Women power in film

This piece, prepared by Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas, should have come out last March, International Women’s Month, which was, noted Celso, originally commemorated every March 8 as Women’s Day as recognized by the United Nations in 1975 and enacted by then Pres. Cory Aquino in 1988.

Celso actually made a list of Filipino actresses who have starred in movies with female names as titles.

• Rosa del Rosario — Minda Mora (1929), Ang Buhok ni Ester (1936), Si Malakas at si Maganda (1946), Bakya Mo Neneng (1947), Tandang Sora (1947), Rosario Cantada (1951), Darna (1951), Neneng Ko (1952) and Darna at ang Babaeng Lawin (1952).

• Tita Duran — Mariang Alimango (1938), Umaga Na Neneng (1950), Sa Isang Sulyap Mo Tita (1953), Maria Went To Town (1954) and Yaya Maria (1957).

• Mila del Sol — Rosa Linda (1941), Angelita: Ako’y Nagkasala (1941), Violeta (1947) and Malaya: Mutya sa Gubat (1948).

• Paraluman — Paraluman (1941), La Paloma (1947), Amapola (1948), Sor Remedios (1948), Rodora (1956) and Veronica (1957).

• Carmen Rosales — Carmen (1941), Tatlong Maria (1944), Mameng, Iniibig Kita (1947), Carmencita Mia (1948), Camelia (1949), Rosa Villa (1953), MN (Marissa Navarro, 1954), Lydia (1956), Sandra (1959), Esmeralda (1959), Tatlong Magdalena (1960), Estela Mondragon (1960) and Octavia (1961).

• Lilia Dizon — Ginang Takaichi (1947), Perfidia (1947), Venus (1951), Bathaluman (1952) and Sanda Wong (1955).

• Anita Linda — Tia Juana (1943), Sisa (1951), Takya (1956), Ambrocia (1956), Anino ni Sisa (1968), Adela (2008) and Lola (2009).

• Tessie Agana — Roberta (1951), Rebecca (1951), Kerubin (1952), Nagkita si Kerubin at si Tulisang Pugot (1954) and Amy, Susie & Tessie (1960).

• Gloria Romero — Monghita (1952), Cofradia (1953), Kurdapya (1955), Mariposa (1955), Teresa (1956), Esperanza at Caridad (as Esperanza, 1963) and Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday (as Biday, 1984).

• Edna Luna — Dyesebel (1953), Si Eva at Si Adan (1954), Santa Lucia (1956) and Anak ni Dyesebel (1964).

• Nida Blanca — Hiyasmin (1953), Awat na Adyang (1961), Si Adiang Waray (1963), Asyang ng La Loma (1963), Ang Babaeng Isputnik (1963), Isputnik vs Darna (1963), Si Doray Naman (1963), Utos ni Tale Hindi Mababale (1964), Adyang Batibot (1967), John en Marsha (1974, followed by several sequels)) and Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday (as Waray, 1984).

• Lolita Rodriguez — Jack & Jill (1954), Rosana (1955), Emma (1956), Gilda (1956), Tarhata (1957), Laura (1960) and Rosa Negra (1962).

• Charito Solis — Niña Bonita (1955), Charito, I Love You (1956), Malvarosa (as Rosa, 1958), Emily (1960), Dahlia (1960), Angustia (1963), Tatlong Mukha ni Pandora (1963), Madugong Daigdig ni Aurora (1963), Igorota and Magda Sales (1964).

• Susan Roces — Torkwata (1957), Amy, Susie & Tessie (1960), Susanang Daldal (1962), Susanang Twist (1962), Susan, Susay at Susie (1962), Amaliang Mali-Mali vs. Susanang Daldal (1963), Sabina (1963), Eddie Loves Susie (1963), Ana-Roberta (1965), Swanie (1966), Pepe en Pilar (1966), Mariang Kondesa (1966), Si Siyanang at Ang 7 Tsikiting (1966), Maruja (1967), To Susan with Love (1968), Divina Gracia (1970), Florinda (1973), Patayin Mo Sa Sindak si Barbara (1974) and Gumising Ka…Maruja (1978).

• Amalia Fuentes — Baby Bubut (1958), Amy, Susie & Tessie (1960), Amaliang Mali-Mali (1962), Amaliang Mali-Mali vs. Susanang Daldal (1963), Esperanza at Caridad (as Caridad, 1963), Sino Ka, Madame X? (1966), Anna Lisa (1967), Anino ni Sisa (1968), Kiko en Kikay (1968), Rowena (1969), Adriana (1969), Mga Prince Charming ni Lola Cinderella (1969), Almira (1969), Lorela (1969), Dalawang Daigdig ni Carlota (1970), Santa Teresa de Avila (1970) and Divina Bastarda (1971).

• Marlene Dauden — Rosa Rossini (1959), Mila Rosa (1965), Maria Cecilia (1965) and Elizabeth (as Eliza, 1968).

• Rosemarie — Ang Hiwaga ni Mariang Isda (1962), Ay, Ay, Naku, Neneng! (1965), Inday, Palalayasin Kita! (1965), Rosalie (1965), Juanita Banana (1968), Baluga (1969) and Jinkee (1969).

• Vilma Santos — Trudis Liit (1963), Ging (1964); Tatlong Mukha ni Rosa Vilma, Hatinggabi na Vilma and Takbo, Vilma, Dali! (1972); Dyesebel at ang Mahiwagang Kabibe, Lipad Darna Lipad, Ophelia at Paris, Wonder Vi, and Darna and the Giants (1973); Vilma and the Beep Beep Minica and Vivian Volta (1974); Vilma 29, Phantom Lady and Darna vs. The Planetwoman (1975); Susan Kelly, Edad 20 (1977); Rubia Servios (1978); Darna at Ding and Miss X (1980); Adultery: Aida Macaraeg Case #7892, Alyas Baby Tsina and Sister Stella L. (1984); and Dahil Mahal Kita:The Dolzura Cortez Story (1993).

• Gina Pareño — Donata (1968), Deborrah (1968), Elizabeth (as Beth, 1968), Darna at ang Planetman (1969), Paula (1969) and Contessa (1973).

• Nora Aunor — Nora Single Girl (1969); Tomboy Nora, Orang, Tell Nora I Love Her, Nora Mahal Kita, I Dream of Nora, Around Asia with Nora, Anna Victoria and Nora in Wonderland (1970); Guy & Pip (1971); Super Gee and Carmela (1973); Aking Maria Clara and Fe, Esperanza, Caridad (1974); Ibilanggo si Neneng Magtanggol, Roma Amor and Bakya Mo Neneng (1977); Bakekang (1978); Annie Batungbakal (1979); Bona (1980); Annie Sabungera, (1982); Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang (1985); Andrea, Paano Ba Ang Maging Isang Ina (1990); Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M. (1991); and The Flor Contemplacion Story (1995).

• Pilar Pilapil —Oh, Delilah (1969) and Inday ng Buhay Ko (1973.); Ang Madugong Daigdig ni Salvacion (1975); and Si Samson at Si Delilah (1983).

• Gina Alajar — Donata (as the young Gina Pareño, 1968), Robina (1971), Cofradia (1973, remake of Gloria Romero’s Cofradia [1953]) and Salome (1981).

• Hilda Koronel — Haydee (1969), Insiang (1976) and Angela Markado (1980).

• Lorna Tolentino — Divina Gracia (as the young Susan Roces, 1970), Miss Dulce Amor, Ina (1978), Esmeralda at Ruby (1980) and Diosa (1982).

• Snooky Serna — Snooky (1970), Gigi (1973), Little Solomon en Sheba (1973), Gigi, Ang Munting Martir (1973), Bata Pa Si Sabel (1981) and Rosa Mistica (1988).

• Alma Moreno — Mrs. Eva Fonda, 16 (1976); Rebecca Marasigan and Si Amihan at si Hagibis (1977); Dyesebel (1978); Nympha (1980); I Love You Abigail (1981); Diary of Cristina Gaston (1982); Virginia P. (1989); and Magdalena S. Palacol Story (1991).

• Melanie Marquez — Agatona (1980), Kamay ni Hilda (1980), Rosang Tatak (1980) and The Untold Story of Melanie Marquez (1987).

• Maricel Soriano — Pepe en Pilar (1984); Inday Bote (1985); Inday, Inday sa Balitaw (1986); Maria Went To Town (1988); Super Inday and the Golden Bibe (1988); Gorio en Tekla (1989); and Mila (2001).

• Kris Aquino — Pido Dida: Sabay Tayo (1990), Pido Dida 2: Kasal Na (1991), Pempe ni Sara at Pen (1992), Pido Dida 3: May Kambal Na (1992), The Myrna Diones Story: Lord, Have Mercy! (1993), Tasya Fantasia (1994), The Elsa Castillo Story…Ang Katotohanan (1994) and Fatima Buen Story (1994).

• Judy Ann Santos — Mara Clara: The Movie (1996), Esperanza: The Movie (1999), Jeannie, Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang? (2002), Sabel (2004) and Ploning (2008).

• Dawn Zulueta — The Cecilia Masagca Story: Antipolo Massacre, Jesus Save Us! (1993), The Maggie dela Riva Story…God, Why Me? (1994), Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara (1995) and The Anabelle Huggins Story – Ruben Ablaza Tragedy, Mea Culpa (1995).

• Rosanna Roces — Nang Mamulat si Eba, Part 2 (1996), Ligaya Ang Itawag Mo Sa Akin (They Call Me Joy) (1997), Ang Lalaki Sa Buhay ni Selya (1997), Curacha, Ang Babaeng Walang Pahinga (1998), Ms. Kristina Moran: Babaeng Palaban (1999) and La Vida Rosa (2001).

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