Bing Lao

Bing Lao
Born
Armando Yasin Lao

(1948-09-06)September 6, 1948
Davao City, Philippines
DiedJune 18, 2024(2024-06-18) (aged 75)
Quezon City, Philippines
Occupations
  • Screenwriter
  • producer
  • director
  • editor
  • professor
Years active1984-2023
Known for
AwardsOrder of National Artists of the Philippines (2026)

Armando "Bing" Lao (September 6, 1948 – June 18, 2024) was a Filipino screenwriter and film director best known for writing the screenplay for films such as Brillante Mendoza's Kinatay, Jeffrey Jeturian's Kubrador and Pila Balde, and Chito S. Roño's Suntok sa Buwan.

Lao also founded the Philippines' influential "Found Story Screenwriting Workshop".

Death and legacy

Lao died at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City, on June 18, 2024, at the age of 75. In 2026, Lao was posthumously recognized as a National Artist of the Philippines for Film and Broadcast Arts following the issuance of Proclamation No. 1414 by president Bongbong Marcos.

Filmography

Screenwriter

  • Chikas (1984) - Story and screenplay
  • Mahilig (1984) - Story and screenplay
  • Takaw Tukso (1986) - Story and screenplay
  • Di Maghilom ang Sugat (1986) - Story and screenplay
  • Hubad na Pangarap (1987)
  • Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-ibig (1987)
  • Stupid Cupid (1988)
  • Hati Tayo sa Magdamag (1988)
  • Itanong Mo sa Buwan (1988) - Story and screenplay
  • Dear Diary (1989) - Story and screenplay
  • Oras-oras Araw-araw (1990)
  • Bakit Ikaw Pa Rin (1990) - Story and screenplay
  • Tayo na sa Dilim (1990)
  • Sana Pag-ibig na (1998) - Story and screenplay
  • Fetch a Pail of Water (1999) - Story and screenplay
  • Larger than Life (2001) - Story and screenplay
  • La Vida Rosa (2001) - Story and screenplay
  • Bridal Shower (2004)
  • Minsan Pa (2004) - Story and screenplay
  • Kubrador (2006) - screen play supervision
  • Service (2008) - (shared with Boots Agbayani Pastor)
    • Golden Kinnaree Award in Bangkok International Film Festival
  • Butchered (2009) - Story and screenplay
    • nominated for Palm d'Or at Cannes Film Festival
    • nominated for Best Film at Sitges Catalonian International Film Festival
  • Biyaheng Lupa (2009) - Story and screenplay
  • The Strangers (2012)
  • Dukit (2013) - (shared with Honelyn Joy Alipio)
  • Those Long-haired Nights (2017)
  • The Monkey and the Turtle (2023

Director

Producer

Editor

Actor

Accolades

Award-giving Body Year Nominated work Category Result
Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2009 Biyaheng Lupa Digital Local - Grand Jury Prize Won
Digital Lokal - Lino Brocka Award Nominated
FAMAS Award 1989 Hati Tayo sa Magdamag Best Screenplay Won
2010 Butchered Best Screenplay Nominated
Gawad Urian Awards 1987 Takaw Tukso Best Screenplay Won
1989 Itanong Mo sa Buwan Best Screenplay Won
1999 Sana Pag-ibig na Best Screenplay Nominated
2000 Fetch a Pail of Water Best Screenplay Won
2001 Larger than Life Best Screenplay Won
2002 La Vida Rosa Best Screenplay Won
2009 Service Best Screenplay (shared with Boots Agbayani Pastor) Nominated
2010 Butchered Best Screenplay Nominated
Bihayenng Lupa Best Screenplay Nominated
2013 Shackled Best Picture (shared with Joji Alonso and John Victor Tence) Nominated
2014 Dukit Best Picture Nominated
Best Director Nominated
Best Screenplay (shared with Honelyn Joy Alipio) Nominated
Best Music Nominated
Best Sound Nominated
2022 Gensan Punch Best Editing (shared with Ysballe Denoga and Peter Arian Vito) Nominated
Golden Screen Movie Awards 2005 Minsan Pa Best Screenplay Won
Best Original Song Won
2010 Butchered Best Screenplay Nominated
Luna Awards (FAP) 1990 Oras-oras, Araw-araw Best Story Adaptation Won
1999 Sana Pagibig na Best Screenplay Nominated
2024 N/a Lamberto Avellana Memorial Award Won
Metro Manila Film Festival 2013 Dukit New Wave Best Feature Film Won
New Wave Best Director Won
PMPC Star Awards for Movies 2023 Gensan Punch Indie Movie Editor of the Year (shared with Peter Arian Vito and Ysballe Denoga) Won
Young Critics Circle 1999 Fetch a Pail of Water Best Screenplay Nominated
Sana Pagibig na Best Screenplay Nominated
2004 Minsan Pa Best Screenplay Won
2008 Service Best Screenplay Nominated
2009 Biyaheng Lupa Best Film Nominated
Best Screenplay Won

References

  1. ↑ Cabalza, Dexter (September 11, 2026). "Get to know the next 10 national artists". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Inquirer Research. Retrieved September 12, 2026.
  2. ↑ Sallan, Edwin P. (January 23, 2013). "Award-winning screenwriter Armando Lao to hold 'Found Story' workshop". InterAksyon.com. Kapitolyo, Pasig. TV5 News and Information. Archived from the original on February 11, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Veteran screenwriter Armando 'Bing' Lao dies at 75". Rappler.com. June 18, 2024.
  4. ↑ Gatchalian, Ched Rick (June 18, 2024). "PH cinema icon Armando 'Bing' Lao dies at 75". Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  5. ↑ Cabato, Luisa (September 9, 2026). "Palace names National Artists for 2025, 1st woman in visual arts". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved September 9, 2026.