Mario Herrero O'Hara (April 20, 1946 – June 26, 2012) was a Filipino film director, film producer and screenwriter known for his sense of realism often with dark but realistic social messages.O'Hara profile
Early life He was born in Zamboanga City on April 20, 1946. His mother, Basilisa Herrero, was a native of Ozamiz in Misamis Occidental and had Spanish ancestry. His father, Jaime O'Hara was the son of an Irish-American Thomasite, and a former member of the University of the Philippines Dramatic club. Mario had eight brothers and three sisters, including Edwin (1948–2007), who was a television director. 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; 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. At the age of 17, Mario stopped attending classes in 1963 to focus on his work in radio drama with the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) and DZRH.
Career 1963–1979 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, Flordeluna (featuring Janice de Belen) and Alitaptap sa Gabing Madilim.
While at the MBC, he met Lino Brocka, 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, 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, who played Berto's love interest Koala.
He wrote a teleplay which became the basis for Brocka's Insiang (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 first time that a Filipino film was accorded such honor at the Cannes Film Festival.
On the same year, he directed Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (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.
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).
1980s During the 1980s, O'Hara collaborated anew with Nora Aunor: Kastilyong Buhangin ("Castle of Sand", 1981), featuring Lito Lapid; 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 (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 and enjoyed a limited run in the theaters after an appeal with the MTRCB was overturned.
1990s Under the auspices of Lily Monteverde and her pito-pito system (literally, seven-seven, wherein a filmmaker is given a modest budget to shoot 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 and set at the Manila North Cemetery.
The second one was the historical fantasy fiction Sisa. It is loosely based on the life of Philippine national hero Jose Rizal 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 addressed issues of poverty in Manila and was met with some considerable success.
In 2010, he filmed Ang Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio (The Trial of Andres Bonifacio), 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 (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, Philippines, on June 15, 2012, to seek treatment for leukemia. Because he was a practicing Jehovah's Witness, he refused to have a blood transfusion, but relented on undergoing chemotherapy.
He succumbed to the disease eleven days later, on June 26, 2012, at age 66.
Filmography NB: Official English titles (if available) are under "Title"; literal translations are under "Notes" Year Film Functioned as Notes Director Writer Actor 2012 Sa Ngalan ng Ina(TV series) Translation: "In the name of the mother". Co-directed with Jon Red 2010 Ang paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio Translation: "The Trial of Andres Bonifacio"Presented at the 2010 Cinemalaya Film Festival - Directors' Showcase 2003 Babae sa Breakwater(Woman at the Breakwater) Cinemanila International Film Festival - Best Director (nominated)Gawad Urian - Best Direction and Best Screenplay (nominated)Young Critics' Circle - Best Screenplay (nominated) 2000 Pangarap ng Puso(Demons) Translation: "the dream of the heart"Co-written with Red de Castro and Rosario Cruz Lucero. Uses poems by Amado Hernandez, Florentino Collantes and Denise O'Hara 1999 Sindak Translation: "Terror" 1999 Sisa Based on the character in Jose Rizal's novel Noli me Tangere.Young Critics Circle - Best Direction (won), Best Screenplay (won) 1998 Babae sa Bubungang Lata(Woman on a Tin Roof) adapted from a play by Agapito Joaquin 1997 Manananggal in Manila "Manananggal" refers to a winged vampire-like mythical creature in Philippine folklore (usually a woman) whose body separates from the lower trunk 1997 Mama Dito sa Aking Puso(Mother in My Heart) Directed by Frank Rivera 1994 The Fatima Buen Story Gawad Urian - Best Director (won) 1994 Johnny Tinoso and the Proud Beauty 1990 Ibong Maya Television film 1989 Gabriela As Ador 1987 Tatlong Ina, Isang Anak(Three Mothers, One Child) co-written with Frank Garcia 1987 Takot Ako, Eh! Translation: "I'm afraid, eh!"Co-written with Tito Rey 1987 Prinsesang Gusgusin Translation: "Scruffy Princess" 1986 Halimaw(segment "Halimaw sa Banga") As "Abe"Other segments directed by Christopher de LeonMetro Manila Film Festival - Best Director (won)Main title means "monster", while the segment title translates to "monster in the big jar" 1986 Bagong Hari Translation: "New King" Gawad Urian - Best Direction (nominated) 1985 Bed Sins 1984 Bulaklak sa City Jail Translation: "The Flower in City Jail"FAMAS Awards - Best Director (nominated)Gawad Uwian - Best Director (nominated)Metro Manila Film Festival - Best Director (won) 1984 Condemned co-written with Jose Javier Reyes 1984 Ibulong Mo sa Puso Translation: Whisper to the Heart 1983 To Mama with Love 1983 Uhaw sa Pag-ibig Translation "thirst/thirsty for love" 1981 Gaano Kita Kamahal Translation: How much do I love you 1981 Bakit Bughaw ang Langit? Translation: "Why is the sky blue"?Co-written with Lydia Collantes Villegas and Greg TadeoFAMAS Awards - Best Director (nominated) 1980 Kastilyong Buhangin Translation: "Sandcastles" 1980 Kasal? Translation: "Wedding?"Directed by Laurice Guillen 1979 Marcelino pan y vino(TV movie) 1978 Rubia Servios Directed by Lino BrockaMetro Manila Film Festival - Best Screenplay (won) 1978 Gumising Ka, Maruja Translation: "Wake up, Maruja"As FreddieDirected by Lino Brocka 1977 Hayop sa Hayop Translation: "An animal for an animal"Directed by Lino Brocka 1977 Mga Bilanggong Birhen Translation: "The Captive Virgins"Co-directed with Romy Suzara 1977 Tahan na, Empoy, Tahan Translation: "Be still, Empoy, be still"Directed by Lino Brocka 1975 Maynila sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag(Manila in the Claws of Neon) Title literally means "Manila in the Claws of Light"Directed by Lino Brocka. Based on the novel by Edgardo Reyes. 1976 Tatlong Taóng Walang Diyos(Three Godless Years) Can also be translated as "Three Years Without God"FAMAS Awards - Best Director (nominated)NB: accent placed on the "o" in "Taong" because there is a similar Tagalog word (with a different accent) which means "person/human being" (táo/táong) 1976 Insiang As "Berto the Leper". Directed by Lino Brocka. Co-written with Lamberto E. Aquino 1976 Mortal 1974 Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang(You Are Weighed But Found Wanting) As Berto the Leper (Bertong Ketongin)Directed by and co-written with Lino Brocka 1974 Tatlo Dalawa Isa Translation: "Three, Two One"Acting as Miguelito in the "Bukas, Madilim Bukas" (Tomorrow, It's Dark Tomorrow) segmentDirected by Lino Brocka 1971 Lumuha Pati Mga Anghel Translation: "Even Angels Cried"Directed by Lino Brocka 1971 Cadena de Amor Directed by Lino Brocka 1971 Tubog sa Ginto Translation: "Goldplated"As DiegoDirected by Lino Brocka 1971 Stardoom As Emong Perez. Directed by Lino Brocka 1970 Santiago! As "Diego". Directed by Lino Brocka
Awards and nominations
Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2010 - Ang Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio - Best Director (nominated) Cinemanila 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 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 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 1986 - Halimaw sa Banga - Best Director (won)