Sobrang apektado sa pagkamatay ng direktor… CHARO, IBINULGAR ANG MGA NATUTUNAN KAY MIKE DE LEON

ni Julie Bonifacio @Winner | August 30, 2025

Photo: Charo Santos-Concio - IG

Puno ng emosyon at magagandang alaala ang huling mensahe ni Charo Santos para sa pumanaw na batikang direktor na si Mike de Leon.

Si Direk Mike ang lumikha ng mga klasikong pelikula kung saan isa si Charo sa mga artista. That time, isang baguhang artista pa lang si Charo.

Isa si Mike de Leon sa mga ‘significant filmmakers in the history of Philippine cinema’, ayon sa Google. 

Ang mga nauna niyang obra maestra ay ang Itim, Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising (KMKM), Kakabakaba Ka Ba? (KKB) na isang matalinong komedya ang hatid, ang personal favorite namin na Kisapmata, Batch ‘81, Sister Stella L (SSL), Bayaning Third World (BTW) at Citizen Jake (CJ).

Ipinost ni Charo sa Instagram (IG) kahapon ang ilan sa very rare photos ni Direk Mike sa shooting ng mga pelikula nila noong late ‘70s to ‘80s.

Caption ni Charo: “Today, I lost a dear friend. Mike de Leon was my very first mentor in the art and discipline of filmmaking. From him I learned everything, the rigor of preparing a shot list, the mounting of scenes, the rhythm of narrative, the editing, the discipline of sound, music, and mixing back when a motion picture was shot on actual film. He was a perfectionist, a genius, and a true master of cinema.

“Yet beyond his brilliance, Mike was my friend. He gave me trust, guidance, and unforgettable moments of collaboration. Through the years, he was unfailingly present at milestones and even in the most challenging seasons of my life. In my darkest hours, he was there, quiet, steady, kind. Ours was a bond that felt like soulmates in artistry, a connection built on respect and admiration.

“He gave us films that were not merely watched, but deeply felt, etched into who we are. Kisapmata, Batch ‘81, Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising, Kakabakaba Ka Ba? and Itim were never just films; they were mirrors, unflinching in their truth, forcing us to confront ourselves and the world we live in.

“I will never forget the last time we spoke, as we were preparing a film together, its working title: Unfinished Business. He said, ‘I don’t think I will live to finish this film because of my condition, so I don’t even want to start it.’ Heartbreaking words from a man who had devoted his entire life to cinema and to truth.

“Mike’s departure feels like a scene cut too soon, an unfinished business. And yet, in truth, his work is complete. His films will forever illuminate our history, our fears, and our dreams.

“Paalam, Mike. Maraming salamat. Rest in Peace. Nagmamahal, Charo.”

Maraming celebrities ang nakidalamhati kay Charo sa pagpanaw ng kanyang mahal na kaibigan.

“Sorry for your loss, Ma’am Charo… may he rest in peace,” comment ni Bianca Gonzalez.

Say ni Aga Muhlach, “Rest in peace Direk Mike (praying emoji).”

“Our deepest condolences Ma’am Charo. May he rest in peace,” mula sa direktor ng Senior High (SH) na si Direk Onat Diaz.

Pinuri rin si Charo ng mga netizens sa kanyang tribute kay Direk Mike. 

Sey nila… “A beautiful tribute (heart emoji).”

“You've learned a lot from the master. In his films, you became the actress. Kisapmata is one of my most favorite films ever. I watched it when I was a kid and loved it. So sad to hear of his passing, one of the best directors of Philippine cinema.”

Rest in peace, Direk Mike de Leon.

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NAG-SHARE si Cannes Best Director Brillante Mendoza ng kanyang saloobin ukol sa malalang korapsyon sa ating bansa sa kanyang Facebook (FB) page kahapon.

Ayon kay Direk Brillante, madalas niyang iniisip kung bakit napakalalim ng pakiramdam ng korupsyon sa karanasan ng mga tao.

Tanong tuloy ni Direk Brillante kung tayo ba ay ipinanganak na may ganitong hilig sa katiwalian o ito ba ay isang bagay na pinalaki ng mga pangyayari, isang kapintasan na nag-uugat sa kapaligiran kung saan ang kapangyarihan, pangangailangan, at tukso ay nagbabanggaan.

Ang katiwalian daw ba ay isang kahinaan lamang ng pagkatao, o ito ba ay isang hindi maiiwasang pagsubok sa sangkatauhan na kakaunti lamang ang may kaya?

Post ni Direk Brillante, “I am troubled by how easily some individuals commit acts of corruption without apparent remorse. Could it be that they no longer see their actions as wrong?

“Perhaps they justify their choices by believing they are working for a greater good, that their transgressions somehow benefit others, and that this belief absolves them of guilt. But does rationalizing corruption truly excuse it, or does it only numb the conscience until morality becomes a matter of perspective?”

Ang kanyang mga tanong ay humantong sa mas malalim. Paano kung tayo ay ilagay sa kanilang eksaktong sitwasyon? Kung dinadala natin ang parehong mga pasanin, haharapin ang parehong mga tukso, at taglay ang parehong kapangyarihan, talagang hindi ba tayo magiging immune sa parehong mga kompromiso?

Madali raw hatulan ang katiwalian mula sa malayo, ngunit mas mahirap kilalanin ang kahinaan ng ating sariling moral compass.

“We all know that corruption is corrosive. It weakens institutions, erodes trust, and destroys communities. It is something that must never be tolerated.

“Yet to truly confront it, we cannot simply point fingers at those in power. We must also examine where it begins. 

“Corruption does not emerge in isolation; it grows from human desires, fears, and justifications. It reflects not only broken systems but the complexities of the human heart,” diin niya.

Bakit daw napakaraming pinagkatiwalaan ng awtoridad, ang mismong mga taong dapat paglingkuran ang naging pinakakilalang mga nagkasala?

Ang sagot ay hindi raw simple. Pero ang pagtatanong sa tanong na ito ay mahalaga. Sapagkat kung hindi natin nauunawaan ang mga ugat ng katiwalian, nanganganib tayong ipagpatuloy ito, na hahayaan itong umunlad hindi lamang sa mga bulwagan ng kapangyarihan kundi sa mga tahimik na sulok ng ating sariling buhay.

Konklusyon ni Direk Brillante, ang pagharap sa katiwalian, kung gayon ay hindi lamang tungkol sa pagreporma sa mga institusyon, tungkol din daw ito sa pagharap sa ating sarili.