Filipinos are known not just for their talent, but for the heart that they put in every task set before them. The global stage has been taking note of the talent the country has to offer, and has given well-deserved accolades in the past years.
Here are some of remarkable Filipino actors and actresses who truly brought honor and pride to the country with their excellent artistry, bringing home international awards:
Jaclyn Jose
The late actress Jaclyn Jose will always be remembered in history as the first Filipina and first Southeast Asian to win the Best Actress award at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Awarded in 2016, she was recognized for her exceptional portrayal of a mother who engaged in illegal drug selling in Brillante Mendoza's film Ma' Rosa.
In March 2024, the Cannes Film Festival also paid tribute to Jaclyn as the Philippine entertainment industry mourned her death.
John Arcilla
Veteran actor John Arcilla also made history as the first Filipino to win Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival in 2021. He was recognized for his impressive performance in the movie On The Job: The Missing 8. In the film, he portrayed Sisoy Salas, a reporter who was forced to investigate as his colleagues went missing.
Lovi Poe
Lovi Poe’s portrayal of an abusive wife named Lorena in the film Latay (Battered Husband) earned her the Best Actress award at the 10th International Film Festival Manhattan in 2021.
Paolo Ballesteros
The year 2016 was big for Drag Race Philippines host Paolo Ballesteros after winning two international accolades for his portrayal of transgender beauty queen Trisha in the highly acclaimed film Die Beautiful by Jun Robles Lana. He bagged a Best Actor award at the 29th Tokyo International Film Festival and a Special Jury Award for Outstanding Performance at the 21st International Film Fest in Kerala.
Eugene Domingo
Pilipinas Got Talent judge Eugene Domingo has proven her versatility as an artist several times over, and was also recognized internationally for her talent. She won the Best Actress award at the 26th Tokyo International Film Festivals in 2013 for her performance in Jun Robles Lana’s movie Barber’s Tales. Eugene also earned the same recognition at the Pau International Film Festival in 2012 for her movie Ang Babae sa Septic Tank.
Jake Cuenca
Jake Cuenca won his first Best Actor award not in the local scene, but at International Film Festival Manhattan in New York in 2014 for his performance in the indie film Mulat. He also bagged the same award two years later at the 2016 World Cinema in Brazil for the same film.
Kylie Verzosa
After clinching the Miss International Crown in 2016, beauty queen-turned-actress Kylie Verzosa once again brought pride to the country as she won Best Actress at the Distinctive International Arab Festivals Awards in 2022. She was recognized for her performance in the movie The Housemaid. Kylie called the acting achievement a “dream come true,” saying that it felt like she won another crown.
John Lloyd Cruz
John Lloyd Cruz made history as the first Filipino and Southeast Asian to win the Star Asia Award. He received the award in 2016 during the 15th New York Asian Film Festival. It was in recognition of his performance in the movie Honor Thy Father, a film under the direction of Erik Matti.
Jodi Sta. Maria
Kapamilya actress Jodi Sta. Maria was honored as the first Filipina to win the Best Lead Actress award at the Asian Academy Creative Awards in 2022. She was recognized for her impressive portrayal of Dr. Jill Ilustre in the hit television series The Broken Marriage Vow. The series, which was the country’s adaptation of Doctor Foster, also bagged the Best TV Format adaptation at the ContentAsia Awards in the same year.
Jeric Gonzales
The year 2022 was big for Jeric Gonzales as he accumulated significant international awards for his performance in the film Broken Blooms. Among the award-giving bodies that recognized him as Best Actor were Harlem International Film Festival (New York), The Mokkho International Film Festival (India), Tagore International Film Festival (India), and Montelupo Fiorentino International Independent Film Festival (Italy).
Iza Calzado
Iza Calzado marked her first international award at the 12th Osaka Asian Film Festival in Japan in 2017. The award was dubbed as Yakushi Pearl Award for Best Performer was in recognition of her excellent performance in the psychological thriller Bliss by Jerold Tarog. In 2018, Iza was also named Best Actress for the same film at the 34th Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards for Movies, a local award-winning body.
Dolly De Leon
Dolly De Leon has gained significant international recognition for her superb acting prowess which she manifested in some of her recent films, including Triangle of Sadness. The actress won the Best Supporting Actress award from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and from Sweden’s Guldbagge Awards for the said movie in 2023. In the same year, the actress made history as the first Filipina to receive nominations for Best Supporting Actress the prestigious Golden Globe Awards and British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).
The House of Representatives honored Dolly by adopting House Resolution 802, commending the actress for her significant achievements.