List of Philippine Historical Films and TV Series
Many scrolls and records of pre-colonial history of the Philippines were burnt or were already gone because of its age. Most of the historical movies below are depicting the Spanish Era(more than 300 years of governance).
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- DirectorGerardo de LeonStarsNora AunorChristopher De LeonGloria SevillaThe Ifugao tribe's quest for the promised land is paved with good intentions.Time Period: 500 BC.
The film depicting the Prehistory of the Philippines, and the construction of the famous Banaue Rice Terraces. - CreatorSuzette DoctoleroStarsMarian RiveraSid LuceroMikael DaezThe story is set in the 1500s, during the time of Rajah Mangubat's reign. He was known as the undefeated notorious leader of chief captains.Time Period: 1400-1521
The film depicting the Philippines During Pre-Hispanic Period. - DirectorLamberto V. AvellanaStarsDelia RazonMario MontenegroPriscilla CellonaLVN's top stars Delia Razon and Mario Montenegro were reunited for the nth time in this 1955 Lamberto Avellana's monumental epic, "Lapu-Lapu". Based form the celebrated Francisco V. Coching's Pilipino Komiks serial novel, the movie tells of the courageous and fierce stand put up by Lapu-Lapu and his men against the Spanish invaders led by Ferdinand Magellan in what was dubbed as the 'Battle off Mactan'Time Period: 1491–1542
The life of the first hero of Philippines, and the death of Ferdinand Magellan - the Portuguese explorer who organised the expedition that resulted in the first circumnavigation of the Earth but failed when Lapu-Lapu killed him. (the expedition was completed by Juan Sebastián) - DirectorWilliam MayoStarsLito LapidJoyce JimenezDante RiveroA semi-fictonal account about the life of Filipino hero Lapu-Lapu before, during, and after the fateful Battle of MactanTime Period: 1491–1542
[second movie with the same story line] The life of the first hero of Philippines, and the death of Ferdinand Magellan - the Portuguese explorer who organised the expedition that resulted in the first circumnavigation of the Earth but failed when Lapu-Lapu killed him. (the expedition was completed by Juan Sebastián) - CreatorSuzette DoctoleroStarsRamon 'Bong' Revilla Jr.Jennylyn MercadoRhian RamosThe story begins in Central Visayas during the pre-colonial period, where natives and diwatas (gods) live together in harmony, harvesting the earth's and sea's bounties, guided and loved by Laon (the Creator). Ynaguiguinid, the goddess of war, falls in love with a tribesman; they marry and soon welcome their demigod child, but they face a pitiful separation when chaos, destruction, and death come with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors who aim to spread Christianity and take control of the strategic trade routes and control the archipelago's resources. Due to wounds from a battle to defend the settlement, Ynaguiguinid transfers all of her powers to her lifeless son; he re-animates, she perishes. The baby is later found and raised by native couple Tarong and Linang, who name him Malaya after a Tagalog word that means "Free". Being a half-human, half-diwata, Malaya's supernatural abilities, incredible strength, and invulnerability increase steadily as he grows. With help from Magayon, the goddess of all flying creatures, Malaya finds out his true identity, his roots, and the ultimate task he must fulfill: save and protect the commoners from the abuses of the Spanish colonial government. An unfortunate turn of events then separates him from his adoptive parents and he lands in the custody of Juancho Sanreal, a despotic encomendero. Upon discovering the child's extraordinary abilities and seeing him as a great asset in fulfilling his dream of becoming a Governor-General, Juancho adopts Malaya, gives him a new name--Simeon--and does everything to get the child's sympathy--for him to be able to use the child and his powers for his own personal intentions. Blinded by Juancho's false compassion, Simeon treats him as his master and will do anything he commands. Many years later, Simeon maintains a strong relationship and unrelenting devotion for Juancho, until he uncovers his manipulation and deceit, including the oppression of the common people--and Juancho's involvement in the death of Rosa, the love of Simeon's life. Finally Simeon embraces his mission and begins the battle for peace and freedom.Time Period: 1601-1677
An Epic Historical-fiction story about the Spanish Conquest and Philippine revolts against Spain. - DirectorEddie RomeroStarsChristopher De LeonGloria DiazEddie GarciaSet at the turn of the 20th century during the Filipino revolution against the Spaniards and, later, the American colonizers, it follows a naive peasant through his leap of faith to become a member of an imagined community.Time Period: 1870-1895
[This is How We Were, How Are You Doing Now?: international title] The award-winning film that depicts the Hispanic Society of the Philippines during the Spanish Period. - DirectorMarilou Diaz-AbayaStarsCesar MontanoJoel TorreJaime FabregasJose Rizal's life and works are recounted through a series of non-linear flashbacks which reflect on various aspects of his life - as writer, propagandist, lover, friend, brother, doctor, and the man that inspired a revolution.Time Period: 1861-1896
The life of the famous Philippine National Hero, José Rizal, during his fight against Spain using his books. - DirectorRaymond RedStarsJulio DiazRaymond AlsonaGrace AmilbangsaA tale about the rise, fall and resurection of the "Katipunan" and its Supremo. A semi-biography of Philippine hero Andres Bonifacio.Time Period: 1863-1897
[Hero: international title] The life of Andres Bonifacio - the other famous Philippine hero. - DirectorMario O'HaraStarsDanielle CastañoAngelina KanapiIan PalmaTime Period: 1863-1897
[The Trial of Andres Bonifacio: international title] The life of Andres Bonifacio - the other famous Philippine hero who started the revolution against Spain using guns and weapons as opposed to Jose Rizal's method of war. Many would say that Bonifacio should be the National hero instead of Rizal. - DirectorMark MeilyStarsJorge EstreganNora AunorChristopher De LeonThe life story of the first Philippine President. The story of the man who led the Filipino people to victory against its Spanish conquerors.Time Period: 1886-1962
The life of the first president of the Philippines Emilio Aguinaldo - the first Philippine President of the first Republic. - DirectorMark MeilyStarsPhillip SalvadorJericho RosalesAnne CurtisBaler is a love story between Feliza, the daughter of a rebel commander and Celso, a half-Spanish soldier, set during the twilight years of the Spanish regime in the Philippines. The young couple struggle to keep their forbidden love alive despite familial and political tensions, culminating in an almost year-long blockade known as the Siege of Baler.Time Period: 1898
Award-winning film tells a story during the Siege of Baler in Spanish Era. - DirectorEddie RomeroStarsFernando Poe Jr.Amalia FuentesChristopher De LeonFlashbacks encompass the history of the Philippines as well as the life story of the elderly Daniel Aguila. The Aguila family gathers to celebrate Daniel's 88th birthday, but the old man is nowhere to be seen--he has been missing for a decade. Suspecting that his father is in Mindanao, one of his sons takes off for that region in a determined search. Along the way, his memories of the nation and his father's life tell the story of 80 tumultuous years of personal and historical development.Time period: 1889-1940's
depicts the Philippine History. - DirectorCarlo J. CaparasStarsRomnick SarmentaJoel TorreJulio DiazTirad Pass: The Last Stand of Gen. Gregorio del Pilar recounts the early days of American occupation of the Philippines with one of the earliest resistance of the American government which is the infamous Battle of Tirad Pass which took place on December 2, 1899 in Tirad Pass, Ilocos Sur where the 60-man Filipino rear guards commanded by a young brave Filipino General Gregorio del Pilar were outnumbered and succumbed to over 500 American soldiers led by Major Peyton C. March where 52 Filipino soldiers were killed including del Pilar while 2 were killed and 9 were wounded on the American side.Time Period: December 2, 1899
About the Battle of Tirad Pass, Philippine Campaign Against Americans leby General Gregorio Del Pilar - during American settlement after Spain. - DirectorAlbert MartinezStarsDolphyPhillip SalvadorJennylyn MercadoThe film tells the saga of Rosario, a young and liberated woman in the 1920s who has just arrived from New York, and is spending her vacation in their hacienda.There, she meets and falls in love with Vicente, an older man who manages the tobacco plantation owned by Rosario's family. When Rosario's father finds out about his daughter's scandalous affair, he sends Rosario to a convent. She escapes, and elopes with Vicente to Manila where they raise a family. But Rosario's life of married bliss slowly crumbles when Vicente becomes ill with tuberculosis, and she is lured to committing adultery. Temptation and scandal still hound Rosario as she continues to defy the moral restrictions of her time. Based on a true story and set in one of the most colorful periods in Philippine history, ROSARIO is destined to be a modern masterpiece in Philippine filmmaking. It is a monumental yet intimate portrait of a woman's emancipation and the sometimes painful consequences of following one's desires.Time Period: 1920's
The life of Rosario, a girl during the American Occupation Period. She was Manuel V. Pangilinan's grandmother. (Pangilinan, a Filipino businessman. He is the Chairman of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, from 1998 up to the present. He is also Chairman of TV5, Philex Mining, and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation) - DirectorJoel LamanganStarsJudy Ann SantosRaymart SantiagoDennis TrilloInya, a heroine of the Philippine resistance against the Japanese during World War II, recalls events involving her husband Edilberto and their childhood friend Ignacio, a transvestite who, masquerading as a woman also named Inya, becomes the lover of the local Japanese commander Ichiru, and is caught between duty to be a spy for his country and friends and his reluctant but growing love for Ichiru.Time Period: 1941–1945
About the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines in World War II. - DirectorMario O'HaraStarsNora AunorChristopher De LeonBembol RocoA woman falls in love with a Japanese soldier during the Japanese Occupation in the Philippines; the whole town turns against her.Time Period: 1942-1945
[Three Years without God: international title] An Award-winning Filipino Film that depicts Philippines during World war II and its historical crimes. - DirectorLino BrockaStarsFernando Poe Jr.Dante RiveroBoots Anson-RoaIn the Philippines during the Japanese occupation, a Filipino soldier who is guilt-ridden over an incident that killed many civilians deserts the rebel army and retreats to a nearby barrio, where he is branded as a coward.Time Period: 1941-1945
Depicting the Philippine Campaign during World War II - DirectorChito S. RoñoStarsVilma SantosChristopher De LeonPiolo PascualA middle-class Filipino family struggles to survive in the era of dictatorship.Time Period: 1970's
[Dekada 70's: original filipino title] Post-War Film, Based on the novel of the same name by Lualhati Bautista. The setting is period of Martial law.