Actor Jericho Rosales has been tapped to portray late National Artist for Cinema Ishmael Bernal in the upcoming biographical film ‘Bernal,’ a long-awaited passion project written by National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee.
According to a report by SINEGANG published on July 4, the film will chronicle the life and legacy of Bernal, one of the most influential filmmakers in Philippine cinema. The project will also incorporate elements of magic realism, making it Ricky Lee’s first biographical screenplay in the genre.
“I’m very excited because this material or script that I’ve been planning for a long time is finally pushing through,” Ricky said.
Lee and Bernal collaborated on several acclaimed films, including ‘Himala,’ ‘Manila by Night,’ ‘Relasyon,’ and other landmark works that helped shape Philippine cinema.
Aside from Rosales, the film boasts a notable ensemble cast. Judy Ann Santos is set to portray the late Superstar and National Artist Nora Aunor, while Iza Calzado will play veteran actress Rita Gomez.
Also joining the cast are Atom Araullo as actor Spanky Manikan, John “Sweet” Lapus as the late performer Bernardo Bernardo, as well as Lovi Poe, Shaina Magdayao, and Chanda Romero in yet-to-be-announced roles.
Ricky revealed that three actors will portray different facets of Bernal throughout the film, drawing inspiration from experimental biographical movies such as ‘I’m Not There’ (2007), which featured multiple actors portraying different versions of musician Bob Dylan, and ‘The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus’ (2009), where several actors completed the role originally played by Heath Ledger.
The screenplay will also weave together scenes inspired by Bernal’s celebrated body of work, blending reality and fantasy as it pays tribute to the filmmaker’s artistic legacy.
Bernal is widely regarded as one of the greatest directors in Philippine cinema, with an extensive filmography that includes ‘Manila by Night,’ ‘Himala,’ ‘Relasyon,’ ‘Broken Marriage,’ ‘Ikaw ay Akin,’ ‘Nunal sa Tubig,’ ‘Hinugot sa Langit,’ ‘Working Girls,’ ‘Working Girls 2,’ and many other acclaimed films.
The year 1976, often considered a golden period for Philippine cinema, also figures prominently in Bernal’s legacy, with many of his influential works helping define the era.
