Sister Stella L.
Directed byMike de Leon
Written by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyRody Lacap
Edited byJesus "Jess" Navarro
Music byDing Achacoso
Production
company
Regal Films
Distributed byRegal Films
Release date
  • July 11, 1984 (1984-07-11)
Running time
103 minutes
CountryPhilippines
Languages

Sister Stella L. is a 1984 Philippine political drama film co-written and directed by Mike de Leon. The film written by de Leon, Pete Lacaba, and Jose Almojuela was based and inspired by the life and experiences of Sister Chayong Battung and it revolves around a nun becoming politically involved as she took part in a strike where she fought for the rights of the workers.[1] It stars Vilma Santos as the titular nun of the film, Jay Ilagan, Gina Alajar, Laurice Guillen, and Tony Santos Sr.

Initially, Mike de Leon wanted to produce the film by himself. However, because of financial limitations, he was forced to ask Regal Films founder and executive producer Lily Monteverde to join as producer and she agreed.[2] Produced and released by Regal Films on July 11, 1984, the film was a commercial failure but received acclaim when it won ten awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenplay, and Best Director, from the Gawad Urian Awards. It also competed at the 41st Venice International Film Festival for the Golden Lion but lost to Krzysztof Zanussi's A Year of the Quiet Sun.[3]

Synopsis

Sister Stella Legaspi is a nun who serves as a guidance counselor for people who have problems, including abused women and runaways. Later on, she became involved in sociopolitical issues as she took part in a strike organized by the laborers.

Cast

  • Vilma Santos as Sister Stella Legaspi
  • Jay Ilagan as Nick Fajardo
  • Gina Alajar as Gigi
  • Laurice Guillen as Sister Stella Bautista
  • Tony Santos Sr. as Ka Dencio
  • Anita Linda as Auring
  • Eddie Infante as Ka Sidring
  • Adul de Leon as Sister Juaning
  • Rody Vera as Roger
  • Pen Medina as Nes
  • Jojo Sanchez as Sister Carmen
  • Raquel Villavicencio as Sister Annie
  • Malou de Guzman as Soledad
  • Joe Jardi and Waldo Reyes as Goons
  • Ruben Rustia as Factory Manager
  • Liza Lorena as Magazine Editor
  • Fred Capulong as Kapitan

Restoration

In June 2023, the Film Development Council of the Philippines announced that they teamed up with Regal Entertainment to restore two films from the said film studio that starred Vilma Santos, among the two is the 1984 film Sister Stella L.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Sr. Chayong Battung, real-life "Sister Stella L", passes away at 78". ABS-CBN News. November 26, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  2. ↑ Vibal & Villegas 2020, p. 161.
  3. ↑ Tajan, Menchie (1994). "Sister Stella L. / Sangandaan". Cultural Center of the Philippines Encyclopedia of Philippine Art.
  4. ↑ Cruz, Marinel (June 27, 2023). "FDCP to restore 2 Vilma Santos films, conduct free workshops". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 24, 2023.

Works cited

  • Vibal, Gaspar; Villegas, Dennis (2020). Philippine Cinema, 1897–2020. Vibal Foundation. ISBN 978-971-97-0717-2.
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