Module 8:

The National Artists

of the Philippines for
Film
 On 1 January 1897, the Philippines experienced
its first movies with these four films:

Un homme au chapeau (Man with a Hat)

Une scene de danse Japonaise (Scene from a Japanese Dance)
Les Boxers (The Boxers)
La place del’opera (The Place of L’Opera)
 Un homme au chapeau  Une scene de danse Japonaise
(Man with a Hat) (Scene from a Japanese Dance)
Les Boxers  La place del’opera
(The Boxers) (The Place of L’Opera)
The showing of these films was done in Salon de Pertierra
on Escolta Street.
These films were shown using a Gaumont Chrono-
photograph projector (60 mm).
This momentous event was envisioned by
a Spaniard only remembered by the name
of Pertierra.
The first movie shot in the country happened in 1898 by
Antonio Ramos using a Lumiere Cinematograph imported
from Paris.
Ramos shot the following films:

 Panorama de Manila (Manila Landscape)

 Fiesta de Quiapo (Quiapo Fiesta)
 Puente de España (Bridge of Spain)
 Esceñas Callejeras (Street Scenes)
 Panorama de Manila  Fiesta de Quiapo
(Manila Landscape) (Quiapo Fiesta)
 Puente de España  Esceñas Callejeras
(Bridge of Spain) (Street Scenes)
Over the years, since the arrival of cinema
in the country, Filipino artists have thrived
and triumphed in the fast-paced world of
cinema. Without the brilliance and talents
of the people behind the art, filmmaking
will not be made possible. That is why the
country continues to honor deserving
artists in the field of cinema.
Here are the national artists in the film category.
National Artists
for Film
Lino Brocka
1939-1991
Year of Conferment: 1997
The contribution of Lino Brocka to Philippine
cinema is unparallel, with 66 films that “breathed
life and hope for the marginalized sectors of
society,” according to NCCA. Awarded the National
Artist for Cinema in 1997, Lino Brocka has
harvested countless awards and recognitions here
and abroad for his films that are “a bounty of
stunning images, memorable conversations that
speak volumes on love, betrayal and redemption,
pestilence and plenty all pointing towards the
recovery and rediscovery of our nation.”
In 1975, he directed the
movie Maynila sa mga
Kuko ng Liwanag
The said film is considered as one of the
classics of Filipino cinema.
His other films include Wanted:

 Perfect Mother (1970)

 Tinimbang Ka ngunit Kulang (1974)
 Insiang (1976)
 Jahuar (1979)
 Bona (1980)
 Macho Dancer (1988)
 Ora Pro Nobis (Fight for Us, 1989)
 Gumapang Ka sa Lusak (1990)
  Tinimbang Ka ngunit
 Perfect Mother (1970)
Kulang (1974)
 Insiang (1976)  Jahuar (1979)
 Bona (1980)  Macho Dancer (1988)
 Ora Pro Nobis  Gumapang Ka sa Lusak (1990)
(Fight for Us, 1989)
Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag is
directed by?
Ishmael Bernal
1938-1996
Year of Conferment:
2001
Awarded the National Artist of Film in 2001,
Ishamel Bernal is considered to be one of the
pillars of Philippine cinema. In 1982, Bernal
directed the critically acclaimed Himala
starring Nora Aunor, the county’s most popular
celebrity at that time. Many critics consider
Himala as one of the greatest Filipino films of all
time because of its provocative and courageous
depictions that has served “ as social
commentaries and bold reflections on the
existing realities of the struggles of the
Filipino.”
Himala starring
Nora Aunor
Bernal’s contribution to Philippine cinme is
both liberating and aesthetic as he pushes
the artistry. According to the NCCA,
“polishing its visuals, or innovating in the
medium, he manages to send his message
across: to fight the censors, free the artist,
give justice to the oppressed, and enlighten
as well as entertain the audience.”
 Some of his other famous works include the films

 Dalawang Pugad,Isang Ibon

(Two Nests, One Bird, 1977)
 Lagi na Lamang Ba Akong Babae?
(Will I always Be Just a Woman?, 1978)
 Isang Gabi sa Iyo,Isang Gabi sa Akin
(A NIght With You, A Night With Me,1978)
 Ikaw Ay Akin (You’re Mine,1979)
 Menor de Edad (Underage,1979)
 Dalawang Pugad,Isang Ibon  Lagi na Lamang Ba Akong
(Two Nests, One Bird, 1977) Babae? (Will I always Be Just
a Woman?, 1978)
 Isang Gabi sa Iyo,Isang Gabi sa  Ikaw Ay Akin
Akin (A NIght With You, A Night (You’re Mine,1979)
With Me,1978)
Menor de Edad
(Underage,1979)
Gerardo “Gerry” De Leon
1913-1981
Year of Conferment: 1982
National Artist for Film Gerardo De Leon holds
the sole distinction as the most awarded film
director in the country for the prestigious
Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences
(FAMAS) Awards, the country’s for equivalent
to the Oscars. De Leon finished medicine but
did not practice it to answer a calling in
cinema. Ama’t Anak was his directorial debut,
but De Leon’s baptism in Philippine cinema
royalty was in the film Ang Maestra starring
Rosa del Rosario and Rogelio de la Rosa.
 ♦ Ang Maestra starring Rosa del
♦ Ama’t Anak was his
Rosario and Rogelio de la Rosa.
directorial debut
♦
De Leon also popularized the following films:

 Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo

 Noli Me Tangere
 Sisa
 Dyesebel
 The Gold Bikini
 Banaue
 The Brides of Blood Island

 Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo  Noli Me Tangere
 Sisa  Dyesebel
 The Gold Bikini  Banaue
The Brides of Blood
Island

Fernando Poe, Jr.
1939-2004
Year of Conferment:
2006
He is also known as “Da King” or FPJ, he has
been given the title the king of Philipine
movies. He is one of the most admired Filipino
film actors of all time. He is famous for his role
as Flavio in the mythical Ang Panday series. He
also starred in other famous films such as
Apollo Robles (1961), Batang Maynila (Manila
Boy, 1962), Mga Alabok sa Lupa (Dusts in Land,
1967), Ako ang Katarungan (I Am Justice,
1974), Tatak ng Alipin (Mark of a Slave, 1975),
Totoy Bato (1977), and Partida (Party, 1985).
He also starred in other famous films such as

 Apollo Robles (1961)

 Batang Maynila (Manila Boy, 1962)
 Mga Alabok sa Lupa (Dusts in Land, 1967)
 Ako ang Katarungan (I Am Justice, 1974)
 Tatak ng Alipin (Mark of a Slave, 1975)
 Totoy Bato (1977)
 Partida (Party, 1985)

 Apollo Robles (1961)  Batang Maynila (Manila Boy, 1962)
 Mga Alabok sa Lupa  Ako ang Katarungan
(Dusts in Land, 1967) (I Am Justice, 1974)
 Tatak ng Alipin  Totoy Bato (1977)
(Mark of a Slave, 1975)
Partida
(Party, 1985)
FPJ is not only an exceptional actor;
he is also a film producer and
politician as well. In 2004, he ran an
unsuccessful bid for the presidential
election. Subsequently, his political
rival, former President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo, declared him a
National Artists for Film in 2006.
He is also known as “Da
King” or FPJ
Eddie S. Romero
1924-2013
Year of Conferment:
2003
National Artists for Film Eddie Romero’s works, as
cited, “are delivered in an utterly simple style-
minimalist, but never empty, always calculated,
precise and functional, but never predictable.”
Romero’s presence in Philippine cinema is one that is
“devoted to the art and commerce of cinema.”
Perhaps his most recognized work, Ganito Kami
Noon… Paano Kayo Ngayon? is Romero’s love letter
to his country, as it tried to portray the common
Filipino in the backdrop of history and imagination.
Another classic by Romero is Kamakalawa, a film
that probed into indegenous precolonial Philippines.
He is also responsible for bringing an on-screen
adaptation of Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere in a 13-
part series.
 ♦ Kamakalawa
♦ Ganito Kami Noon… Paano
Kayo Ngayon?
The list of his films also includes:

Aguila
Hari sa Hari, Lahi sa Lahi
Isumpa Mo Giliw
Faces of Love

 Aguila  Hari sa Hari, Lahi sa Lahi
 Isumpa Mo Giliw  Faces of Love
Ganito Kami Noon… Paano Kayo
Ngayon? and Kamakalawa are his
famous work, Who is He?