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.
