Bona (film)

1980 Filipino film

Bona

Official poster of the film for the 1980 Metro Manila Film Festival

Directed by| Lino Brocka
Written by| Cenen Ramones
Produced by| Nora Villamayor
Starring|

* Nora Aunor
* Phillip Salvador

Cinematography| Conrado Baltazar
Edited by| Augusto Salvador
Music by| Lutgardo Labad

Production
company

NV Productions

Distributed by| NV Productions

Release date

* December 25, 1980 (1980-12-25)

Running time

| 85 minutes
Country| Philippines
Language| Filipino
Box office| ₱13 million

Bona is a 1980 Filipino drama film written by Cenen Ramones and directed by Lino Brocka. The film tells the story of a fan becoming infatuated with the bit actor from a movie but the endless infatuation comes with unfortunate results. The film stars acclaimed actress Nora Aunor as the titular character and Phillip Salvador, one of Brocka's frequent collaborator actors, as the bit actor Gardo.

Produced by Aunor's production company NV Productions and released as one of the official entries to the 6th Metro Manila Film Festival on December 25, 1980,[1] the film was also shown at the Directors' Fortnight of the 1981 Cannes International Film Festival, marking Brocka's second appearance at the festival and also, it gave Aunor her second "Best Actress" award from Gawad Urian.

## Cast[edit]

* Nora Aunor as Bona
* Phillip Salvador as Gardo
* Raquel Montesa as Nancy
* Rustica Carpio as Bona's mother
* Marissa Delgado as Katrina
* Venchito Galvez as Bona's father
* Nanding Josef as Nilo
* Spanky Manikan as Bona's brother
* Archi Adamos as Tambay
* Rene Hawkins as Rene
* Joel Lamangan as Director
* The PETA Kalinangan Ensemble
* Naty Mallares

## Release[edit]

### Television[edit]

In the United Kingdom, the film was screened on BBC2 on February 9, 1986.[2]

### Festivals[edit]

* 1981 - Official Selection, Directors’ Fortnight, Cannes International Film Festival
* 1981 - Official Selection, Critics’ Choice Section, 25th London Film Festival, November 12
* 1988 - Tribute to Directors, 10th Festival Des 3 Continents, Nantes, November 15–22[3]
* 1991 - Tribute to Lino Brocka, 13th Festival Des 3 Continents, Nantes, November 26 – December 3[4]
* 1996 - Fest96: The AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival, October 26
* 1999 - Feature Film: Tribute to Asian Master Lino Brocka, Telluride Film Festival
* 2005 - Official Selection, Lino Brocka Retrospective, 23rd Torino Film Festival, November 15

## Reception[edit]

### Critical reception[edit]

Bona has been considered as one of the Philippines' greatest movies. It was also cited as one of "The Best 100 Films in the World" by the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, USA in 1997 and has been screened in different film festivals around the world, albeit receiving mixed reviews.[5]

Barbara Wurm, Berlin- and Vienna-based film historian, critic, and programmer, described Philippine cinema's Superstar as "the awesome Nora Aunor", during the film's screening at the 47 Vienna International Film Festival in 2009.[6][7][8]

### Accolades[edit]

Year  | Group  | Category  | Nominee  | Result

|
|
|
|

1982  | Figueira da Foz International Film Festival  | Premio de le Juri de la Federacion Internationale des Cine Clubs (Jury Prize of the International Federation of Cinema Clubs)  |  | Won
1981  | Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Awards | Best Actress  | Nora Aunor  | Nominated
Gawad Urian Awards (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino) | Best Actress  | Nora Aunor  | Won
Best Actor  | Philip Salvador  | Nominated
Best Director  | Lino Brocka  | Nominated
Best Picture  |  | Nominated

## Stage adaptation[edit]

The Philippine Educational Theater Association staged an adaptation of the film from August 24 to September 23, 2012, at the Peta Theater Center. The adaptation was written by Layeta Bucoy and directed by Socrates "Soxie" Topacio. Eugene Domingo played Bona while Edgar Allan Guzman played Gino Sanchez, the stage counterpart of the film's Gardo.[9]

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Nora Aunor Filmography". Archived from the original on February 20, 2008. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
2. ^ "Film International: Bona". BBC Genome. BBC. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
3. ^ "Festival 1988: Tribute to Directors". Festival Des 3 Continents. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
4. ^ "Festival 1991: Tribute to Lino Brocka". Festival Des 3 Continents. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
5. ^ Van Gelder, Lawrence (September 19, 1984). "'BONA' GIVES A GLIMPSE OF LIFE IN THE PHILIPPINES". The New York Times. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
6. ^ Wurm, Barbara (April 5, 2010). "Leftist Glamour? or, Home Runs and Explorations: The 47th Viennale: Vienna International Film Festival". Archived from the original on April 9, 2010. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
7. ^ Foerster, Lukas (October 29, 2009). "CARGO auf der Viennale". Archived from the original on September 15, 2016. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
8. ^ "RacsOview: Bona (1980)". Retrieved January 24, 2013.[permanent dead link]
9. ^ Ang, Walter (August 19, 2012). "Eugene Domingo: From 'Kimmy Dora' to 'Bona'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Inquirer Group of Companies. Archived from the original on August 22, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2023.

## Further reading[edit]

* Tobias, Mel. One hundred acclaimed Tagalog movies. Canada: Peanut Butter Publishing, 1998.

## External links[edit]

* Bona at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

Films directed by Lino Brocka

* Santiago! (1970)
* Dipped in Gold (1971)
* Stardoom (1971)
* Weighed But Found Wanting (1974)
* Three, Two, One (1974)
* Manila in the Claws of Light (1975)
* Insiang (1976)
* My Father, My Mother (1978)
* Rubia Servios (1978)
* Jaguar (1979)
* Whore of a Mother (1979)
* Mother, Sister, Daughter (1979)
* Nakaw Na Pag-ibig (1980)
* Angela Markado (1980)
* Bona (1980)
* Cain and Abel (1982)
* This Is My Country (1984)
* Pasan Ko ang Daigdig (1987)
* Maging Akin Ka Lamang (1987)
* Macho Dancer (1988)
* Natutulog Pa ang Diyos (1988)
* 3 Mukha ng Pag-ibig (segment "Katumbas ng Kahapon", 1989)
* Fight for Us (1989)
* Gumapang Ka sa Lusak (1990)
* A Plea to God (1991)
* Sa Kabila ng Lahat (1991)

* v
* t
* e

Metro Manila Film Festival

* Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)

By year|

* 1975
* 1976
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* 1978
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Merit awards|

* Best Picture
* Best Director
* Best Actor
* Best Actress
* Best Supporting Actor
* Best Supporting Actress
* Best Child Performer
* Best Screenplay
* Best Original Story
* Best Cinematography
* Best Editing
* Best Musical Score
* Best Original Theme Song
* Best Production Design
* Best Sound Engineering
* Best Visual Effects
* Best Make-up Artist
* Most Gender-Sensitive Film
* Best Float

Special awards|

* Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award
* Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence

Short film awards|

* Best Short Film
* Special Jury Prize
* Best Director
* Best Screenplay

Spin-offs|

* Summer Film Festival
* 2020
* 2023

Best Picture

1975–2000|

* Diligin Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw Na Lupa (1975)
* Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon (1976)
* Burlesk Queen (1977)
* Atsay (1978)
* Kasal-kasalan, Bahay-bahayan tied with Ina Ka ng Anak Mo (1979)
* Taga sa Panahon (1980)
* Kisapmata (1981)
* Himala (1982)
* Karnal (1983)
* Bulaklak sa City Jail (1984)
* Paradise Inn (1985)
* Halimaw sa Banga (only the 3rd Best Picture was announced) (1986)
* Olongapo, The Great American Dream (1987)
* Patrolman (1988)
* Imortal (1989)
* Andrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Isang Ina? (1990)
* Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M. (1991)
* Andres Manambit: Angkan ng Matatapang (1992)
* Kung Mawawala Ka Pa (1993)
* no winner (1994)
* Muling Umawit ang Puso (1995)
* Magic Temple (1996)
* Nasaan ang Puso (1997)
* José Rizal (1998)
* Muro-Ami (1999)
* Tanging Yaman (2000)

2001–present|

* Yamashita: The Tiger's Treasure (2001)
* Mano Po (2002)
* Crying Ladies (2003)
* Mano Po III: My Love (2004)
* Blue Moon (2005)
* Enteng Kabisote 3: Okay Ka, Fairy Ko: The Legend Goes On and On and On (2006)
* Resiklo (2007)
* Baler (2008)
* Ang Panday (2009)
* Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last na 'To!) (2010)
* Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story (2011)
* One More Try (2012)
* 10,000 Hours (2013)
* Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo (2014)
* Walang Forever (2015)
* Sunday Beauty Queen (2016)
* Ang Larawan (2017)
* Rainbow's Sunset (2018)
* Mindanao (2019)
* Fan Girl (2020)
* Big Night! (2021)
* Deleter (2022)
* Firefly (2023)

Best Director

1975–2000|

* Augusto Buenaventura (1975)
* Eddie Romero (1976)
* Celso Ad. Castillo (1977)
* Eddie Garcia (1978)
* Lino Brocka (1979)
* Marilou Diaz-Abaya (1980)
* Mike De Leon (1981)
* Ishmael Bernal (1982)
* Willie Milan (1983)
* Mario O'Hara (1984)
* Lino Brocka (1985)
* Mario O'Hara (1986)
* Artemio Marquez (1987)
* Laurice Guillen (1988)
* Eddie Garcia (1989)
* Gil Portes (1990)
* Elwood Perez (1991)
* Ike Jarlego, Jr. (1992)
* Jose Javier Reyes (1993)
* No winner (1994)
* Joel Lamangan (1995)
* Peque Gallaga & Lore Reyes (1996)
* Chito S. Roño (1997)
* Marilou Diaz-Abaya (1998)
* Marilou Diaz-Abaya (1999)
* Laurice Guillen (2000)

2001–present|

* Chito S. Roño (2001)
* Joel Lamangan (2002)
* Mark Meily (2003)
* Cesar Montano (2004)
* Jose Javier Reyes (2005)
* Jose Javier Reyes (2006)
* Cesar Apolinario (2007)
* Mark Meily (2008)
* Joel Lamangan (2009)
* Wenn V. Deramas (2010)
* Tikoy Aguiluz (2011)
* Brillante Mendoza (2012)
* Joyce Bernal (2013)
* Dan Villegas (2014)
* Erik Matti (2015)
* Erik Matti (2016)
* Paul Soriano (2017)
* Joel Lamangan (2018)
* Brillante Mendoza (2019)
* Antoinette Jadaone (2020)
* Jun Lana (2021)
* Mikhail Red (2022)
* Pepe Diokno (2023)

Best Actor

1975–2000|

* Joseph Estrada (1975)
* Christopher de Leon (1976)
* Rolly Quizon (1977)
* No winner (1978)
* Raul Aragon (1979)
* Dindo Fernando (1980)
* Vic Silayan (1981)
* Christopher de Leon (1982)
* Anthony Alonzo (1983)
* Herbert Bautista (1984)
* Anthony Alonzo (1985)
* Mario O'Hara (1986)
* Anthony Alonzo (1987)
* Baldo Marro (1988)
* Christopher de Leon (1989)
* Dolphy (1990)
* Eric Quizon (1991)
* Aga Muhlach (1992)
* Aga Muhlach (1993)
* Roi Vinzon (1994)
* Richard Gomez (1995)
* Jomari Yllana (1996)
* Christopher de Leon (1997)
* Cesar Montano (1998)
* Christopher de Leon (1999)
* Johnny Delgado (2000)

2001–present|

* Cesar Montano (2001)
* Eddie Garcia (2002)
* Eric Quizon (2003)
* Christopher de Leon (2004)
* Marvin Agustin (2005)
* Cesar Montano (2006)
* Jinggoy Estrada (2007)
* Christopher de Leon (2008)
* Bong Revilla (2009)
* Dolphy (2010)
* Dingdong Dantes (2011)
* Dingdong Dantes (2012)
* Robin Padilla (2013)
* Derek Ramsay (2014)
* Jericho Rosales (2015)
* Paolo Ballesteros (2016)
* Derek Ramsay (2017)
* Dennis Trillo (2018)
* Allen Dizon (2019)
* Paulo Avelino (2020)
* Christian Bables (2021)
* Ian Veneracion (2022)
* Cedrick Juan (2023)

Best Actress

1975–2000|

* Charito Solis (1975)
* Hilda Koronel (1976)
* Vilma Santos (1977)
* Nora Aunor (1978)
* Lolita Rodriguez (1979)
* Nora Aunor (1979)
* Amy Austria (1980)
* Vilma Santos (1981)
* Nora Aunor (1982)
* Coney Reyes (1983)
* Nora Aunor (1984)
* Vivian Velez (1985)
* Liza Lorena (1986)
* Melanie Marquez (1987)
* Amy Austria (1988)
* Vilma Santos (1989)
* Nora Aunor (1990)
* Nora Aunor (1991)
* Gina Alajar (1992)
* Dawn Zulueta (1993)
* Kimberly Diaz (1994)
* Nora Aunor (1995)
* Amy Austria (1996)
* Maricel Soriano (1997)
* Alice Dixson (1998)
* Elizabeth Oropesa (1999)
* Gloria Romero (2000)

2001–present|

* Assunta De Rossi (2001)
* Ara Mina (2002)
* Maricel Soriano (2003)
* Vilma Santos (2004)
* Zsa Zsa Padilla (2005)
* Judy Ann Santos (2006)
* Maricel Soriano (2007)
* Anne Curtis (2008)
* Sharon Cuneta (2009)
* Ai-Ai delas Alas (2010)
* Maricel Soriano (2011)
* Nora Aunor (2012)
* Maricel Soriano (2013)
* Jennylyn Mercado (2014)
* Jennylyn Mercado (2015)
* Irma Adlawan (2016)
* Joanna Ampil (2017)
* Gloria Romero (2018)
* Judy Ann Santos (2019)
* Charlie Dizon (2020)
* Charo Santos-Concio (2021)
* Nadine Lustre (2022)
* Vilma Santos (2023)

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