# The Flor Contemplacion Story

The Flor Contemplacion Story is a 1995 Philippine 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. 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.

## 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.

## 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. 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. Screenwriter Ricky Lee pushed himself to finish the film's screenplay by his set deadline of April 15 after the rights were acquired.

## 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.

## Accolades
### International

| Year | Group | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 1995 | Cairo International Film Festival | Princess Pataten Statue for Best Actress | Nora Aunor | Won |
| 1995 | Cairo International Film Festival | Golden Pyramid | Joel Lamangan | Won |

### Philippines

| Year | Award-giving body | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 1996 | Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (FAMAS) | Circle of Excellence | Nora Aunor | Won |
| 1996 | Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (FAMAS) | Best Musical Score | Vehnee Saturno | Won |
| 1996 | Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (FAMAS) | Best Director | Joel Lamangan | Nominated |
| 1996 | Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (FAMAS) | Best Picture | | Nominated |
| 1996 | Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (FAMAS) | Best Supporting Actress | Jaclyn Jose | Nominated |
| 1996 | Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (FAMAS) | Best Screenplay | Ricardo LeeBonifacio Ilagan | Nominated |
| 1996 | Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (FAMAS) | Best Sound | Ramon Reyes | Nominated |
| 1996 | Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (FAMAS) | Best Movie Theme Song | "Kahit Konting Awa" by Vehnee Saturno | Nominated |
| 1996 | Gawad Urian Awards (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino) | Best Actress | Nora Aunor | Won |
| 1996 | Gawad Urian Awards (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino) | Best Director | Joel Lamangan | Won |
| 1996 | Gawad Urian Awards (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino) | Best Supporting Actress | Jaclyn Jose | Won |
| 1996 | Gawad Urian Awards (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino) | Best Picture | | Nominated |
| 1996 | Gawad Urian Awards (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino) | Best in Cinematography | Romeo Vitug | Nominated |
| 1996 | Gawad Urian Awards (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino) | Best Music | Vehnee Saturno | Nominated |
| 1996 | Gawad Urian Awards (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino) | Best Sound | Ramon Reyes | Nominated |
| 1996 | Gawad Urian Awards (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino) | Best Supporting Actress | Rita Avila | Nominated |
| 1996 | Luna Award (Film Academy of the Philippines) | Best Picture | | Won |
| 1996 | Luna Award (Film Academy of the Philippines) | Best Actress | Nora Aunor | Won |
| 1996 | Luna Award (Film Academy of the Philippines) | Best Director | Joel Lamangan | Won |
| 1996 | Luna Award (Film Academy of the Philippines) | Best Adapted Screenplay | Ricky Lee | Won |
| 1996 | Luna Award (Film Academy of the Philippines) | Best Sound | Ramon Reyes | Won |
| 1996 | Luna Award (Film Academy of the Philippines) | Best Supporting Actress | Jaclyn Jose | Won |
| 1996 | Luna Award (Film Academy of the Philippines) | Best Editing | Edgardo Vinarao | Nominated |
| 1996 | Luna Award (Film Academy of the Philippines) | Best Original Song | "Kahit Konting Awa" by Vehnee Saturno | Nominated |
| 1996 | Star Awards for Movies (Philippine Movie Press Club) | Best Actress | Nora Aunor | Won |
| 1996 | Star Awards for Movies (Philippine Movie Press Club) | Best Director | Joel Lamangan | Won |
| 1996 | Star Awards for Movies (Philippine Movie Press Club) | Best Picture | | Won |
| 1996 | Star Awards for Movies (Philippine Movie Press Club) | Best Supporting Actress | Jaclyn Jose | Won |
| 1996 | Star Awards for Movies (Philippine Movie Press Club) | Best Movie Theme Song | "Kahit Konting Awa" by Vehnee Saturno | Won |
| 1996 | Star Awards for Movies (Philippine Movie Press Club) | Best Musical Score | Vehnee Saturno | Won |
| 1996 | Young Critics Circle | Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role | Nora Aunor | Won |
| 1996 | Young Critics Circle | Best Achievement in Cinematography and Visual Design | Romeo Vitug (director of photography) Manny Morfe (production designer) | Won |
| 1996 | Young Critics Circle | Best Film | | Nominated |
| 1996 | Young Critics Circle | Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role | Jaclyn Jose | Nominated |
| 1996 | Young Critics Circle | Best Screenplay | Ricky Lee | Nominated |

## List of Film Festival 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, Korea
* 1996 - Dublin Film Festival, Ireland
* 2003 - Philippine Film Festival Fukuoka City, Japan, November 1–16