DOLLY: THE GOLDEN FILIPINA

By Mark Jayson T. Abranilla

The Philippines rejoiced when Ms. Lea Salonga took

home and made history to be the first Asian to win a
Tony; particularly the Best Performance by a
Leading Actress in a Musical in 1991. Jacklyn Jose,
also shook the film industry when she showcased her
acting prowess with ‘’Ma Rosa’’ an entry at the 2016
Canne’s Film Festival where she won and became
the first Filipino actor to snatch the award for Best
Actress beating other notable female actors from
around the world including Kristen Stewart of
Hollywood.
In December 2022, another Filipina actor made
waves in the international film scene when Dolly De
Leon was recognized by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and nominated her as Best
Supporting Actress in A Motion Picture with her work with a Ruben Östlund Palme d'Or winner
film ‘’Triangle of Sadness’’.
Although the actress failed to secure the award, history has already been made. A FILIPINO
ACTOR WAS NOMINATED FOR THE GOLDEN GLOBES and that is something that can
never be taken away from her and it changed her life forever.
In an interview with Deadline Magazine, when asked what has the film done for her and her
career, she answered ‘’ You know, before this, whenever I would get a call for a job, the question
would just be, “Are you free?” I’d say, “Yeah, I’m free!” [Laughs] It was never a question about
what role to play or what project to say yes or no to. It was just, “Yeah, I’m free. Let’s go. Let’s
do it.” Now, that’s changed. Now I can choose. And I feel so fortunate that, finally, I’m at that
point in my life where I can choose what to do, that I have a voice about my artistic expression.
That’s the biggest change and the most important change of all’’
This win is bigger than herself, De Leon has opened the doors for other Filipino actors to be
given a shot at the Hollywood scene. This win is a symbol of hope and pride for the country. A
hope that not too many years from now, we will get to see more Filipino actors on our screens
representing our roots and talents. We will be seeing men and women of Filipino color in the
biggest films in the world and it’s going to be a ‘’WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE’’ moment for
all Filipinos around the world. This is our time.