Award-winning director, screenwriter Armando “Bing” Lao dies

by Boy Villasanta

Another work shopper in the first-ever free scriptwriting classes in 1982 of National Artist for Film Ricky Lee has written 30.

Award-winning screenwriter, producer and director Armando Lao, also known as Bing Lao, died of heart failure on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.

Colleague Jeffrey Jeturian, one of his best friends and classmates at Ricky’s seminar reported on his social media territories that Armando passed away.

Here’s Jeffrey’s eulogy on Bing: “Acclaimed screenwriter and filmmaker Armando “Bing” Lao passed away peacefully this morning at the Philippine Heart Center at the age of 75.

“Lao was a towering figure in Philippine cinema, known for his award-winning screenplays such as ‘Itanong Mo Sa Buwan,’ ‘Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-ibig,’ ‘Takaw Tukso,’ ‘Pila Balde,’ ‘Tuhog,’ ‘Serbis.’ He later founded the Found Story school of filmmaking, where he mentored countless aspiring artists.

“Lao’s influence extended beyond the classroom, as he also served as a creative consultant on numerous internationally recognized films such as ‘Kubrador,’ ‘Kinatay,’ ‘Masahista,’ ‘Foster Child,’ ‘Taklub,’ ‘Mindanao,’ ‘‘Ma Rosa,’ ‘Tribu,’ ‘Bwaya,’ ‘Pamilya Ordinaryo,’ ‘Bagahe,’ ‘Verdict,’ ‘John Denver Trending,’ ‘Ang Pagong at ang Matsing’ and many more.

“He also directed ‘Byaheng Lupa,’ ‘Ad Ignorantiam’ and ‘Dukit.’”

A memorial service will be held at Arlington Memorial Chapels in Araneta Avenue, Araneta I HALL B Chapel starting June 19 until June 21 (Friday). Cremation will take place on June 22 (Saturday) at 8 AM.

Three of Bing’s classmates at Lee’s workshop had also passed on like award-winning film artists Lynda Casimiro, Leo Abaya and Vincent Benjamin Kua, Jr.

The living ones, aside from Jeturian, are Benjie Tan, Nonoy Labayen, Jose “Peping” Almojuela, Emmie G. Velarde, Philip Garia, Jr., Eric Reyes, Loretta Medina, Buddy Palad  and myself.

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