The Philippine film industry has evolved significantly since its introduction in 1897. It has grown to become the most popular art form in the country, outpacing other art forms in gaining widespread public acceptance across the Philippines. Early films ranged from silent movies to talkies and black and white to color. By the early 1980s, there were over 1,000 movie theaters nationwide and an estimated 2.5 million moviegoers in Metro Manila alone. This document provides background on the history of Philippine cinema from the 1930s to 1990s, examining how films have influenced and reflected Philippine culture. It outlines the purpose to document important events, films and trends that have shaped the industry over the past 90 years. However, sources are limited for the early

2. HISTORY OF PHILIPPINE CINEMA
The youngest of the Philippine arts, film has evolved to
become the most popular of all the art forms. Introduced only
in 1897, films have ranged from silent movies to talkies; black
and white to color. Outpacing its predecessors by gaining
public acceptance, from one end of the country to the other,
its viewers come from all walks of life. Nationwide, there are
more than 1000 movie theaters. Early in the 1980s, it was
estimated in Metro Manila alone, there were around 2.5
million moviegoers. As an art form, it reflects the culture and
the beliefs of the people it caters to and most times, is the one
who shapes their consciousness.

3. Philippine film as discussed in this paper includes films made
by Filipino people exhibited in this country and possibly in other
countries from the 1930s to the 1990s. The films may be silent
pictures or talkies, black and white or color. They also include films
such as documentaries, animation, experimental or alternative films
and other types of films.
This paper has three purposes or objectives. It intends, first of
all, to provide a comprehensible background of the art of film in the
Philippines. It provides insights on how the Philippine film has
influenced Philippine culture and vice-versa. This is done by
documenting the important events and important films in the area of
film for the past ninety years. Second, it intends to explain the
different trends and styles common in the Philippine film. And finally,
it concludes with an analysis on how two important events in history,
namely World War II and Martial Law altered the course of
contemporary Philippine film.

4. However, this paper is limited to films only from the particular time period
of the 1930s to the 1990s. It fails to give a picture of how films were like ever since it
started in 1897. This paper is also severely limited due to the unavailability and the
lack of materials that discuss thoroughly the history of Philippine film. Film materials
for those made during the pre-WWII years are simply non-existent. Data for this
paper was gathered from the essays and reviews written by the artists and the critics
themselves. It goes without saying that the resources were tested to the limits.

5. FILM AND ANIMATION AS ART

6. BRILLANTE MENDOZA
He was the first filipino to win
the Best Director in the 2009
Cannes International Film Festival
in France for his film, Kinatay
(2009). He was born and raised
in San Fernando, Pampanga. He
took Advertising Arts of the then
College of Architecture and Fine
Arts at the University of Santo
Tomas. He has directed sixteen
films since 2005.

7. MARYO J. DELOS REYES
He is a film and television
director from the Philippines.
He began his career in
the 1970s.
He won the Crystal Bear for
"Best Feature Film"
for Magnifico during the Berlin
International Film Festival.

8. LAURICE GUILLEN
She is a Filipino actress, director and college
professor. Guillen studied at St. Theresa's College,
Cebu City, earned an AB English degree before
finishing an MA in Communication at Ateneo de
Manila University, where she taught at the
college level. She took a television production
course under Nestor Torre, in 1967. She then
began work as an actress, starring in productions
of Mrs. Warren's Profession, before crossing over
to film and television work, playing a seductress
in Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang, and Corazon
Aquinoin the drama A Dangerous Life. In 2009
she accepted a role in the indie film Karera, her
first role in an independent production.

9. NOTABLE ACTORS AND ACTRESSES
YEAR STARTED ACTRESSES NAME FILMS AND YEAR AWARDS
1940-1950 Carmen Rosales Inspirasyon-1954 FAMAS Award
60 years Gloria Romero Tanging Yaman-
2001
Best Actress, FAMAS
award, Lifetime
Achievement award
from MTRCB
Vilma Santos Multi-awarded
actress
Nora Aunor FAMAS, Gawad Urian,
Asian Film Festival

10. YEAR STARTED ACTORS NAME FILM AND YEAR AWARDS
1955 Fernando Poe Jr. or
FPJ
Anak ni Palaris-
1955
1951 Nestor de Villa Amor Mio-1951
1928-2012 Rodolfo Vera
Quizon or Dolphy
Buhay Artista-1964 National Artist
Award,

11. AWARD-GIVING BODIES OF FILM
Through these bodies, the best films, actors and actresses,
script writers, directors, cinematographers and others
involved in film production are recognized and the standards
local of filmmaking are challenged and improved.
In 1981, the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) was
founded through Executive Order 640-A signed by late
President Ferdinand Marcos. The academy serves as the
umbrella organization of many guilds of Philippine movies
and as such, supervises their activities to maintain high
standards.

12. END
OF
PRESENTATION