Acclaimed director Celso Ad. Castillo dies, 69

Critically acclaimed film director, scriptwriter and actor Celso Advento Castillo (Celso Ad. Castillo) passed away at his house in Laguna province before dawn Monday. He was 69.

 

Castillo died of cardiac arrest at 2 a.m. in his house in Siniloan in Laguna province, radio dzBB reported Monday morning.

 

His passing shocked many in the film industry, including now Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto, who starred in one of his most well-known works, "Burlesk Queen."

 

Castillo's widow Ophelia said her husband was a kind man and a good father.

 

"Napakabait na asawa. Mahilig siya magbiro, palaging nakangiti," she said in an interview on dzBB radio Monday.

 

She also said that while Castillo had asthma, it was not that serious.

 

Mrs. Castillo added her husband had planned to start shooting a film in January.

 

For now, she said her husband's remains are to lie at their home in Siniloan.

 

From scriptwriter to director

 

Castillo entered the world of Philippine cinema as a scriptwriter when he was 18. In 1965, he was offered to direct his first full-length feature. Since James Bond was the fad at the time, his movie was called “Misyong Mapanganib” (Dangerous Mission).

 

This would become the first of 64 films that Castillo directed from 1965 to 2011, including “Nympha” (1971), “Burlesk Queen” (1977), and “Ang Alamat ni Julian Makabayan” (1979). 

 

Now one of Philippine cinema's greatest directors, Castillo believed his debut came too soon.

 

"I think it was too early, too soon," Castillo said on Showbiz Exclusives in a GMA News TV report last April. "Hindi pa ako ready. The first six movies I did were half-baked," he said. On his eighth movie, he quit law school, and came out with his first critically acclaimed film, "Nympha." "Nympha" was followed by other erotic films like "The Virgin," "Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa," and "Virgin People." 

 

But Castillo also directed drama, comedy, fantasy, action movies such as “Asedillo” (1971) and horror movies, including "Patayin Mo sa Sindak si Barbara” (1974).

 

"I was like a painter who wanted to create images through all media available like watercolor, oil, pastel, acrylic or charcoal. The tools were not important. What was important was the ability to create images with creativity," he said in an interview reprinted from the 25th Luna Awards souvenir program and posted on the Film Academy of the Philippines website. 

 

Castillo's interest in cinema began in the early 50s, when Castillo's father, a movie buff, would bring him to second-run movie theaters. He grew up on MGM musicals like “Singing in the Rain” and “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” as well as action movies of John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, and Burt Lancaster.

 

While his classmates were enjoying watching “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” by Walt Disney, he was into more serious films of Marlon Brando with Elia Kazan as director, the interview said.

 

Despite not being able to understand English then, Castillo said he was "mesmerized by the lights and shadows, the framing and composition, the rhythm and editing of Kazan movies: ‘On the Waterfront,’ ‘Viva Zapata,’ ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ and ‘East of Eden’ later on with James Dean."

 

"Everything has shown beauty, only not everyone sees it. But I see it. That's a gift. I'm pretty secure, my place in Philippine cinema," he said on Showbiz Exclusives.

 

For Castillo, a good movie director must be able to direct any type of movie. "The movie director should have seen his movie even before he starts shooting it. Sapagkat kung hindi niya pa nakikita ‘yung pelikula, wala siyang business magpunta sa set," he said.

 

'Spoiled brat'

 

"Messiah, yes, fitting. But more than anything he was the spoiled brat of Philippine cinema," said Gloria Diaz, who starred in "Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa." 

 

"He is my most favorite director in the world," Diaz said.

 

After the movie came out, the next two years saw many other Filipino movies with the "wet look" in Castillo's movie. Similarly, after his “Burlesk Queen,” Filipino movies also followed suit. For this reason, he was tagged as "savior."

 

"He is one of the greatest. Highly misunderstood though because of his moods... but they are great directors. They are artists par excellence," said actress Celia Rodriguez.

 

"I expect everyone to be professional when they arrive on the set. Directing for me is a ritual. It is sacred," said Castillo, who had sent home several actors, including Alma Moreno.

 

Castillo said it was entertainment writer Ricky Lo who baptized him as the "enfant terrible" of Philippine Cinema.

 

"Enfant terrible naman, dahil si Celso, artist talaga in the real sense of the word, dahil ‘pag nagshoo-shoot, kung minsan he gets so carried away," Lo said. "Innovator siya eh, marami siyang mga ideas na ahead of his time," Lo also said.

 

Castillo was recognized as Best Director for several of his films, such as “Ang Alamat ni Julian Makabayan,” “Pag-puti ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak,” “Burlesk Queen,” “Paradise Inn,” and “Itlog”). 

 

He received the FAP lifetime achievement award and the FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.

 

Castillo also taught at the Asia Pacific Film Institute, and wrote "Celso Ad Castillo: An Autobiography and his Craft." –Carmela G. Lapeña/KG, GMA News