Mario Herrero O'Hara
(April 20, 1946
– June 26, 2012) was a
Filipino
Filipino may refer to:
* Something from or related to the Philippines
** Filipino language, standardized variety of 'Tagalog', the national language and one of the official languages of the Philippines.
** Filipinos, people who are citizens of th ...
film director,
film producer and
screenwriter known for his sense of
realism
Realism, Realistic, or Realists may refer to:
In the arts
*Realism (arts), the general attempt to depict subjects truthfully in different forms of the arts
Arts movements related to realism include:
*Classical Realism
*Literary realism, a move ...
often with dark but realistic social messages.
O'Hara profile
Early life
He was born in Zamboanga City
Zamboanga City, officially the City of Zamboanga (Chavacano and es, Ciudad de Zamboanga, Tausūg: ''Dāira sin Sambuangan'', fil, Lungsod ng Zamboanga, ceb, Dakbayan sa Zamboanga), is a city in the Zamboanga Peninsula region of the Philipp ...
on April 20, 1946. His mother, Basilisa Herrero, was a native of Ozamiz
Ozamiz, officially the City of Ozamiz ( ceb, Dakbayan sa Ozamiz; fil, Lungsod ng Ozamiz), is a 3rd class component city in the province of Misamis Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 140,334 people.
A ...
in Misamis Occidental
Misamis Occidental ( ceb, Kasadpang Misamis; Subanen: ''Sindepan Mis'samis''; fil, Kanlurang Misamis), officially the Province of Misamis Occidental, is a province located in the region of Northern Mindanao in the Philippines. Its capital is th ...
and had Spanish ancestry. His father, Jaime O'Hara was the son of Irish-American
, image = Irish ancestry in the USA 2018; Where Irish eyes are Smiling.png
, image_caption = Irish Americans, % of population by state
, caption = Notable Irish Americans
, population =
36,115,472 (10.9%) alone ...
Thomasite, and a former member of the University of the Philippines
The University of the Philippines (UP; fil, Pamantasan ng Pilipinas Unibersidad ng Pilipinas) is a state university system in the Philippines. It is the country's national university, as mandated by Republic Act No. 9500 (UP Charter of 20 ...
Dramatic club. Mario had eight brothers and three sisters. Because Jaime was the son of an American citizen, Mario's family was eligible to apply for US citizenship; however, Mario rejected any such offers.
From Zamboanga City, the O'Haras moved to a middle-class suburb in Pasay
Pasay, officially the City of Pasay ( fil, Lungsod ng Pasay; ), is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the National Capital Region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 440,656 people.
Due to its location j ...
; behind their house was a slum area, and Mario claimed that some of his works were inspired by real-life incidents that happened there. He took up Chemical Engineering at the Adamson University, simultaneously auditioning for a radio show sponsored by Procter and Gamble
The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) is an American multinational consumer goods corporation headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, founded in 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble. It specializes in a wide range of personal health/consumer hea ...
. At the age of 17, Mario stopped attending classes in 1963 to focus on his work in radio drama
Radio drama (or audio drama, audio play, radio play, radio theatre, or audio theatre) is a dramatized, purely acoustic performance. With no visual component, radio drama depends on dialogue, music and sound effects to help the listener imagine ...
with the Manila Broadcasting Company
Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) is a radio and television network in the Philippines. MBC is currently owned by the FJE Group of Companies of Fred J. Elizalde, which also operates hotels and Pasay-based amusement park Star City. Its AM fl ...
(MBC) and DZRH
DZRH (666 AM) is a radio station owned and operated by Manila Broadcasting Company, which serves as the flagship station. The station's studio is located at the MBC Building, Star City, Vicente Sotto St., CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pas ...
.
Career
1960s-1970s
From 1963 to 1970, besides working at radio stations, he also worked for channels 2 and 11. He directed the drama series ''Lovingly Yours, Helen
''Lovingly Yours, Helen'' is a Philippine television drama anthology broadcast by GMA Network and Banahaw Broadcasting Corporation. The show is the second longest running drama anthology in Philippine television history. Originally hosted by H ...
'', ''Flordeluna
''Maria Flordeluna'' is a Philippine primetime soap opera that aired on ABS-CBN and DZMM TeleRadyo in the Philippines and on The Filipino Channel worldwide. A radio version of the series aired weekdays on DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 in the Philippin ...
'' (featuring Janice de Belen) and ''Alitaptap sa Gabing Madilim''.
While at the MBC, he met Lino Brocka
Catalino Ortiz Brocka (April 3, 1939 – May 22, 1991) was a Filipino film director. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and significant filmmakers in the history of Philippine cinema. He co-founded the organization Concerned Ar ...
, who offered him a job as an announcer for his TV drama anthology ''Balintataw''. Since then, O'Hara and Brocka frequently collaborated. Brocka offered O'Hara a role in his 1971 film '' Tubog sa Ginto'' ("Goldplated) and also cast him in dramatic productions at the Philippine Educational Theater Alliance (PETA). O'Hara, in turn, wrote the screenplay for Brocka's ''Weighed but Found Wanting'' (''Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang
''Weighed But Found Wanting'' ( Filipino: ''Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang''; also known as ''Human Imperfections''
) is a 1974 Filipino drama film directed by Lino Brocka. The films stars Christopher De Leon (in his debut role), Hilda Koronel, Lolita ...
'', 1974), about life in a small provincial town; in the movie, he also played the role of Bertong Ketongin (Berto the Leper) vis-a-vis Lolita Rodriguez
Dolores Marquez Clark, better known by her screen name Lolita Rodriguez (January 29, 1935 – November 28, 2016), was a multi-awarded actress in the Philippines. She was paired with Eddie Arenas in ''Gilda'' (1956), in which she won her first F ...
, who played Berto's love interest Koala.
He wrote a teleplay which became the basis for Brocka's ''Insiang
''Insiang'' () is a 1976 Philippine drama film directed by Lino Brocka. Its screenplay, written by Mario O'Hara and Lamberto E. Antonio, is based on O'Hara's teleplay of the same name. Set in the slums of Tondo, Manila, the film stars Hilda Korone ...
'' (1976), which is about a woman who was raped by her stepfather. O'Hara claimed that the script was inspired by a real story which happened in the slum behind their backyard. The film later went on to be screened at the Director's Fortnight
The Directors' Fortnight (french: Quinzaine des Réalisateurs) is an independent selection of the Cannes Film Festival. It was started in 1969 by the French Directors Guild after the events of May 1968 resulted in cancellation of the Cannes festi ...
, the first time that a Filipino film was accorded such honor at the Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes Festival (; french: link=no, Festival de Cannes), until 2003 called the International Film Festival (') and known in English as the Cannes Film Festival, is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films o ...
.
On the same year, he directed ''Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos
''Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos'' () is a 1976 Filipino period film written and directed by Mario O'Hara that set in the province of Laguna during the Second World War. The film stars Nora Aunor as the barrio lass Rosario, Christopher De Leon as t ...
'' (Three Godless Years), considered as O'Hara's masterpiece, which starred Nora Aunor; the movie was the first of many other collaborations O'Hara and Aunor had. The movie earned O'Hara his first nomination (for Best Director) at the FAMAS Awards
The Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards (also known as the FAMAS Awards) are the annual honors given by the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS), an organization composed of award-winning writers and movie columni ...
.
From 1976 to 1980, he directed Alma Moreno's weekly TV drama anthology ''Alindog'', and Rosa Rosal's Weekly TV drama anthology ''Ulila'' for BBC Channel 2.
In 1978, he wrote the screenplay for Lino Brocka's ''Rubia Servos''. This led to the first award in his film career (Best Screenplay at the Metro Manila Film Festival
The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is an annual film festival held in Metro Manila, Philippines. The festival, which runs from December 25 (Christmas) through New Year's Day and into first weekend of January in the following year, focuses on ...
).
1980s
During the 1980s, O'Hara collaborated anew with Nora Aunor: ''Kastilyong Buhangin'' ("Castle of Sand", 1981), featuring Lito Lapid
Manuel "Lito" Mercado Lapid (; born October 25, 1955) is a Filipino actor and politician serving as a Senator since 2019, and previously from 2004 to 2016. He started his political career in Pampanga, serving as vice governor from 1992 to 1995 ...
; ''Bakit Bughaw ang Langit?'' ("Why is the sky blue?", 1981), which gave O'Hara a FAMAS nomination for Best Director; and Condemned (1984). For ''Bulaklak sa City Jail
''Bulaklak sa City Jail'' is a 1984 Filipino drama film written by Lualhati Bautista and directed by Mario O'Hara and it depicts the situation of women in the city jail.
The film stars Nora Aunor, Gina Alajar, Celia Rodriguez, Perla Bautista, M ...
'' (Flowers of City Jail, 1984), both O'Hara and Aunor garnered wins at the Metro Manila Film Festival (for Best Director and Best Actress, respectively); nominations at the Gawad Urian; and a nomination for O'Hara and a win for Aunor at the FAMAS Awards.
In 1986, after the first EDSA Revolution, he filmed ''Bagong Hari'' ("New King") starring Dan Alvaro. The film was censored by the MTRCB
The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board ( fil, Lupon sa Rebyu at Klasipikasyon ng Pelikula at Telebisyon; abbreviated as MTRCB) is a Philippine government agency under the Office of the President of the Philippines that is respon ...
and enjoyed a limited run in the theaters after an appeal with the MTRCB was overturned.
1990s
Under the auspices of Lily Monteverde
Lily Yu Monteverde, nicknamed Mother Lily (born August 19, 1938), is a Filipina film producer and businesswoman.
She is the first and many Filipina Movie producers who produced the boom of blockbuster films in different genres in the 70s and 80 ...
and her ''pito-pito'' system (, wherein a filmmaker is given a modest budget to shoot
In botany, a plant shoot consists of any plant stem together with its appendages, leaves and lateral buds, flowering stems, and flower buds. The new growth from seed germination that grows upward is a shoot where leaves will develop. In the sp ...
a film in 7 days and complete 7 days of post-production, hence the name), O'Hara created two films in just single span of the allowed time.
The first ''pito-pito'' was the drama ''Babae sa Bubungang Lata'' featuring veteran actress Anita Linda
Alice Bueñaflor Lake (November 23, 1924 – June 10, 2020), better known by her stage name Anita Linda, was a Filipino film actress. A romantic lead in her youth, she later gained critical acclaim for her portrayals in maternal or elderly ...
and set at the Manila North Cemetery
The Manila North Cemetery (Spanish: ''Cementerio del Norte'') is one of the oldest cemeteries in Metro Manila, Philippines. The cemetery is owned by and located in the City of Manila, the national capital, and is one of the largest in the metropo ...
.
The second one was the historical fantasy fiction ''Sisa''. It is loosely based on the life of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal
Jose is the English transliteration of the Hebrew and Aramaic name ''Yose'', which is etymologically linked to ''Yosef'' or Joseph. The name was popular during the Mishnaic and Talmudic periods.
* Jose ben Abin
* Jose ben Akabya
*Jose the Gali ...
and the Sisa, a character in Rizal's novel Noli Me Tangere; in the movie, both Rizal and Sisa met and shared scenes.
2000s—2012
O'Hara's 2004 film ''Babae sa Breakwater
''Women of Breakwater'', also known as ''Woman of Breakwater ''or ''Babae sa Breakwater ''in Tagalog is a 2003 Filipino drama film directed by Mario O'Hara and starring Katherine Luna. The film is a moving insight into the squalor and poverty of ...
'' addressed issues of poverty in Manila
Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is highly urbanized and, as of 2019, was the world's most densely populate ...
and was met with some considerable success.
In 2010, he filmed '' Ang Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio'' (The Trial of Andres Bonifacio
Andres or Andrés may refer to:
*Andres, Illinois, an unincorporated community in Will County, Illinois, US
*Andres, Pas-de-Calais, a commune in Pas-de-Calais, France
*Andres (name)
*Hurricane Andres
* "Andres" (song), a 1994 song by L7
See also ...
), which entered the Director's Showcase category of the Cinemalaya film festival. It was his last movie.
In 2011, he worked with Nora Aunor on the miniseries ''Sa Ngalan ng Ina
''Sa Ngalan ng Ina'' (English: ''In the Name of the Mother'') is a Filipino drama series by TV5. This is the first offering of TV5 Mini Serye which aired only for a month. It aired on October 3 after Wil Time Bigtime.
Production Casting
This m ...
'' (''In the Name of the Mother'') for TV5.
When not doing films, he wrote, directed and acted in a number of plays. He has collaborated with the Tanghalang Pilipino and Philippine Educational Theater Alliance theater groups. He was supervising the production of his play "Stageshow", which is scheduled in October 2012, up until he was confined in the hospital until his death.
Death
He was admitted at the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Pasay
Pasay, officially the City of Pasay ( fil, Lungsod ng Pasay; ), is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the National Capital Region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 440,656 people.
Due to its location j ...
, Philippines
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas
* cbk, República de Filipinas
* hil, Republ ...
on 15 June 2012, to seek treatment for leukemia
Leukemia ( also spelled leukaemia and pronounced ) is a group of blood cancers that usually begin in the bone marrow and result in high numbers of abnormal blood cells. These blood cells are not fully developed and are called ''blasts'' or ...
. Because he was a practicing Jehovah's Witness
Jehovah's Witnesses is a millenarian restorationist Christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream Christianity. The group reports a worldwide membership of approximately 8.7 million adherents involved in ...
, he refused to have a blood transfusion
Blood transfusion is the process of transferring blood products into a person's circulation intravenously. Transfusions are used for various medical conditions to replace lost components of the blood. Early transfusions used whole blood, but mo ...
, but relented on undergoing chemotherapy
Chemotherapy (often abbreviated to chemo and sometimes CTX or CTx) is a type of cancer treatment that uses one or more anti-cancer drugs ( chemotherapeutic agents or alkylating agents) as part of a standardized chemotherapy regimen. Chemothe ...
.
He succumbed to the disease eleven days later, on 26 June 2012, at age 66.
Filmography
''NB: Official English titles (if available) are under "Title"; literal translations are under "Notes"''
Awards and nominations
* Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival
**2010 - ''Ang Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio'' - Best Director (nominated)
*Cinemanila The Cinemanila International Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Manila, Philippines. It was founded by Filipino filmmaker Amable "Tikoy" Aguiluz in 1999. The focus of the festival is on the cinema of the Philippines as well as Southea ...
International Film Festival
**2004 - Netpac Award (awarded)- For a lifetime of achievement and dedication to the advancement of Philippine films, which are lauded and appreciated by film audiences around the world.
**2004 - ''Babae sa Breakwater'' - Lino Brocka Award/Best Director (nominated)
**2000 - Lifetime Achievement Award (awarded)
* Cinema One Digital Film Festival (Cinema One Originals)
** 2011 - Honorary Awardees for Pioneering Efforts in Independent Cinema
*FAMAS
The FAMAS (''Fusil d'Assaut de la Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Étienne'', "Assault Rifle from the Saint-Étienne Weapon Factory") is a bullpup assault rifle designed and manufactured in France by MAS in 1978, a year after the Austrian Ste ...
Awards
**1985 - ''Bulaklak ng City Jail'' - Best Director (nominated)
**1982 - ''Bakit bughaw ang langit?'' - Best Director (nominated)
**1979 - ''Gumising Ka, Maruja'' - Best Supporting Actor (nominated)
**1977 - ''Tatlong taong walang Diyos'' - Best Director (nominated)
**1975 - ''Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang'' - Best Supporting Actor (nominated)
**1972 - ''Stardoom'' - Best Supporting Actor (nominated)
**1971 - ''Tubog sa Ginto'' - Best Supporting Actor (nominated)
*Gawad Urian Awards
The Gawad Urian Awards are annual film awards in the Philippines held since 1977. It is given by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP, "the Filipino Film Critics") and is currently regarded as the counterpart of the United States' New York Fi ...
** 2011 - ''Babae sa Breakwater'' - Dekada Award: Best Film of the Decade (Natatanging Pelikula ng Dekada) (won)
** 2004- ''Babae sa Breakwater'' - Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon) (nominated)
** 2004 - ''Babae sa Breakwater'' - Best Screenplay (Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula) (nominated)
**1995 - ''Fatima Buen Story'' - Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon) (won)
**1987 - ''Bagong Hari'' - Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon) (nominated)
**1985 - ''Bulaklak ng City Jail'' - Best Direction (Pinakamahusay na Direksyon) (nominated)
**1977 - ''Insiang'' - Best Screenplay (Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula) (nominated with Lamberto E. Antonio)
*Golden Screen Awards, Philippines
**2006 - Gawad Lino Brocka Award (won)
*Metro Manila Film Festival
The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) is an annual film festival held in Metro Manila, Philippines. The festival, which runs from December 25 (Christmas) through New Year's Day and into first weekend of January in the following year, focuses on ...
**1986
The year 1986 was designated as the International Year of Peace by the United Nations.
Events January
* January 1
**Aruba gains increased autonomy from the Netherlands by separating from the Netherlands Antilles.
**Spain and Portugal enter ...
- ''Halimaw sa Banga'' - Best Director Best Director is the name of an award which is presented by various film, television and theatre organizations, festivals, and people's awards. It may refer to:
Film awards
* AACTA Award for Best Direction
* Academy Award for Best Director
* BA ...
(won)
**1986
The year 1986 was designated as the International Year of Peace by the United Nations.
Events January
* January 1
**Aruba gains increased autonomy from the Netherlands by separating from the Netherlands Antilles.
**Spain and Portugal enter ...
- ''Halimaw sa Banga'' - Best Actor (won)
**1984
Events
January
* January 1 – The Bornean Sultanate of Brunei gains full independence from the United Kingdom, having become a British protectorate in 1888.
* January 7 – Brunei becomes the sixth member of the Association of Southeas ...
- ''Bulaklak ng City Jail'' - Best Director Best Director is the name of an award which is presented by various film, television and theatre organizations, festivals, and people's awards. It may refer to:
Film awards
* AACTA Award for Best Direction
* Academy Award for Best Director
* BA ...
(won)
** 1978 - ''Rubia Servios'' - Best Screenplay (won)
*Singapore International Film Festival
The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) ( Chinese: 新加坡国际电影节) is the longest-running film festival in Singapore. Founded in 1987, the festival has a focus on showcasing international films and providing a global platform fo ...
**2001 - ''Pangarap ng Puso'' - Best Asian Feature Film (nominated)
*Young Critics Circle
The Young Critics Circle - Film Desk is a society of film critics and an award-giving body for cinema in the Philippines. It was established in 1990 and had its first awarding in 1991. , Philippines
**2004 - ''Babae sa Breakwater'' - Best Film (won)
**2004 - ''Babae sa Breakwater'' - Best Screenplay (won)
**2000 - ''Sisa'' - Best Film (won)
**2000 - ''Sisa'' - Best Screenplay (won)
**1999 - ''Babae sa Bubungang Lata'' - Best Film (nominated
**1999 - ''Babae sa Bubungang Lata'' - Best Screenplay (nominated)
*National Artist of the Philippines
The Order of National Artists of the Philippines (Filipino language, Filipino: ''Orden ng mga Pambansang Alagad ng Sining ng Pilipinas'') is an Order (distinction), order bestowed by the Philippines on Filipino people, Filipinos who have made s ...
** year/s unknown - nominated but bypassed
References
External links
*
Senses of cinema
Critic_After_Dark_[Noel_Vera
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ohara, Mario
1946 births
2012 deaths
Deaths from cancer in the Philippines
Deaths from leukemia
Filipino film directors
Filipino people of American descent
[ ategory:Filipino people of Irish descent
Filipino people of Spanish descent
Filipino screenwriters
Filipino television directors
People from Zamboanga City