UP CMC's Gawad Plaridel honors Ricky Lee

Manila, Philippines - The University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication (UP CMC) on Wednesday awarded the UP Gawad Plaridel for 2015 to award-winning scriptwriter and novelist Ricardo "Ricky" Lee.

"He has been instrumental in mentoring, sharing his craft, and honing the skills of the next generation of playwrights through his scriptwriting workshops and books. He has significantly contributed to Philippine literature and popular culture through his filmography and fiction," the UP CMC said in a statement.

Lee has produced memorable films such as Himala, Jaguar, Salome, Moral and Karnal which have "introduced new subjectivities that tackled taboos and modern moralities in Philippine cinema."

He will conduct the first UP Gawad Plaridel Masterclass on scriptwriting on September 12, 19 and 26.

The UP Gawad Plaridel is the university's highest award for an outstanding media practitioner. The award comes with a trophy designed by National Artist Napoleon Abueva.

Past awardees include Eugenia Duran-Apostol (2004, print), Vilma Santos (2005, film), Fidela “Tiya Dely” Magpayo (2006, radio), Cecilia “Cheche” L. Lazaro (2007, television), Pachico A. Seares (2008, community print), Kidlat Tahimik (2009, independent filmmaking), Eloisa “Lola Sela” Canlas (2011, radio), Florence “Rosa Rosal” Danon-Gayda (2012, television), Jose “Pete” Lacaba (2013, print) and Nora Aunor (2014, transmedia). - Patricia Lourdes Viray