Celso Ad. Castillo facts for kids
Celso Adolfo Castillo (born September 12, 1943 – died November 26, 2012) was a famous Filipino film director and screenwriter. He was known for creating many different kinds of movies.
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Celso Ad. Castillo's Early Life and School
Celso Castillo was born in Siniloan, Laguna, Philippines, on September 12, 1943. His father, Dominador Ad Castillo, was a lawyer and writer. His mother was Marta Adolfo.
Celso grew up to become a movie director, scriptwriter, and even an actor. He went to Manuel L. Quezon University and earned a degree in English literature in 1964.
Making Movies: Celso Ad. Castillo's Career
Celso Castillo began his career as a writer for a comic magazine. With help from his father, he started his own magazine. He wrote all the stories in it himself, using different names for the authors.
A movie producer later asked him to write a script for a character called "James Bandong." This character was inspired by the famous British spy, James Bond. The movie was a success! It was followed by a sequel in 1965 called Dr. Yes, which was a funny take on the British film Dr. No. In 1966, Celso wrote and directed his very first movie, Misyong Mapanganib (Dangerous Mission).
Famous Films and Stories
One of his most remembered early films is Asedillo from 1971. This movie was about a Filipino rebel from the 1920s. The American government at the time hunted him down. In this film, actor Fernando Poe, Jr. became known as a legendary hero who defended the poor. Castillo also made Ang Alamat (The Legend) in 1972, where Poe played a hero fighting an army to protect his town.
Celso Castillo liked to create original stories for his films. For example, Daluyong at Habagat (Tall Waves, Wild Wind) in 1976 explored political stories.
Other well-known films by Castillo include Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig ni Pedro Penduko (The Wonderful World of Pedro Penduko) from 1973, Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa (The Most Beautiful Animal on the Face of the Earth) from 1975, and Payaso (Clown) from 1986.
Master of Horror and Suspense
Celso Castillo also became known as the "Master of Horror and Suspense." He directed several scary movies. One famous horror film was Patayin Mo Sa Sindak Si Barbara (Kill Barbara In Terror) from 1974. It was about a ghost of a sister who comes back to bother her own sister. Another horror film was Maligno (Satan's Seed) from 1977, about a family targeted by a cult.
In later years, he directed Lihim ni Madonna (Madonna's Secret) in 1997, which was about a ghost from the past. He also made Sanib (Possessed) in 2003, where a young bride becomes possessed by a ghost.
Awards and Recognition
Celso Castillo won several awards for his work. He won the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) awards for best director and best story for his film Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak (When the Crow Turns White, When the Heron Turns Black) in 1978. He also won the Urian awards for best director and best screenplay for the same movie.
In 1985, he won the FAMAS best director award again for Paradise Inn. He even won a FAMAS best supporting actor award in 1984 for Sampung Ahas ni Eba (Ten Snakes of Eve).
His last directing job was for Medical Center in 2011. His last acting role on TV was in Reputasyon, also in 2011.
Celso Ad. Castillo's Personal Life
His Family Life
Celso Castillo was married three times. His last wife was Ofelia Lopez-Castillo. He had many children, including Christopher, Catherine, John, Amerjapil, Crystal, Amir, Kid, Patrick, Monique, and Roxanne.
His Passing
Celso Ad. Castillo passed away early in the morning of November 26, 2012. He died from a heart attack at his home in Siniloan, Laguna. He was working on his autobiography, a book about his own life, at the time. He was buried next to his son Christopher in the Siniloan Public Cemetery.
Awards
Year | Award Given Body | Category | Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1985 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Story | Paradise Inn | Won |