Cover Veteran actress Cherie Gil as Lavinia Arguelles in Emmanuel H. Borlaza's 'Bituing Walang Ningning'
Veteran actress Cherie Gil as Lavinia Arguelles in Emmanuel H. Borlaza's 'Bituing Walang Ningning'
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The Philippines’ beloved 'La Primera Contravida' is gone too soon at 59. We pay respects by rewatching 'Bituing Walang Ningning' with a brand new perspective
You’re nothing but a second-rate, trying hard, copycat! If renowned Filipina pop superstar Lavinia Arguelles said these to me, I would crumble under my bed and crawl back into my mother’s womb. She is assertive, knows what she wants, and would crush you into smithereens should you dare slither in her limelight—she is every bit of a femme fatale, at least in the lens of Emmanuel H Borlaza.
In Borlaza’s ‘Bituing Walang Ningning,’ Cherie Gil is evidently docile compared to her contemporary television roles; perhaps there are still traces of Trining Odeja’s innocent glances in Oro Plata Mata or the sweet Leonor Dimalanta from Puga. Regardless, no one can discredit this 1985 melodrama for essentially making her an icon. Cherie’s seething looks and one-liner diss established her as every damsel in distress’ nightmare.
In the projects that followed, she gave life to contemporary cinema’s most formidable villains: she was Arianne Velez, arch nemesis to ‘Megastar’ Sharon Cuneta’s Ara Sevilla in Kailan Sasabihing Mahal Kita; and the venomous Valentina in Darna! Ang Pagbabalik (1994).
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The confrontation scene between Cherie Gil's Lavinia Arguelles and Sharon Cuneta's Dorina Pineda (Photo: 'Bituing Walang Ningning')
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Comical as it may seem, my friends and I often joke about being on the other end of Lavinia Arguelles’ water-throwing face-off with Dorina Pineda. That’s exactly how you know she’s a “big thing” in show business. We think to ourselves, “what an honour it would be if she screamed at us and splashed a glass of water on our faces.”
Gags aside, there is so much to unpack in Bituing Walang Ningning (1985), most especially if you watch it with a brand new perspective What led Lavinia and Dorina to this confrontation scene anyway?
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Star and The Pauper
As with every other hit Sharon Cuneta movie, her character, Dorina is a relatable, high-spirited, and beautiful woman who belongs to the marginalised sector of society. She is a Sampaguita vendor who spends most of her free time reading news about Lavinia, attending the singer’s concerts, and even waiting for her to come home. While Lavinia tolerates these gestures, she is, by no means, enamoured by Dorina’s lack of self-awareness.
Above Megastar Sharon Cuneta's character, Dorina Pineda, is a Sampaguita vendor and a devoted fan of Cherie Gil's Lavinia Arguelles in 'Bituing Walang Ningning'
Megastar Sharon Cuneta's character, Dorina Pineda, is a Sampaguita vendor and a devoted fan of Cherie Gil's Lavinia Arguelles in 'Bituing Walang Ningning'
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To keep her “nice and friendly” image, Lavinia faces Dorina with a grin and pretends she is flattered by the flowers the latter offers her. Deep down, the celebrity feels pestered by her fans.
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Above Dorina Pineda attends one of Lavinia Arguelles' shows
Above Dorina Pineda waits for Lavinia Arguelles in the latter's quarters
Dorina Pineda attends one of Lavinia Arguelles' shows
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"You’re nothing but a second-rate, trying hard, copycat!"
Lavinia’s manager and boyfriend Nico Escobar (Christopher De Leon) is another story. While he implies that he is supportive of her career, there are moments when he interferes with his girlfriend’s life decisions, one of them being the star’s choice to go abroad for a concert.
This is a snippet of Lavinia and Nico’s conversation:
“Please, Lavinia, I am still waiting for you to reconsider [going abroad], I just started managing our business. Without you here, I would be in shambles; anyway, at this point, I am sure, you’re fed up with singing.”
To which, Lavinia responded:
“I will never be fed up with singing, I will never be tired of the limelight. I tell you, if only you could feel how it is to be up there, on centre stage, under the lights! Nico, I poured sweat and blood to be where I am today.”
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Above Lavinia's manager and boyfriend, Nico Escobar, pleads for her to reconsider going abroad for a concert
Lavinia's manager and boyfriend, Nico Escobar, pleads for her to reconsider going abroad for a concert
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In the latter part of the film, Nico makes another way for Lavinia to stay. He lets her know that she cannot sign the contract she has abroad for they are getting married and he had just hired a fashion designer for her wedding dress.
Lavinia stresses that she has two conditions before they tie the knot: (1) that she would not stop singing and (2) she will not bear a child. “I don’t want to have a child. I mean, I can if I want to, but I really don’t want to,” she says.
“Wait. Don’t give me the alibi that most women use, ‘children are a mere nuisance,’ and that they ‘ruin a woman’s figure,’ that’s nonsense,” Nico replies.
Read more: I Love Being a Mother, But It’s Not for Everyone—And That’s Okay
Above Nico visits a local bar and discovers Dorina’s hidden prowess in singing
Above Nico visits a local bar and discovers Dorina’s hidden prowess in singing
Nico visits a local bar and discovers Dorina’s hidden prowess in singing
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Above Nico visits a local bar and discovers Dorina’s hidden prowess in singing
Above Nico visits a local bar and discovers Dorina’s hidden prowess in singing
Nico visits a local bar and discovers Dorina’s hidden prowess in singing
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One night, Nico visits a local bar and discovers Dorina’s hidden prowess in singing. He figures that if someone finally steals Lavinia’s spotlight, his girlfriend would finally give in to his pleading.
Nico decides to coach Dorina to provide competition and give the bratty and aloof Lavinia a lesson. When Dorina’s popularity begins to rise, conflicts begin to happen.
Lavinia, Under Fire
Perhaps it is safe to assume that one of the film’s intentions was to expose the fast-paced and very competitive dynamics of the show business. Although it did not take after its darker and more sinister counterparts like Ishmael Bernal’s Pagdating Sa Dulo and Lino Brocka’s Bona (both of which tackled intoxicating entertainment cultures), Bituing Walang Ningning was arguably successful in implying that there are horrors beyond the public’s knowledge.
Lavinia and Dorina’s story is a glaring indication of how celebrities struggle behind the scenes and under public scrutiny. While both women are talented in their own ways, the press and the people surrounding them seem to pit them against each other.
Lavinia is not a damsel in distress, nor is she the kind and empathetic star she claims to be in front of the cameras, but is she to blame for how she reacts toward the unforgiving industry she continues to traverse?
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Above Lavinia Arguelles charms the press in one of the scenes
Lavinia Arguelles charms the press in one of the scenes
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Her personal life is not sailing smoothly either, most especially when the man she loves leaves her hanging when she refuses to abide by his orders.
Nico repeatedly convinces Lavinia to give up on her dreams so she can be his plain housewife; the more she resists, the more he makes a way for Lavinia to change her decision.
When Lavinia finally agrees to marry Nico, he leaves her and admits he has moved on a long time ago for he fell in love with Dorina.
Who's The Real Villain?
Above Christopher De Leon and Cherie Gil in 'Bituing Walang Ningning'
Christopher De Leon and Cherie Gil in 'Bituing Walang Ningning'
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Above The ending scene of Bituing Walang Ningning (1985)
The ending scene of Bituing Walang Ningning (1985)
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I have lost count of the times I’ve seen Bituing Walang Ningning (1985), and all the time I could only think of how Lavinia Arguelles' character is framed as the villain when there is Nico Escobar who pulls her down for his personal gain; Dorina Pineda who defies her boundaries as a fan; and the press who manipulates all of them together.
Before the credits roll, only Nico truly gets his happy ending. On stage, Dorina gives up her singing career so she can be a humble wife, while Lavinia–presumably–spends the rest of her stint feeling like she owes Dorina.
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
