Biographical Sketch of Ismael Bernal

Ishmael Bernal was a renowned Filipino actor, screenwriter, TV & stage director, and filmmaker.
In
2001, he was declared the National Artist of the Philippines. During his career in the Philippine
entertainment industry, he bagged numerous awards and had so much impact. He was recognized
as a director for films that depicted the true reflections of the Filipino citizens.
Profile summary
Full names: Ishmael Bernal
Year of birth: September 30, 1938
Year of death: 1996
Age at the time of death: 58 years
Gender: Male
Career: Actor, screenwriter, TV & stage director, and filmmaker
Who is Ishmael Bernal?

He is a man whose personality was admirable to those around him. He was popular for actively
participating in the struggle for artists' rights & welfare. He was also a board member of the
Directors Guild of the Philippines Incorporation (DGPI.)
Ishmael Bernal biography

The actor was born on September 30, 1938, in the heart of Manila. There is not much information
about Ishmael Bernal family, but his parents were Pacifino Ledesma and Elena Bernal. Ishmael
Bernal and Joyce Bernal share much in common but are not related. She is also a TV and film
director.
Ishmael Bernal education

He enrolled for his early education at Burgos Elementary School. He then joined Mapa High School
and later the University of the Philippines for his Bachelor of Arts degree in English. He graduated in
1959 and kick-started his career at Lamberto Avellana's documentary outfit. The screenwriter moved
to France and joined the University of Aix-en-Provence, where he earned his Licentiate in French
Literature & Philosophy. In 1970, he earned his Diploma in Film Directing at the reputable Film
Institute of India through the Colombo plan scholarship.
Career
He had a soft spot for arts as he actively participated in the UP Dramatic Club, where he developed
and nurtured his passion for literature. For people that knew the actor well, he loved classical music,
especially opera. Ishmael Bernal awards are notable as he instilled so much change in the film-
making industry.
Ishmael Bernal films

His skills and talent in film-making saw him direct many films including;
 Pagdating sa Dulo (On Reaching the End) in 1971
 Daluyong! (Wave) in 1971 Pito ang Asawa Ko (I Have Seven Wives) in 1971
 El Vibora (The Viper) in 1972 Inspiration in 1972
 Till Death Do Us Part in 1972
 Si Popeye Atbp. (Popeye and Others) in 1972
 The Sleeping Dragon in 1973 Scotch on the Rocks to Remember in 1974
 Black Coffee to Forget (Unreleased) in 1974
 Huwag Pamarisan! Mister Mo... Lover Boy Ko! (Don't Imitate: Your Husband, My Lover) in
1974
 Lumapit... Lumayo ang Umaga (Morning Came, Went) in 1975
 Babaeng Hiwalay sa Asawa (Anna Karenina) (Woman Who's Separated From Her Husband) in
1975
 Nunal sa Tubig (Speck on the Water) in 1976
 Bonifacio (segment of Lahing Pilipino) in 1976
 Walang Katapusang Tag-araw (Endless Summer) in 1976
 Ligaw na Bulaklak (Wildflower) in 1977 Tisoy (Mestizo) in 1977
 Dalawang Pugad... Isang Ibon (Two Nests, One Bird) in 1977
 Lagi na Lamang Ba Akong Babae? (Will I Always Be Just a Woman?) in 1978
 Isang Gabi sa Iyo... Isang Gabi sa Akin (A Night With You, A Night With Me) in 1978
 Ikaw Ay Akin (You're Mine) in 1978
 Menor de Edad (Underage) in 1979
 Boy Kodyak in 1979
 Bakit May Pag-ibig Pa? (Why Is Love Still There?) in 1979
 Aliw (Entertainment) in 1979
 Salawahan (Two-Timer) in 1979
 Good Morning Sunshine in 1980
 Sugat sa Ugat (Wound in the Veins) in 1980
 City After Dark (originally entitled Manila by Night) in 1980
 Girlfriend in 1980
 Pabling (Playboy) in 1981
 Ito Ba ang Ating mga Anak? (Are These Our Kids?) in 1982
 Galawgaw (Busybody) in 1982 Relasyon (Affair) in 1982
 Hindi Kita Malimot (I Can't Forget You) in 1982
 Himala by Ishmael Bernal in 1982
 Broken marriage by Ishmael Bernal in 1983
 Working Girls in 1984
 Pridyider (segment of Shake, Rattle, and Roll) in 1984
 Gamitin Mo Ako (Use Me) in 1985
 Hinugot sa Langit (Taken from Heaven) in 1985 The Graduates in 1986
 Working Girls 2 in 1987
 Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa (You Were Just Picked Off the Ground) in 1987
 Nagbabagang Luha (Burning Tears) in 1988
 Pahiram ng Isang Umaga (Lend Me a Morning) in 1989
 Mahal Kita, Walang Iba (I Love You, No One Else) in 1992
 Wating (Streetsmart) in 1994
Ishmael Bernal works

The famous director's works cannot be forgotten. He was passionate about solving issues that
affected women. This was evident in the numerous stories that he did about women. He considered
himself to be a feminist doctor. Ishmael Bernal contribution to the entertainment industry was
remarkable and simply unmatched. Ishmael Bernal NCCA awards were based on his talent in film-
making and directing based on art and culture. According to NCCA, he was a filmmaker with a unique
talent and of the first order. He was referred to as the genius of the Philippine cinema.
Achievements of Ishmael Bernal

The famous filmmaker won several accolades to his name for his significant contribution. Here are
some of Ishmael Bernal year awarded moments.
 Best director for Dalawa Pugad
 Best director for Isang Ibon (Two Nests, One Bird) in 1977
 Best director for Broken Marriage in 1983
 Best director for Hinugot sa Langit (Wrenched From Heaven) in 1985
 Best director for Pahiram Ng Isang Umaga (Lend Me One Morning) in 1989
 The best screenplay for City After Dark in 1980
 Best screenplay award for Pagdating sa Dulo His Himala (Miracle), 1982, garnered nine
significant awards in the Metro Manila Film Festival
 Most Outstanding Filmmaker of the Decade 1971-1980
 Best films in Pagdating sa Dulo, Nunal sa Tubig, Manila By Night, and Himala and Hinugot sa
Langit
 Director of the Decade by the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA)
 CMMA Best Director Award in 1983
 The Bronze Hugo Award in the Chicago International Film Festival in 1983 for the movie
Himala
 Awarded the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining for the film in 1990
 ASEAN Cultural Award in Communication Arts in Brunei Darrussalam in 1993
What was Ishmael Bernal cause of death?

Ishmael Bernal died due to a heart attack on June 2, 1996, in Quezon City in the heart of the
Philippines. Ishmael Bernal was a man whose talent and passion for art was remarkable. His talent in
acting, screenwriting, stage directing, and film-making was notable and applauded. His death was
shocking to many, and especially the entertainment industry that lost a gem.

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Ishmael Bernal was a renowned Filipino actor, screenwriter, TV & stage director, and filmmaker.

Who is Ishmael Bernal?

Ishmael Bernal biography

Ishmael Bernal education

Ishmael Bernal films

Ishmael Bernal works

Achievements of Ishmael Bernal

What was Ishmael Bernal cause of death?

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