- Award-winning director Gil Portes passes away at 71 last May 24, 2017.
- Portes is known for his Saranggola, Mga Munting Tinig, Markova: Comfort Gay, and Ang Hapis at Himagsik ni Hermano Puli which was last year’s film entry to the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.
Gil Portes, the award-winning film maker who observed emphatically Filipino characters with a discerning eye, a social conscience and a rock ‘n roll heart, achieving especially wide acclaim Markova: Comfort Gay and “Mga Munting Tinig” died last Wednesday, May 24, 2017.
It was Portes’ niece who confirmed the sad news to ABS-CBN News reporter Mario Dumaual. “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Direk Gil Merluza Portes. We thank your prayers and expression of sympathy, we also request for privacy for our family at our time of grief,” said Ming Tiñana.
Portes leaves behind his wife Telly, sons Carlo and Justin who are basedin the US. Portes directed several award-winning films and is considered as the country’s “original indie director” when indie films were still unheard of. He did “Gatas sa Dibdib ng Kaaway,” and the Nora Aunor starrer “Merika.”
Portes was a previous recipient of a scholarship grant at the City University of New York where he studied television and film production. He made his directorial debut in 1976 with “Tiket Mama! Tiket Ale! Sa Linggo ang Bola.”
One of his last films was the historical drama “Ang Hapis at Himagsik ni Hermano Puli” with Aljur Abrenica as the lead.
Our condolences to the family of Director Portes.
