The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) sorrowfully mourns the passing of master filmmaker Peque Gallaga, an acclaimed and celebrated director, producer, screenwriter, actor, production designer, lecturer, and a staunch advocate of Philippine Cinema.

Direk Peque passed away at the age of 76 on May 7, 2020. Widely known for his epic masterpiece “Oro, Plata, Mata” (1982) for which he won the Gawad Urian for Best Direction, Gallaga devoted his life to creating worlds and weaving stories that entertained, informed, shocked, affected, challenged, and changed Filipino movie audiences. 

Among his 41 films are “Virgin Forest” (1985), “Scorpio Nights” (1985), “Pinoy/Blonde” (2005), “Agaton & Mindy” (2009), and those co-directed with Lore Reyes: “Tiyanak” (1988), “Shake, Rattle & Roll 2” (1990), “Aswang” (1992), “Darna: The Return” (1994), “Batang-X” (1995), “Baby Love” (1995), “Magic Temple” (1996), “Magic Kingdom: Ang Alamat ng Damortis” (1997), “Ang Kabit ni Mrs. Montero” (1999), “Sonata” (2013) which was co-produced with FDCP, and “T’yanak” (2014).

The multiple awardee of Gawad Urian and Metro Manila Film Festival was awarded at the Manila International Film Festival and International Film Festival of Flanders-Ghent in Belgium. He received lifetime and career achievement awards from the Cultural Center of the Philippines (Gawad CCP Para sa Sining), Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) Awards, Gawad Urian, Star Awards for Movies,  and Cinema One Originals Film Festival.

He continued to share his passion for theater and film by holding workshops and becoming a lecturer in his alma mater, University of St. La Salle in Bacolod. “Direk Peque Gallaga was more than a great director, but a true legend and mentor to the Filipino film industry,” said FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño-Seguerra. “His much anticipated comeback in ‘Magikland’ as a producer is unfortunately dashed, but we are grateful for the extensive and noteworthy filmography that Direk Peque has left behind.”

The FDCP, which recognizes the artistic and cultural contributions of Direk Peque Gallaga to the country, vows to make known his passion and dedication for Philippine Cinema and pass on his legacy to the generations to come.