Eddie Romero Explained

Eddie Romero
Birth Date:7 July 1924
Birth Place:Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippine Islands
Death Place:Manila, Philippines
Years Active:1947 - 2013
Alma Mater:Silliman University

Edgar Sinco Romero, (July 7, 1924 – May 28, 2013), commonly known as Eddie Romero, was a Filipino film director, film producer and screenwriter.

Early life

Romero was born on July 7, 1924. His father was José E. Romero, the first Philippine Ambassador to the Court of St. James's. His mother was Pilar Guzman Sinco, a schoolteacher and the sister of University of the Philippines President Vicente G. Sinco who signed the United Nations Charter in 1945 on behalf of the Philippines. His brother was Jose V. Romero Jr., former Philippine Ambassador to Italy.[1] He studied at Silliman University.[2]

Romero's paternal grandparents were Francisco Romero Sr., mayor of Tanjay, Negros Oriental from 1909 to 1916 and later a member of the Provincial Board of Negros Oriental, and Josefa Calumpang Muñoz, daughter of Tanjay gobernadorcillo Don José Teves Muñoz and Doña Aleja Ines Calumpang, a great-granddaughter of Don Fernando Velaz de Medrano Bracamonte y Dávila (es), Marquis of Tabuérniga de Velazar (es), 15th Marquis of Cañete (GE) (es), 6th Marquis of Fuente el Sol (es), 8th Marquis of Navamorcuende (es), 15th Lord of Montalbo, and Knight of the Order of St. John.[3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Career

As a teenager, Romero wrote the screenplay to Gerardo de León's 1941 film Ang Maestra, and was briefly the editor-in-chief of the Negros Chronicle War News in the same year, with future screenwriter Cesar J. Amigo and future Dumaguete City mayor Jose Pro. Teves as part of his staff.[9]

Romero was named National Artist of the Philippines in 2003, and his body of work delved into the history and politics of his country. His 1976 film Ganito Kami Noon…Paano Kayo Ngayon?, set at the turn of the 20th century during the revolution against the Spaniards and, later, the American colonizers, follows a naive peasant through his leap of faith to become a member of an imagined community. Aguila situated a family's story against the backdrop of Filipino history, while Kamakalawa explored the folklore of prehistoric Philippines. Banta ng Kahapon, his "small" political film, was set against the turmoil of the late 1960s, tracing the connection of the underworld to the corrupt halls of politics. His 13-part series Noli Me Tangere brought Philippine national hero José Rizal's novel to a new generation of viewers.

Romero co-produced the 1959 horror film Terror Is a Man, which was directed by his friend and fellow director Gerardo de Leon, with whom he would later co-direct other films.[10] Romero directed some critically acclaimed war films in the early 1960s, such as Lost Battalion (1960), The Raiders of Leyte Gulf (1963) and The Walls of Hell (1964).[11] Along with Filipino-language (Tagalog language) films, he made English-language films that became cult classics, like Black Mama, White Mama, Beast of the Yellow Night, The Woman Hunt, Beyond Atlantis and The Twilight People and worked with American actors like John Ashley and Pam Grier.

Romero's films, the National Artist citation stated, "are delivered in an utterly simple style – minimalist, but never empty, always calculated, precise and functional, but never predictable."[12] Quentin Tarantino drew on Twilight People as an inspiration for his "grindhouse" homages.[13]

Romero is especially known to horror film fans for his three "Blood Island" films from the late 1960s - Brides of Blood (1968), The Mad Doctor of Blood Island (1969) and Beast of Blood (1970), which he directed, co-produced by "Hemisphere Pictures" (which was composed of Romero, Kane W. Lynn and Irwin Pizor).[14] Romero later called his American-financed "cult" films – including the "Blood Island" series – "the worst things I ever did".[15] When the kung fu craze started in the 1970s, Romero turned his back on the international market for Filipino films which he had virtually created. After 1976, he made smaller, more personal "art" films in Filipino.[16]

The Cultural Center of the Philippines 'Cine Icons' honored Romero with free film screening of Aguila (film) on April 3, 1 p.m. at the GSIS Theater.[17]

Personal life

Romero was married to Carolina Gonzalez (1922-2019). She was a great-granddaughter of Don Francisco Gonzalez y Reinado, owner of the legendary 39,000-hectare Hacienda Esperanza that included the municipalities of Santa Maria, Santo Tomas, Rosales and San Quintin, extending through the rest of Pangasinan and the provinces of Tarlac and Nueva Ecija. She was the first cousin of Francis Gonzalez Moran, father of 1973 Miss Universe Margarita Moran-Floirendo.[18] [19] Romero was also, for a time, the partner of actress Mila del Sol.[20]

He had three children-film director and board member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board Jose "Joey" Gonzalez Romero IV, Ancel Edgar Romero, President of HumanGood Affordable Housing in the San Francisco Bay Area and Leo John Romero, a non-profit housing executive based in Sacramento, California.

Death

Romero died on May 28, 2013.[21] [22] He had been suffering from prostate cancer when he developed a blood clot in his brain.[23] [24]

Filmography

Awards and nominations

In 2003, Romero was awarded the National Artist Award by the Philippine government for his contribution to Philippine cinema and broadcast arts. Earlier in 1991, he was awarded the Gawad CCP para sa Sining. In 2004, he was also awarded the Cinemanila Lifetime Achievement Award.

In 2024, Senator Grace Poe authored Senate Resolution No.1040, honoring Romero in his July 7 centennial.[27] The National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Dumaguete LGU, in a 3-day centennial, featured lectures by Nick Deocampo and film screening of restored movies at Silliman University's Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium. His bust by sculptor Frederic Caedo, was unveiled by Mayor Felipe Antonio B. Remollo, Joey Romero and NCCA Deputy Director Marichu Tellano.[28]

YearAward-giving bodyCategoryWorkResult
1951Maria Clara AwardsBest DirectorAng Prinsesa at ang Pulubi
1952Maria Clara AwardsBest ScreenplayDiego Silang
1953FAMAS AwardsBest Screenplay (with Cesar Amigo)Buhay Alamang
1964FAMAS AwardsDr. Ciriaco Santiago Memorial AwardCavalry Command
1967FAMAS AwardsBest DirectorThe Passionate Strangers
Best Screenplay
1968Manila Film FestivalBest DirectorManila, Open City
1971FAMAS AwardsDr. Ciriaco Santiago Memorial Award[29]
1976Metro Manila Film Festival[30] Best FilmGanito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon
Best Director
Best Screenplay (with Roy Iglesias)
1977FAMAS AwardsBest Picture
Best Director
Gawad Urian Awards[31] Best Film (Pinakamahusay na Pelikula)
Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon)
Best Screenplay (Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula) (with Roy Iglesias)
1978Gawad Urian Awards[32] Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon)Banta ng Kahapon
Best Film (Pinakamahusay na Pelikula)
Best Screenplay (Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula)Sinong kapiling? Sinong kasiping?
1980FAMAS AwardsBest Screenplay (with Fred Navarro)Durugin si Totoy Bato
1981FAMAS AwardsBest Picture (with Bancom Audiovision)[33] [34] Aguila
Best Director
Best Screenplay
Gawad Urian Awards[35] Best Film of the Decade (Natatanging Pelikula ng Dekada)
Best Film (Pinakamahusay na Pelikula)
Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon)
Best Screenplay (Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula)
1985FAMAS AwardsBest Screenplay (with Ronwaldo Reyes and Fred Navarro)Ang Padrino
1986FAMAS AwardsFAMAS Awards Hall of Fame for screenplay[36]
1987FAMAS AwardsDr. Ciriaco Santiago Memorial Award
1993FAMAS AwardsFAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award[37]
1995Gawad Urian AwardsGawad Urian Lifetime Achievement Award (Natatanging Gawad Urian)[38]
1996FAMAS AwardsBest ScreenplayKahit Butas ng Karayom Papasukin Ko
2000FAMAS AwardsFAMAS Presidential Award[39]
FAP AwardsFAP Lifetime Achievement Award[40]
2008FAMAS AwardsBest StoryFaces of Love
Luna AwardsBest Picture
Best Direction
Best Screenplay (with Rica Arevalo)

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: 600th anniversary of Sulu Sultan's state visit to Beijing noted. June 27, 2017. Manila Standard. May 8, 2018. May 8, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180508123324/http://thestandard.com.ph/showbitz/tv-movies/240408/600th-anniversary-of-sulu-sultan-s-state-visit-to-beijing-noted.html. dead.
  2. Agustin Sotto."EDDIE ROMERO: A filmmaker of" . Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP). Retrieved September 10, 2011.
  3. Book: Merlie M. Alunan. Kabilin: legacies of a hundred years of Negros Oriental. Bobby Flores Villasis. Negros Oriental Centennial Foundation. Negros Oriental Centennial Foundation. 1993. 9789719135401. October 17, 2010.
  4. Web site: TÉLLEZ ALARCIA. Diego. Intriga cortesana y represión política en el reinado de Carlos III: el caso de D. Fernando Bracamonte Velaz de Medrano (1742-1791). February 2, 2019. www.academia.edu.
  5. Book: Escritos autobiográficos y epistolario de José de Cadalso. Thamesis Book Limited. 1979. Glendinnig. N. London. Harrison. N.
  6. Book: Romero, José E.. Not So Long Ago: A Chronicle of My Life, Times and Contemporaries. Alemar-Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.. 1979. Manila.
  7. Book: Echauz, Robustiano. Apuntes de la Isla de Negros. 1894. Tipo-lit. de Chofre y comp.. es.
  8. Web site: Subject - Tabuérniga de Velazar, marqueses de. May 11, 2020. PARES.
  9. Book: Silliman, Robert B.. Pocket of Resistance: Guerrilla Warfare in Negros Island, the Philippines. 1980. Philippine Editions. Manila, Philippines. 21. May 28, 2024.
  10. Web site: Andrew . Leavold . Strong Coffee with a National Treasure: An Interview with Eddie Romero . Cashiers du Cinemart . 18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160731133006/https://www.cashiersducinemart.com/details/issue-18/article-518/strong-coffee-with-a-national-treasure-an-interview-with-eddie-romero . July 31, 2016.
  11. Ray, Fred Olen (1991). "The New Poverty Row". McFarland and Co. Inc. . Page 81
  12. News: National Artist - Eddie S. Romero. National Commission for Culture and the Arts. May 2, 2018. en-US. July 17, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180717134753/http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/national-artists-of-the-philippines/eddie-s-romero/. dead.
  13. News: Master of genres: Eddie Romero's legacy. Dumaual. Mario. ABS-CBN News. May 3, 2018. en-US.
  14. Ray, Fred Olen (1991). "The New Poverty Row". McFarland and Co. Inc. . Page 83
  15. "Eddie Romero: Our Man in Manila".Lee Server. Film Comment. March–April 1999
  16. Web site: Cashiers du Cinemart - Issue 18 - Strong Coffee with a National Treasure : An Interview with Eddie Romero. Mike. White. Cashiers du Cinemart Magazine.
  17. News: CCP 'Cine Icons' honors 100th birth anniversary of National Artist Eddie Romero with 'Aguila'. April 1, 2024. The Manila Times. April 1, 2024.
  18. Book: Mendoza-Cortes, Rosario. Pangasinan, 1901-1986: A Political, Socioeconomic and Cultural History. New Day Publishers. 1990. Quezon City. 71.
  19. Web site: G.R. No. L-32776. www.lawphil.net. February 14, 2019. July 30, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200730230718/https://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1930/dec1930/gr_l-32776_1930.html. dead.
  20. Web site: TRIBUTE: Mila del Sol shone bright during golden age of Philippine cinema. ABS-CBN News.
  21. News: National Artist Eddie Romero dies. May 28, 2013. Rappler. May 28, 2013.
  22. Web site: Filmmaker, National Artist Eddie Romero dies. ph.news.yahoo.com.
  23. Web site: Filmmaker, National Artist Eddie Romero dies.
  24. Web site: National Artist and famed director Eddie Romero dies. The Manila Times. May 29, 2013. en-US. May 11, 2020.
  25. Stevens, Brad (2003). Monte Hellman: His Life and Films. McFarland. p. 44-52.
  26. Web site: The Passionate Strangers (1968) - Overview - TCM.com. Turner Classic Movies.
  27. News: Poe honors Nat’l Artist Eddie Romero on birth centenary. July 16, 2024 . . July 7, 2024.
  28. News: Guerrero. Amadís Maria. Dumaguete honors native son Eddie Romero, national artist. July 16, 2024 . . July 15, 2024.
  29. Web site: FAMAS Awards (1971). IMDb. May 11, 2020.
  30. Web site: Metro Manila Film Festival (1976). IMDb. May 11, 2020.
  31. Web site: Gawad Urian Awards (1977). IMDb. May 11, 2020.
  32. Web site: Gawad Urian Awards (1978). IMDb. May 11, 2020.
  33. Web site: Bancom Audiovision - IMDbPro. pro.imdb.com. en. May 2, 2018.
  34. News: Bancom Audiovision. https://web.archive.org/web/20180502211748/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b9563f142. dead. May 2, 2018. BFI. May 2, 2018. en.
  35. Web site: Gawad Urian Awards (1981). IMDb.com. October 26, 2019.
  36. Web site: FAMAS Awards (1986). IMDb. May 11, 2020.
  37. Web site: FAMAS Awards (1993). IMDb. May 11, 2020.
  38. Web site: Gawad Urian Awards (1995). IMDb. May 11, 2020.
  39. Web site: FAMAS Awards (2000). IMDb. May 11, 2020.
  40. Web site: FAP Awards, Philippines (2000). IMDb. May 11, 2020.