Veteran director Celso Ad Castillo has passed away early Monday morning, November 26. He was 69. Direk Celso Ad Castillo, who directed the classic films Burlesk Queen and Patayin Mo Sa Sindak si Barbara died due to heart attack in his hometown in Laguna.
Direk Celso's brother, who said that the director had been battling a disease for some time now, confirmed the news. His wife, Ophelia told the Inquirer that his husband complains of chest pain late Sunday night. According to a report by Interaksyon.com, Direk Celso was brought to Pakil General Hospital at around 3 am where he was declared dead on arrival. His remains lie in state in his residence in Siniloan, Laguna.
Born in Siniloan, Laguna on the 12th of September 1943 to Atty. Dominador Ad Castillo, lawyer/writer, and Marta Adolfo, Celso Ad Castillo obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature in 1964. Two years after his college graduation, he wrote and directed his first movie, Misyong Mapanganib. His first significant film came in 1971 — Asedillo, starring Fernando Poe, Jr. as a 1920s bandit anted by the American colonial government.
He went on to release 64 films and among them are classics Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop Sa Balat Ng Lupa, Asedillo, Patayin Mo Sa Sindak Si Barbara, Nympha, Pagputi Ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak, Paradise Inn, Virgin People and Burlesk Queen. It was Castillo who started a trend in Philippine movies known as the wet look which later helped establish bomba film as a definite genre.
Direk Celso Ad Castillo was once hailed by Peque Gallaga and Lino Brocka as "the greatest Filipino filmmaker this generation has produced." As an actor, he was last seen in the 2011 TV dramas Reputasyon on ABS-CBN and Babaeng Hampaslupa on TV5.