The year 2023 proved to be a banner one for Philippine cinema. From heartwarming romances like “Third World Romance” to imaginative animated tales such as “Iti Mapukpukaw (The Missing),” Filipino filmmakers delivered a diverse array of stories showcasing the range and artistry of the country’s movie industry. Here are 10 of the best Filipino movies from 2023:
1. Iti Mapukpukaw (The Missing)
Iti Mapukpukaw is a rotoscope animated drama film directed by Carl Joseph Papa. It tells the story of Eric, a young animator without a mouth who lives a normal life in the Philippines. His life takes an unexpected turn when his mother asks him to check on his missing uncle, only to find out his uncle has been dead for days. Soon after, a familiar alien arrives wanting to take Eric away from Earth.
These events trigger repressed childhood memories for Eric related to sexual abuse by his uncle. The film uses surreal elements like the alien abduction as a metaphor for Eric’s trauma and his journey to heal. It explores sensitive topics like childhood sexual abuse, trauma, grief and healing.
The film has received widespread critical acclaim, praised for its animation, storytelling, performances, and handling of difficult subject matter. It won Best Film, Best Supporting Actress for Dolly de Leon, and the NETPAC Award at the 2023 Cinemalaya Film Festival. It was also chosen as the Philippines’ entry for Best International Feature Film at the 2024 Oscars.
With its ambition, creativity, emotional resonance, and social relevance, Iti Mapukpukaw has been hailed as a triumph for Philippine animation and one of the best and most important Filipino films of 2023. Its storytelling and success have been seen as a breakthrough for both animated films and films dealing with serious adult issues in the Philippines.
2. Asog
Asog is a docufiction film directed by Filipino-Chinese-Canadian filmmaker Seán Devlin. It stars Filipino transgender comedian and activist Rey “Jaya” Aclao playing a fictionalized version of themselves.
The film follows Jaya, a non-binary teacher and typhoon survivor, who goes on a road trip to compete in a drag pageant after losing their job as a late night TV host due to a destructive typhoon. Jaya is joined on the trip by their former student Arnel, played by Arnel Pablo.
Along their journey across the typhoon-ravaged Philippine countryside, Jaya and Arnel meet various people whose lives have been impacted by corporate greed and climate change in the aftermath of the typhoons. The film tackles themes of colonialism, climate change, LGBTQ+ issues, grief, and finding community in unexpected places.
Asog has received critical acclaim, winning awards at several major film festivals in 2023 including the Grand Jury Prize for Screenwriting at Outfest, the Audience Award at the Vancouver International Film Festival, and a special jury prize at the Calgary International Film Festival.
Critics have praised the film’s unique hybrid documentary/narrative format, witty humor, visual beauty, political commentary, and emotional power. The lead performance by Rey Aclao has also received acclaim.
With its timely themes, groundbreaking storytelling format, critical success and buzz from major festivals, Asog is considered one of the standout and most acclaimed Filipino films of 2023 so far. Its unique Filipino perspective on issues like climate change and colonialism makes it a landmark of Philippine cinema.
3. Rookie
Rookie is a 2023 independent LGBT coming-of-age sports film directed by Samantha Lee and written by Natts Jadaone. It stars Pat Tingjuy as Ace, an awkward teenager who transfers to an all-girls Catholic high school and joins the volleyball team. She initially feels out of place but everything changes when she falls for the volleyball team captain Jana, played by Aya Fernandez.
The film explores sensitive and timely issues like gender inequality and objectification of women in male-dominated spaces. It follows Ace’s journey as she finds friendship, freedom, and young love with her teammates. A pivotal after-game incident involving the team’s physical therapist Coach Kel (Mikoy Morales) ends up transforming Ace’s life.
Rookie premiered at the 2023 Cinemalaya Film Festival, where it won multiple awards including Best Actress for Pat Tingjuy, Audience Choice Award, and Best Editing. It has received positive reviews, with critics praising the lead performances, chemistry between Tingjuy and Fernandez, and the film’s nostalgic depiction of high school romance..
4. Huling Palabas
Huling Palabas (The Last Show) is a coming-of-age drama film set in 2001 in the small town of Looc, Romblon in the Philippines. It tells the story of 16-year-old Andoy, an intelligent and imaginative boy who loves watching movies on VHS tapes. Andoy has never met his father and longs to find him.
Over the summer, two enigmatic, movie-like characters enter Andoy’s life – Ariel, a charming local hairdresser, and Isidro, a mysterious newcomer in town who owns a VCD player. Andoy finds himself drawn to spending time with Ariel and Isidro, and as he becomes entangled in their lives, his sense of reality starts becoming “mystified.”
Visually, Huling Palabas is a beautifully shot film, with critics commending the evocative cinematography and use of natural lighting. The pacing and tone mirrors the laidback rhythms of rural provincial life. The dialogue includes words and phrases from the native Onhan language, adding to the film’s strong sense of place.
Huling Palabas has won Best Director for Ryan Machado and Best Supporting Actor for Bon Andrew Lentejas at the 2023 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. It is considered one of the best Filipino films of 2023 for its fresh perspective on the coming-of-age genre, regional flair, technical excellence, and emotional resonance. The film captures universal themes of adolescent self-discovery and longing through a distinctly Filipino lens.
5. When This Is All Over
When This Is All Over is a drama film directed by Kevin Mayuga that premiered at the 2023 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.
The film tells the story of a young man simply known as “The Guy” (played by Juan Karlos Labajo) who is desperate to escape the Philippines and reunite with his mother in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic. He gets trapped in his condo due to lockdown restrictions.
The Guy then strikes a deal with a group of privileged friends who want to throw an illegal party – he will help them organize it in exchange for their connections to get him a US visa. As The Guy plans the secret rave party, he also forms an unlikely friendship with Rosemarie, a kind condo staff member (played by Jorrybell Agoto) who holds the key to accessing the building’s rooftop, which they need for the party.
At Cinemalaya 2023, When This Is All Over won awards for Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, and Best Original Musical Score. The film and its director Kevin Mayuga received acclaim for their artistic ambition, social commentary, and examination of complex relationships.
6. Third World Romance
Third World Romance is a 2023 Filipino romantic drama film directed by Dwein Baltazar. It stars real-life couple Carlo Aquino and Charlie Dizon as Alvin and Britney, two working-class grocery store employees who fall in love despite the financial challenges they face.
The film opens with Britney desperately lining up to receive government aid during the COVID-19 pandemic. When it suddenly rains, Alvin offers to share his umbrella and gives Britney his aid package, slippers, and help finding a job. Alvin gets Britney hired as a cashier at the grocery store where he works. As they spend more time together, Alvin and Britney fall in love..
The film won several awards at the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actor. It is considered one of the best and most impactful Filipino films of 2023 for bringing rarely-seen perspectives into popular cinema. Overall, Third World Romance tells an uplifting yet honest love story about finding happiness amid adversity through its well-crafted direction and performances.
7. Gitling
Gitling is a 2023 Filipino drama film directed by Jopy Arnaldo in his feature directorial debut. It stars Gabby Padilla and Ken Yamamura. The story follows Jamie, a young Filipina translator who has recently called off her engagement, and Makoto, a middle-aged Japanese film director who ran away to the Philippines to escape his cheating wife.
Their paths cross in Bacolod where Jamie is hired to work with Makoto on creating Ilonggo subtitles for his film that will be showcased in a local film festival. As they spend time together working on the subtitles, they form an unlikely friendship and find solace in each other’s company, bonding over their respective heartbreaks.
Over the course of their brief time together, the film explores the power of language and communication in forging human connections. The subtitles play a vital role, not just as translations, but also in conveying the inner thoughts and emotions of the characters.
Gitling has been highly acclaimed, winning Best Screenplay at both the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and QCinema International Film Festival in 2023.
8. Leonor Will Never Die
Leonor Will Never Die is a 2022 Filipino comedy-drama film written and directed by Martika Ramirez Escobar in her directorial debut. It stars veteran actress Sheila Francisco as Leonor Reyes, a retired screenwriter who falls into a coma after being hit on the head.
While unconscious, Leonor finds herself transported into one of her unfinished screenplays about a young man named Ronwaldo seeking to avenge his brother’s murder. The film playfully blends reality and fantasy as Leonor interacts with the characters in her script and tries to steer the plot while her worried son Rudie tries to revive her in the real world.
The movie pays homage to the low-budget action films that Leonor wrote earlier in her career, incorporating pulpy violence and exaggerated melodrama. However, it also serves as an inventive reflection on the creative process, grief, and the power of storytelling.
Leonor Will Never Die has garnered widespread critical acclaim since its premiere at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Special Jury Prize for Innovative Spirit.
9. Firefly
Firefly is a 2023 fantasy film directed by Zig Dulay. It follows a young boy named Tonton (Euwenn Mikaell) who goes on a journey to find a mythical island of fireflies after hearing stories about it from his mother Elay (Alessandra De Rossi).
After Elay dies, Tonton is determined to find this island she told him about, believing he can wish for her to come back. He sneaks onto a bus by himself and convinces three strangers – Louie (Epy Quizon), Billy (Miguel Tanfelix), and Erika (Ysabel Ortega) – to help him reach the island of Ticao where he believes the fireflies can be found.
Over the course of their journey, the four companions face various challenges but also bond and help each other through their personal issues. Ultimately, they do find the island and the magical cave filled with fireflies.
Firefly went on to win Best Picture, Best Screenplay, and Best Child Performer at the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival. It beat out several high-profile films with its magical storytelling and emotional impact.
It screened at film festivals in the Middle East and Los Angeles, winning more awards including Best Picture again at the inaugural Manila International Film Festival in 2024.
10. Raging Grace
Raging Grace is a 2023 horror/drama film directed by British-Filipino filmmaker Paris Zarcilla in his feature debut. It tells the story of Joy (Max Eigenmann), an undocumented Filipina immigrant struggling to support herself and her daughter Grace (Jaeden Paige Boadilla) in the UK.
Desperate for money, Joy takes a job caring for a terminally ill old man, Mr. Garrett (David Hayman), allowing her and Grace to secretly live in his mansion. However, they soon discover dark secrets about Mr. Garrett and his niece Katherine (Leanne Best). Strange things begin happening in the house, threatening Joy’s job stability and the future she hopes to build for Grace.
Raging Grace also celebrates Filipino culture through the use of Tagalog dialogue and in scenes showing Joy and Grace’s sense of community. With its timely themes, strong acting and direction, and ability to be both thought-provoking and thrilling, Raging Grace has been praised as one of the best Filipino films of 2023 so far.
From mainstream hits to arthouse fare, 2023 highlighted the diversity of Filipino filmmaking. These 10 movies offer just a sample of the most interesting stories told in Philippine cinema last year.
