Ishmael Bernal

Ishmael Bernal (September 30, 1938 – June 2, 1996) was a Filipino filmmaker, stage and television director, actor and screenwriter. Noted for his melodramas that often tackled feminist and moral issues, he directed many landmark Filipino films such as Nunal sa Tubig, City After Dark (1980), Relasyon (1982), Himala (1982), and Hinugot sa Langit (1985).

Widely regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers in the Philippines cinema, Bernal was posthumously declared a National Artist of the Philippines in 2001.

Biography Born in Manila on September 30, 1938, Bernal was the son of Elena Bernal and Pacifico Ledesma. He studied at Burgos Elementary School, Victorino Mapa High School, and the University of the Philippines where he finished his Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1959.

After graduation, he worked with Lamberto Avellana's documentary outfit before proceeding to France, where he earned his Licentiate in French Literature and Philosophy at the University of Aix-en-Provence. He also received his Diploma in Film Directing in 1970 at the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune under the Colombo plan scholarship.

Career Artistry Bernal participated in the UP Dramatic Club while finishing his degree, and was a fan of classical music, including opera. During the 1960s, Bernal put up the cafes When It's a Grey November in Your Soul in Malate and Kasalo in Quezon City three decades later, which became a hangout spot for students, journalists, poets, bands, theater and film artists. .

Under his name is a broad range of film genres and themes: historical dramas like El Vibora (The Viper), and the "Bonifacio" episode in the unreleased Lahing Pilipino (The Filipino Race); comedies like Tisoy (Mestizo), Pabling (Playboy), Working Girls and Working Girls II; experimental films like Nunal sa Tubig (Speck in the Water) and Himala (Miracle); and contemporary dramas exploring human psyches and social relationships, such as Ligaw Na Bulaklak (Wildflower), Mister Mo, Lover Boy Ko (Your Husband, My Lover), Ikaw Ay Akin (You Are Mine), Relasyon (The Affair), Aliw (Pleasure) and the film Manila by Night (or City After Dark). His filmography centers around the themes and problems that inevitably encrust the "social" as the core of personal malaise. , a significant part of his work is stories about and for women, such as the films Relasyon, Hinugot sa Langit, and Working Girls. Before Bernal's death, he was scheduled to direct a film about the life story of "Lola Rosa" Henson, a comfort woman during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. After graduation, he became involved in Kabataang Makabayan. He protested film censorship and was part of the Free the Artist Movement and the Concerned Artists of the Philippines.

Death He died on June 2, 1996, in Quezon City, Philippines of a heart attack. He was buried at Himlayang Pilipino in Quezon City but was reinterred at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on September 14, 2024, after a state funeral.

Filmography As director and writer Year English title Original title Director Writer Notes 1971 Ah, Ewan! Basta sa Maynila Pa Rin Ako! Directed by Eddie Rodriguez Vibora - First film; rereleased in 1972 as El Vibora At the Top Pagdating sa Dulo Daluyong! 1972 Inspiration - Till Death Do Us Part - 1973 Now and Forever - Zoom, Zoom, Superman! - Superman parody anthology film with Elwood Perez and Joey Gosiengfiao Si Popeye, Atbp Popeye parody anthology film with Elwood Perez and Joey Gosiengfiao; segment: "Popeye" 1974 Huwag Tularan: Pito ang Asawa Ko 1975 Mister Mo, Lover Boy Ko Sleeping Dragon Xing long fu hu Co-directed with Jimmy L. Pascual Lumapit, Lumayo ang Umaga 1976 Ligaw Na Bulaklak A Speck in the Water Nunal sa Tubig Anna Karenina: Babaing Hiwalay sa Asawa Scotch on the Rocks to Remember, Black Coffee to Forget - Unreleased film 1977 Lahing Pilipino Unreleased filmSegment "Bonifacio" Tisoy! Dalawang Pugad... Isang Ibon Walang Katapusang Tag-araw 1978 Isang Gabi sa Iyo... Isang Gabi sa Akin You Are Mine Ikaw Ay Akin 1979 Boy Kodyak Menor de Edad Bakit May Pag-ibig Pa? Anthology film with Celso Ad. Castillo Salawahan Aliw 1980 Good Morning Sunshine - Girlfriend - Manila by Night City After Dark 1981 Bihagin: Bilibid Boys Pabling 1982 Galawgaw Ito Ba ang Ating Mga Anak Relasyon Hindi Kita Malimot Miracle Himala 1983 Broken Marriage Sugat sa Ugat 1984 Working Girls - Shake, Rattle & Roll - Horror anthology film with Emmanuel H. Borlaza and Peque Gallaga; segment: "Pridyider" ("Fridge") 1985 Gamitin Mo Ako Hinugot sa Langit 1986 The Graduates - 1987 Working Girls 2 - Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa Remade in 2017 as a TV series by GMA Network 1988 Nagbabagang Luha Remade in 2021 as a TV series by GMA Network 1989 Pahiram ng Isang Umaga 1992 Mahal Kita, Walang Iba 1994 Wating

Television As director Year Title Notes 1979 Ang Makulay Na Daigdig ni Nora 1987 Isip Pinoy Episode: "Ang Maralitang Tagalunsod"

As actor Year Title Role Notes 1993 Noli Me Tangere Kap. Valentin

Accolades Year Group Category Work Result 1983 Berlin International Film Festival Golden Bear Himala 1983 Chicago International Film Festival Bronze Hugo Himala 1990 FAMAS Award Best Director Pahiram ng Isang Umaga 1989 FAMAS Award Best Director Nagbabagang Luha 1988 FAMAS Award Best Director Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa 1985 FAMAS Award Best Director Working Girls 1984 FAMAS Award Best Director Broken Marriage 1983 FAMAS Award Best Director Himala 1979 FAMAS Award Best Director Isang Gabi sa Iyo... Isang Gabi sa Akin 1976 FAMAS Award Best Director Lumapit, Lumayo ang Umaga 1972 FAMAS Award Best Screenplay Pagdating sa Dulo 1972 FAMAS Award Best Director Pagdating sa Dulo 1995 Gawad Urian Award Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon) Wating 1993 Gawad Urian Award Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon) Mahal Kita Walang Iba 1990 Gawad Urian Award Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon) Pahiram ng Isang Umaga 1986 Gawad Urian Award Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon) Hinugot sa Langit 1984 Gawad Urian Award Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon) Broken Marriage 1983 Gawad Urian Award Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon) Himala Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon) Relasyon Best Screenplay (Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula) Relasyon 1982 Gawad Urian Award Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon) Pabling 1981 Gawad Urian Award Best Screenplay (Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula) City After Dark Best Film of the Decade (Natatanging Pelikula ng Dekada) Nunal sa Tubig 1970–1979 Best Film of the Decade (Natatanging Pelikula ng Dekada) Pagdating sa Dulo 1970–1979 Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon) City After Dark 1979 Gawad Urian Award Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon) Aliw 1978 Gawad Urian Award Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon) Dalawang Pugad... Isang Ibon Best Screenplay (Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula) Dalawang Pugad... Isang Ibon 1977 Gawad Urian Award Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon) Nunal sa Tubig 1982 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Director Himala 1990 Star Awards for Movies Movie Director of the Year Pahiram ng Isang Umaga 1995 Young Critics Circle, Philippines Best Film Wating