National Artist for Cinema (2003)

(July 7, 1924 – May 28, 2013)

Eddie Romero, is a screenwriter, film director and producer, is the quintessential Filipino filmmaker
whose life is devoted to the art and commerce of cinema spanning three generations of filmmakers. His
film “Ganito Kami Noon…Paano Kayo Ngayon?,” set at the turn of the century during the revolution
against the Spaniards and, later, the American colonizers, follows a naïve peasant through his leap of
faith to become a member of an imagined community. “Aguila” situates a family’s story against the
backdrop of the country’s history. “Kamakalawa” explores the folkloric of prehistoric Philippines. “Banta
ng Kahapon,” his ‘small’ political film, is set against the turmoil of the late 1960s, tracing the connection
of the underworld to the corrupt halls of politics. His 13-part series of “Noli Me Tangere” brings the
national hero’s polemic novel to a new generation of viewers.

Edgar Sinco Romero (July 7, 1924 – May 28, 2013) was a Filipino film director, film producer and
screenwriter. Romero was born on July 7, 1924 to Jose E. Romero and his first wife, Pilar Guzman Sinco.

Career

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?[1], 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[2] situated a family’s story against the backdrop of Filipino history, while Kamakalawa[3] explored
the folklore of prehistoric Philippines. Banta ng Kahapon[4], 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[5] brought Philippine national hero José Rizal's novel to a new generation
of viewers.

Romero co-produced one of the earliest Filipino horror films, the 1959 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[6]. 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)[7]. Along with Filipino-language
(Tagalog language) films, he made English-language films that became cult classics, like Black Mama,
White Mama[8], Beast of the Yellow Night, The Woman Hunt, Beyond Atlantis and The Twilight People[9]
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."[10] Quentin
Tarantino drew on TwilightYear Group Category Work Result

1951 Maria Clara Awards Best Director Ang Prinsesa at ang Pulubi[21] Won

1952 Maria Clara Awards Best Screenplay Diego Silang[22] Won

1952 FAMAS Award Best Screenplay Buhay Alamang[23] Won

1957 Dr. Ciriaco Santiago Memorial Award Outstanding Contribution to Film Day of the
Trumpet[24] Won

1966 FAMAS Award Best Director The Passionate Strangers[25] Won

Best Screenplay Won

1968 Manila Film Festival Best Director Manila, Open City[26] Won

1976 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Director Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon[1]
Won

Best Screenplay (with Roy Iglesias) Won

1980 FAMAS Award Best Screenplay (with Fred Navarro) Durugin si Totoy Bato[27] Won

1981 FAMAS Award Best Picture (with Bancom Audiovision[28][29]) Aguila[2] Won

Best Director Won

Best Screenplay Won

1985 FAMAS Award Best Screenplay (with Ronwaldo Reyes and Fred Navarro) Ang
Padrino[30] Won

1996 FAMAS Award Best Screenplay Kahit Butas ng Karayom Papasukin Ko[31] Won

In 2003, Romero was awarded the National Artist Award by the Philippine government for his
contribution to Philippine cinema and broadcast arts. In 2004, he was also awarded the Cinemanila
Lifetime Achievement Award.