Mike de Leon was a Filipino film director who passed away on August 28, 2025 at the age of 78. His death news announced his family. He was known for Itim (1976), Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising (1977), Kakabakaba Ka Ba? (1980), Kisapmata (1981), Batch ’81 (1981), Sister Stella L. (1984), Bayaning 3rd World (2000), and Citizen Jake (2018).
Mike de Leon – early life
He born on March 24, 1947, in Manila, Philippines. His parents were producer Manuel de Leon and Imelda Pamintuan. His paternal grandmother was Narcisa “Sisang” de Leon, the founder of LVN Pictures. One of his sisters, Narcisa (“Ching”), served as the appointments secretary under President Corazon Aquino. He first completed a bachelor’s degree at Ateneo de Manila University and then pursued art history studies at the University of Heidelberg in Germany.
Mike de Leon – Career
He directed two short films, Sa Bisperas (1972) and Monologo (1975). He founded Cinema Artists Philippines, a production company and he also served as cinematographer. He produced Cirio H. Santiago’s Happy Days Are Here Again (1974), from musical comedies produced by LVN, Sampaguita Pictures, and Premiere Productions. He debuted as director with Itim, released in 1976. It starred Charo Santos in her first film role.
He also directed drama Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising, released in 1977 and starred Christopher de Leon and Hilda Koronel. In the 1980s, Mike de Leon directed some of his most acclaimed films, including Kakabakaba Ka Ba? (1980), the political satire Batch ’81 (1982), and the socially relevant Sister Stella L. (1984), which cemented his reputation as a fearless filmmaker tackling issues like authoritarianism and social justice. In the 1990s, he slowed down but returned with the highly praised Bayaning 3rd World (1999), an experimental film questioning the legacy of national hero José Rizal, showcasing his continued commitment to thought-provoking cinema. In 2018, Mike de Leon returned with Citizen Jake, criticizing Duterte and starring Atom Araullo. In 2022, MoMA held a retrospective of his films, and he released his two-volume memoir Last Look Back.
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