Cannes best actress Jaclyn Jose back home

GOLDEN MOMENT Cannes best actress Jaclyn Jose shows her Palme d’Or (Gold Leaf) award at the Naia terminal. GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

An ecstatic Jaclyn Jose returned to Manila on Tuesday afternoon, cradling the Palme d’Or (Gold Leaf) award she won as best actress for the movie “Ma’ Rosa” at the Cannes Film Festival.

Jose made history as the first Southeast Asian actress to be recognized by the prestigious annual film festival held in France, which previews movies of all genres from around the world.

The actress arrived onboard an Emirates flight from Dubai International Airport, along with members of the “Ma’ Rosa” cast, including its director, Brillante Mendoza, and her daughter, Andi Eigenmann.

Speaking to reporters, Jose said, “Napakasarap (It feels so good). No amount of words can express how I feel. It’s so overwhelming. I’m overjoyed. I’m so happy.  This [award] is not easy to get, but we got it. To be the first [actress] in Southeast Asia [to be recognized at Cannes], it is a very good feeling.”

The veteran actress added: “It always feels good to represent the Philippines. Thank you very much, this is truly a great honor for me and I am sharing this with all of you.”

Jose bested other Hollywood actresses Charlize Theron and Kristen Stewart as well as critically acclaimed French actresses Marion Cotillard and Isabelle Huppert, for her gritty portrayal of a struggling mother in a Manila slum who was forced to deal drugs to make ends meet.

The movie is bound to resonate with Filipinos who recently elected for President Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who is known for his tough anticrime platform and uncompromising stance on drug dealers.

Jose described the feeling of being at the center of international attention as “unbelievable,” and sharing the stage with daughter Andi as “very fulfilling.”