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Dolzura Cortez

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Ma. Dolzura Cortez
Born
Maria Dolzura Cortez
Died1992
Cause of deathAIDS
Known forFirst publicly Filipino AIDS victim

Ma. Dolzura Cortez (died 1992) was a Filipino AIDS victim. She was the first Filipino with AIDS to publicly discuss her life and her experience living with HIV/AIDS.[1][2] Cortez responded to a newspaper ad looking for a person living with HIV/AIDS who was willing to have their life serialized in print and later developed into a movie.[3]

Her life story was made into the 1993 Filipino film Dahil Mahal Kita (English "Because I Love You: The Dolzura Cortez Story"), directed by Laurice Guillen, screenplay by Ricardo Lee, starring Vilma Santos, Christopher de Leon, Charito Solis, Maila Gumila, Mikee Villanueva, and Jackie Aquino.

Profile

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Born somewhere in Mindanao, Cortez, through a publicized newspaper story, revealed that at age 14, she first went into a relationship with an army corporal—a married man—"twice her age"; they had three children. She then migrated to Angeles City, Pampanga, where their relationship became complicated.[4]

She later worked at decent jobs and with the help of an Australian businessman, she continued pursuing her education and started a business through a bar in Ermita, Manila. While managing a bar, she gave birth to two more children, each from her foreign contacts—a Qatari and a Bahraini—one of them believed infected her with HIV.[4]

Her failure to seek refuge in her hometown later forced her to live her remaining days in San Lazaro Hospital in Manila.[4] It was where Cortez, responding to a request by journalist Ceres Doyo of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, shared her story with the public,[4] becoming the first person with AIDS (PWA) to openly admit suffering from the disease.[5]

Cortez died in the same hospital[6] on October 12, 1992, at age 31.[4] According to the Department of Health, she was the 50th person in the country to die with the disease.[5]

Impact of her published story

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Biographical film

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OctoArts Films bought the rights for her biographical film,[4] a romance drama which later titled Dahil Mahal Kita (The Dolzura Cortez Story).[6] Vilma Santos, as Cortez wanted in one of the latter's conversations,[4] portrayed the title role.[6] The film's theme song, revived from the eponymous single by the Boyfriends, was recorded by Ogie Alcasid.[4]

The movie was released as an entry of the 1993 Manila Film Festival, which began on June 25.[6]

The film was screened in the Singapore International Film Festival in 2004.[7]

Dahil Mahal Kita (The Dolzura Cortez Story)[4]
Cast
(main)
Vilma Santos
Christopher de Leon
Charito Solis
Director Laurice Guillen
Writer Ricky Lee
Cinematographer Totoy Jacinto
Film editor Ike Jarlego
Musical scorer Nonong Buencamino

Overview

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The film mainly focuses on Cortez's love story since her teenage years,[6] and recounts how she publicly appeared for the first time and raised consciousness about HIV/AIDS, with its intent to challenge the idea of distinguishing right and wrong.[8]

According to Guillen, the film mainly aimed to make teenagers aware of and have understanding of the disease.[6]


Accolades

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In 1994, the film won awards in the 12th Annual Academy Awards of the Film Academy of the Philippines,[9] and in the annual Gawad Urian Awards.[8]

Year Award-giving body Category Recipient Result Ref.
1994 Gawad Urian Awards Best Actress Vilma Santos Won [8]
12th Annual Academy Awards Won [9][8]
Best Picture Dolzura Cortez Story Nominated [10]
Best Director Laurice Guillen Nominated [10]
Best Supporting Actress Charito Solis Nominated [10]
Best Musical Score Nonong Buencamino Won [9]
Best Scriptwriter Ricardo Lee Won [9]

References

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  1. ^ Doyo, Ma Ceres P. (1993). Journalist in Her Country: Articles, Essays & Photographs, 1980-1992. Anvil Pub. pp. 44–52. ISBN 978-971-27-0320-1.
  2. ^ Balgos, Cecil C. A. (2001). Drugs, Death, and Disease: Reporting on AIDS in Southeast Asia. Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. p. 26. ISBN 978-971-8686-33-1.
  3. ^ Zaldivar, S. B. (February 1995). "Health care personnel's critique on the Philippines' first movie on AIDS". AIDS Care. 7 (1): 95–98. doi:10.1080/09540129550126894. ISSN 0954-0121.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Wijangco Estacio, Athle (June 27, 1993). "Dahil Mahal Kita: An Inspiring, Dramatic Story". Manila Standard (Sunday Standard Magazine). Manila. pp. 8–9, 14. Retrieved June 25, 2024 – via Google News Archive.
  5. ^ a b Calalo, Arile; Burgos, Bobby (October 22, 1992). "'Migrants' from CL, Manila; 300 Pasay bar girls AIDS carriers". Manila Standard. Manila. p. 16. Retrieved June 25, 2024 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Dolzura film not just about AIDS, but love as well". Manila Standard. Manila. June 24, 1993. p. 17. Retrieved June 25, 2024 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ Torre, Nestor (April 15, 2004). "Viewfinder: Singapore film fest honors Laurice Guillen with retrospective". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Makati. p. A32. Retrieved June 25, 2024 – via Google Books.
  8. ^ a b c d Sloan, Jane (2007). Reel Women: An International Directory of Contemporary Feature Films about Women. Lanham, Maryland, United States: Scarecrow Press, Inc. p. 168. ISBN 978-1-4616-7082-7. Retrieved June 25, 2024 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ a b c d Philippine News Agency (April 26, 1994). "Santos, Salvador win in filmfest". Manila Standard. Manila. p. 19. Retrieved June 25, 2024 – via Google Books.
  10. ^ a b c "FAP awards given tonite". Manila Standard. Manila. April 23, 1994. p. 18. Retrieved June 25, 2024 – via Google Books.
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