BEFORE Amable “Tikoy” Aguiluz VI became an acclaimed director and film producer, he started as a visual artist. He converted the den of the family house in Panay Avenue, Quezon City, into his own pad.

He also sat in on the art classes of Bobby Chabet and joined painting exhibitions curated by the progressive mentor.

In 1976, Tikoy was selected by Rey Albano for the 13 artists exhibit at the CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines).

He staged his first, one-man solo exhibition, Rara Avis (Rare Bird), at the Kanto Gallery in Makati in June 2019. Meanwhile, Rara Avis 2 was held at the SM Aura Premier in June 2022.

However, Tikoy pursued his filmmaking vision in his 30’s. He was recognized as one of the leading figures in Philippine alternative cinema for his invaluable contributions to the film industry.

He passed on peacefully in his family home on Monday morning, February 19. He was 72.

Tikoy took up formal film studies in New York, where he resided for a time. The Big Apple’s vibrant art scene became a part of his self-education. He also did his film residency in Sri Lanka,

It is in Tikoy’s critically-acclaimed and award-winning works on the big screen where he made a prominent name for himself.

The year was 1985 when the multi-award winning director, producer, screenwriter and cinematographer made his directorial debut in the acclaimed film, ‘Boatman,’ starring Ronnie Lazaro and Sarsi Emmanuel.

The drama was screened at the London Film Festival, where it was cited as outstanding film of the year. Locally, Boatman also earned a Gawad Urian nomination for Tikoy as Best Director.

Tikoy’s follow up projects were two documentaries – Father Balweg: Rebel Priest (1986) with Conrado Balweg himself, as well as Bagong Bayani (1995), with Helen Gamboa, as the ill-fated household help, Flor Contemplacion. Dennis Marasigan and Irma Adlawan were also in the cast.

Tikoy’s critically-acclaimed ‘Segurista,’ came eleven years after his directorial debut. The film became the Philippines’ official entry to the 1996 Academy Awards for the Best Foreign Language Film category. ‘Segurista’ ranked 12 among 39 entries submitted.

At the Gawad Urian, the film swept the major awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Tikoy, Best Screenplay (for Tikoy, Jose Lacaba and Amado Lacuesta), Best Editing (Edgardo “Boy” Viñarao and Mirana Medina-Bhunjun) and Best Supporting Actor for Albert Martinez.

‘Segurista’ starred beauty queen Michelle Aldana with Gary Estrada, Albert Martinez, Julio Diaz, Anthony Castelo and Pen Medina. The film was likewise exhibited in prestigious festivals around the world, including Toronto (Canada), Singapore and many others.

Meanwhile, Tikoy’s historical film, ‘Rizal sa Dapitan’ (1997), won the Grand Jury Prize at the Brussels International Film Festival.

‘Tatarin’ or ‘Tadtarin’ (2001) is another controversial film of Tikoy’s based on National Artist for Literature, Nick Joaquin’s short story, ‘The Summer Solstice.’

The film is about a ritual performed by women to invoke the gods to grant the blessing of fertility by dancing around a balete tree that was already a century old. Dina Bonnevie, Edu Manzano, Rica Peralejo and Patricia Javier starred in ‘Tatarin.’

Wake of Direk Tikoy is at Christ the King Parish Church at Green Meadows, Quezon City. Inurnment will be at Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina on February 24, following the 9 a.m. mass.