Jaclyn Jose beats Cotillard, Theron to win Cannes Best Actress award

MANILA, Philippines — The Cannes Film Festival named Filipino actor Jaclyn Jose as this year's Best Actress, making her the first Filipino to be honored with the award.

Jose, the star of Brillante Mendoza's "Ma'Rosa," bested celebrated actors Charlize Theron (US entry "The Last Face" directed by Sean Penn) and Marion Cotillard (France's "Mal de Pierres" / "From the Land of the Moon" directed by Nicole Garcia).

Actress Jaclyn Jose, left, hugs actress Andi Eigenmann, centre, after winning the Best Actress award for the film Ma' Rosa, at the awards ceremony at the 69th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Sunday, May 22, 2016. AP/Thibault Camus

Actress Jaclyn Jose, centre, reacts after winning the Best Actress award for the film Ma' Rosa, at the awards ceremony at the 69th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Sunday, May 22, 2016. AP/Thibault Camus

Speaking at the awards ceremony, a perceptibly shocked Jose said she did not at all count on winning the award, the first acting honor for a Filipino at the annual festival.

"I am so surprised. I just went to walk on the red carpet with my daughter," Jose said, gesturing to Andi Eigenmann in blue gown on stage next to her.

In an interview aired over the ABS-CBN News Channel on Monday, Jose said she was surprised by the award since the other nominees are tough contenders whom she has been watching in films for years.

"They are my idols," Jose said, referring to Cotillard and Theron.

She said that for "Ma'Rosa," Mendoza instructed her to unlearn years of acting techniques typically used in the local industry. The Philippines's entry to the festival, Jose had to be seen as not at all acting.

Complete list of 2016 winners

1. Palme d'Or: Ken Loach, "I, Daniel Blake"
2. Grand Prix: Xavier Dolan, "It's Only The End of the World"
3. Jury Prize: Andrea Arnold, "American Honey"
4. Best Actress: Jaclyn Jose, "Ma Rosa"
5. Best Actor: Shahab Hosseini, "The Salesman"
6. Best Director: Olivier Assayas, "Personal Shopper" & Cristian Mungiu, "Graduation"
7. Best Screenplay: Asghar Farhadi, "The Salesman"
8. Camera d'Or: "Divines," Houda Benyamina
9. Queer Palm (Feature): "Les Vies de Thérèse," Sébastien Lifshitz
10. Queer Palm (Short): "Gabber Lover," Anna Cazenave-Cambet.