Armando “Bing” Lao, the acclaimed screenwriter behind several landmark Filipino films, has been named a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Lao, who died in June 2024 at age 75, is among the 10 artists recently declared National Artists by President Marcos.
Malacañang confirmed the announcement on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, with the new roster recognizing artists and cultural figures in literature, visual arts, architecture, dance, design, film, theater, and music.
The new National Artists are Nicanor Tiongson and Gregorio Brillantes for Literature; Imelda Cajipe Endaya and Nunelucio Alvarado for Visual Arts; Gabriel Formoso for Architecture; Rafael “Nonoy” Froilan for Dance; Maria Beatriz “Patis” Tesoro for Design; Armando “Bing” Lao for Film and Broadcast Arts; Teodoro Hilado for Theater; and Alfredo Buenaventura for Music.
The previous batch of National Artists was proclaimed in 2022.
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ARMANDO “BING” LAO: NATIONAL ARTIST FOR FILM AND BROADCAST ARTS
For generations of Filipino filmmakers, Armando “Bing” Lao was more than an award-winning screenwriter.
He was also a mentor, creative consultant, filmmaker, and teacher whose influence extended to some of the country's most respected independent and critically acclaimed films.
Lao began writing screenplays in the mid-1980s. Among his notable works were Takaw Tukso, Itanong Mo sa Buwan, Pila Balde, and Tuhog.
His screenplay for Tuhog was screened at the Venice Film Festival.
His collaborations with filmmaker Jeffrey Jeturian included Pila Balde, Tuhog, and Kubrador, while his work with Brillante Mendoza included Serbis and Kinatay.
Both Serbis and Kinatay competed at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
Mendoza previously credited Lao as an important mentor in his career, saying he owed much to the veteran screenwriter.
He said: “Ito lang ang palagi kong sasabihin: Kung ano man ako ngayon, at kung nasaan man ako ngayon, at kung saan ako pupunta, I always owe it to Armando Lao.
"Siya yung kinu-consider kong mentor ko, mula noong una hanggang ngayon, at hanggang sa darating na panahon. I owe it to him.”
Lao's influence went beyond the films he personally wrote.
He conducted scriptwriting workshops and served as a creative consultant to other filmmakers and writers.
He was also known for his Found Story approach to screenwriting and established the Found Story Screenwriting Workshop, helping nurture a new generation of Filipino storytellers.
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BIYAHENG LUPA
He eventually made his directorial debut with Biyaheng Lupa, which won the Lino Grand Jury Prize at the 11th Cinemanila International Film Festival.
Biyaheng Lupa is one of the films cited in the book 100 Sine. Film. Pelikula. The 100+ Greatest Movies of Philippine Cinema, written by Jo-Ann Q. Maglipon in collaboration with Joel David.
Read: Biyaheng Lupa uses a bus trip as a metaphor for life's journey
Lao died at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City on June 18, 2024.
His National Artist recognition therefore comes posthumously.
This September, the country is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Second Golden Age of Philippine Cinema, with the Philippine Film Industry Month 2026 carrying the theme “Pelikula: Ginintuang Ikalawa.”
Among the filmmakers whose work continues to be revisited during the celebration is Lao, whose Tuhog is part of the FDCP's September Director's Series.