News

Nora Aunor was the most awarded Filipino actress in history. Known as the Philippines’ “Superstar,” she was conferred the title of National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2022. Her death on April 16, 2025, was a national affair. President Bongbong Marcos declared April 22 a national day of mourning. Aunor was accorded state memorial services at the Manila Metropolitan Theater, followed by a state funeral at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the country’s cemetery for heroes. The Filipino diaspora around the world held memorials and shared tributes. In her final years, she frequently collaborated with Adolfo Borinaga Alix Jr., with her last credited role being in his “Mananambal.” “The Fan” (titled “Faney” in Filipino) is his tribute to her legacy.

On the day of Nora Aunor’s death, superfan Milagros is devastated. As she combs through her memorabilia, she must also justify her devotion to her K-pop-loving granddaughter Beatrice and her daughter Babette,...

Choices. Life is full of them, but what happens afterwards when we have made our choice and we cannot turn back time? The aftermath of this dilemma is beautifully portrayed in Carlo Enciso Catu’s “Waiting for Sunset”. Named Best Film and receiving several awards at the 14th Cinemalaya Film Festival, “Waiting for Sunset” presents the aftermath of romantic life-choices in a sensitive and original story.

“Waiting for Sunset” is screening at

Festival International des Cinémas d’Asie de Vesoul

Teresa (Perla Bautista) and Celso (Menggie Cobarrubias) are an elderly couple who live together and have raised two children. Both enjoy each other’s company, but one day Teresa receives a phone call from her estranged husband Bene (Dante Rivero) who is terminally ill. Without a doubt, Teresa goes to take care of him and Celso joins her later. As the estranged pair sees each other for the first time in more than two decades,...

"Ded Na Si Lolo" ("Grandpa is Dead") is the entry of the Philippines to the 82nd Annual Academy Awards for the Best Foreign Film category. The dramedy is written and directed by Soxy Topacio starring Gina Alajar, Elizabeth Oropesa, Dick Israel, Roderick Paulate, Perla Bautista, and Manilyn Reynes.

I'm proud of this movie! It blends comedy and drama well to tell the story of a death in a family told through the eyes of a child, Bobet (Bj Forbes). When his grandpa dies, Bobet learns our steep superstitious beliefs involving death.

Good luck to Topacio and company, I hope the Academy chooses this film, but for now, take a look at my movie review of "Ded Na Si Lolo" as seen on Balitang America in The Filipino Channel.