The Fatima Buen Story
# The Fatima Buen Story

The Fatima Buen Story is a 1994 Philippine biographical crime drama film directed by Mario O'Hara. The film stars Kris Aquino as the title role. The film is based on the actual case of Fatima Buen, a woman jailed for illegal recruitment.

The film is streaming online on YouTube.

## Cast

* Kris Aquino as Fatima Buen
   * Charlotte Lugo as Young Fatima
* Zoren Legaspi as Oscar Kintanar
* John Regala as Leslie Baron
* Janice de Belen as Batman
* Gina Pareño as Frank
* Perla Bautista as Corazon
* Leni Santos as Irene
* Shintaro Valdez as Date of Fatima
* Bob Soler as Mr. Dalo Periquet
* Naty Mallares as Lolal Felisa
* Noni Mauricio as Jake
* Carmen Enriquez as Aling Caring
* Dante Balois as Informer
* Brando Legaspi as Date of Fatima
* Josie Galvez as Comadrona
* Nonong de Andres as the Omen
* William Thayer as Mayor
* Judy Teodoro as Recruiter of Japayuki
* Gil Arceo as Warden
* Frank Rivera as Lawyer
* Enrico Salcedo as Lawyer
* Ruben O'Hara as Judge
* Yolly Palma as Asuncion
* Bennette Ignacio as Noel
* John Lester Hogan as Youngest son of Fatima
* Oscar Ramirez as Informer
* Alex Cunanan as Yakuza

## Critical response

Manila Standard opinion writer Ariel Bocobo gave a brief negative review of the film, stating that "[t]he only good part of the movie was the ending. The movie itself was a disaster."

Screenwriter Nestor U. Torre considered the film as among the few local films produced in 1994 that were "relatively choice". In 2002, film columnist Isah V. Red considered the film a classic. In 2006, filmmaker Jose Javier Reyes listed the film at no. 5 in his top 21 films of the past 21 years.

## Accolades

| Year | Awards | Category | Recipient | Result |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 1994 | 18th Gawad Urian Awards | Best Film | The Fatima Buen Story | Won |
| 1994 | 18th Gawad Urian Awards | Best Director | Mario O'Hara | Won |
| 1994 | 18th Gawad Urian Awards | Best Actress | Kris Aquino | Nominated |
| 1994 | 18th Gawad Urian Awards | Best Supporting Actor | John Regala | Won |
| 1994 | 18th Gawad Urian Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Zoren Legaspi | Nominated |
| 1994 | 18th Gawad Urian Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Janice de Belen | Nominated |
| 1994 | 18th Gawad Urian Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Gina Pareño | Nominated |
| 1994 | 18th Gawad Urian Awards | Best Screenplay | Frank Rivera | Won |
| 1994 | 18th Gawad Urian Awards | Best Cinematography | Romulo Araojo | Won |
| 1994 | 18th Gawad Urian Awards | Best Editing | George Jarlego | Won |
| 1994 | 18th Gawad Urian Awards | Best Sound | Joe Climaco | Won |
| 1994 | 18th Gawad Urian Awards | Best Production Design | Benjie de Guzman | Nominated |
| 1994 | 18th Gawad Urian Awards | Best Music | Nonong Buencamino | Nominated |
| 1994 | 4th YCC Awards | Best Achievement in Cinematography and Visual Design | Romulo Araojo Benjie De Guzman | Won |
| 1994 | 4th YCC Awards | Best Achievement in Film Editing | George Jarlego | Nominated |
| 1994 | 4th YCC Awards | Best Achievement in Sound and Aural Orchestration | Nonong Buencamino Joe Climaco | Nominated |
| 1994 | 43rd FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | Perla Bautista | Nominated |
