Filmmaker Amable “Tikoy” Aguiluz VI has passed on. News of his passing was confirmed by his family and friends through social media posts, but details surrounding his death were not disclosed. Aguiluz was 72.
Renowned as a leading figure in the Philippines’ alternative cinema movement, Aguiluz left an indelible mark on the industry as a celebrated director, producer, screenwriter, and cinematographer.
Aguiluz garnered acclaim for his award-winning films, including “Segurista,” which brought him the prestigious Gawad Urian Best Director award in 1996. The film itself swept the awards, winning Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Production Design, and Best Supporting Actor (Albert Martinez). Notably, it was chosen as the Philippines’ official entry for the Academy Awards’ Best Foreign-Language Film category, ranking 12th among 39 other submissions.
Beyond “Segurista,” Aguiluz’s historical film, “Rizal sa Dapitan,” found recognition at the Brussels International Film Festival, securing the Grand Jury Prize. It also held a place in the inaugural Philippine International Film Festival at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Adding to his accolades, he received the Best Director Award at the 2011 Metro Manila Film Festival for his film, “Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story.”
Further showcasing his dedication to the film industry, Aguiluz founded the Cinemanila International Film Festival in 1999. In 2003, he was bestowed the Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) by the French government in recognition of his significant contributions to Philippine cinema.