Veteran filmmaker Tikoy Aguiluz has passed away at age 72
Veteran filmmaker Amable "Tikoy" Aguiluz VI has passed away at the age of 72.
News of his death was announced on Feb. 19 by his family, who asked the public for respect and understanding as they continue to mourn in private for the time being.
"With heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved Amable 'Tikoy' Aguiluz VI or Direk Tikoy to most of us," read the statement that was shared to the media.
"We assure you that once we are ready, we will share details about a public service where all who knew and loved Direk Tikoy can join us in paying tribute and saying our final goodbyes," it added. "Your patience, understanding, and support mean the world to us as we navigate through this period of grief."
The Film Development Council of the Philippines also mourned the passing of the renowned director, describing him as "one of the leading figures of Philippine alternative cinema."
"His award-winning film Segurista was the Philippines’ official entry to the Academy Awards in 1996, and his historical film Rizal sa Dapitan won the Grand Jury Prize at Brussels International Film Festival and was shown in prestigious film festivals around the world," the national film council highlighted.
"He was conferred the Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) by the French government for his invaluable contribution to Philippine cinema. The FDCP extends its deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Mr. Aguiluz," they added.
The Directors' Guild of the Philippines also paid tribute to their esteemed peer Aguiluz, calling him a "visionary, a maverick, and a true champion of Philippine Cinema."
"Our prayers and thoughts are with his family and friends. May he rest in peace," they wrote.
Aguiluz served as the founder of the Cinemanila International Film Festival as well as the co-founder of the University of the Philippines Film Center, which is now known as the UP Film Institute.
Apart from Segurista and Rizal sa Dapitan, he is also known for helming the 2011 biographical crime film Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story, which he won Best Director for at the Metro Manila Film Festival.
His last films were made in 2015: the supernatural horror Tragic Theater starring Andi Eigenmann, Christopher de Leon and John Estrada and the action movie El Brujo which was led by Gerald Anderson and Jake Cuenca.