National Artists for the Intangible Arts: Reflection Essay

There are numerous national artists in the Philippines that has achieved high
excellence in their field of art and gained respect for their tremendous contribution to
preserve and develop our traditional and contemporary art. They shaped our identity as
Filipinos and gave way for our culture to be known. Among all of those artists, I admire
Lino Brocka the most because he once embodied the Philippine cinema internationally
by creating films that reflect the status of our society, encompass the images of surviving
in urbanity, and express the pain and suffering of humanity.

Lino Brocka was a director and producer. In fact, he produced 66 films throughout
his lifetime which brought him to be recognized as one of the National Artists Awardee.
In his films, he expressed “social concerns and spirit of activism,” and that made him
stand out among the other artists of his time. He concentrated on the marginalized groups
of society and gave his film a thematic still-image of oppression and tension within urban
parts of the country. It is seen in the cinematography and screenplay of some of his works
such as Maynila: Sa Kuko ng Liwanag (1975), Insiang (1976), and Tinimbang Ka Ngunit
Kulang (1974). He showed the reality of our society in a transcendent level of greatness
which is why he was regarded as an influential person that embodied our very own
cinema. He conveyed the message of his works in a deliberate manner that leaves his
audience an astounding impression of socio-political awareness. I have high regards for
him because of his profound and diverse representations of the characters and places in
his film as well as his bravery to contradict and challenge the Philippine system.

The Philippine cinema is not what it is right now without the contribution of the
national artists, especially Lino Brocka’s distinct works. He truly left a masterpiece for the
Filipino people to admire and honor and hopefully, his films will hold and guide the next
generation to come.