BY NEIL RAMOS
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RESPECTED filmmaker Peque Gallaga succumbed to cardiopulmonary arrest at the Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod City, Thursday. He was 76.
Gallaga is survived by his wife, Maddie, and children Bing, Michelle, Datu, Jubal, and Wanggo.
“The Gallaga family announces with great sadness the passing of Peque Gallaga. He was a visionary director and artist; a loving husband, father, and grandfather; and a dear friend. He has brought so much joy to so many people and he will always live in our memories and his art,” the family said in a statement.
“There will be no service as we will observe safety precautions during these times. We are grateful for your thoughts, well-wishes, and prayers but we would appreciate some time to grieve as a family in private during this very painful time,” it added.
Born Maurice Ruiz de Luzuriaga Gallaga, the director is best known for
“Oro, Plata, Mata,” a landmark film that swept the 1982 Gawad Urian Awards, winning Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, as with Best Musical Score and Sound.
Other notable directorial works include “Scorpio Nights,” “Virgin Forest,” “Unfaithful Wife,” “Batang X,” and “Magic Temple.”
Gallaga also worked as production designer (winning at the 1976 Gawad Urian for his work in “Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?” repeating the same in 1980 for “Manila by Night”) and actor (a priest in “Rizal,” a gay friend in “Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos,” St. Peter in “Lucio and Miguel,” among others).
He also taught theater and film at the University of St. La Salle.
Before his death, Gallaga had been closely working with former congressman Albie Benitez who had built a theme park in Bacolod called Magikland.
