5 Foreign Films That Casted Filipino Stars
With the rise of Southeast Asian representation in Hollywood, let’s take a look at a few Filipino stars who have made appearances in Western media
Words Andrea Brigino
Photos courtesy of Lisa Frankenstein (via Instagram)
June 11, 2024
We Filipinos always have a sense of pride when it comes to the global success of our celebrities. Whether it’s checking Miss Universe every year to see where Miss Philippines placed or finding out that some of the biggest celebrities are half-Filipino, we celebrate their achievements. More and more Filipino celebrities, whom we know from channels like ABS-CBN and GMA, have been branching out to Western audiences in movies or TV shows. Let's take a look at some of the most recent appearances.
Liza Soberano in Lisa Frankenstein (2024)
Stepping out from her former stage in Filipino romantic comedies, Liza Soberano made her big break in Hollywood with her supporting role in the horror comedy Lisa Frankenstein, starring Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse. The movie, written by Diablo Cody (famous for the cult classic Jennifer’s Body), is about a teenager resurrecting a corpse of a Victorian teen, leading to chaos. Liza Soberano plays Lisa’s stepsister, Taffy, a popular cheerleader. The bubbliness and quip of the character suit Liza very well.
Lea Salonga in Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin (2022)
The original run of Pretty Little Liars from 2010-2017 was one of the most iconic (and controversial) shows of the early 2000s-2010s teen drama craze. So, many were intrigued by the premise of a reboot five years later, leaning into the more horror aspects. One of the most surprising news was the inclusion of internationally acclaimed Filipina Broadway actress Lea Salonga in the show’s expansive cast. The reboot centers around a group of teenage girls being sabotaged by the mysterious “A,” who was affiliated with a woman previously tormented by these girls’ mothers during their youth. Salonga plays Elodie Horanda, the mother of one of the main characters, Minnie Horanda.
Dolly De Leon in Triangle of Sadness (2022)
Critically and internationally acclaimed actress Dolly De Leon is no stranger to international stardom, having received prestigious awards such as a Golden Globe and being the first celebrity from the Philippines to win a BAFTA award. She made a return to Hollywood with Triangle of Sadness, starring Harris Dickinson, Charlbi Dean Kriek, and Woody Harrelson. The movie is a black comedy that pokes fun at the mega-rich when their ship unexpectedly sinks, leaving them to survive on a deserted island. De Leon plays Abigail, one of the yacht’s cleaners, with the street smarts to survive when they crash on the deserted island.
Bela Padilla in Ultimate Oppa (2022)
Most known for breaking hearts and causing an existential crisis among Filipino audiences in 100 Tula Para Kay Stella and Meet Me in St. Gallen, Bela Padilla stars in the Prime Video K-drama Ultimate Oppa, alongside Kim Gun-Woo and Jasper Cho. The story ties into the joint experience of many Filipinos during the peak of K-dramas in the country. The main character, Yana, is a fan of K-celebrities and idolizes them to the highest standards. She wins a ticket to a fan event of her favorite actor, Moon Shi Woo, and flies to Korea for a chance to meet him, only to get into a whirlwind romance with his manager, Jae.
Iñigo Pascual in Monarch (2022)
With experience in both acting and music, Iñigo Pascual’s debut in the mainstream American show circuit was able to combine both talents through Monarch, a Fox-distributed drama musical starring Susan Sarandon, Anna Friel, and Trace Adkins. Monarch is about a country music family dynasty and the tension amidst challenges on family reputation, image, and legacy. Pascual plays Ace Grayson, an adopted son of the renowned Roman family who aspires to be a successful country artist, just like his grandparents.
