MANILA – “They were not the power behind the throne, they owned the throne,” declared actress Raquel Villavicencio, describing the Filipino women she has worked with who helped shape Philippine cinema.

Alongside Villavicencio, the recent “Pelikula at Pilipina” Gala Night also paid tribute to actress-director Gina Alajar, filmmaker Olivia Lamasan, producer Malou Santos, and cinematographer Lee Briones. For them, the recognition echoed a larger truth: women have long been the backbone of Philippine cinema.

Villavicencio, honored for her work as a screenwriter and production designer, reflected on the many stories she still hopes to tell despite today’s tougher industry climate. Looking back, she noted the difference in pace and opportunity: “In the old days, we had weekly meetings, regular releases, and steady work. Now, it feels like every project is a battle for survival.” Still, she underscored the resilience of women in cinema, emphasizing that they remain indispensable to the industry’s heartbeat.

Briones recalled how, 25 years ago, her father once asked what she really did for a living. “Sabi ko nagkakalikot po ng camera, tumatambling kasama ng ilaw” [I said, I fiddle with cameras and tumble around with the lights]. What began as a self-effacing description evolved into a craft grounded in honesty and integrity.

Even when asked to step aside for male counterparts, Briones chose to persist. “Even if we are ready to tell the truth and to fight for it with integrity, it means nothing if we do not do it the right way,” she stressed, crediting what she calls “spiritual intelligence” as her compass.

For Alajar, who began acting at age eight, the recognition was both personal and collective. Her journey from actress to director, she said, was built on stories that transcend the self. “In every role, every story, it’s not just about me or for me. It’s for the Filipino people. It’s about our identity, our struggles, our resilience, our hope, and most especially our faith.”

The award was not hers alone, Alajar added: “Bow ako sa inyong lahat” [I bow to all of you], saluting the women who came before her, those working alongside her, and those yet to come.

Santos recalled her unconventional entry into cinema, which began with a call from her sister, actor-producer Charo Santos-Concio, while she was working outside the industry. Mentored by icons such as Regal Films’ Lily Monteverde, she embraced the challenges of producing. “Producing is never easy. It is difficult and very challenging. But to me, it’s the most fulfilling job because it gives me the opportunity to connect and serve the audiences,” she said. “Movies are more than entertainment. They have the power to heal wounds, to spark courage and change lives.”

Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) chair Jose Javier Reyes framed the evening’s theme with a reminder of how deeply women are woven into film history. “Lingid sa kaalaman ng karamihan sa atin, imposibleng mailahad natin ang kasaysayan ng Pelikulang Pilipino nang hindi natin babanggitin ang kahalagahan ng babae” [Contrary to what many may think, it is impossible to tell the history of Philippine cinema without acknowledging the importance of women]. He cited industry stalwarts such as Doña Sisang of LVN, Aling Miling of Lea Productions, Manay Ichu of Sampaguita Pictures, Mother Lily of Regal, and Mina Aragon of Viva, describing them as “beacons” who gave Philippine cinema its direction, shape, and depth.

Taken together, the speeches of Reyes, Villavicencio, Briones, Alajar, Santos, and Lamasan wove a shared narrative: women in Philippine cinema are not only storytellers but also builders, nurturers, and leaders. They carry cameras, write scripts, manage productions, and shape stories that reflect and transform a nation.

The two-hour ceremony at Seda Vertis North was hosted by Yanah Laurel, with performances from Zephanie, Esand, Angela Ken, Bituin Escalante, Kuh Ledesma, and 92AD. “Pelikula at Pilipina” is part of the FDCP-organized Philippine Film Industry Month celebration—a reminder that the history of Philippine cinema is, in large part, a history written and carried forward by women.