Ricky Lee snubbed in 'Himala,' dedicates National Artist award to fellow suppressed writers
MANILA, Philippines — Screenwriter Ricardo "Ricky" Lee hopes after being conferred as a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts that more writers like him will get the recognition they deserve.
Before the Parangal ng mga Pambansang Alagad ng Sining ceremony yesterday, Lee spoke to Philstar.com about the uphill battle he faced as a Filipino writer.
The screenwriter used 1982's "Himala" that he penned as an example, which was directed by the late National Artist Ishmael Bernal and starred fellow newly-conferred National Artist Nora Aunor.
"I was the one who concepualized it, who chose the director and Nora Aunor, naglako sa kanya for five to six years, nagsali sa kanya sa contests para manalo siya. And nakita ko 'yung poster — ang ganda-ganda — wala pangalan ko," Lee said, expounding on the notion that "naiitsapuwera ang writer."
Citing the film “Himala” and how it came about, Ricky Lee believes that him being conferred as a National Artist opens the door further for writers such as him to be given their due recognition @PhilstarNews @PhilstarShowbiz pic.twitter.com/IhbukJ8bIC
— Kristofer Purnell (@kjpurneII) June 29, 2022
At that time, Lee did feel any sadness, rather just happy to see the poster came out well. It was during his writing workshops when he looked back and realized that writers are mostly invisible.
ABS-CBN produced a restored version of "Himala" in 2012, 30 years after it was released, and in doing so also made a new poster that included Lee's name along with Bernal's and Aunor's.
"[That's when] I felt na finally nabuo ang nagawa ko kasi... pangalan ko 'yun eh, pangalan namin," Lee said. "I think 'yun ang kahulugan [ng pagiging National Artist ko ngayon]."
'Para sa mga manunulat'
In his tribute speech during the Parangal program, Lee dedicated the honor to all writers alongside his family, workshoppers, and the institutions he is affiliated with.
"Ito ay para sa mga manunulat na hindi nakalagay ang pangalan sa credits, na hindi naimbita sa film festivals dito man o abroad, sa hindi nabayaran," Lee said, the latter portion eliciting laughter and applause from the crowd.
Screenwriter and newly-conferred National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricardo “Ricky” Lee dedicates the honor to all writers who persevere in telling their stories to the world. @PhilstarNews @PhilstarShowbiz pic.twitter.com/SPsR363pvd
— Kristofer Purnell (@kjpurneII) June 29, 2022
Lee also dedicated his conferral to writers who had to stop writing to find other ways of earning money, like mortgaging their laptops, just to carry on.
"Sa mga nagbenta ng kaluluwa para magka-break, sa mga laging narereject at hanggang ngayon ay nangangarap pa rin maging scriptwriter," Lee continued in his speech, honoring those who continue writing about truth at the risk of being censored, suppressed, and erased.
Joining Lee and Aunor in the 2022 batch of National Artists are writer Gemino Abad, choreographer Agnes Locsin, musician Fides Cuyugan-Asensio, and posthumously filmmaker Marilou Diaz-Abaya, playwright Tony Mabesa, and fashion designer Salvacion Lim-Higgins.
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