Jerry Lopez Sineneng (born June 10, 1965), also credited as Jerry Sineneng, is a Filipino film and television director and screenwriter. He began working in film production in 1985 and made his feature-film directing debut with Mara Clara: The Movie in 1996. His directing credits include the films Labs Kita... Okey Ka Lang? (1998), Soltera (1999), Way Back Home (2011), and A Special Memory (2026), as well as the television series Esperanza, Walang Hanggan, Kadenang Ginto, and Widows' Web. In 2000, Sineneng and Jun Lana won the FAMAS Award for Best Screenplay for Soltera.
Early life and education Sineneng was born on June 10, 1965. He initially studied biology at the University of the Philippines before transferring to the university's newly established Film and Audio-Visual Arts program in the College of Mass Communication. He was a member of the program's first graduating class and completed his studies in 1986.
Career
Early work and film directing Before graduating, Sineneng worked as a wardrobe assistant under director Chaning Carlos on the 1985 comedy Horsey-Horsey: Tigidig-Tigidig. He later spent two years as a production assistant at FPJ Productions. He then joined a writing group led by Peque Gallaga and worked on screenplays for the second, third, and fourth installments of the Shake, Rattle & Roll film series.
When the drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya began broadcasting on ABS-CBN, Sineneng submitted a script and was hired as a resident writer. The program later gave him his first television-directing assignment. He directed his first feature film, Mara Clara: The Movie, in 1996, followed by films including Flames: The Movie (1997), Kung Ayaw Mo, Huwag Mo! (1998), Labs Kita... Okey Ka Lang? (1998), Soltera (1999), and Ngayong Nandito Ka (2003). His screenplay for Soltera, co-written with Lana, received the 2000 FAMAS Award for Best Screenplay.
Television work Sineneng's first television drama series as a director was Esperanza in 1997. His subsequent ABS-CBN work included Labs Ko Si Babe, Basta't Kasama Kita, Hiram, Maria Flordeluna, Kahit Isang Saglit, Dahil May Isang Ikaw, Imortal, Walang Hanggan, Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala, Hawak Kamay, A Love to Last, Kadenang Ginto, Love Thy Woman, and La Vida Lena.
After more than two decades with ABS-CBN, Sineneng signed with GMA Network in November 2021. His first announced project for the network was the suspense drama Widows' Web. He subsequently co-directed Start-Up PH (2022) with Dominic Zapata and directed Stolen Life (2023–2024).
In 2026, Sineneng directed the GMA afternoon series House of Lies, following his work on Prinsesa ng City Jail. He described drama and horror as his strongest genres and said that his on-set process included rehearsals and collaborative work with actors. He also returned to film directing with A Special Memory, a Philippine adaptation of the Japanese television drama Pure Soul, written by National Artist Ricky Lee and released in March 2026.
Directing approach Sineneng has said that he seeks to make the stories he directs believable and relatable. In discussing his television work, he has emphasized concentration, mutual support among actors, and rehearsal as part of his production process.
Selected filmography
Film +Selected film directing creditsYearTitle1996Mara Clara: The Movie1997Flames: The Movie1998Kung Ayaw Mo, Huwag Mo!1998Labs Kita... Okey Ka Lang?1999Soltera2003Ngayong Nandito Ka2011Way Back Home2014Maybe This Time2026A Special Memory
Television +Selected television directing creditsYear(s)Title1997Esperanza2000–2002Pangako Sa 'Yo2012Walang Hanggan2018Kadenang Ginto2021La Vida Lena2022Widows' Web2022Start-Up PH2023Stolen Life2025Prinsesa ng City Jail2026House of Lies
Awards and nominations YearAwardCategoryWorkResult2000FAMAS AwardBest Screenplay (with Jun Lana)Soltera
References