| Thelma | |
| Director: | Paul Soriano |
| Music: | Archie Castillo |
| Cinematography: | Odyssey Flores |
| Editing: | Mark Victor |
| Runtime: | 111 minutes |
| Country: | Philippines |
| Gross: | [1] |
Thelma is 2011 Philippine drama film released by Star Cinema with Maja Salvador portraying the title-role.[2] The film is directed by Paul Soriano[3] [4] and is inspired by true stories. The film premiered on September 7, 2011 and received an "A" rating from the Cinema Evaluation Board.
Maja Salvador underwent training by a national track star and Survivor Philippines castaway Elma Muros and her husband Jojo Posadas for her role as a runner in the independent film. Paul Soriano was chosen to direct the film.[5] Filming began whilst simultaneously taping for Salvador's show Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin.
Thelma is a delinquent, tomboyish high school student from an impoverished family in Ilocos Norte who uses her running abilities to get away with her occasional thefts. One day, her younger sister Hannah is left unable to walk after being hit by a car on her way to school, forcing Thelma to stop attending school and help out in the household and in their farm. Struck with guilt after she left Hannah unattended at the time of the accident, Thelma joins and wins a local marathon, using the prize money to buy a wheelchair for Hannah.
Danny, Thelma's high school coach, notices her skills in the marathon and convinces her parents to let her return to school and join the varsity team. Thelma is initially reluctant to run as she is shy about running in front of the public and dislikes training, but her mother Floring, who reveals herself to be a former track and field athlete, convinces her to join in the hopes that she could get a better future and also helps her train. Thelma goes back to the school and receives formal training as an athlete, improving her grades while winning the Palarong Pambansa held in Laoag. Dubbed the "Northern Wind" by the press, Thelma wins an athletic scholarship to Manila and moves to a dormitory there. She develops a rivalry with Lexi, an arrogant co-athlete and national record-holder, while striking a relationship with Sammy, who is seeking a job as a seaman to get out of poverty.
While remitting her scholarship allowance home, she is told by her aunt Marie over the phone that Floring was hospitalized after collapsing at home and is diagnosed with cancer. Despondent, she fails her academics and is temporarily suspended from the varsity team and trying out for the national team. As she ponders on whether she should go home, her parents call her, telling her that they love her and to continue with her athletic journey. Thelma continues running and eventually defeats Lexi in a marathon, while speaking in the first person about her lessons in life.