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

Eddie Romero
Born
Edgar Sinco Romero

(1924-07-07)July 7, 1924
DiedMay 28, 2013(2013-05-28) (aged 88)
Manila, Philippines
Alma materSilliman University
Occupations
Years active1947–2013
Awards Order of National Artists of the Philippines

Early life

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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

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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?,[10] 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[11] situated a family's story against the backdrop of Filipino history, while Kamakalawa[12] explored the folklore of prehistoric Philippines. Banta ng Kahapon,[13] 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[14] 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.[15] 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).[16] Along with Filipino-language (Tagalog language) films, he made English-language films that became cult classics, like Black Mama, White Mama,[17] Beast of the Yellow Night, The Woman Hunt, Beyond Atlantis and The Twilight People[18] 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."[19] Quentin Tarantino drew on Twilight People as an inspiration for his "grindhouse" homages.[20]

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).[21] Romero later called his American-financed "cult" films – including the "Blood Island" series – "the worst things I ever did".[22] 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.[23]

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.[24]

Personal life

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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.[25][26] Romero was also, for a time, the partner of actress Mila del Sol.[27]

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

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Romero died on May 28, 2013.[28][29] He had been suffering from prostate cancer when he developed a blood clot in his brain.[30][31]

Filmography

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  • Ang Maestra (1941) (writer)
  • Anong Ganda Mo (1941) (writer)
  • So long America (1946) (writer)
  • Isumpa mo giliw (1947) (writer)
  • Mameng, iniibig kita (1947) (writer, assistant director)
  • Si, si, señorito (1947) (writer)
  • La Paloma (1947) (writer)
  • Ang Kamay ng Diyos (1947) (director, writer)
  • Kaaway ng bayan (1947) (writer)
  • Hele hele bago quiere (1947) (writer)
  • Hindi kita malimot (1948) (director)
  • Selosa (1948) (director, writer)
  • Apoy sa langit (1949) (director)
  • Abogada (1949) (director)
  • Always kay ganda mo (1949) (director)
  • Sa piling mo (1949) (director)
  • Sipag ay yaman (1949) (writer)
  • Milagro ng birhen ng mga rosas (1949) (writer)
  • Camelia (1949) (writer)
  • Batalyon trece (1949) (writer)
  • Kasintahan sa pangarap (1951) (director)
  • Sabas, ang barbaro/ Sabas the Barbarian (1952) (director) based on a comic book character
  • Buhay alamang (1952) (director, writer)
  • Ang asawa kong Amerikana (1953) (director)
  • Ang ating pag-ibig (1953) (director)
  • El Indio (1953) (director)
  • Maldita (1953) (director)
  • May bakas ang lumipas (1954) (director)
  • Cavalry Command (aka The Day of the Trumpet) (1958) (director, writer)
  • The Kidnappers (1958) (director)
  • The Scavengers (1959) (co-producer, writer)
  • Terror Is a Man (1959) (co-producer)
  • Espionage: Far East (1961) (director)
  • Lost Battalion (1960) (producer, director, writer)
  • Pitong gabi sa Paris/ Seven Nights in Paris (1960) (director)
  • The Raiders of Leyte Gulf (1963) (producer, director)
  • The Walls of Hell (1964) a.k.a. Intramuros (producer, director)
  • Moro Witch Doctor (1964) aka Amuck (producer, director, writer)
  • Flight to Fury (1964) (producer, director of alternate Tagalog version only, titled Cordillera)[32]
  • The Ravagers (1965) a.k.a. Hanggang may kalaban (producer, director, writer)
  • The Passionate Strangers (1968)[33](director, writer)
  • Manila, Open City (1968) (producer, director, writer)
  • Brides of Blood (1968) (producer, director)
  • The Mad Doctor of Blood Island (1969) (producer, director)
  • Beast of Blood (1970) a.k.a. Beast of the Dead (US: TV title), a.k.a. Blood Devils (UK)(producer, director, writer)
  • Beast of the Yellow Night (1971) (producer, director, writer)
  • Black Mama, White Mama (1972) (producer, director)
  • The Twilight People (1972) a.k.a. Beasts, a.k.a. Island of the Twilight People (producer, director, writer)
  • The Woman Hunt (1973) (producer, director)
  • Beyond Atlantis (1973) (producer, director)
  • Savage Sisters (1974) (producer, director)
  • Ganito kami noon, paano kayo ngayon (1976) (director, screenplay)
  • Sudden Death (1977) (director)
  • Sinong kapiling? Sinong kasiping? (1977) (director, writer)
  • Banta ng kahapon (1977) (director, writer)
  • Durugin si Totoy Bato (1979) (screenplay)
  • Aguila (1980) (director, screenplay, producer)
  • Palaban (1980) (director)
  • Kamakalawa (1981) (director, writer)
  • Desire (1982) (director)
  • Ang Padrino (1984) (screenplay)
  • Hari sa hari, lahi sa lahi (1987) a.k.a. King and Emperor (International: English title) (director, writer)
  • A Case of Honor (1988) (director)
  • Whiteforce (1988) (director)
  • Noli Me Tangere (1993) (director)
  • Faces of Love (2006) (director)
  • Teach Me to Love (2008) (director)

Awards and nominations

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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.[34] 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.[35]

Year Award-giving body Category Work Result
1951 Maria Clara Awards Best Director Ang Prinsesa at ang Pulubi[36] Won
1952 Maria Clara Awards Best Screenplay Diego Silang[37] Won
1953 FAMAS Awards Best Screenplay (with Cesar Amigo) Buhay Alamang[38] Won
1964 FAMAS Awards Dr. Ciriaco Santiago Memorial Award Cavalry Command[39] Won
1967 FAMAS Awards Best Director The Passionate Strangers[40] Won
Best Screenplay Won
1968 Manila Film Festival Best Director Manila, Open City[41] Won
1971 FAMAS Awards Dr. Ciriaco Santiago Memorial Award[42] Won
1976 Metro Manila Film Festival[43] Best Film Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon[10] Won
Best Director Won
Best Screenplay (with Roy Iglesias) Won
1977 FAMAS Awards Best Picture Nominated
Best Director Nominated
Gawad Urian Awards[44] Best Film (Pinakamahusay na Pelikula) Won
Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon) Won
Best Screenplay (Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula) (with Roy Iglesias) Won
1978 Gawad Urian Awards[45] Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon) Banta ng Kahapon[46] Nominated
Best Film (Pinakamahusay na Pelikula) Nominated
Best Screenplay (Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula) Sinong kapiling? Sinong kasiping?[47] Nominated
1980 FAMAS Awards Best Screenplay (with Fred Navarro) Durugin si Totoy Bato[48] Won
1981 FAMAS Awards Best Picture (with Bancom Audiovision)[49][50] Aguila[11] Won
Best Director Won
Best Screenplay Won
Gawad Urian Awards[51] Best Film of the Decade (Natatanging Pelikula ng Dekada) Won
Best Film (Pinakamahusay na Pelikula) Nominated
Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon) Nominated
Best Screenplay (Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula) Nominated
1985 FAMAS Awards Best Screenplay (with Ronwaldo Reyes and Fred Navarro) Ang Padrino[52] Won
1986 FAMAS Awards FAMAS Awards Hall of Fame for screenplay[53] Won
1987 FAMAS Awards Dr. Ciriaco Santiago Memorial Award Won
1993 FAMAS Awards FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award[54] Won
1995 Gawad Urian Awards Gawad Urian Lifetime Achievement Award (Natatanging Gawad Urian)[55] Won
1996 FAMAS Awards Best Screenplay Kahit Butas ng Karayom Papasukin Ko[56] Won
2000 FAMAS Awards FAMAS Presidential Award[57] Won
FAP Awards FAP Lifetime Achievement Award[58] Won
2008 FAMAS Awards Best Story Faces of Love[59] Nominated
Luna Awards Best Picture Nominated
Best Direction Nominated
Best Screenplay (with Rica Arevalo) Nominated


See also

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References

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  1. ^ "600th anniversary of Sulu Sultan's state visit to Beijing noted". Manila Standard. June 27, 2017. Archived from the original on May 8, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  2. ^ Agustin Sotto."EDDIE ROMERO: A filmmaker of" Archived August 8, 2018, at the Wayback Machine. Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP). Retrieved September 10, 2011.
  3. ^ Merlie M. Alunan; Bobby Flores Villasis; Negros Oriental Centennial Foundation (1993). Kabilin: legacies of a hundred years of Negros Oriental. Negros Oriental Centennial Foundation. ISBN 9789719135401. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
  4. ^ 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)". www.academia.edu. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  5. ^ Glendinnig, N; Harrison, N, eds. (1979). Escritos autobiográficos y epistolario de José de Cadalso. London: Thamesis Book Limited.
  6. ^ Romero, José E. (1979). Not So Long Ago: A Chronicle of My Life, Times and Contemporaries. Manila: Alemar-Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.
  7. ^ Echauz, Robustiano (1894). Apuntes de la Isla de Negros (in Spanish). Tipo-lit. de Chofre y comp.
  8. ^ "Subject - Tabuérniga de Velazar, marqueses de". PARES. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  9. ^ Silliman, Robert B. (1980). Pocket of Resistance: Guerrilla Warfare in Negros Island, the Philippines. Manila, Philippines: Philippine Editions. p. 21. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Romero, Eddie (December 25, 1976), Ganito kami noon... Paano kayo ngayon?, Christopher De Leon, Gloria Diaz, Eddie Garcia, retrieved May 2, 2018
  11. ^ a b Romero, Eddie (February 14, 1980), Aguila, Fernando Poe Jr, Amalia Fuentes, Christopher De Leon, retrieved May 2, 2018
  12. ^ Romero, Eddie (January 15, 1981), Kamakalawa, Christopher De Leon, Chat Silayan, Tetchie Agbayani, retrieved May 2, 2018
  13. ^ Romero, Eddie (December 24, 1977), Banta ng kahapon, Vic Vargas, Bembol Roco, Roland Dantes, retrieved May 2, 2018
  14. ^ Romero, Eddie (1992), Noli me tangere, Chin Chin Gutierrez, Gigette Reyes, Joel Torre, retrieved May 2, 2018
  15. ^ Leavold, Andrew. "Strong Coffee with a National Treasure: An Interview with Eddie Romero". Cashiers du Cinemart. Archived from the original on July 31, 2016.
  16. ^ Ray, Fred Olen (1991). "The New Poverty Row". McFarland and Co. Inc. ISBN 0-89950-628-3. Page 81
  17. ^ Romero, Eddie (January 19, 1973), Black Mama White Mama, Pam Grier, Margaret Markov, Sid Haig, retrieved May 2, 2018
  18. ^ Romero, Eddie (June 1972), The Twilight People, John Ashley, Pat Woodell, Jan Merlin, retrieved May 2, 2018
  19. ^ "National Artist - Eddie S. Romero". National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  20. ^ Dumaual, Mario. "Master of genres: Eddie Romero's legacy". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  21. ^ Ray, Fred Olen (1991). "The New Poverty Row". McFarland and Co. Inc. ISBN 0-89950-628-3. Page 83
  22. ^ "Eddie Romero: Our Man in Manila".Lee Server. Film Comment. March–April 1999
  23. ^ White, Mike. "Cashiers du Cinemart - Issue 18 - Strong Coffee with a National Treasure : An Interview with Eddie Romero". Cashiers du Cinemart Magazine.
  24. ^ "CCP 'Cine Icons' honors 100th birth anniversary of National Artist Eddie Romero with 'Aguila'". The Manila Times. April 1, 2024. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
  25. ^ Mendoza-Cortes, Rosario (1990). Pangasinan, 1901-1986: A Political, Socioeconomic and Cultural History. Quezon City: New Day Publishers. p. 71.
  26. ^ "G.R. No. L-32776". www.lawphil.net. Archived from the original on July 30, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
  27. ^ "TRIBUTE: Mila del Sol shone bright during golden age of Philippine cinema". ABS-CBN News.
  28. ^ "National Artist Eddie Romero dies". Rappler. May 28, 2013. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  29. ^ "Filmmaker, National Artist Eddie Romero dies". ph.news.yahoo.com.
  30. ^ "Filmmaker, National Artist Eddie Romero dies".
  31. ^ "National Artist and famed director Eddie Romero dies". The Manila Times. May 29, 2013. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  32. ^ Stevens, Brad (2003). Monte Hellman: His Life and Films. McFarland. p. 44-52.
  33. ^ "The Passionate Strangers (1968) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies.
  34. ^ "Poe honors Nat'l Artist Eddie Romero on birth centenary". Philippine News Agency. July 7, 2024. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  35. ^ Guerrero, Amadís Maria (July 15, 2024). "Dumaguete honors native son Eddie Romero, national artist". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  36. ^ Romero, Eddie (June 20, 1950), Ang prinsesa at ang Pulubi, Fred Montilla, Tessie Agana, Myrna Delgado, retrieved May 2, 2018
  37. ^ Leon, Gerardo de (August 19, 1951), Diego Silang, Jose Padilla Jr, Leila Morena, Nena Cardenas, retrieved May 2, 2018
  38. ^ Romero, Eddie (September 2, 1952), Buhay alamang, Fred Montilla, Anita Linda, Mona Lisa, retrieved May 2, 2018
  39. ^ Leon, Gerardo de; Romero, Eddie (November 1963), The Day of the Trumpet, John Agar, Pancho Magalona, Alicia Vergel, retrieved May 3, 2018
  40. ^ Romero, Eddie (April 20, 1966), The Passionate Strangers, Michael Parsons, Valora Noland, Mario Montenegro, retrieved May 2, 2018
  41. ^ Romero, Eddie (June 12, 1968), Manila, Open City, Charito Solis, James Shigeta, Alex Nicol, retrieved May 2, 2018
  42. ^ "FAMAS Awards (1971)". IMDb. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  43. ^ "Metro Manila Film Festival (1976)". IMDb. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  44. ^ "Gawad Urian Awards (1977)". IMDb. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  45. ^ "Gawad Urian Awards (1978)". IMDb. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  46. ^ Banta ng kahapon, retrieved May 11, 2020
  47. ^ Sinong kapiling? Sinong kasiping?, retrieved May 11, 2020
  48. ^ Herrera, Armando A. (November 9, 1979), Durugin si Totoy Bato, Fernando Poe Jr, Charo Santos-Concio, Julie Vega, retrieved May 2, 2018
  49. ^ "Bancom Audiovision - IMDbPro". pro.imdb.com. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  50. ^ "Bancom Audiovision". BFI. Archived from the original on May 2, 2018. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  51. ^ "Gawad Urian Awards (1981)". IMDb.com. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  52. ^ Poe, Fernando Jr. (December 6, 1984), Ang Padrino, Fernando Poe Jr, Coney Reyes, Rey Langit, retrieved May 2, 2018
  53. ^ "FAMAS Awards (1986)". IMDb. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  54. ^ "FAMAS Awards (1993)". IMDb. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  55. ^ "Gawad Urian Awards (1995)". IMDb. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  56. ^ Milan, Willy; Poe, Fernando Jr., Kahit butas ng karayom, Fernando Poe Jr, Bing Loyzaga, Roy Alvarez, retrieved May 2, 2018
  57. ^ "FAMAS Awards (2000)". IMDb. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  58. ^ "FAP Awards, Philippines (2000)". IMDb. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  59. ^ Faces of Love, retrieved May 11, 2020
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