Eddie Romero facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eddie Romero
Born	Edgar Sinco Romero (1924-07-07)July 7, 1924 Dumaguete, Philippine Islands
Died	May 28, 2013(2013-05-28) (aged 88) Manila, Philippines
Alma mater	Silliman University
Occupation	Film director producer screenwriter
Years active	1947–2013
Awards	Order of National Artists of the Philippines

Edgar Sinco Romero (July 7, 1924 – May 28, 2013), known as Eddie Romero, was a famous Filipino film director, producer, and writer. He was honored as a National Artist of the Philippines for his amazing work in movies. He made many films that explored the history and politics of the Philippines.

Early Life and Family

Eddie Romero was born on July 7, 1924. His father, José E. Romero, was the first Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom. His mother, Pilar Guzman Sinco, was a teacher. She was also the sister of Vicente G. Sinco, who was the president of the University of the Philippines. Vicente G. Sinco even signed the United Nations Charter for the Philippines in 1945. Eddie's brother, Jose V. Romero Jr., also became a Philippine Ambassador to Italy. Eddie Romero studied at Silliman University. His paternal grandparents, Francisco Romero Sr. and Josefa Calumpang Muñoz, were also important figures in their hometown of Tanjay, Negros Oriental. His grandfather served as mayor and was part of the Provincial Board.

A Career in Filmmaking

Eddie Romero was named a National Artist of the Philippines in 2003. This is a very high honor for artists in the Philippines. His films often looked at the history and politics of his country.

Exploring Philippine History in Film

One of his famous films is Ganito Kami Noon…Paano Kayo Ngayon? (1976). This movie is set around the year 1900. It shows the time when Filipinos fought against the Spanish and later the American colonizers. The story follows a simple farmer who joins the revolution.

Another important film, Aguila, tells a family's story against the background of Filipino history. Kamakalawa explored old stories and traditions from the Philippines before written history. His film Banta ng Kahapon was a political movie. It showed the problems of the late 1960s and how crime and politics were connected.

Romero also directed a 13-part TV series called Noli Me Tangere. This series brought the famous novel by Philippine national hero José Rizal to a new generation.

Action and Horror Films

Eddie Romero also worked on many action and horror films. He helped produce one of the first Filipino horror movies, Terror Is a Man (1959). He often worked with his friend, director Gerardo de León.

In the early 1960s, Romero directed several war films. These included Lost Battalion (1960), The Raiders of Leyte Gulf (1963), and The Walls of Hell (1964). He made films in both Filipino (Tagalog language) and English. His English-language films became popular with fans of cult movies. Some of these are Black Mama, White Mama, Beast of the Yellow Night, The Woman Hunt, Beyond Atlantis, and The Twilight People. He even worked with American actors like John Ashley and Pam Grier.

Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino has said that The Twilight People was an inspiration for some of his own movies.

The "Blood Island" Series

Romero is well-known among horror film fans for his three "Blood Island" movies from the late 1960s:

• Brides of Blood (1968)
• The Mad Doctor of Blood Island (1969)
• Beast of Blood (1970)

He directed these films and co-produced them with "Hemisphere Pictures." Later, Romero said that these American-financed "cult" films were "the worst things I ever did." After 1976, he focused on making smaller, more personal "art" films in Filipino.

Personal Life

Eddie Romero was married to Carolina Gonzalez (1922-2019). She came from a family that owned a very large piece of land called Hacienda Esperanza. He also had a relationship with actress Mila del Sol for some time. Romero had three children. One of his children, Jose "Joey" Gonzalez Romero IV, also became a film director.

Death

Eddie Romero passed away on May 28, 2013. He had been battling prostate cancer and developed a blood clot in his brain.

Filmography

Awards and Recognition

Eddie Romero received many awards for his work in film. In 2003, he was given the National Artist Award. This is the highest honor for Filipino artists. He also received the Gawad CCP para sa Sining in 1991. In 2004, he got the Cinemanila Lifetime Achievement Award.

See also

• Cinema of the Philippines
• Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Award
• List of Silliman University people
• List of University of the Philippines people
• National Artists of the Philippines