MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo congratulated Brillante Mendoza, the Filipino who won best director award at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival, calling him ?one of the best filmmakers of our time.?

?Director Mendoza?s winning movie depicts social realities and serves as an eye-opener for moral recovery and social transformation, which my administration has been pursuing even early on in my Presidency,? Arroyo said in a statement.

The President said Mendoza?s feat should bring pride to the Filipino and inspire other filmmakers to work hard for global recognition.

?His accomplishment and those of our other artists in the various disciplines who have been raking in honors for the country attest to our people?s wealth of talent that enable us to withstand and overcome the challenges of our times,? Arroyo said.

Brillante won for his movie "Kinatay," a harrowing tale of a rape victim, who was beaten up, murdered, and hacked to pieces.