Maglipon, David launch book on top Philippine films

By Felix Manuel

Manila - Philippine cinema has produced films that reflect shifts in culture, politics, and everyday life. Over time, a number of these works have come to stand out – not only for how they were made, but for how they’ve been remembered. Veteran entertainment journalist Jo-Ann Maglipon and film scholar Joel David gathered these films in 𝙎𝙄𝙉𝙀. 𝙁𝙄𝙇𝙈. 𝙋𝙀𝙇𝙄𝙆𝙐𝙇𝘼.: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 100+ 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙁𝙞𝙡𝙢𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝘾𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙢𝙖, mapping out key moments in local filmmaking.

The special book launch took place on August 10, 2026 at the 𝗥𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗽𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗮𝘀 - 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗶-𝗟𝗮 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘇𝗮, 𝗖𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗮 𝟯.

𝙎𝙄𝙉𝙀. 𝙁𝙄𝙇𝙈. 𝙋𝙀𝙇𝙄𝙆𝙐𝙇𝘼.: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 100+ 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙁𝙞𝙡𝙢𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝘾𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙢𝙖 by Jo-Ann Maglipon and Joel David, published by Summit Books.

Author Jo-ann Maglipon (2nd from left) converses with Charo Santos, actress, TV host, and former CEO of ABS-CBN Corp., amid some respected Philippine actors during the book launch at Shangri-la Plaza Cinema.

Ishmael Bernal’s Himala stands out as one of the greatest Philippine films, starring Philippine National Artist Nora Aunor.

Ganito Kami Nuon, Paano Kayo Ngayon with Philippine Miss Universe Gloria Diaz; Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag with Hilda Koronel and Bembol Roco.

Veteran actors Gina Alajar, Amy Austria, and Ara Mina.

Leyte 4th district representative, former actor Richard Gomez with this writer.

Published by Summit Books, the 300-page volume compiles 127 films released between 1937 and 2020. Each entry pairs a synopsis with a review, offering a sense of how these films were shaped by their time. From modern classics like Lino Brocka’s 𝙈𝙖𝙮𝙣𝙞𝙡𝙖 𝙨𝙖 𝙆𝙪𝙠𝙤 𝙣𝙜 𝙇𝙞𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜, war blockbusters like Jerrold Tarog’s 𝙃𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙇𝙪𝙣𝙖, to rom coms like Antoinette Jadaone’s 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙏𝙖𝙙𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙖, this compendium of Philippine cinema is curated by film lovers for the reading pleasure of fellow film lovers.

𝙎𝙄𝙉𝙀. 𝙁𝙄𝙇𝙈. 𝙋𝙀𝙇𝙄𝙆𝙐𝙇𝘼.: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 100+ 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙁𝙞𝙡𝙢𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝘾𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙢𝙖 spans decades of various genres, presenting the breadth and depth of Philippine cinema which includes landmark Cinemalaya films. This eclectic repository of films serves to preserve gems in Philippine film history for contemporary enjoyers and future cinephiles. #