Mel Chionglo Explained

Mel Chionglo
Birth Name:	Carmelo Chionglo
Birth Date:	16 July 1946
Birth Place:	Lucena, Quezon, Philippines
Death Place:	Manila, Philippines
Occupation:	Film director, production designer
Years Active:	1977–2016

Carmelo Chionglo (July 16, 1946 – September 21, 2019^{[1] [2]}), better known as Mel Chionglo, was a Filipino film director and production designer. He has directed more than 40 films since 1981.

From 1966 to 1976, he worked and studied acting and directing at the New York Academy of Theatrical Arts. Returning to Manila, he worked as production designer.^[3] His directorial debut was Regal Films' Playgirl (1981).

He was one of the founding members of the Directors’ Guild of the Philippines Inc.^[4] He also served as board member on the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.^[5]

Career

Chionglo began working in the film industry as production designer on such films as Mike de Leon's Itim, Lino Brocka's Mother, Sister, Daughter, and Eddie Romero's Aguila.^[6]

He directed Playgirl, his first film, in 1981. It was scripted by Ricardo Lee and starred Gina Alajar.^[7]

He also directed , Burlesk King, Iadya Mo Kami, Lauriana, and Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita.^[8] Burlesk King was screened at the 2000 Berlin International Film Festival.^[9]

Filmography

• Itim (Rites of May) (1976) (production designer)
• Salawahan (1979) (production designer)
• Temptation Island (1980) (production designer)
• Aguila (1980) (art director)^[10]
• Playgirl (1981) (director); starring Gina Alajar
• (1994) (director)
• Lagarista (2000) (director); starring Piolo Pascual
• Burlesk King (1999) (director)
• Lucia (1992) (director); written by Lino Brocka; starring Lolita Rodriguez and Gina Alajar
• Twilight Dancers (2006) (director)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Director, production designer Mel Chionglo, 73. Charm. Neil. September 24, 2019. Business World. en-US. 2019-10-14.
2. https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/09/21/second-headline/ph-entertainment-mourns-loss-of-mel-chionglo-isah-red/619646/ PH entertainment mourns loss of Mel Chionglo
3. https://iffr.com/en/persons/mel-chionglo IFFR
4. Web site: 'Burlesk King' director Mel Chionglo dies. September 21, 2019. GMA News Online. en-US. 2019-10-14.
5. Web site: Veteran director Mel Chionglo passes away at 73. Santiago. Erwin. September 21, 2019. PEP.ph. en. 2019-10-14.
6. Web site: Veteran director Mel Chionglo dies. September 21, 2019. Rappler. en. 2019-09-26.
7. Web site: Acclaimed director, screenwriter Mel Chionglo passes away. September 21, 2019. ABS-CBN News. 2019-09-26.
8. Web site: Mel Chionglo. 2015-09-04. IFFR. en. 2019-09-26.
9. Web site: Veteran filmmaker Mel Chionglo dies. September 21, 2019. CNN. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20191014011315/https://cnnphilippines.com/entertainment/2019/9/21/Mel-Chionglo-death.html. 2019-10-14. 2019-10-14. dead.
10. Banal . Chelo R. . February 3, 1980 . AT A COST OF P5M AND A CAST OF THOUSANDS, TWO YEARS IN THE MAKING AND THREE HOURS AND A HALF LONG, "AGUILA" SOARS THROUGH THE PRIVATE LIFE OF A FILIPINO AND THE HISTORY OF HIS COUNTRY . Philippine Panorama . . . October 26, 2019.