Maynila: sa mga kuko ng liwanag

Lino Brocka

Lino Brocka (Pilar, Sorgoson, Filippine, 1939-Quezon City, Filippine, 1991) was an eminent film, television, and stage director who blazed the path for socially oriented Filipino films in the seventies. Graduated from Nueva Ecija North High School in 1956 with six medals and a scholarship to the University of the Philippines (UP), he entered pre-law because his mother wanted him to become an attorney and then president of the Philippines. At the University of the Philippines, Lino Brocka became a very active member of the UP Dramatic Club which was directed by Wilfredo Maria Guerrero. Later he worked in the film industry, doing publicity for American “B” films shot in the Philippines. Some friendships from the Dramatic Club, like that with Behn Cervantes, introduced Brocka to a team of young Mormon missionaries in 1961. After a stint as a missionary in Hawaii, he joined the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) and soon became its executive director. He also penned and directed episodes for the television shows. The first film he directed, Wanted: Perfect Mother, was a box-office success in 1970. After a string of hits, he was disgusted with rampant commercialism of local films and temporarily left the industry in 1972. He bounced back in 1974 with a production he formed with his friends. He megged Tinimbang Ka Nguni’t Kulang – a motion picture that proved to be a landmark in the wasteland of Philippine movies. His films were soon being screened to international acclaim. These include Insiang (Directors’ Fortnight, Cannes, 1977), Bona (Directors’ Fortnight, Cannes, 1981), Cain At Abel (San Sebastian, 1982), Angela Merkado (Grand Prix, Festival of Three Continents, Nantes, 1983), Bayan Ko: Kapit Sa Patalim (Cannes, 1984; Best Picture of the Year, British Film Institute, 1984; Official Philippine Entry, Academy Awards, USA, 1985). Brocka was against censorship and repression in all its forms during Marcos’ dictatorship and he was very active in the Free the Artist Movement which evolved into the Concerned Artists of the Philippines. On May 21, 1991, Brocka met his sudden death in a car crash in Quezon City. In 1997, he was conferred the posthumous distinction of National Artists for Films that fitly caps the innumerable awards he bagged in his lifetime. Up to now, he remains the most acclaimed filmmaker in the history of Philippine cinema.

FILMOGRAFIA

Wanted: Perfect Mother (1970), Santiago (1970), Tuborg sa ginto (Dipped in Gold, 1971), Stardoom (1971), Lumuha pati mga angel (1971), Cherry Blossoms (1972), Caena de amor (1972), Villa Mirando (1973), Tinimbang ka ngunit kulang (You are Weighed in the Bilance but are Found, 1974), Tatlo, dalawa, isa (Three, Two, One, 1975), Maynila: Sa mga kuko ng liwanag (Manila: in the Claws of Light, 1975), Lunes, Martes, Miyerkules, Huwebes, Biyernes, Sabado, Linggo (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 1976), Insiang (1976), Tahan na, Empoy, tahan (Stop Crying Little Boy, 1977), Inay (1977), Tatay kong nanay, Ang (1978), Rubia servos (1978), Gumising ka, Maruja (Wake Up, Maruja, 1978), Hayop sa hayop (1978), Jaguar (1979), Ina, kapatid, anak (Mother, Sister, Daughter, 1979), Ina ka ng anak mo (1979), Init (1979), Nakaw na pag-ibig (1980), Bona (1980), Angela Markado (1980), Hello, Young Lovers (1981), Dalaga si misis, binata si mister (1981), Cover Girls (1981), Caught in the Act (1981), Burgis (1981), Mother Dear (1982), In Dis Corner (1982), Cain at Abel (1982), Stranger in Paradise (1983), PX (1984), Miguelito (id., 1984), Hot Property (1984), Bayan ko: Kapit sa patalim (Bayan Ko: My Own Country, 1984), Adultery (1984), Pasan ko ang daigdig (1987), Maging akin ka lamang (1987), Jack and Jill sa Amerika (1988), Macho Dancer (1988), Natutulog ba ang diyos (1989), Tatlong mukha ng pag-ibig (ep. Katumbas ng kahapon, mm, 1989), Orapronobis (Lotta per la libertà, 1989), Babangon ako’t dudurugin kita (1989), Hahamakin lahat (1990), Gumapang ka sa lusak (Dirty Affair, 1990), Ama…bakit mo ako pinabayaan? (1990), Sa cabila ng lahat (1991), Kislap sa dilim (1991), Biktima (1991).