Veteran director, writer, and production designer Carmelo “Mel” Chionglo passed away on Sept. 21 at the age of 73. His death was confirmed by the artistic director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Chris B. Millado on Saturday via his personal Facebook page. “[I’m] very sad to announce the passing of a colleague and renowned film director Mel Chionglo. The happiest of journeys gentle Mel,” Mr. Millado said in his post.
Mr. Chionglo served for many years as the competition director and the head of the monitoring committee of the CCP’s Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.
He first worked in film on Mike de Leon’s debut feature film in 1976, Itim (Rites of May) as the production designer. He also did the production designs for de Leon's Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising in 1977, Ishmael Bernal's Walang Katapusang Tag-araw which was an entry to the 1977 Metro Manila Film Festival and for Joey Gosiengfiao’s cult film Temptation Island (1980).
The Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) gave him the Best Production Design award for Itim (1976), and again for Eddie Romero’s Aguila (1980). He won a Gawad Urian trophy for Ishmael Bernal’s 1978 film, Ikaw ay Akin.
In 1980, Mr. Chionglo directed his first feature film, Playgirl, whose cast included Charito Solis, Gina Alajar, and Philip Salvador. Two years later, he directed Anak, which starred Dina Bonnevia, Christopher de Leon, and Celia Rodriguez. In 1983, he directed Summer Holiday.
His 1992 film Lucia won Best Film at the London International Environmental Film Festival and his 1994 film Sibak (Midnight Dancers) won jury prize at the Turin International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.
His other films include Burlesk King (1999), and Twilight Dancers (2006).
"Itim" (1977)
Cinema Artists Philippines
Release Date January 14, 1977
Screenplay Doy del Mundo, Gil Quito
Cinematography Ely Cruz, Rody Lacap
Production Designer Mel Chionglo
Editing Ike Jarlego, Jr.
Sound Ramon Reyes, Sebastian Sayson, Luis Reyes
Music Max Jocson
Producer Severino Manotok/ Cinema Artists Philippines
Director Mike de Leon
Cast Tommy Abuel, Mario Montenegro, Mona Lisa and Introducing Charo Santos/ Also Starring Moody Diaz, Sarah Joaquin and Susan Valdez
"Kung Mangarap Ka't Magising" (1977)
LVN Pictures
A Metro Manila Film Festival Entry
Release Date December 24, 1977
Screenplay Rey Santayana, Mike de Leon
Cinematography Francis Escaler, Mike de Leon
Production Design Mel Chonglo
Editing Ike Jarlego, Jr.
Musical Director Jun Latonio
Direction Mike de Leon
Cast Christopher de Leon, Hilda Koronel/ Also Starring Laurice Guillen, Moody Diaz, Bibeth Orteza, Danny Javier, Boboy Garrovillo, Briccio Santos and Oya de Leon
"Walang Katapusang Tag-araw" (1977)
Lea Productions
Release Date December 24, 1977
Story and Screenplay Ishamel Bernal
in collaboration with Oscar Miranda
Cinematography Jun Rasca
Production Design Mel Chonglo
Music Willie Cruz
Direction Ishmael Bernal
Cast Charito Solis, Mat Ranillo III, Eddie Garcia, Ruel Vernal and Liza Lorena/ Also Starring Ingrid Salas, Veronica Palileo, Rustica Carpio/ Guest Stars- Catherine Santos, Ernie Zarate
"Ikaw ay Akin" (1978)
Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions, Inc.
Release Date December 8, 1978
Story and Screenplay Ishmael Bernal, Joe N. Carreon
Cinematography Sergio Lobo
Production Design Mel Chonglo
Music Vanishing Tribe
Direction Ishmael Bernal
Cast Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Christopher de Leon/ Also Starring Nick Romano, Ellen Esguerra, Zandro Zamora, Odette Kahn, Charmie Benavidez, Ernie Zarate, Cris Vertido, Anton Juan/ Featuring PETA Kalinangan Ensemble, Eskuelahang Munti/ Introducing Andrea Andolong
"Aguila" (1980)
Bancom Audiovision Corporation
Release Date February 14, 1980
Cinematography Mike de Leon
Art Direction Mel Chionglo
Music Ryan Cayabyab
Associate Producer Raffy Fabie
Executive Producer Jackie Atienza
Direction Eddie Romero
Cast Fernando Poe, Jr., Amalia Fuentes, Christopher de Leon, Elizabeth Oropesa, Eddie Garcia, Jay Ilagan, Chanda Romero, Charo Santos, Daria Ramirez, Celia Rodriguez, Orestes Ojeda, Susan Valdez, Andrea Andolong, Johnny Delgado, Conrad Poe
"Playgirl" (1980)
Regal Films
Story and Screenplay Ricky Lee
Direction Mel Chionglo
Cast Charito Solis, Phillip Salvador, Al Tantay, Gabby Concepcion, Jimi Melendez and Gina Alajar
"Anak" (1982)
Regal Films
Direction Mel Chionglo
Cast Christopher de Leon, Lloyd Samartino and Dina Bonnevie
"Summer Holiday" (1983)
Regal Films
Direction Mel Chionglo
Cast Snooky, Albert Martinez, Maricel Soriano, William Martinez, Kristine Garcia, Edgar Mande, lani Mercaso, Joel Alano, Rey 'PJ' Abellana, Lito pimentel
"Sibak (Midnight Dancers)" (1994)
Direction Mel Chionglo
Cast Alex del Rosario, Gandong Cervantes and Lawrence David
"Burlesk King" (1999)
Seiko Films
Direction Mel Chionglo
Cast Raymond Bagatsing, Elizabeth Oropesa, Cherrie Pie Picache, Leonardo Litton, Nini jacinto, Rodel Velayo
"Lagarista" (2001)
Regal Films
Direction Mel Chionglo
Cast Piolo Pascaual, Janna Victoria