway tracks in the impoverished district of Balic-balik, Manila.

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8.4

Miracle

1982 • 124 min

In a secluded village, the life of simple orphan Elsa is changed when she begins experiencing visions of the Virgin Mary. This deeply affects the villagers, causing them to reconsider their faith. Elsa soon discovers she has the ability to…

8.0

7.9

14+

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Luksang Tagumpay

1956 • 75 min

Anita has waited years for her husband, who was reported missing during the Korean War. Accepting the reality of his presumed death, she agrees to marry Dr. Ricardo Llamas, a kind, loving, and handsome man who persistently asks her to.…

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Kisapmata

1981 • 99 min

A newlywed finds her life increasingly restricted by her controlling father, who insists on constant supervision.

8.2

7.7

14+

Blessings of the Land

1959 • 111 min

Maria and Jose start their married life in an orchard in the countryside and soon have four children: Miguel, Arturo, Angelita, and Lito. The oldest, Miguel, is deaf-mute. The family enjoys a peaceful life, and their children are a source…

7.3

Ang Kabiyak

1980 • 107 min

Comedy

This 1980 Filipino comedy film offers a lighthearted look at life in Manila. It follows a group of working-class friends as they deal with everyday challenges, providing both humor and relatable moments. Featuring physical comedy, witty dialogue, and memorable characters,…

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Huwag Mo Akong Limutin

1960

Arturo's indifference to his wife's social needs leads her to seek connection with someone else.

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Summer Rains

1975 • 131 min

A college student falls for her first-degree cousin who is staying with her family in Manila while studying. They begin a secret relationship, but it's exposed when she becomes pregnant. The family, deeply shocked, decides abortion is the only option.…

6.5

8.3

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White Funeral

1997 • 30 min

A bride walks across the desert, shedding her wedding finery to become a prostitute. A large group of people prostrates themselves before her, falling ill and dying. A volcano erupts, blanketing the land in white ash and mud. The bride…

5.5

6.0

Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa

1974 • 90 min

During a stormy night in a seaside village, a childless couple discovers an unconscious woman on the beach. The following day, the woman awakens and identifies herself as Isabel.

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7.8

Emily

1960

A young woman discovers that the woman who adopted her harbors a deep-seated resentment towards her biological family.

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As We Were

1976 • 125 min

During the Philippine Revolution at the dawn of the 20th century, the story follows an innocent farmer as he embraces a new belief system and joins a close-knit group of people.

7.5

7.4

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Working Girls

1984 • 118 min

The film follows several women navigating the challenges of city life as they work to make a living.

6.3

5.8

Bona

1984 • 86 min

Drama

Bona, a young Filipino girl from a poor family, leaves school to join Gardo, an actor hoping to succeed in the world of low-budget filmmaking. Her father disowns her for the impulsive choice, leaving Bona feeling both free and alone.…

6.5

7.3

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A Speck in the Water

1976 • 118 min

Benjamin, a ferry owner, regularly sees Chedeng, a student training to be a midwife. Chedeng is friends with Maria, and unbeknownst to both of them, each woman has a relationship with Benjamin. The situation becomes complicated when Maria discovers she…

7.5

6.7

14+

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Three Years Without God

1976 • 124 min

During World War II, Rosario, a schoolteacher, begins a secret relationship with Masugi, a Japanese soldier.

7.3

7.5

14+

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Magnifico

2003 • 122 min

A young boy constructs a coffin for his grandmother who is dying, all while trying to save enough money to purchase a wheelchair for his sister.

7.6

8.0

Moral

1982 • 138 min

This film follows four college friends as they navigate the early years of martial law. Their lives become intertwined, exploring their evolving desires – both romantic and career-oriented – and the challenges they face in pursuing what they want.

7.3

7.5

17+

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Bayaning 3rd World

2000 • 93 min

Two filmmakers embark on a project to make a film about Jose Rizal, the Philippine national hero. Prior to filming, they investigate the truth behind his heroism, focusing on his alleged retraction of anti-Catholic views expressed in his novels, *Noli…

7.7

7.2

Manila by Night

1980 • 150 min

Drama

"Manila After Dark" follows ordinary people living in the city's nighttime world. The film shows how everyday lives intersect with the city's darker side, revealing complicated relationships and struggles. It presents a direct look at Manila's nightlife, focusing on issues…

7.0

7.2

17+

When the Crow Turns White, When the Heron Turns Black

1978 • 150 min

"Pag-puti ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak" is a vibrant love story set against the backdrop of the nostalgic 1950s. It captures the excitement of the era's mass hysteria and the rise of rock and roll, fueled by popular stars like…

6.0

8.0

Evolution of a Filipino Family

2004 • 625 min

From 1971 to 1987, a poor farming family in the Philippine countryside faces hardship under the oppressive rule of Ferdinand Marcos. They battle the consequences of widespread corruption and the relentless pursuit of power.

7.7

7.6

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Hinugot sa Langit

1985 • 121 min

A woman wrestles with the difficult decision of whether to have an abortion, a choice that clashes with her deeply held beliefs and the expectations of her family.

10.0

7.3

Bagets

1984 • 116 min

Navigating first experiences, heartbreak, and disillusionment, five young men experience the complexities of adolescence during their final year of high school. As they mature, they discover the strength of their friendship.

5.2

7.1

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Aguila

1980 • 210 min

Drama, Action, Romance

A young boy searches for his missing father, Daniel Aguila, rediscovering memories of their life together in the Philippines. The film explores family, nostalgia, and identity through flashbacks that reveal a story of love, loss, and reconciliation. The boy's search…

6.0

7.7

Palabra de Honor

1983 • 93 min

In a city rife with deceit, crime, and betrayal, one man remains steadfast in his commitment to honor.

1.0

8.2

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Oliver

1983 • 45 min

This documentary follows Oliver, a female impersonator who performs in gay bars in Manila to support his family. He is known for his elaborate and theatrical "Spider-man" act.

4.2

7.1

Confessional

2007 • 90 min

A documentary filmmaker from Manila travels to Cebu to cover the Sinulog Festival. His assignment takes an unexpected turn when he encounters a retired politician with a wealth of stories about corruption, and the filmmaker finds himself drawn into the…

6.0

7.1

An Affair

1982 • 115 min

In the Philippines, where divorce is not permitted, a young woman begins an affair with a married man. They eventually decide to live together, at which point their difficulties truly begin.

6.1

7.9

Shake, Rattle & Roll

1984 • 125 min

This film presents three interconnected tales of violence. First, three friends playing a ritual game uncover a devastating love triangle. Second, a refrigerator appears to develop a sinister sentience. Finally, a teenager's relationship with a local girl escalates into chaos…

5.5

6.5

The Dream of Eleuteria Kirchbaum

2010 • 89 min

She's traveling to meet her husband, a man she's only ever known through letters – a journey toward the life she's always envisioned.

5.0

4.2

Child of Sorrow

1956 • 119 min

After the war, a decorated soldier becomes involved in illegal smuggling operations and encounters a prostitute amidst the devastation of Manila.

5.8

6.8

Will Your Heart Beat Faster?

1980 • 104 min

Comedy

This comedy follows two affluent couples who stumble into a dangerous drug smuggling ring. They find themselves caught in a chaotic game involving con artists posing as religious figures, cunning Asian operatives, and competing smugglers all fighting for control of…

7.4

7.0

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Laman

2002 • 115 min

Maryo J. Delos Reyes' dark and realistic story explores the complicated relationships between a husband, his wife, and his closest friend as a tense emotional triangle forms.

3.5

6.0

Fetch a Pail of Water

1999 • 98 min

This film offers a glimpse into the everyday lives of people living in the Philippines' slums. Gina, a hardworking young woman from a poor family, sells banana slices to make ends meet while caring for her grandmother and siblings, her…

1.0

6.7

Haplos

1982 • 120 min

Al, a Filipino who has lived abroad, returns to his hometown for his mother's burial. There, he reconnects with Cristy, a childhood friend who works as a family planning counselor. They begin a romantic relationship and become a couple. But…

7.3

6.4

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Babae sa Breakwater

2003 • 127 min

Fleeing violence in their village, two brothers move to a city. However, the city's leader intends something different for them.

8.8

7.5

Sibak: Midnight Dancers

1994 • 120 min

In downtown Manila, Philippines, brothers Joel, Dennis, and Sonny are dancers at a small gay bar. Sonny leaves college to work full-time at the bar against his mother's wishes, while Dennis becomes involved in prostitution under pressure from the club…

4.7

5.5

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Genghis Khan

1950 • 88 min

Before becoming Genghis Khan, Temujin is a resourceful and sometimes shrewd young man. He experiences several defining moments: winning the Man of Men competition, falling for the daughter of a rival leader, and working to rebuild his destroyed home. These…

5.9

6.7

Insiang

1976 • 95 min

Drama

This film follows a young girl's daily life and aspirations in the贫困的Manila slums. It explores the difficulties she faces as she tries to cope with challenging circumstances, particularly the arrival of her mother's new boyfriend, which further strains their already…

7.0

7.5

14+

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Of the Flesh

2015 • 123 min

In 1930s Mulawin, the arrival of Narcing's wife, Puring, sparks a chain of events encompassing parricide, infidelity, betrayal, guilt, and ultimately, redemption.

6.6

7.1

17+

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Independencia

2010 • 77 min

The early 1900s Philippines. As American forces arrive, a mother and son seek refuge in the mountains, dreaming of peace. Their quiet life is disrupted when the son finds a wounded woman in the woods and brings her back with…

5.0

6.6

Tanging Yaman

2000 • 112 min

Danny, Art, and Grace are all grown with established lives and very different families. The only thing connecting them is their mother, Dolores "Loleng" Rosales, who loves them and her grandchildren unconditionally, though she shows it in different ways. While…

7.0

7.8

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Sister Stella L.

1984 • 103 min

A nun working as a counselor in a home for unwed mothers begins to question her world when a friend from her religious order encourages her to participate in the fight for workers' rights at a cooking oil company.

6.7

7.1

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Huling Balyan ng Buhi

2006 • 89 min

Gigi, a rebel from Arakan Valley, trains young fighters who are waiting after an ambush. In a nearby village, Junjun and his soldiers are resting. He tries to see a girl he loves but finds a balyan (shaman) in a…

3.8

7.8

Salome

1981 • 105 min

What begins as a straightforward case of passion turns complicated when Jimmy, a persistent admirer, is fatally stabbed by Salome, the attractive wife of Kario, a common farmer. However, as the story progresses, contradictory accounts of the event emerge.

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7.5

Broken Marriage

1983 • 106 min

Ellen and Rene, a married couple overwhelmed by demanding schedules and a lack of connection, choose to take a temporary break from each other.

8.8

8.1

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José Rizal

1998 • 178 min

Facing treason charges, Dr. Jose P. Rizal meets with his lawyer, Luis Taviel de Andrade, who was assigned by the colonial government. Together, they construct Rizal's defense by recounting key moments from his life before his imprisonment. As Taviel learns…

9.0

7.7

Manila in the Claws of Light

1975 • 127 min

Drama, Mystery

Julio, a young fisherman from a close-knit coastal village, travels to the busy city of Manila to find a lost loved one. He struggles to adjust to the unfamiliar urban environment, feeling increasingly isolated. The film follows Julio's journey through…

7.3

7.8

14+

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The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros

2005 • 100 min

Comedy, Drama

Maxi, a pre-teen comfortable with his identity and accepted by his family, is assaulted. Officer Victor helps him afterward. Maxi then develops feelings for Victor, who responds with kindness.

7.0

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Now Showing

2008 • 280 min

Rita is named after a famous American movie star her late grandmother adored. She lives in a historic district of Manila with her working mother and ambitious aunt. Years later, Rita remains fascinated by television while helping her aunt sell…

7.4

6.3

Weighed But Found Wanting

1974 • 128 min

A wealthy teenager becomes disillusioned by the hypocrisy around him in his quiet town. He develops an unexpected friendship with a man living with leprosy and a woman struggling with mental illness and homelessness.

7.4

7.5

Temptation Island

1980 • 115 min

Comedy, Drama

A group of ambitious beauty contest finalists are stranded on a deserted island with no sign of civilization. Cut off from everything, they must use their wits and survival skills to endure. The film explores survival, teamwork, and resilience as…

5.0

6.4

Kinatay

2009 • 105 min

Crime, Drama, Horror

To afford a wedding, a young man takes a job paying $2,000. He soon discovers the job requires him to commit murder.

6.2

6.5

17+

Stream on

The Rites of May

1976 • 105 min

A young man returns to his rural hometown and becomes involved with a woman. She is later seemingly possessed by her deceased sister's spirit, leading to the uncovering of the painful truth behind the sister's unsolved disappearance.

6.5

Stream on

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Tuhog

2001 • 105 min

Two women, both survivors of incest-rape by a man now in prison, are approached by filmmakers wanting to make a movie about their lives. Initially hesitant, they agree to sell the film rights for a sum of money. They travel…

3.8

6.4

17+

Scorpio Nights

1985 • 126 min

In a bustling apartment building, a young student witnesses his neighbors engaging in intimacy. He then begins a passionate relationship with the neighbor's wife. The affair gradually escalates into an all-consuming obsession.

5.4

6.4

17+

Sanda Wong

1955 • 96 min

In a secluded fishing village, a wealthy landowner hires the Snake Devil to guard his valuable family possessions. However, the bandit Sanda Wong learns of the treasure and attempts a raid, undeterred by the Snake Devil's protection.

5.2

6.8

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Juan Tamad Goes to Congress

1959 • 90 min

Juan Tamad is a beloved Filipino folk hero known for his extreme laziness, preferring to wait for things to happen rather than work for them, like waiting for coconuts to fall instead of climbing for them. This film updates the…

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El Filibusterismo

1962 • 117 min

Crisostomo Ibarra returns to his homeland consumed by revenge. He adopts the guise of a jeweler named Simoun, planning to address the nation's problems through violent means.

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8.1

Badjao

1957 • 105 min

Hassan, son of a Badjao sea-faring tribe leader, falls in love with Bala Amai, the niece of a Tausug land-based chief. Both are willing to change their lives for each other, but the Tausugs scheme to keep them apart.

6.5

Dahas

1995 • 102 min

A few nights before her wedding to Jake, Luisa is raped by an unknown attacker. When Jake discovers her premarital virginity is not what he believed on their wedding night, a violent confrontation ensues. Luisa, a victim of abuse, responds…

7.0

6.1

Your Daughter's Mother

1979 • 116 min

This is a story about a man who develops romantic feelings for his wife's mother.

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8.2

Joyful Mystery

1984 • 122 min

The lives of three poor friends and their families are dramatically altered when a plane crashes in the mountains. They and the entire village head to the crash site, not to rescue anyone, but to steal valuables. Mesiong, Ponsoy, and…

8.2

7.4

17+

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Thy Womb

2012 • 100 min

In Tawi-Tawi, a Bajau midwife faces the painful irony of infertility while navigating the hardships of her seafaring community. This is a story of island life, caught between desire and deeply ingrained traditions.

6.1

6.9

Sisa

1951 • 75 min

Inspired by the character from Jose Rizal's *Noli Me Tangere*, Sisa recounts a mother's desperate quest for her lost sons, Crispin and Basilio, which ultimately results in her own death. The film emphasizes the unwavering strength and resilience of women…

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7.5

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Lucia

1992 • 90 min

When an oil spill devastates their fishing village, a determined matriarch and her family are forced to relocate to Manila.

10.0

7.1

Salawahan

1979 • 116 min

This is a funny romantic comedy about two young cousins who try each other's approaches to dating, with predictably hilarious results.

3.3

6.9

Eternity

1982 • 25 min

Raymond Red's acclaimed film follows a young man through a series of surreal and unsettling experiences.

6.0

5.8

Gold, Silver, Death

1982 • 194 min

The story centers on the Lorenzos and Ojedas, two prominent families in Negros province, as they struggle to survive three years of war marked by violence, bloodshed, horror, and death. The narrative unfolds in three parts: Oro, depicting a life…

7.5

7.7

17+

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100

My Father, My Mother

1978 • 117 min

Coring, a gay beautician, unexpectedly becomes the guardian of a baby left by his former student, Dennis. The child grows up believing Coring is his father. Their life is peaceful until the child’s mother unexpectedly appears, demanding custody.

4.9

7.0