PEQUE Gallaga, a renowned Filipino filmmaker, was recently awarded the Natatanging Gawad for Lifetime Achievement for Filmmaking from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino during the 32nd Gawad Urian last September 19 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera, founding member of the Manunuri, described Gallaga as "the epitome of the compleat Filipino cinema artist," stating it is fitting that Gallaga be honored by all those who love Filipino cinema "before the sun completely sets on the film industry."
Gallaga's illustrious career spans over four decades, marked by a mix of box-office hits and critically acclaimed films. He has won numerous Urian awards, including Best Director for "Oro Plata Mata" in 1982, Best Production Design for "Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?" in 1976, and for "Manila By Night: City After Dark" in 1980.
Gallaga's early career illustrates the truism that great filmmakers often work together, often in an unwitting sort of apprenticeship. He worked with Eddie Romero, Ishmael Bernal, and Mike de Leon on various projects, including "Manila By Night" and "Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos."
Gallaga's directorial efforts, such as "Oro Plata Mata" and "Scorpio Nights," showcase his directorial breadth of vision and art director's capaciousness. He has also demonstrated his versatility by recasting genres, including horror and fantasy, in successful films like the "Shake, Rattle and Roll" series.
Gallaga continues to make movies and mentor future filmmakers and media artists, including Jay Abella, Manny Montelibano, Vicente Groyon, and Richard Somes. He is a multi-variegated artist of intrepid vision and incredible stamina, and has become one of our few elder statesmen of the cinema arts.
Gallaga's influence can be seen in the emergent regional cinema, which has shown vibrancy and resilience, even catapulting Filipino movies to new global renown.
