Screenwriter Ricky Lee receives 2018 Gawad Dangal ni Balagtas

Acclaimed screenwriter Ricardo "Ricky" Lee on April was honored with the 2018 Gawad Dangal ni Balagtas. 

Lee received the award during the commemoration of Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar's 230th birth anniversary in Oryon, Bataan. 

Lee is one of the most prolific screenwriters in the country, having written some 150 screenplays since 1973. His writing credits include "Himala", "Madrasta", and "Anak" among many others. 

He has worked with two National Artists for Film, Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal, and the Marilou Diaz-Abaya.

The Gawad Dangal ni Balagtas is the highest recognition that the Commission on the Filipino Language confers to writers. Previous awardees include Lamberto Antonio (2013), Teodoro "Teo" Antonio (2014), Rogelio Mangahas (2015), Jose "Pete" Lacaba (2016), Ruth Elynia Mabanglo (2017), at Lualhati Bautista (2017). — Aya Tantiangco, GMA News