Bituing Walang Ningning (Tagalog: A Star Without Shine) remains iconic after forty years, owing to several themes that continue to resonate in Filipino popular culture.
The movie is about the fan-idol dynamic that prevails in the entertainment industry. This dynamic is encapsulated in a garland made of sampaguita, the national flower of the Philippines.
It is interesting to note that Sharon Cuneta, one of the leading celebrity idols in Philippine pop culture, assumes the role of fan in this movie.
Going back to the sampaguita, it is a flower used in religious practices. This flower sheds light on Filipinos' religiosity in both sacred and secular ways.
(Side Note: The said dynamic can also be correlated with the political polarization that plagues the country, in which Filipinos profess their loyalty to personalities, rather than ideals).
The titular song has also inspired a catchphrase for the Filipino habit of taking home food from special gatherings.
Meanwhile, Cherie Gil's performance cemented her status as one of the country's leading screen villainesses.
With each viewing, Bituing Walang Ningning continues to reveal aspects of Filipino pop culture that will be subject of incisive commentary.
