The Flor Contemplacion Story

The Flor Contemplacion Story is a 1995 Philippine biographical crime thriller drama film directed by Joel C. Lamangan from a screenplay written by Ricky Lee and Bonifacio Ilagan, based on a story supplied by Efren Contemplacion. Starring Nora Aunor, the film tells the story of a Filipina domestic helper who was hanged in Singapore for allegedly killing her fellow maid and was chronicled in a film which operates on various personal, social, and political levels.

A film produced by Viva Films that was both critically acclaimed and controversial, The Flor Contemplacion Story brought Nora Aunor numerous citations for her intense portrayal as the fallen heroine of the story.^[2] It was later screened and exhibited in different film festivals around the world, particularly at the 19th Cairo International Film Festival where the film won the Golden Pyramid Award and its lead star, Nora Aunor, won the Princess Pataten Award for Best Actress.^[2]

Plot

Flor (Aunor) suffers from poverty and decides to work as a domestic helper in Singapore, thinking it will solve her problems. Unlike many other servants, she is well-treated by her employers. However, in 1995, she was arrested and charged with killing her fellow Filipina, Delia Maga, and the little boy she was caring for. After a hasty trial, the Singaporean government finds Flor guilty and sentences her to death by hanging.

Flor's predicament brings an outpouring of sympathy from Filipinos, who refuse to believe her guilt. There was a national appeal for clemency and a re-investigation to be done. The office of the President appealed to the Singaporean Government; however, the Singapore Government remained steadfast with their decision, and Flor was executed in March 1995.^[3]

Cast

• Nora Aunor as Flor Contemplacion, a domestic helper who was sentenced to death by the Singaporean government
• Julio Diaz as Efren Contemplacion, the husband of the executed
• Jacklyn Jose as Neneng
• Ian De Leon as Xandrex Contemplacion
• Vina Morales as Russel Contemplacion
• Jon-Jon Contemplacion as himself
• Joel Contemplacion as himself
• Tony Mabesa as Roberto Romulo, the secretary of Department of Foreign Affairs
• Ali Sotto as Alicia Ramos, the Philippine ambassador to Singapore
• Rita Avila as Evangeline Parale/Virginia Parumog
• Amy Austria as Delia Maga, Flor's fellow countryman who also works as a domestic helper
• Charito Solis as Lydia Montilla
• Gloria Sevilla as Flor's mother
• Caridad Sanchez as Flor's mother-in-law
• Allan Paule as Gilbert, Flor's nephew
• Ronaldo Valdez as Atty. Romeo Capulong
• Ara Mina as Evelyn Contemplacion
• Anthony Cortez as Allan
• Bennette Ignacio as Nicholas Huang
• Bob Soler as Mayor Vicente Amante
• Jim Pebanco as Poe Gratela
• Eugene Domingo as News Anchor

Production

Over a week after Flor Contemplacion's execution on March 17, 1995, Viva Films was already negotiating with Romeo Capulong, the lawyer representing Contemplacion's family, for the film rights to her story, with Nora Aunor cast to portray Contemplacion in the anticipated film.^[4] On April 5, 1995, Viva Films president Teresita Cruz announced that the studio has officially acquired the film rights to Contemplacion's story, which cost up to ₱2 million.^[5] Screenwriter Ricky Lee pushed himself to finish the film's screenplay by his set deadline of April 15 after the rights were acquired.^[5] Scenes from the film were shot in Pagsanjan, Laguna.^[6]

Music

The theme song in the film is "Kahit Konting Awa", which was composed by Vehnee Saturno and interpreted by Aunor herself.

Critical response

The film received positive reviews, especially for Aunor's acting.^[7][8]

Accolades

International

Philippines

List of festivals where the film was competed or exhibited

• 1995 - Toronto International Film Festival
• 1995 - Competition Film, 19th Cairo International Film Festival
  • Winner, Golden Pyramid Award (Best Picture)
  • Princess Pataten Statue Best Actress, Nora Aunor
• 1996 - Human Rights Watch International Film Festival New York, June 13
• 1996 - Pan Asian Film and Video Festival, April 12–26
• 1996 - 3rd Southeast Asian Film Festival
• 1996 - Fukuoka International Film Festival, September 13–23, Feature Film: Philippine Films Collection
• 1996 - Hawaii International Film Festival, November
• 1996 - Pusan International Film Festival, South Korea
• 1996 - Dublin Film Festival, Ireland
• 2003 - Philippine Film Festival, Fukuoka City, Japan, November 1–16

References

1. ^ Red, Isiah Vasquez (June 16, 1995). More canteen 'disclosures'. Manila Standard. p. 251.
2. ^ "Nora Aunor Filmography". Archived from the original on May 16, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
3. ^ "The Flor Contemplacion Story (1995)". The New York Times. 2007. Archived from the original on November 14, 2007. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
4. ^ Japitana, Norma (March 27, 1995). "Nora plays Flor in Viva Movie". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. p. 20. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
5. ^ Red, Isah Vasquez (April 9, 1995). "Golf body-budies". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. p. A4. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
6. ^ "Mga bayan at simbahan sa Laguna, paboritong location ng pelikula at teleserye". PEP.ph. March 29, 2018.
7. ^ "Flor Contemplacion Story, The". June 25, 2007. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
8. ^ "Flor Contemplacion Story, movie review". Retrieved May 4, 2013.
9. ^ CMMA 1978-2003: 25 Years of Philippine Mass Media Through the Eyes of CMMA. CMMA Foundation. 2003. ISBN 9719280719.

External links

• The Flor Contemplacion Story at IMDb