Gerardo de León facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gerardo de León
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Gerardo de León on a 2013 stamp of the Philippines
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| Born | September 12, 1913 Manila, Philippine Islands
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| Died | July 25, 1981 (aged 67) Manila, Philippines
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| Occupation | Actor, film director |
| Years active | 1934–1976 |
| Awards |  Order of National Artists of the Philippines |
Gerardo de León, also known as ONA (Order of National Artists), was a famous Filipino film director and actor. He was born on September 12, 1913, and passed away on July 25, 1981.
Contents
Discovering the Life of Gerardo de León
Early Life and Start in Film
Gerardo de León was born Gerardo Ilagan. He came from the well-known Ilagan family, many of whom were involved in Philippine movies. Even though he studied to be a medical doctor, his true passion was filmmaking.
He started his career as an actor. His first movie was Ang Dangal in 1934. After acting in eight more films, he decided to become a director. His first movie as a director was Bahay-Kubo in 1939. He later married the actress from that film, Fely Vallejo.
His Role During World War Two
During World War Two, Gerardo de León worked on some films with the Japanese forces. However, he was also secretly helping the Filipino resistance movement. After the war, he was almost in serious trouble. But it was proven that he had bravely helped his country's resistance, and he was pardoned.
A Director of Many Awards
Gerardo de León was often called "Manong" by his friends and colleagues. He holds the record for winning the most FAMAS Awards for Best Director. The FAMAS Awards are like the Oscars in the Philippines.
Between 1952 and 1971, he won seven FAMAS Awards. Three of these awards were won in a row! His 1961 film, The Moises Padilla Story, was even chosen to represent the Philippines at the Academy Awards.
Award-Winning Films
All the films that won him Best Director also won Best Picture at the FAMAS Awards. These included:
- Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo (1952)
- Hanggang sa Dulo ng Daigdig (1958)
- Huwag Mo Akong Limutin (1960)
- Noli Me Tangere (1961), based on a famous novel
- El Filibusterismo (1962)
- Daigdig ng Mga Api (1965)
- Lilet (1971)
He also worked on a film called Juan de la Cruz in 1972 with actor Fernando Poe Jr., but it was never finished.
Exploring Different Film Genres
Gerardo de León was also known for directing several horror films in the 1960s. Some of these were made with his friend, director Eddie Romero, and had American funding. These movies included:
- Terror Is a Man (1959)
- The Blood Drinkers (1964)
- Curse of the Vampires (1966)
- Brides of Blood (1968)
- Mad Doctor of Blood Island (1969)
Gerardo de León passed away on July 25, 1981, at the age of 67. He left behind a great legacy in Filipino cinema.
Films Directed by Gerardo de León
Here is a list of some of the movies Gerardo de León directed:
- Estrellita (1940)
- Ang Maestra (1941)
- Dawn of Freedom (1943)
- Mameng, iniibig kita (1947)
- 48 Oras (1950)
- Sisa (1951)
- Diego Silang (1951)
- Bagong Umaga (1952)
- Python at the Old Dome (Sawa sa lumang simboryo) (1952)
- Pedro Penduko (1954)
- Ifuago (1954)
- Sanda Wong (1955)
- Saigon (1956)
- Bakya mo Neneng (1957)
- Kamay ni Cain/ The Hands of Cain (1957)
- Hanggang sa dulo ng daigdig (1958)
- Terror Is a Man (1959)
- Huwag mo akong limutin/ Don't Let Me Forget (1960)
- Noli me tangere (Touch Me Not) (1960)
- The Moises Padilla Story (1961)
- Noli me tangere (1961)
- El Filibusterismo (1962)
- I Am Justice (Ako ang katarungan) (1962)
- The Walls of Hell (Intramuros) (1964)
- Ang Daigdig ng mga api/ World of the Oppressed (1965)
- The Blood Drinkers (1964)
- Curse of the Vampires (Dugo ng vampira) (1966)
- Brides of Blood (co-directed with Eddie Romero, 1968)
- The Mad Doctor of Blood Island (co-directed with Eddie Romero, 1969)
- Lilet (1971)
- Women in Cages (1971)
- Fe, Esperanza, Caridad (1975) (meaning: Faith, Hope and Charity)
- Banaue: Stairway to the Sky (1975)
- Juan dela Cruz (unfinished)
