Jaclyn Jose becomes 1st Filipino to win Cannes best actress

Actress Jaclyn Jose, left, hugs actress Andi Eigenmann, centre, after winning the Best Actress award for the film Ma’ Rosa, at the awards ceremony at the 69th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Sunday, May 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) The Associated Press

Actress Jaclyn Jose poses for photographers after winning the Best Actress award for the film Ma’Rosa, during the photo call following the awards ceremony at the 69th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Sunday, May 22, 2016.(AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau) The Associated Press

Actress Andi Eigenmann, director Brillante Mendoza and actress Jaclyn Jose, from right, pose for photographers upon arrival at the awards ceremony at the 69th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Sunday, May 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) The Associated Press

Actress Jaclyn Jose poses for photographers after winning the Best Actress award for the film Ma’Rosa, during the photo call following the awards ceremony at the 69th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Sunday, May 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau) The Associated Press

Actress Jaclyn Jose, centre, reacts after winning the Best Actress award for the film Ma’ Rosa, at the awards ceremony at the 69th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Sunday, May 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) The Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines (AP) – Veteran actress Jaclyn Jose has become the first Filipino to win the best actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for her performance in “Ma’ Rosa” as a mother who falls prey to corrupt police after she was forced to sell drugs to survive.

The movie was directed by Brillante Mendoza, who in 2009 became the first Filipino to win best director at the festival for “Kinatay.”

“I am so surprised. I just went to have the red carpet walk with my daughter, my real-life daughter and my daughter in the movie also,” Jose said as she accepted the award Sunday, referring to her daughter Andi Eigenmann. “To Cannes, thank you so much, thank you to the jury, thank you that you liked our film.”

The actress, who had appeared in previous films by Mendoza, said she was sharing the award with her director, her daughter and the cast of the film, as well as all Filipinos.

ABS-CBN network reported that Jose beat big-name actresses including Charlize Theron, Kristen Stewart and Marion Cotillard.

“Ma’ Rosa” is about a mother of four who owns a small convenience store in a poor neighborhood of Manila. To make ends meet, Rosa and her husband resell small amounts of illegal drugs on the side. When they get arrested, she and her children become desperate and are ready to do anything to buy her freedom from corrupt police.

Mendoza told a news conference in Cannes prior to the award ceremony that the movie was based on a true story and his personal experience with a main character of the film four years ago.

The director, who has become known for tackling dark social issues in his films, said, “It happened, that’s why it has to be told.”

“As an artist, as a filmmaker, you have to share it with the rest of the world for them to realize and also for them to think about it, that such situation should not happen,” he added.

Award-winning actress Jaclyn Jose passed away on Saturday, March 2. She was 60. 

Senator Jinggoy Estrada, a friend and colleague of Jose, confirmed the development to ABS-CBN News.

Jose, whose real name was Mary Jane Guck, died in her residence in Quezon City. Based on initial information gathered by ABS-CBN News, Jose had not been replying to messages and calls from her relatives.

This prompted them to have someone check on her, and she was found lifeless in her home.

Her management, PPL Entertainment Inc., later confirmed Jose’s death and said that “more details will be shared as soon as they are available.”

“The Guck and Eigenmann families are requesting for everyone to please pray for the eternal repose of Miss Jaclyn Jose and for them to be allowed the respect and privacy to mourn her passing, and navigate these difficult times,” PPL Entertainment said in its social media posts.

Jaclyn Jose, the renowned Filipino actress, passed away on March 2, 2024, at the age of 60 due to a heart attack. Her daughter, actress Andi Eigenmann, confirmed the cause of death in a press conference on March 4, 2024. Andi expressed gratitude for the condolences received and requested privacy for the family during this difficult time.

Jaclyn Jose was found deceased at her home in Quezon City. The Philippine National Police confirmed that there was no foul play involved, and the family requested that the details of her passing remain private.

Her remains were cremated, and a private wake was held at the Arlington Memorial Chapel in Quezon City. She was laid to rest at the Garden of the Divine Word Columbary in Quezon City on March 10, 2024.

Jaclyn Jose was a legendary figure in Philippine cinema, famous for her nuanced performances. She made history by becoming the first Filipino actress to win the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016 for her role in the film Ma’ Rosa.