I first heard about Sir Ricky way back in high school, when all my classmates were reading a book called “Para Kay B”. During my time as a professional theater actor, I encountered him again in HIMALA-Isang Musikal, one of my favorite local musicals of all time, adapted from a film I had known because of Nora Aunor and her “Walang himala ang himala ay nasa puso ng tao” chant.

Creating this portrait for him in his home was truly an honor. Aside from him being a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts (the highest recognition you can give an artist here in the Philippines), I have seen how genuine and warm he is through my lens, and I have come to regret …
why I didn’t expose myself to his works sooner.

Ricky Lee is a Filipino screenwriter, journalist, novelist, and playwright. Starting in 1973, he has written more than 180 film screenplays and collaborated with many of the Philippines' most notable film directors, including Lino Brocka, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, and Ishmael Bernal.

Photography and Art Direction by Paw Castillo