The University of the Philippines on Wednesday awarded writer Ricky Lee the 11th UP Gawad Plaridel 2015 for Film.
At rites held at the UP Film Center, Lee was cited for creating a body of cinematic pieces such as “Himala,” “Salome,” and “Moral,” depicting themes once considered taboo in Philippine cinema, and for sharing his expertise in scriptwriting with others.
Lee was presented with a trophy designed by National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon Abueva, together with a Pagkilala certificate and a P100,000 cash prize by UP Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan, Dean Roland Tolentino, Dean Elena Pernia, and Professor Emeritus Nicanor Tiongson.
In his response, Lee credited the state university for molding him as a writer. “It was here at UP where I gained my social consciousness. Whatever social commentaries are seen in my writings for literature or for film, they stem from my awakening here at UP. ”
Lee said writers need to be risk-takers. “It is important for a writer to open a door, whatever may lie behind it—be it a cliff, the dark or a monster. One cannot play it safe.” Writing is a never-ending journey. You never get there. You just keep going,” he added.
Pernia, incoming UP College of Mass Communication dean, said in her message that “while we learn from our awardees, there are certain things that can’t be taught,” adding that learning cannot be separated from lived experiences.
The annual UP Gawad Plaridel, named after national hero Marcelo H. del Pilar, is the sole award given by the University of the Philippines to an outstanding media practitioner. Like del Pilar, the recipient must believe in the vision of a Philippine society that is egalitarian, participative, and a media that is socially responsible, critical and vigilant, liberative and transformative, free and independent.